Update on my Michelin A/S Run Flats
08-26-2011, 02:11 PM
#41
Pro
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Yes....love my Michelin AS ZP...
Much quieter. Road force balance and also a more touring friendly alignment. Tires, alignment, etc much nicer than the GY's. Basically less aggressive toe and camber.
Had to turn down the GPS voice as the cabin is much quieter. Love it.
Much quieter. Road force balance and also a more touring friendly alignment. Tires, alignment, etc much nicer than the GY's. Basically less aggressive toe and camber.
Had to turn down the GPS voice as the cabin is much quieter. Love it.
08-26-2011, 03:41 PM
#42
My used '08 came with a nearly new set of these installed. Seem like a great tire to me. Quite ride, good wearing, linear handling.
I'll happily give up 5% peak traction for 2x the tire life and ~5dB less road noise. Seems like a clear winner unless you track your car or simply don't drive it enough to worry about wear.
I'll happily give up 5% peak traction for 2x the tire life and ~5dB less road noise. Seems like a clear winner unless you track your car or simply don't drive it enough to worry about wear.
08-26-2011, 10:56 PM
#44
Tech Contributor
For those sticking with more that 3 YO GY's or until they make it to the tread wear indicator don't know what you are missing. A better tire is the best mod you can make to your Vette and noticeably safer especially in rain.
08-26-2011, 11:27 PM
#45
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My car came from Texas and has F/S Firehawk Wide Ovals on it. Great for summer but I noticed last winter/spring they were a little traction challenged. This was not in snow or on major ice, but even with some minor patches on the ground on a nice day I slid around badly.
Thinking about switching to the Michelin AS as I understand they do much better in colder climates. Can anyone confirm that?
Thinking about switching to the Michelin AS as I understand they do much better in colder climates. Can anyone confirm that?
08-26-2011, 11:56 PM
#46
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
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St. Jude Donor '13
FWIW, we had the Firestones on our C5. I was very pleased with them as summer tires, but in cold temps, even with a dry road, their traction fell off badly. I didn't do enough testing to provide any numbers, but I'd be cautious below 50'F with almost any summer tire.
Our Michelin A/S runflats have performed nicely down to about 20'F, and in snow up to 2". No testing beyond that point. They are a good A/S tires, but you still will lose some traction when it gets cold and a lot more on any ice or snow.
Cheers!
Our Michelin A/S runflats have performed nicely down to about 20'F, and in snow up to 2". No testing beyond that point. They are a good A/S tires, but you still will lose some traction when it gets cold and a lot more on any ice or snow.
Cheers!
08-27-2011, 12:20 AM
#48
Race Director
I had them on my 08. GYs are noisy tires, especially worn ones. I use to say A/S are perfect for street use but I missed the dry weather traction of the stock Goodyears especially in corners. The tread on the A/S tires roll to easy at around .80g. If you use your C6 as a daily driver then I could see using them but I didn't spend $50k something on a sports car just to hurt its performance. I don't think I would get A/S tires again for my Vette even if they did come in GS size. Well that is just my opinion. I drove in heavy rain with my GS on the stock GY Supercar tires and I'm still in one piece. Hard to believe isn't it. I used an old driving technique called slowing down for the conditions which still works.
08-27-2011, 12:30 AM
#50
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2009
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2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I had them on my 08. GYs are noisy tires, especially worn ones. I use to say A/S are perfect for street use but I missed the dry weather traction of the stock Goodyears especially in corners. The tread on the A/S tires roll to easy at around .80g. If you use your C6 as a daily driver then I could see using them but I didn't spend $50k something on a sports car just to hurt its performance. I don't think I would get A/S tires again for my Vette even if they did come in GS size. Well that is just my opinion. I drove in heavy rain with my GS on the stock GY Supercar tires and I'm still in one piece. Hard to believe isn't it. I used an old driving technique called slowing down for the conditions which still works.
08-27-2011, 05:53 PM
#52
I was skeptical about the A/S rating when it came to performance, especially in dry, summer weather. They have exceeded my expectations in this area. Mine is a DD and I drive in freezing/wet roads in my 45 mile commute during the winter, so they fit the bill perfect. They seem to be very predictable when driving at the limit too wet & dry, which is great for an A/S tire.
My only complaint is minor. The way the tire is shaped, it looks like a somewhat narrower 285 than others when looking at the rears, that's all the bad for me though...I'd buy them again.
My only complaint is minor. The way the tire is shaped, it looks like a somewhat narrower 285 than others when looking at the rears, that's all the bad for me though...I'd buy them again.
08-27-2011, 06:45 PM
#53
Burning Brakes
When my GY's were new (less than 15K) and my car was bone stock or with minor mods, they'd dead hook at 2 AZ tracks and 2 in NJ with 2.0x 60' times. After 15K they started to go away, but the mods kept the 60' nearly the same.
Later with new Invos and a few more mods, they didn't cure the traction issue on the first outing, so I switched and ran DR's at all 3 AZ tracks.
On a Feb/Mar road trip I ran at a FL track on half used up Invos and managed a 11.45 with a 1.75 60'. By that time I had a 3600 stall and other boltons that put me in the high 10s/low 11s with 1.5x 60' on DRs at both AZ and CA tracks.
On my most recent (Jul/Aug) road trip I ran a best of 12.18 and couldn't get a 60' better than 1.99 at an OH track with about 3K on the AS ZP tires.
You can draw your own conclusions, but my opinion is that the harder compound of the AS that lasts for 50K miles offers less bite than the 30K mileage of the Invos.
Later with new Invos and a few more mods, they didn't cure the traction issue on the first outing, so I switched and ran DR's at all 3 AZ tracks.
On a Feb/Mar road trip I ran at a FL track on half used up Invos and managed a 11.45 with a 1.75 60'. By that time I had a 3600 stall and other boltons that put me in the high 10s/low 11s with 1.5x 60' on DRs at both AZ and CA tracks.
On my most recent (Jul/Aug) road trip I ran a best of 12.18 and couldn't get a 60' better than 1.99 at an OH track with about 3K on the AS ZP tires.
You can draw your own conclusions, but my opinion is that the harder compound of the AS that lasts for 50K miles offers less bite than the 30K mileage of the Invos.
08-27-2011, 11:29 PM
#54
Pro
I guess my next tires will be Michelin after these comments and updates,
08-27-2011, 11:51 PM
#55
Burning Brakes
So, I thought I'd just post a quick comment on what I think of the new treads I just put on the coupe. I love these tires. I have about 1K miles on them now. They are SO quiet compared to the GYs. I've done some spirited driving with them and they stick fine (of course in our heat this summer any rubber is sticking to the pavement). I think the ride is much more comfortable as well. Now let's see how long they last. I'm hopeful!
11-09-2011, 02:13 PM
#56
Burning Brakes
I put my AS's (asses?) ZP's (zippies?) on a month or so ago (*** Zippies?). Along with ZR-1 replica wheels - pictures are posted in another thread. I like them. I really like them. Went to work this morning with the weather forcast being wet, cold, chance of snow flurries. Didn't think twice (maybe I did, can't remember that far ago), left the 4x4 Ram at home, took the 'vette.
11-09-2011, 02:31 PM
#57
Le Mans Master
If we had stayed in PA I would probably have gone with the AS tires. However, we moved to Florida and need tires that'll handle water and grip on a hot summer road. I had Nitto's on my C5, but, cannot get 555R's in C6 sizes. I'm actually leaning towards Hankooks....but, would prefer Michelins, but, I need tires that'll hook.....period. Help me guys??
11-09-2011, 03:44 PM
#58
Safety Car
If we had stayed in PA I would probably have gone with the AS tires. However, we moved to Florida and need tires that'll handle water and grip on a hot summer road. I had Nitto's on my C5, but, cannot get 555R's in C6 sizes. I'm actually leaning towards Hankooks....but, would prefer Michelins, but, I need tires that'll hook.....period. Help me guys??
They work awesome on hot summer roads. What are you waiting for?
11-09-2011, 04:01 PM
#59
Le Mans Master
Here in Chicago I just put a set on getting ready for snow, rain, ice, and -- in six months -- hot roads & heavy rain. 
Had them on my C5 and they were great in all weather.
11-09-2011, 06:28 PM
#60
New Tires
I just installed my new Michellin A/S ZP's. How do I explain it so here goes. WOW, they ride good, WOW, no noise, WOW, they stick. Need I say more. These are worth every nickle.
TIM$VETT
TIM$VETT
Last edited by Tim Coltrain; 11-09-2011 at 06:37 PM. Reason: Picture