Run Flats
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 585
From: Conway South Carolina
Run Flats
Is there one brand of Run Flats that ride better and are quieter than others? My only experience with them was on my C-5 and I couldn't get them off fast enough. They rode like they were made of brick & were loud as hell, or should I just do what I did on the C-5, put a set of Michelins Pilots on. And while I have your attention, is their any certain years of C-7 I should shy away from. I've really got the itch to move up to a C-7. The prices are coming down from the stratosphere, and I have my eye on several.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 594
From: Jefferson City Missouri
Any year C7 will be a great car. The 2014's have the A6 auto transmission while the 2015 - 2019 have the A8. There have been some issues with the A8 and with the triple flush and updated fluid the issue is substantially reduced. There were some updates over the generation so the later model that you buy will have some of those updates. Shy away from the 3LT or 3LZ trim package because of the dash delamination issue. There are some other things to watch for and others will chime in. The best of luck with your search.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,455
Likes: 76
From: Atlanta GA
Is there one brand of Run Flats that ride better and are quieter than others? My only experience with them was on my C-5 and I couldn't get them off fast enough. They rode like they were made of brick & were loud as hell, or should I just do what I did on the C-5, put a set of Michelins Pilots on. And while I have your attention, is their any certain years of C-7 I should shy away from. I've really got the itch to move up to a C-7. The prices are coming down from the stratosphere, and I have my eye on several.
I have the OEM Michelin's on my C7. I do recall on my old C5 there was a night and day difference between the OEM Goodyear run-flats and the Michelin run-flats I replaced them with.
As for which year C7 to get, I suggest getting the latest you can afford so you will have a warranty and a longer one at that. If you are shopping for an automatic and it has the A8 (I think 2017 and newer), check to see if it has had the triple-flush process done on it. From what I hear people have had less issues with A6 than the A8. If you are getting a manual, they are all 7-speed. The later model ones have additional features such as Apple CarPlay, front parking cameras, etc.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 5,198
From: Chester VA
Yes to what everyone else has written about the later models, the A8 and the 3L trim issues.
I'll add - 16 and up has Apple car play standard, front facing cameras for parking, and an automatic pull-down for the rear hatch.
The 2L trim levels add heated/ventilated seats, memory position seats, and some other items I can't recall right now.
I like the NPP performance exhaust option. Easily visibly identified from a look at the rear end of the car.
Re: tires - 6 weeks ago I switched from the original Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only run-flats to Michelin Pilot All-Season run-flats (A/S4 tires). Road noise is GREATLY reduced, and the low-speed, sharp-turn chattering from the Ackerman effect is gone. All that plus I keep the security of run-flat tires.
I'll add - 16 and up has Apple car play standard, front facing cameras for parking, and an automatic pull-down for the rear hatch.
The 2L trim levels add heated/ventilated seats, memory position seats, and some other items I can't recall right now.
I like the NPP performance exhaust option. Easily visibly identified from a look at the rear end of the car.
Re: tires - 6 weeks ago I switched from the original Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only run-flats to Michelin Pilot All-Season run-flats (A/S4 tires). Road noise is GREATLY reduced, and the low-speed, sharp-turn chattering from the Ackerman effect is gone. All that plus I keep the security of run-flat tires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1,040
From: Hershey, PA
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I 2nd the Michelin Pilot AS4's for the exact same reasons as above.
The 2 biggest issues you're going to hear about with the C7's is the potential transmission issues with the auto's and the potential wheel cracking with the GS's and Z06's. Other than that they are very solid cars.
The 2 biggest issues you're going to hear about with the C7's is the potential transmission issues with the auto's and the potential wheel cracking with the GS's and Z06's. Other than that they are very solid cars.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 585
From: Conway South Carolina
I 2nd the Michelin Pilot AS4's for the exact same reasons as above.
The 2 biggest issues you're going to hear about with the C7's is the potential transmission issues with the auto's and the potential wheel cracking with the GS's and Z06's. Other than that they are very solid cars.
The 2 biggest issues you're going to hear about with the C7's is the potential transmission issues with the auto's and the potential wheel cracking with the GS's and Z06's. Other than that they are very solid cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 910
Likes: 431
From: MN
The NPP exhaust is a 'must have' unless you plan to swap out the exhaust unless you like super quiet cars... all the time.
If you're concerned about running costs (as opposed to 'repairs'), the base (non-Z51) will have less expensive tires and brakes; and the non-magneride shocks are much less expensive to replace.
But if you plan on track days or live in places with smooth curvy roads, then Z51 probably makes sense ... and I read more than one post indicating that if you get the Z51 then you must also get the magnetic shocks (just be aware of replacement costs).
Also ... clutches are expensive. Those cost what ... $4k to replace?
Still, for the level of performance these vehicles offer, they are far more reliable and have lower repair/maintenance costs than their German equivalents. If it weren't for having to drop the torque tube for anything not related to the engine, it would be even less expensive.
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Michelin makes the best RFT tires now, period. I don't think any sports car RFT tire was worth a damn until they started making these PSSs and now they've got it figured out well. the AS4 zero pressures are good too. I wouldn't even look at another tire manuf for RFTs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
Yes to what everyone else has written about the later models, the A8 and the 3L trim issues.
I'll add - 16 and up has Apple car play standard, front facing cameras for parking, and an automatic pull-down for the rear hatch.
The 2L trim levels add heated/ventilated seats, memory position seats, and some other items I can't recall right now.
I like the NPP performance exhaust option. Easily visibly identified from a look at the rear end of the car.
Re: tires - 6 weeks ago I switched from the original Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only run-flats to Michelin Pilot All-Season run-flats (A/S4 tires). Road noise is GREATLY reduced, and the low-speed, sharp-turn chattering from the Ackerman effect is gone. All that plus I keep the security of run-flat tires.
I'll add - 16 and up has Apple car play standard, front facing cameras for parking, and an automatic pull-down for the rear hatch.
The 2L trim levels add heated/ventilated seats, memory position seats, and some other items I can't recall right now.
I like the NPP performance exhaust option. Easily visibly identified from a look at the rear end of the car.
Re: tires - 6 weeks ago I switched from the original Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only run-flats to Michelin Pilot All-Season run-flats (A/S4 tires). Road noise is GREATLY reduced, and the low-speed, sharp-turn chattering from the Ackerman effect is gone. All that plus I keep the security of run-flat tires.
Just replaced OEM with PS A/4s and the noise level dropped noticeably. Given the short distance from the tires to the passenger compartment and the minimal sound deadening installed, further reduction in cabin noise would involve adding sound deadening mats.Regarding installing ZP/NonZP tires, I was agnostic about the run flat ZP tires till I had a sidewall split late one Saturday night 40 miles from home on a desolated two lane mountain road with 0 to occasionally 1 bar cel signal.
Once I determined the Slime compressor was only pumping air out of the split in the sidewall, I drove the car home and to America's Tire on Monday.
I shudder to think about how the night would have gone if I didn't have ZP tires. I'd either be hoofing it to find better cel service or waiting for a good Samaritan to relay my plight, then wait a couple of hours for a tow truck. Assuming the driver knew how to load a C7 without damaging it, then getting home, removing the wheel and tire and schlepping it to AmTire on Monday and reinstalling the new tire/wheel...
I became a true believer in ZP tires that evening.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 20,003
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I too could not get rid of the C5 Goodyears fast enough--total crappola. Admittedly, I expected more of the same with the Michelins on the C7 when I picked it up at Kerbeck's for the 1500-mile trip home. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised! The Ms are fine in my opinion. All the best. 
Burning Brakes
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From: Hershey, PA
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
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From: Hershey, PA
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Basically the complaint is that the cast wheels that are on the GS and Z06 are not strong enough especially for how wide the wheels are on these cars. Combine that with the very thin, stiff sidewall on the tires and some people are seeing bending and cracking when hitting pot holes. There's a ton of threads on here about it. Enough to make you think that every C7 GS and Z06 ever built has that issue but that's definitely not the case.
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I am running Michelin A/S 3+ ZPs on my car and they are really good tires. Low road noise, comfortable ride and very good handling. I believe Michelin now has the A/S 4+ ZPs (not sure in that) so if that is the case, I would go with them.
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From: Pittsburgh
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 585
From: Conway South Carolina
Just eyeballing it, it seems the run flats are a lower profile tire. Am I correct? I have a driveway that I already have to enter at an angle for my C-5, and it has Michelin pilots on it. A lower profile will create a problem.