Tires for my 93

[Cabral]

Well it's time to change my tires on the 93. In searching around I have found there is quite a difference in prices and I'm trying to get the best value for my $. I am a weekend driver that enjoys touring the windy country roads in the hills around where I live. I am not a track or racing driver, but I do appreciate the power when I have to put the pedal down.

Right now I am looking at these 3 models.

Continental Extreme Contact DW
Kumho Ecsta SPT
Nitto NT555

I would very much like to hear your opinion, preferences, personal experiences,etc. Don't hold back, even if you think I should move on to a better tire.

I really appreciate your opinions. Thanks!

 

[catbert]

For a daily driver/cruiser you should be fine with any properly speed rated tire. For really spirited driving, check the reviews on Tire Rack's website.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The tires you list are ok–even desirable, if price is the main criteria but, if you are looking for a good value in the C4 size, 275/40ZR17, believe it or not, the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 is still the best thing going in that market.

It's listed as a summer performance tire but it's really very close to all-season as far as wet performance above 32°F and, obviously, works very well in the dry, too.

Noise is good. Tread life is also quite good. Others may perform well in the dry, ok in the wet but few or none will have the combination of dry/wet performance, tread life and noise that the D3 can provide.

Also, while Goodyear is no longer OE on Corvette, it was for 34 years ending in 2013 and, in the past, Goodyear, along with Kumho, has supported our hobby at the grass roots level (regional events like Corvette Caravan Sections, Black Hills Classic, Big Bear Bash and so forth.), whereas other major tire companies, such as Michelin, Bridgestone/Firestone, etc., do not.

I use the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 on my '95 C4 and my '71 C3 and on my '01 Camaro and likely will continue to do that as long as the tire is available in the sizes I use.

 

[dtana]

Before my C4, I had a Nissan 300ZX for many many years. I went through 2 sets of the Kumho SPT. They are excellent predictable tires with very good grip. The obvious question is..........compared to what, right? Compared to Yoko AVS, Potenza RE092, Dunlop SP (oem on the 300ZX) & Kumho MX (now called ES, I believe). The SPTs were grippier than all of the above except the MX. The MX wore at an incredible rate though, even on a marginally powered 300ZX. The SPTs outlasted all of the above................& at a much cheaper price than all of the above as well. No, I do not work for Kumho!

 

[Ray Young]

BFG's

I went through the same dilemma as you are now. I had many models to choose from but in the end I chose BFG Comp II because of the price and the reviews. I filtered the reviews on the Tire Rack web site and found favorable reviews on them. I paid $160 per tire. I think part of the determining factor was that they were good in the wet weather (yes I do use my 92 in the wet weather as this one is a driver,

I had the Continentals installed on my Lincoln LS and I will never get another set. I could not get them road forced balanced to below a 20. Luckily Tire Rack took them back.

So far the tires seem to be OK. It has been cold here in RI so I have not pushed them in the corners yet. Road noise is OK. I hear the wind noise over the tires if that tells you much.

 

[WhalePirot]

Goodyear F1 GS-D3 is still the best in that market.

Amen. The BFG set I had were okay, rather inexpensive, but also unimpressive.

I rely on many factors, most found on TireRack's site, but try to eval the reviewer, too. UTOG is a good indicator, despite no real uniform standard, as it gives me some idea of softness/tire life. Extreme grip ain't free! then, like the OP, I don't push the car to it's limit (often).
I will never buy another Dunlop tire for any application; Contis and B'stones are not far behind.

 

[Cabral]

Thanks for all the comments

All-
Thank you all of the great comments, suggestions and experiences. I have decided to purchase a set of Kumho SPTs for the 93.

i just want you all to know that I considered all of your words, as well of some with some of my own research reading and suggestions of a work colleague who races. Thank you all. You are a great resource to the corvette community.

Fyi, I am replacing a set of BFGs. I will let you know how the tires feel once they are on the road.

cheers,

 

[Tuna]

Fyi, I am replacing a set of BFGs. I will let you know how the tires feel once they are on the road.

cheers,

FYI, new tires will always feel and sound better than old tires even if their overall performance in the end is not any better.

 

[Ray Young]

Uh oh, does that mean I am screwed with the BFG s ???? Cost was a factor for me.

 

[WhalePirot]

I doubt it. I liked the BFGs rather well. they got old and slippery...... then, any rear tires on this beast are 'slippery'! I hope you can just enjoy the car.

 

[Green Hornet]

Have the Nitto NT555's on my ZR-1. Love 'em!

 

[Bwil64]

I have a 1991 and I just got a set of Nitto 555 and they are great my car feels and drives like I just bought it. It's a good looking tire also. It is a summer tire only.


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