Tires for my 01

[Toms007]

OK, one of the things that needs attention on my "new" 01 is tires. I know that these came with Goodyear tires (I am not a fan of them at all). It has Kuhmo MX runflats, right now they are near the wear bar, which makes them noisy, rough riding, and they tend to track.

My question is this. Which tires would you guys consider? Are these Kuhmos a decent tire (quiet, smooth, easy driving) when they have more tread? What about Michelin Pilot Sport A/S runflats? What others are available and what are the pros and cons of each?

A four wheel alignment is a on the adjenda as well. I never put new tires on without an alignment.

Oh, I think that I want to stick with runflat tires, and please don't suggest that I stick with Goodyears.

 

[Red Vette]

OK, one of the things that needs attention on my "new" 01 is tires. I know that these came with Goodyear tires (I am not a fan of them at all). It has Kuhmo MX runflats, right now they are near the wear bar, which makes them noisy, rough riding, and they tend to track.

My question is this. Which tires would you guys consider? Are these Kuhmos a decent tire (quiet, smooth, easy driving) when they have more tread? What about Michelin Pilot Sport A/S runflats? What others are available and what are the pros and cons of each?

A four wheel alignment is a on the adjenda as well. I never put new tires on without an alignment.

Oh, I think that I want to stick with runflat tires, and please don't suggest that I stick with Goodyears.

Tom I think you should choose whatever you want, but make sure they are run flats, you just don't want to be stranded. As you know, the run flats are noiser than the standard tire. I have heard good things about the Firestone Firehawks, but have not tried them. I still run the Goodyears on my 02 because they are repairable whereas the others are not. One very important thing to do is check the tire sensors if they are original installs. Since they are battery operated, if they have not been changed out, you need to replace them. The batteries are good for 6 to 10 years. I talked with Rik Noring (Corvette Center) two weeks ago and he told me that GM does not track the battery date on their sensors that they keep in stock, so one does not know when the sensor batteries were installed. He told me he can get them from a supplier that tracks the sensor battery installation date, and are guaranteed to be "fresh"; they are not GM but do work in the corvette. You could e-mail him to find out more information. You need to replace the sensors when you replace the tires. BTW, you have to take a great photo of the 01 and give us a new avatar. I will miss the 94, but kudos on the 01.
Barrett

 

[BigJimZ16]

Tom01, Congrats on the C5, you are going to love it!! I replaced the Goodboots on my vert with the PS2s. I can't say enough about them in every respect. I'm getting ready to put tires on my Z06 and I'm looking long and hard at the Firehawks. The Goodboot tread wear sux... Good luck whichever you opt for!!

 

[jdeatsch]

FWIW I put Kuhomo's on my 02 vert and love 'em.

Jim

 

[Jistari]

Take a look at the Michelin AS ZP's. IMHO they are the best all around run flat tire availabel for the C5. (Softer, quieter, handle way better).

 

[LLC5]

Take a look at the Michelin AS ZP's. IMHO they are the best all around run flat tire availabel for the C5. (Softer, quieter, handle way better).

I'll second that opinion, they are just as quiet and comfortable as my non runflat Goodyears that were on my car previously.

Any wide tire is going to tramline (track), runfalt or non runflat, just the nature of a wide tread surface area.

 

[Toms007]

I'll second that opinion, they are just as quiet and comfortable as my non runflat Goodyears that were on my car previously.

Any wide tire is going to tramline (track), runfalt or non runflat, just the nature of a wide tread surface area.

I am leaning toward the Michelins right now. My next problem is our local tire shop, says they aren't sure whether or not their machine will handle the runflat tires. I may have to go to the big city to find someone who can do them for me.

You know, with my 94 I didn't have near the tracking issues that I am experiencing with the 01. And I had 275/40 at all four corners. I figure the issue would be better with the staggered sizes.

 

[65-to-00]

Wish I could have snuck this past "She Who Must Be Obeyed" ....

but I didn't think of it at the time ... :bash

With all of the cash I saved on the Kumoh ... versus the fancy Michelin ..

I could have put on some "gee whizz" goodies like a cold air ... a chip and ...

Just a thought ... just a thought ... :eyerole

 

[Tuna]

Take a look at the Michelin AS ZP's. IMHO they are the best all around run flat tire availabel for the C5. (Softer, quieter, handle way better).

Me three!
For the C5, the Michelin Pilot Sport AS ZP are a great choice and they last longer also. Work great in the rain too!

 

[theshadow41]

Tires

I have Firestone Firehawks on my 02 Vert....no problems....I don't know about snow or rain as I never drive in the rain or on dirt or gravel roads

 

[Yoda]

Tom,

Abby Arrived with a new set of Pilot® Sport A/S Plus ... after we got the "Shock Stuffer Issue" out of the way :eyerole The ride is amazing :dance makes me want to :dance and sing

Bud

 

[Toms007]

Bud, what is this "Shock Stuffer Issue" that you refer to?

 

[Patrick]

Bud, what is this "Shock Stuffer Issue" that you refer to?

Tom,
New C5s were shipped with stuffers which apparently rendered the shocks inert until they were removed. They were supposed to have been removed by the dealer, prior to being put on the lot for sale.

As Bud discovered after he took delivery of "Abby", not only had the original selling dealer not removed them, the two owners of vehicle previous to Bud had not done that either. (That would go a long way to explaining why a five year old car with only 24,000 miles on it would have already seen two owners.)

Bud wrote about it in THIS THREAD.

 

[jrose7004]

Tom when I had my 98 and it needed tires, I replaced the runflats with a Non runflat Good Year GS D3. It was a much quieter tire and seemed to be an all around great tire.

 

[Dave]

I replaced the GY's with Kuhmo Ecsta run flats. I absolutly love them. They grip well and are SOOO much more quiet than the Gy's. Have only about 2K miles on them so I can't tell yet how they wear.

Welcome to the C5 experience!! I hope it's as good and fun for you as it's been for me!!

Dave

 

[Tuna]

Clarification:
The "Shock Stuffer Issue" is only related to the 2003 Magnetic Selective Ride Control (F55) cars and appears to have effected only the first year. After that, GM removed the shock stuffers prior to shipment so the dealers couldn't screw it up again.

All new tires ride better and quieter than old tires - doesn't matter whether they are GY's are some other brand. Admittedly, the first and second generation GY EMT's gets hard and loud faster than many other tires. That's changed some with the new GS2 EMT that is on the C6 and the F1 SuperCar EMT is very quiet old or new.

 

[Toms007]

Clarification:
The "Shock Stuffer Issue" is only related to the 2003 Magnetic Selective Ride Control (F55) cars and appears to have effected only the first year. After that, GM removed the shock stuffers prior to shipment so the dealers couldn't screw it up again.

All new tires ride better and quieter than old tires - doesn't matter whether they are GY's are some other brand. Admittedly, the first and second generation GY EMT's gets hard and loud faster than many other tires. That's changed some with the new GS2 EMT that is on the C6 and the F1 SuperCar EMT is very quiet old or new.

I gathered that after doing some research. I really think I have decided on the Michelin's, now to find someone who can actually install the run-flats. One of the local guys, "thinks" he can do them, the other said, "I can do them, but I'm not sure how much it will cost" (?????) In the city, one guy hung up on me when I asked about Run-flats. Another, the one who probably does more low profile and more custom wheels, was way high on the price. I can get the Michelin's for $922 delivered, but then I'll need someone to mount and balance them. I may have to go to a "bigger" city.

 

[Red Vette]

Tom, come on over to CS and use REX (make an appointment). They install the Pilots on a lot of vettes and also do the alignment. I think I will install the Pilots when I need to change tires. Rik at Corvette Center says Rex is one of the best at installing tires as they are very careful with mounting (no wheel damage). Also, they will use the stick on weights (I checked yesterday - will be taking the 02 to them next week for an alignment before leaving for the Non CF in BG). Of course, getting 4 tires to CS in the vette would be difficult.

Barrett

 

[Toms007]

Well, I actually went in and face to face with the guy who was "too high" and after talking to him, He said he would supply the Michelin's, mount and balance for just $78 more than I could buy and have them delivered, or he would charge me $25/ wheel to mount and balance if I brought the tires in. So it was a no brainer, I said "Get those tires on order." He'll give me a call when they come in. I think it pays to go in and talk to these guys face to face.

 

[Hib Halverson]

This tread reads as if the initiator has already made the purchase but I suggest anyone considering replacing run flat tires on a C5 read this article first:
Corvette Action Center Knowledgebase :: Technical Article: Run Flat Facts