Tire comparison
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Houston, TX
Tire comparison
Test to see how this info dumps in from an excel spreadsheet...
Tire: Goodyear Supercar F1 EMT (Factory Z06, Z51, Grand Sport)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1598
Comments based upon Forum input:
Nobody seems to like this tire - poor mileage, poor road noise, poor ride, after about 5000 miles they seem to go downhill quickly and cold traction is poor.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire is truly the poster child for forum whiners. If it weren't for the Bose Stereo and Car & Drivers least favorite seats, these tires would be the least favorite aspect of the C6. But the reality is that they were designed for the car, and many road tests have proven that they actually work very well on the car.
Tire: Bridgestone RE050 RFT
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 280/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1534
Comments based upon Forum input:
Not a lot of folks run these tires, but those that do say they are better than the factory tires in every aspect. They seem to be a good tire at a mid-level price.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
I had a set of these tires in a non-runflat configuration on an Infiniti M45 Sport. They did not wear very well, and became extremely noisy as they wore - so I have a bitter taste for them.
Tire: Goodyear Supercar G2 (Factory for 2011 Z06 and Grand Sport w/F55 & Manual Trans)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1840
Comments based upon Forum input:
These are too new for much input. But they were tested and reported on by the fine folks at the Bonduraunt Driving School and they report that they are about 1.5 seconds a lap faster (that is VERY significant) and have outstanding subjective turn in qualities.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
They are not cheap, and are unproven in the noise, ride and wear department. But they should give Michelin some competition for the best performance tire available for the Corvette.
Tire: Michelin PS2 ZP
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1908
Comments based upon Forum input:
This tire seems to have it all. Outstanding handling, quieter than the GY's, better handling (except maybe the new GY G2 - and it's still a runflat.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire is the tire to buy if you don't want to compromise, don't want to take a chance on a second string tire, and you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. BTW, you'll be glad you did because if you buy these tires you won't be able to afford a nicer hotel. Don't forget that you'll pay closer to 2300 + delivered and installed on these bad-boy tires!
Tire: General Exclaim UHP
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 380/W
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $766
Comments based upon Forum input:
The scouting report on these is that they are a great tire for the price, and some folks say a great tire regardless of price. The only downside seems to be a little more flex leading to a little worse steering response. Owner claims great wet performance, great ride and very quiet.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
OK, I'm gonna get flamed for this, but I have to question how hard people run this tire if they really love it. A 380 tread wear rating and questionable steering response tells me that it would not fare well in objective performance - such as a race track or autocross. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that its a great tire for a daily driver and a driver who does not feel the need to explore the last 5% of this cars handling potential.
Tire: Nitto NT05 (Note: Available in 335 rear / 285 front)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 200/W
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1062
Comments based upon Forum input:
This tire gets a some conflicting reports, but overall the reviews indicate that its performance is somewhat better than the factory Goodyears at a lower price. Tread life seems to be lacking. Some folks say they wear out as quickly, or even more so than the factory tires. Turn in is very good, traction is very good, but wet weather traction is not so good.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This is actually the only other tire I've driven myself on a Z06. Traction seemed good and turn in was good. Noise was very close to the same as the factory Goodyear, and ride was a little better. This tire seems like a good choice for someone who does not want to compromise performance but wants to save a few bucks on purchase price.
Tire: Nitto Invo
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y NOTE: Front is W rated only
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1024
Comments based upon Forum input:
Here is another tire that gets conflicting reviews. My consensus is that the tire is quiet, rides well and handles ok - but not at the very top of the class. Most comments indicate that steering response is a bit soft. Wet traction is good.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire reminds me of the General but with better PR. See my comments on that tire for my opinion on this tire. Great tire for a daily driver. One owner who I respect a lot has these as his street tires and a backup set of NT05s as his track tire. I think he has his priorities and needs well thought out.
NOTE: This tire is also used in a 345 rear tire by some. Price approx $110 more
Tire: Kumho Exsta XS (345 rear size only for Z06)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 180/W
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1200
Comments based upon Forum input:
No real feedback
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
Back in my C5 days, there was a stir on the C5 forum that Kumhos were the cats meow at a much lower price. A friend of mine put them on his slightly modified C5 Z06 and raved about them. I drove the car one day and damn near took out several other cars on the road when I nailed the gas and got sideways. I've never trusted Kuhmos since. But I will admit that I put a set on my Infiniti M45 Sport because I had two months left on my lease and wanted the cheapest tires I could find. I was pleasantly surprised at how they worked on that car.
Tire: Michelin PS2 (345 rear size only for Z06)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1668
Comments based upon Forum input:
Handles well, quiet, decent ride, very good tire life. This tires seems to do no wrong.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire gets great write-ups everywhere it goes. If you can live without a runflat, it doesn't get any better than this tire and at a mid-level price. I am seriously considering this tire myself. Some folks are running a bigger front tire size, but I could not find a listing for a bigger size for this thread.
Tire: Goodyear Supercar F1 EMT (Factory Z06, Z51, Grand Sport)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1598
Comments based upon Forum input:
Nobody seems to like this tire - poor mileage, poor road noise, poor ride, after about 5000 miles they seem to go downhill quickly and cold traction is poor.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire is truly the poster child for forum whiners. If it weren't for the Bose Stereo and Car & Drivers least favorite seats, these tires would be the least favorite aspect of the C6. But the reality is that they were designed for the car, and many road tests have proven that they actually work very well on the car.
Tire: Bridgestone RE050 RFT
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 280/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1534
Comments based upon Forum input:
Not a lot of folks run these tires, but those that do say they are better than the factory tires in every aspect. They seem to be a good tire at a mid-level price.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
I had a set of these tires in a non-runflat configuration on an Infiniti M45 Sport. They did not wear very well, and became extremely noisy as they wore - so I have a bitter taste for them.
Tire: Goodyear Supercar G2 (Factory for 2011 Z06 and Grand Sport w/F55 & Manual Trans)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1840
Comments based upon Forum input:
These are too new for much input. But they were tested and reported on by the fine folks at the Bonduraunt Driving School and they report that they are about 1.5 seconds a lap faster (that is VERY significant) and have outstanding subjective turn in qualities.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
They are not cheap, and are unproven in the noise, ride and wear department. But they should give Michelin some competition for the best performance tire available for the Corvette.
Tire: Michelin PS2 ZP
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N Yes
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1908
Comments based upon Forum input:
This tire seems to have it all. Outstanding handling, quieter than the GY's, better handling (except maybe the new GY G2 - and it's still a runflat.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire is the tire to buy if you don't want to compromise, don't want to take a chance on a second string tire, and you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. BTW, you'll be glad you did because if you buy these tires you won't be able to afford a nicer hotel. Don't forget that you'll pay closer to 2300 + delivered and installed on these bad-boy tires!
Tire: General Exclaim UHP
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 380/W
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $766
Comments based upon Forum input:
The scouting report on these is that they are a great tire for the price, and some folks say a great tire regardless of price. The only downside seems to be a little more flex leading to a little worse steering response. Owner claims great wet performance, great ride and very quiet.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
OK, I'm gonna get flamed for this, but I have to question how hard people run this tire if they really love it. A 380 tread wear rating and questionable steering response tells me that it would not fare well in objective performance - such as a race track or autocross. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that its a great tire for a daily driver and a driver who does not feel the need to explore the last 5% of this cars handling potential.
Tire: Nitto NT05 (Note: Available in 335 rear / 285 front)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 200/W
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1062
Comments based upon Forum input:
This tire gets a some conflicting reports, but overall the reviews indicate that its performance is somewhat better than the factory Goodyears at a lower price. Tread life seems to be lacking. Some folks say they wear out as quickly, or even more so than the factory tires. Turn in is very good, traction is very good, but wet weather traction is not so good.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This is actually the only other tire I've driven myself on a Z06. Traction seemed good and turn in was good. Noise was very close to the same as the factory Goodyear, and ride was a little better. This tire seems like a good choice for someone who does not want to compromise performance but wants to save a few bucks on purchase price.
Tire: Nitto Invo
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y NOTE: Front is W rated only
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1024
Comments based upon Forum input:
Here is another tire that gets conflicting reviews. My consensus is that the tire is quiet, rides well and handles ok - but not at the very top of the class. Most comments indicate that steering response is a bit soft. Wet traction is good.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire reminds me of the General but with better PR. See my comments on that tire for my opinion on this tire. Great tire for a daily driver. One owner who I respect a lot has these as his street tires and a backup set of NT05s as his track tire. I think he has his priorities and needs well thought out.
NOTE: This tire is also used in a 345 rear tire by some. Price approx $110 more
Tire: Kumho Exsta XS (345 rear size only for Z06)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 180/W
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1200
Comments based upon Forum input:
No real feedback
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
Back in my C5 days, there was a stir on the C5 forum that Kumhos were the cats meow at a much lower price. A friend of mine put them on his slightly modified C5 Z06 and raved about them. I drove the car one day and damn near took out several other cars on the road when I nailed the gas and got sideways. I've never trusted Kuhmos since. But I will admit that I put a set on my Infiniti M45 Sport because I had two months left on my lease and wanted the cheapest tires I could find. I was pleasantly surprised at how they worked on that car.
Tire: Michelin PS2 (345 rear size only for Z06)
Wear Rating/Speed Rating: 220/Y
Runflat? Y/N No
Price - Set of four not including shipping, taxes or mounting: $1668
Comments based upon Forum input:
Handles well, quiet, decent ride, very good tire life. This tires seems to do no wrong.
My subjective comments and smartass sense of humor:
This tire gets great write-ups everywhere it goes. If you can live without a runflat, it doesn't get any better than this tire and at a mid-level price. I am seriously considering this tire myself. Some folks are running a bigger front tire size, but I could not find a listing for a bigger size for this thread.
