Tires - Need Quick Advice
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
Tires - Need Quick Advice
I have a standard 2006 A6 that needs tires. I want the new Firestones, but everything I see says they are for the Z51 only. Can I use them for my standard coupe? Thanks. (Any feedback from users also appreciated.)
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: APPOMATTOX VIRGINIA
Purchase decision should be based on how you drive the car. If you're looking for traction, BFG KDW2's will fit the bill. These tires are not run flats, so I purchased from Tire Rack a pump with a latex gel. The gel can be removed from the inner tire with just a water hose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
I had Firestone Firehawks on one of our C5s, and really liked them. Check out the Tire Rack for ideas. Out here in the wide open west, runflats are the no-brainer choice; you may be able to live without them in your local. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 266
Likes: 2
From: Alliston Ontario
Just changed from BFG G-Force KD's to Firestone Wide Ovals. Kinda disappointed. The new tires have a very narrow section/tread width compared to the BFG's. They almost look stretched on the rim. The also don't have as much traction as the KD's did. If I did it again, I would get another set of KD's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 3
From: La Mesa CA
use them to save $$$$ and get better miles out of the tires.
Go for it.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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I just put another set of Goodyear GS2 EMTs on my car. The first set lasted 42,000 miles, and would have gone further if I hadn't had an alignment problem which caused one of the fronts to wear excessively (hit a hole and the first alignment shop didn't put it back right). I looked at the Firestones, but I actually got a better deal on the Goodyears thanks to Tire Rack's special.
I've been relatively pleased with the GS2s. They wore well, and they endured 3 flats with no adverse consequences. Better wet and cold traction than the SCs too. The Firestones still have a lower tread life rating than the GS2s. I considered them because people said they rode better and were quieter. But frankly, the GS2s ride well enough, and they didn't start to get really noisy until near the end of their life (and I think that was mostly due to the uneven wear from the bad alignment).
If I didn't take frequent long trips, sometimes to very remote areas, I'd have considered a non-runflat. I've always liked Michelins. But with no provision for a spare in this car, I'm sticking with runflats.
I've been relatively pleased with the GS2s. They wore well, and they endured 3 flats with no adverse consequences. Better wet and cold traction than the SCs too. The Firestones still have a lower tread life rating than the GS2s. I considered them because people said they rode better and were quieter. But frankly, the GS2s ride well enough, and they didn't start to get really noisy until near the end of their life (and I think that was mostly due to the uneven wear from the bad alignment).
If I didn't take frequent long trips, sometimes to very remote areas, I'd have considered a non-runflat. I've always liked Michelins. But with no provision for a spare in this car, I'm sticking with runflats.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
I have 28,000 miles on the tires. However, this includes some track work, both road course and strips. So I guess the miles are really not too bad. It looks like I will try the Firestones. Thanks for the thoughts.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Brighton UK
So let me get this straight, it IS possible to put none runflats on my C6? Corvettes are very rare here in the UK, so most tyre shops can't give me good advice.
I currently need new tyres all round. Goodyear run flats will take a good month to get here on order??! But I can get none runflats next day.
John
I currently need new tyres all round. Goodyear run flats will take a good month to get here on order??! But I can get none runflats next day.
John
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Brighton UK
So you don’t notice any difference in handling etc, like some of the others have noticed here? Did you have to chance the valve sensors too?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 7
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