2008 Tires
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 59
From: Farmington, MI
Well, it depends what you mean by "best" .... 
With Corvettes the first decision to make is whether you want to have run-flats or not.
- If yes, and cost is not an issue, the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ now being replaced by the AS4 version is about the best pick.
- If no, other popular choices include the Continental Extremecontact DWS which perform well and are more budget-friendly than Michelin.
With Corvettes the first decision to make is whether you want to have run-flats or not.
- If yes, and cost is not an issue, the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ now being replaced by the AS4 version is about the best pick.
- If no, other popular choices include the Continental Extremecontact DWS which perform well and are more budget-friendly than Michelin.
Last edited by Farmvette; Sep 26, 2021 at 10:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Since you're new to the C6 you might want to do a little research on run-craps. There is a reason they are not exactly popular as replacement tires.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
This is a reasonably fair review of both sides of the argument.
"Run-Flat Tires/No Flat Tires - The Pros and Cons | Edmunds" https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
You're about to drop some major coin on tires and since you're new to the C6 I didn't want you saying "I wish I had of known" three months down the road.
There are also several dozen threads in this forum on the pros and cons of run flats, doing the research is worth an hour of your life to make sure you get a tire that performs to your satisfaction.
From a personal standpoint after running both types of tires there is no way in hell I'd go back to run flats as the ride is so much smoother and quieter with non run flats, not to mention they are cheaper and you have a much better selection of tires, but that's just me.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,042
Likes: 3,585
From: Central MO
You find two camps for runflats. Keep in mind the majority of Corvette owners don't drive very many miles and tend to only drive locally. Non runflats don't represent a big risk for that type of person. Others who drive on long trips in remote areas benefit from taking the safe route by sticking with runflats.
People will say you can use a Slime repair kit (or other similar kit that has sealant and a battery operated compressor) and a tire plug kit. Those will take care of small leaks but if you get a large leak, you could be stranded in the middle of nowhere. With a runflat you can at least limp to the nearest town, even with a catastrophic failure.
I choose to stick with runflats because I am in the group that does long road trips. I have also experienced a couple of tire failures on the road that would have left me stranded if I only had a repair kit.
Just do some research, figure out which option you believe is best for you, and go from there.
People will say you can use a Slime repair kit (or other similar kit that has sealant and a battery operated compressor) and a tire plug kit. Those will take care of small leaks but if you get a large leak, you could be stranded in the middle of nowhere. With a runflat you can at least limp to the nearest town, even with a catastrophic failure.
I choose to stick with runflats because I am in the group that does long road trips. I have also experienced a couple of tire failures on the road that would have left me stranded if I only had a repair kit.
Just do some research, figure out which option you believe is best for you, and go from there.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
I live in Utah and all my road trips are to the middle of no where.
Although run flats are designed to run in spite of a puncture for up to 50 miles, driving with an under-inflated run flat tire puts high stress on the sidewall structure and can damage the tire irreversibly. For this reason, in most cases, the run flat must be replaced with a new tire, and no way in hell are you going to find the proper run flat in stock in most smaller western towns or cities so you're stuck.
Run flats vs non run flats is complicated....
Although run flats are designed to run in spite of a puncture for up to 50 miles, driving with an under-inflated run flat tire puts high stress on the sidewall structure and can damage the tire irreversibly. For this reason, in most cases, the run flat must be replaced with a new tire, and no way in hell are you going to find the proper run flat in stock in most smaller western towns or cities so you're stuck.
Run flats vs non run flats is complicated....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,042
Likes: 3,585
From: Central MO
I live in Utah and all my road trips are to the middle of no where.
Although run flats are designed to run in spite of a puncture for up to 50 miles, driving with an under-inflated run flat tire puts high stress on the sidewall structure and can damage the tire irreversibly. For this reason, in most cases, the run flat must be replaced with a new tire, and no way in hell are you going to find the proper run flat in stock in most smaller western towns or cities so you're stuck.
Run flats vs non run flats is complicated....
Although run flats are designed to run in spite of a puncture for up to 50 miles, driving with an under-inflated run flat tire puts high stress on the sidewall structure and can damage the tire irreversibly. For this reason, in most cases, the run flat must be replaced with a new tire, and no way in hell are you going to find the proper run flat in stock in most smaller western towns or cities so you're stuck.
Run flats vs non run flats is complicated....
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 410
Likes: 9
Tires
I have same year and model as the OP…looking for some Pilot Super Sport ZP near 34238. In Florida with all the housing construction flats are kinda like a way of life and trying to change or fix them on our highways with the current skill set driving by is not recommended.
Last edited by Wallacefl; Sep 27, 2021 at 10:23 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 611
From: DFW Texas
Good news is that tires are a consumable, but only if you use them (think miles) and you are not married to them. If the decision to go with run-flats doesn't work out, then switch at the next change cycle. Not sure why this is such an emotional subject. people either prefer them or not and that settles it.
GD
GD
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ripley Ohio
Thanks for all the feedback and advice - this is new to me, I'm still stuck in the 70's. 
I decided to pass on this particular car but after reading the recommended articles and forum threads I'm much better informed about C6 tires. I'll keep looking for the right car for us.
The Corvette community came through again!
Thanks,
Phil
I decided to pass on this particular car but after reading the recommended articles and forum threads I'm much better informed about C6 tires. I'll keep looking for the right car for us.The Corvette community came through again!
Thanks,
Phil