I know some of you have had your C7's long enough to need new tires. My question is: Do you go back with the same manufacture and run-flats? Or, did you go with a different brand and Non Run-flats? If so, do you like them better or not as well as OEM?
Discuss.

 

I ran non-runflats on both my C5 and C6. Found the ride & handling much better than the stock runflats. Plus, they were substantially cheaper, and, lasted twice as long.Check out the ratings on both at The Tire Rack, then decide for yourself.

 

I always put non-runflats on my C6... No sense in paying more money for a lesser tire. Throw a tire slime/inflator kit and some tire plugs in the trunk, and have $5/mo roadside assistance in case I ever have a sidewall blowout. The non-runflats served me well and I never had any problems, but it was a minor issue in the negotiations for trading in my C6 for my soon-to-be-delivered C7... dealer said they couldn't resell the C6 without putting OEM tires on it, and used that to try to lowball me on the price. Being that most buyers wont care (and may even prefer non-runflats), that might have just been a negotiation tactic, I don't know. In any case, as soon as the C7 needs tires, it's getting conventional non-runflat tires just like the C6 did.

The only people I know who willingly buy runflats are the ones who have leased vehicles that will get returned or traded-in on those tires, and people who either don't know any better or are paranoid about getting a flat. But even if you do get a flat, runflats are still kinda crap to drive on... That happened to my mom's BMW 3-series, and I think she has realized that she'd be better off just buying a spare tire for it (the car has the room, apparently) than to keep paying $300 a tire.

 

with the non-run crap consensus...

Don't have 'em on our C5Z and didn't have 'em on my C6 (83K miles without a problem)

 

I will go back with the run flats. I had a sidewall blow out in a BMW 3 series and was able to drive home 25 miles and deal with it the next day.
Eric

 

I ordered new wheels and the new tires I just ordered for them are non run flats, but still going with the MSS.

 

You all realize that the current generation of Michelin tires are worlds apart from the first series of Goodyear run flats on previous generations, correct? The compounds on the PSS tires with the TPC designation are specific to the Corvette. Any other model tire will change the handling characteristics and more than like lower the performance envelope. It would take back to back performance testing to determine exactly how much performance is effected, something I doubt anyone here has the time, money or patience to do.

I'm sure ultimate performance is irrelevant to many here but I just wanted to mention this as there is a lot of FUD about what people have done on previous generation cars which is pretty much irrelevant.

 

How can a run flat continue to run with a blown out sidewall?

 

Wait to experience the new Michelins.....They are worlds better than the C6 junk, and anything that BMW/Mini uses. You might be pleasantly surprised...I was.

 

IMHO I would go with the tires it came with. Smart people decided to put those tires on the car.

 

I don't know how it does it, but I have seen it in action. You obviously have to replace the tire, but it does give you a chance to drive away on the flat tire rather than deal with it at the location of the blowout.

 

Hit a pothole and caused a 3" gash in the side of the tire. Tire held together and I drove home and then to the dealer the next morning.
Eric

 

My vote is the dealer was trying to BS you about your tire choice.


Good points for both sides. I have noticed there's more road noise with the stock tires. Not an issue with the setting on Sport.
For those who went non-run flat. What brand did you go with?

 

The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires are popular with members of the forum. These are not run-flats. Some well intentioned members think it's a mistake to go with anything but the original summer only tires. Trolls will mock anyone who chooses an A/S tire.

There have been several reports that Michelin is going to release a run flat version of their A/S high performance tires, but this hasn't happened yet. Some have suggested it's coming this fall.

I know others have gone with other brands of high-performance tires and hopefully they will post with their experiences. Some are reluctant to talk about their A/S tires for fear of being abused by the trolls.

Living where I do, and not tracking my car, it's my intent to swap out the original tires with the Michelin A/S shortly after buying the car.

 

I had Pilot Sport A/S run-flats on my C5. It's more a matter of Michelin making the proper sizes. I believe they already make sizes for the base (non Z51) car. As for being a troll, I regularly drive all my vettes in rain, and my C5 with PS A/S tires saw snow on a number of occasions. A/S tires let me drive year round. On the other hand, my 427 with PSSs is all over the place in cold weather, as no one, as far as I know, makes A/S tires in ZR1 sizes.

 

I only use run flats. I hit a pot hole at 65mph and put a 1 inch slice where sidewall meets tread and I drove 85 miles to my home at 60mph with no issues.

 

The Michelin 'Pilot Sport A/S 3' comes in Z51 sizes. Has anyone used these on their Z51 specifically, and if so, what do you think?

 

I drive my vettes everyday. The last thing I want is to get stranded with a flat. In 150,000 miles on runflats I have had 7 flat tires and have never been stranded.

One time while on a drive from Florida to New Hampshire in my C6 I hit a pot hole the size of a Volkswagen on the Pennsylvania / New York state line and blew the bead. It was 4:30 in the morning on a Sunday. I drove 300 miles (at 55 MPH) on a completely flat tire.

I will always use run flats....

 

WOW- that certainly is a testimonial for run-flats

 

Yeah these happened to be Firestones. They were on their last leg anyway so I was planning on getting them replaced when i got to NH (No Sales Tax). I was concerned the rim might have been damaged but it was just fine.

The worst part was staying in the right lane and setting the cruise for 55 MPH and getting passed by all those minivans (embarrassing )