My baby needs new shoes

[Sharondippity]

I'm down to the markers on my tires, and need new ones.

Two questions,

why do I see so many complaints about run-flats?

and

which tires would you recommend for a daily driver, run-flat and non runflat?


Someone recommended http://tirerack.com for good prices.


Any input would be appreciated!

 

[jr7221]

I've had real good luck using Kumho tires, a good wet or dry tire and the price is really reasonable, ECTAS 712 , they are less than $100 per tire, and you can order them from Discount Tires, and Tire Rack, just shop around for price,,,Good luck--

 

[Glenn W.]

tires

Runflats are basically two things --------- heavy and HARD ( which means NOISY!! -- OK, that may be three things!!)
Going with non runflats reduces unsprung weight considerably at each corner (your car should ride and accelerate better, all things being equal). Non runflats will be so much quieter, you will not beleive it........I switched from worn Goodyear runflats to Michelin Pilot Sport AS (don't let the all season branding scare you away from these -- they are still great looking and performing tires. AND their tread wear rating is something like 400++) The difference it made it my Corvette was nothing short of amazing............you'll give up a bit of off center steering quickness, and probably a point or two at the hairy end of the g-meter for cornering, but IMHO the trade off is a no-brainer when it comes to the driving pleasure you get 99.999% of the rest of the time..........
Get AAA towing insurance and a cell phone, and an inflator kit from the Tire Rack and you will have peace of mind too. Most of the time, the runflats are ruined by the time you actually get a flat to a tire shop anyway, and what are the odds that some little tire shop in the middle of nowhere is going to have the replacement sizes in stock anyway! Think a week to ship them somewhere.......and the non runflats begin to look better.........

 

[C6 CRZN]

When I put on new tires I put runflats back on.
I went with the Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT.

I don't know how much sound difference there is using the runflat tire but I don't think there bad. Plus they won't leave you stranded somewhere.

 

[bossvette]

I have Pirelli P Zero Nero non runflats that came with the car when I bought it last year roughly 14,000 miles and they still look new. They handle well rain or shine. I carry a 12V compressor and repair kit JIC and AAA and a cell phone.
I was trying to find Tire pressure sensors at Carlisle this year but could only find new ones, been driving for a over year without them and probably will continue longer

 

[Mickey]

Going from ANY worn set of tires to ANY new set of tires will improve handling, reduce noise, and increase comfort. Find a brand name tire in your price range and unless you're racing you'll be pretty happy with them. BTW the vette was designed to run on runflats that's why it comes with no spare.

 

[Sharondippity]

Okay,

let's say I go with run-flats, I don't feel safe being stranded anywhere, cell phone or no, I wondered who has shopped online for these and prices.

 

[ZOOCREW]

Hi,

I used tirerack to find the type, size,price, and manufacture. In their web site they have a list of dealers which will put the tires on the car in your area, if you ship the product to them. In addition, which is good, a rating system for good and/or bad services provided at the time of installation.

 

[RC135_Tx]

Although I have not used them for my Corvette (yet), I've been very happy with TireRack in the past. I had 4 tires for my truck delivered to my door, then had a mobile tire service come to my house to mount & balance them. No more expensive than driving to a local tire dealer, & much easier.
They have a special going now at this url:

<http://www.tirerack.com/tires/OEFtRrTireResults.jsp?autoYear=2001&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=Corvette&autoModClar=&frontSortCode=50050&rearSortCode=54450&frontWidth=245/&rearWidth=275/&frontRatio=45&rearRatio=40&frontDiameter=17&rearDiameter=18&minSpeedRating=V&minLoad=S&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1>

 

[Roadster Fan]

Good choice on the run-flats. I know I wouldn't want my wife riding around without them. I've got regular tires on mine.....and every trip over a couple hours away from home, it's always in the back of my mind that I don't have runflats :ugh

Brett

 

[Bioscache2]

Good choice on the run-flats. I know I wouldn't want my wife riding around without them. I've got regular tires on mine.....and every trip over a couple hours away from home, it's always in the back of my mind that I don't have runflats :ugh

Brett

I purchased non-rlats and haven't looked back. Flats are rarer today and there is usually somoone around. I use the F1's GS-D3's, absolutely amazing. If you decide to stay with runflats read the article by our very own Hib Halverson for some good insight on some of the differences that most people don't realize on runflats. I forget where the article is but some searching should produce it.

 

[gmjunkie]

Okay,

let's say I go with run-flats, I don't feel safe being stranded anywhere, cell phone or no, I wondered who has shopped online for these and prices.

I have and I'v found that I can get a Better Deal at my Local Tire Store!! The people that I deal with Buy a train car or 2 Full of Tire's at a Time!! and I buy a lot of Tire's!! The more I buy the Lower the Price!! I took 2 C5's there a month or so ago,and he Had Kumho's at the Time!! $1152.00 Total 2 Car's Mounted and Road Force Balanced!! and his emps. have not screw'd up a wheel yet!! junk!!

 

[mqqn]

Hi Sharondippity -

It sounds like you would feel more comfortable with run-flats.

With that in mind, I would be interested in finding out what sizes the new Goodyear F1 Supercar Runflat (stock tire on the new Z06) will be available.

I am thinking that if they offer the right sizes for C5's (17" and 18") , that would be an excellent choice.

Of course it would not be the most cost-effective choice - that would be the Khumo's.

Tirerack does a great job - I have ordered a couple of sets of tires from them - and they have installers listed on the web for many areas that will mount your tires for you.

Sam's Club can order Goodyears and Michelins for you , and they are also a good price if you belong to one of those.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[jrose7004]

I put non runflat Good Year F1's on mine!

 

[97RedCorvette]

Okay,

let's say I go with run-flats, I don't feel safe being stranded anywhere, cell phone or no, I wondered who has shopped online for these and prices.

Hi Sharondippity,

I've shopped Tire Rack and have found that I can get very similar prices from the local tire dealers. I switched from the Goodyear F1 Runflat tires to the Goodyear F1 D3 non-Runflat tires. I carry the old fashioned tire repair kit along with a scissor jack and a small air compressor in the rear storage compartment "just in case". I think the current generation Runflat tires are quieter than the ones that came on my `97, so give them a try. Unless the online prices are fantastic, stay with a local distributor. With online, you'll still have to pay for shipping, mounting and balancing at a local shop before you stop paying out. Local tire distributors usually include all of that in the purchase price. Just a thought.....

 

[98TXRed]

Sharondippity, this is the third set on tires on my baby. The first two sets were Goodyear, then I got smart and bought Michelins. They were less expensive, quieter, and I have gotten much more mileage out of them. I purchased them from Discount Tires (I like someone local that I can deal with in case there is a problem).

 

[vett boy]

I bought Michelin after hours of research and reviews.Stuck with run flats and i love the tires compared to original Good Years.Payed less at my local tire dealer than Tire Rack.Payed just under $1200. I did get almost 35,000 miles on the originals but had to really work on the alignment.

 

[Roadster Fan]

I purchased non-rlats and haven't looked back. Flats are rarer today and there is usually somoone around.

I agree 100% that flats are rarer today. I drive about 40k miles a year and haven't had a flat in probably 20 yrs.......but in my trucks, I've always got a spare But I have seen my share of blown tires from people hitting debris in the roadway. Not much you're gonna do about that.

Now with my roadster......I'm running 345's on the back. I tend to lay footprints every time I go out If I were to get a flat.....I'm guessing you could count the tire shops on one hand in the metro Detroit area(read Motor City) that could change the tire on an aluminum 19" x 13" wide wheel. And forget about finding a 345 series replacement tire in stock :L That's why there's always that itty bitty nag in the back of my mind when I'm road trippin' :ugh I'd more than likely be stuck for a day or two finding a capable shop and waiting on the tire.

Brett

 

[Dom]

Just bought a full set of kumhos came to about $900 with shipping.
Tire rack is great. They even recommended a local installer

 

[Tuna]

Okay,

let's say I go with run-flats, I don't feel safe being stranded anywhere, cell phone or no, I wondered who has shopped online for these and prices.

Just bought 4 Michelin Pilot Sport AS ZP (run flats) for my 03 from www.tirerack.com last month - the price was better than going with the original GY F1 GS EMT and the tire wear rating is 400 vice 300. Had a local tire installer put them on for me. TireRack has a listing of installers on their web site that will be happy to put them on and one may be near you.
This is the third set of tires I've bought from TireRack and I'm happy with the price and service from them.

Took the 03 on a 2000 mile road trip over Labor Day and I'm pretty pleased with the ride and performance.