Need "Tire" help, Please
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
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From: Highland CA
Need "Tire" help, Please
I have some info from Vette owners regarding the run-flats vs the non-run-flats. I am thinking about putting non-run-flats on my 06 with Z51. The 18 inch isn't a problem but the 19 inch on the rear is practically unavailable. BF Goodrich has a set with mileage rating of 300 which is about 200 more than the run-flats have. I really don't need a high performance tire since I doubt if this Vette and its nearly 79 year old driver will ever go much over the speed limits. So, where can I get a matching set of 18/19 inch tires, at a very reasonable price, besides the Goodrich? Would like to be able to drive the car to the tire dealer in or near San Bernardino, California, for installation. Can anybody help?? Marvin 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,637
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From: Acton MA
I have BFGoodrich's KDW 2 from tire rack and had a local company (recommended by Tirerack) mount and balance the 4 for $80.
Nice tire. Good wear (300 rating), VERY quiet.
Much better performance to boot.
i got them in a +10mm sizes so
255/40 - 18 $184 each
295/35 - 19 $311 each
they also come in stock size at $187/ea for the front and $277/ea for the rear.
Nice tire. Good wear (300 rating), VERY quiet.
Much better performance to boot.
i got them in a +10mm sizes so
255/40 - 18 $184 each
295/35 - 19 $311 each
they also come in stock size at $187/ea for the front and $277/ea for the rear.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
The Tire Rack is an excellent place to shop, just select your car and click Show Matching Tires. However, you might have to re-select the car with and without the Z51 package to see all the options.
The BFG KDW2s offer a very good combination of performance and wear, with a rating of 300.
The Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval RFTs are runflats for about the same price and wear rating; many forum members report being quite happy with them.
The Goodyear tires do come in different versions:
The Eagle F1 Supercar (Z51/Z06) are wear rated 220 and I think they may have been a trifle optomistic on that.
The Eagle F1 EMT (non-Z) tires are 280 or 300 and seem to last a good bit longer than the Supercars.
The Eagle F1 A/S-C EMT are all-season tires rated at 320.
Of course they're all bloody expensive, about half again the cost of the BFGs or Firestones.
But there really aren't any inexpensive tires for the car. Partly, that's a matter of the size, but I think that most of it is that, due to liability issues, nobody wants to make a tire that doesn't match the performance of the car.
Last edited by Buffy; Jun 1, 2007 at 03:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Westland MI
I would stick with run flats
Given your situation, I would stick with run flats. It provides an extra level of safety if you were to get a flat tire. You risk ruining a rim if you were to get a flat on a non-run flat tire as well as reduced control. Runflats allow you to drive 50 miles at 50mph so you can get to a shop for repair plus driving control is not affected hardly at all if you stay within the speed recommendations. Given this, I would go with the Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval RFT (RunFlatTire). Discount Tire should carry it (You could ask them to match Tire Racks prices). I have heard only good things about this Firestone tire and it costs alot less than the Good Year Supercar F1 EMT tires that came with your car (about $800 less per set of 4 !!!). Plus the Firestone tires have a 300 AA treadwear rating which should last you alot longer than the Good Year tires that came with your car. The performance is identical to the Good Year tire and I hear it is less noiser and smoother riding also. Reference this link to Tire Rack for more info: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=Y&RunFlat=All
Sorry for the long reply but I will be getting these Firestone tires when my runcraps wearout.
Regards,
John
Sorry for the long reply but I will be getting these Firestone tires when my runcraps wearout.
Regards,
John
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Go with the Firestone Wide Oval Runflats. The price is reasonable (compared with the Goodyear's) tread wera at 300 is much better, and you don't have to worry about ruining a rim or scraping the bottom of your car (rocker panels or suspension) when a tire goes flat. My Z51 Goodyears will go soon to be replaced with the Firestones. Discount Tire is another place to check and another member said he got his at the local Firestone dealer who was happy to match the Tire Rack price.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
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From: Highland CA
I went with the Rolls Royce guys
Thanks everyone for your diversified advice. I could not find the Firestone tires on the Tire Rack site. I went with AVON, not the one that sells makeup to your wives, because they make tires for Rolls Royce and their prices are very good. Also, I went with the non run flats because of price and the fact that once you have a flat on one of those God-awfully expensive tires, you gotta buy another one, no exceptions. 
I got my 245/40ZR 18 for $139 each and the 285/35ZR 19 for $254 each. Delivered to my door, no sales tax, for a total of $836.21 and my performance dealer will mount and balance them for a total of $60. Additionally, these tires have a speed rating of W and a tire tread rating of 360, 20% better than most tires in this category. I have a 12V compressor so I need a small sissors jack and a plug kit. I haven't had a flat tire in over 30 years so I'll gamble on the rim damage. Maybe I really screwed up, Only time will tell...
because they make tires for Rolls Royce and their prices are very good. Also, I went with the non run flats because of price and the fact that once you have a flat on one of those God-awfully expensive tires, you gotta buy another one, no exceptions. I got my 245/40ZR 18 for $139 each and the 285/35ZR 19 for $254 each. Delivered to my door, no sales tax, for a total of $836.21 and my performance dealer will mount and balance them for a total of $60. Additionally, these tires have a speed rating of W and a tire tread rating of 360, 20% better than most tires in this category. I have a 12V compressor so I need a small sissors jack and a plug kit. I haven't had a flat tire in over 30 years so I'll gamble on the rim damage. Maybe I really screwed up, Only time will tell...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,824
Likes: 3
From: The left Coast
St. Jude Donor '08
I had to drive about 15 miles on one of my Firestones with no air. I was on the freeway so I drove about 60 mph and did not damage the tire at all and the car handled remarkably well.
(The shop that installed my tires and rims pinched the rubber washer on the right front sensor which allowed a leak.)
(The shop that installed my tires and rims pinched the rubber washer on the right front sensor which allowed a leak.)
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah WA
I have a set of FireStones on my z51, they are very good.
Just completed a trip to the Oregon coast, they don't track off in the
ruts like GY did, much easier to drive. The road noise is less, and they
grip pretty much the same as the GY.
Local FS dealer matched the TireRack price, plus gave me a road
hazzard warranty.
They look better than the GY's too.
Go with the Firestone Wide Oval Runflats. The price is reasonable (compared with the Goodyear's) tread wera at 300 is much better, and you don't have to worry about ruining a rim or scraping the bottom of your car (rocker panels or suspension) when a tire goes flat. My Z51 Goodyears will go soon to be replaced with the Firestones. Discount Tire is another place to check and another member said he got his at the local Firestone dealer who was happy to match the Tire Rack price.
Just completed a trip to the Oregon coast, they don't track off in the
ruts like GY did, much easier to drive. The road noise is less, and they
grip pretty much the same as the GY.
Local FS dealer matched the TireRack price, plus gave me a road
hazzard warranty.
They look better than the GY's too.
Go with the Firestone Wide Oval Runflats. The price is reasonable (compared with the Goodyear's) tread wera at 300 is much better, and you don't have to worry about ruining a rim or scraping the bottom of your car (rocker panels or suspension) when a tire goes flat. My Z51 Goodyears will go soon to be replaced with the Firestones. Discount Tire is another place to check and another member said he got his at the local Firestone dealer who was happy to match the Tire Rack price. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
I have some info from Vette owners regarding the run-flats vs the non-run-flats. I am thinking about putting non-run-flats on my 06 with Z51. The 18 inch isn't a problem but the 19 inch on the rear is practically unavailable. BF Goodrich has a set with mileage rating of 300 which is about 200 more than the run-flats have. I really don't need a high performance tire since I doubt if this Vette and its nearly 79 year old driver will ever go much over the speed limits. So, where can I get a matching set of 18/19 inch tires, at a very reasonable price, besides the Goodrich? Would like to be able to drive the car to the tire dealer in or near San Bernardino, California, for installation. Can anybody help?? Marvin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,637
Likes: 0
From: Acton MA
[QUOTE=Marvin S Ruth;1560529058]these tires have a speed rating of W and a tire tread rating of 360, 20% better than most tires in this category. QUOTE]
Remember that tirewear rating is REALITIVE to the other tires of that manufacturer and is NOT an industry standard so you can't compair to other tires.
Remember that tirewear rating is REALITIVE to the other tires of that manufacturer and is NOT an industry standard so you can't compair to other tires.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
You've received some good information. The Tirerack (on line) is an excellent source. I'll also say I've had great results with my local Discount Tire....those guys knock themselves out making sure you're happy. Even if they don't regularly handle a certain brand, my local DT will get them.
I concur....I'd suggest staying with the runflats. I just don't see the benefits of non-runflats out-weighing runflats in your case.
I concur....I'd suggest staying with the runflats. I just don't see the benefits of non-runflats out-weighing runflats in your case.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
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From: Highland CA
Too Late Now
The non run flats will arrive at my house tomorrow so it's a moot point about which are better. However, I do intend to get a plug kit and a very small jack so I can move the wheel to find the puncture. Does anyone know where I can get a small sissors jack that will go down to fit beneath a Vette frame?