C5 Tire Replacement

[George C.]

I have checked the archives, and can not find much on this subject. My 2003 has 30k on it, and it is time for rear tires. Not bad mileage I guess, I don't really beat on the car much. The front tires were trashed at 15k, and replaced. This was due to a real bad alignment from the factory, and my not paying attention to it. They are marginal at this point, which I think is a little excessive, but maybe I corner harder than I accelerate.
The GM dealer suggested I replace them with Michelin tires, stating they are about $100 cheaper per corner than the Goodyears.
Can I have your input, what are some of you using? The posts I have found in the archives suggest this is pretty normal mileage for the Goodyears.
Thanks in advace,
George
#36908

[William C.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

Keep in mind that Chevrolet worked with Goodyear on the specific characteristics of the tires delivered on the car to match the tires to the car's suspension for best performance. As long as they are still available, I'd go with the goodyeras.

[George C.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

Bill,

Thanks for the response, I am thinking as you said stick with the Goodyears. I am torn becasue the reports on the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP say they last longer, handle better and are quiter.

I was hoping for some response from people who had tried them.

Thanks again,
George

[Tom H.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

I have sold hundreds of C5's and have replaced many tires on them. The Michelin is a great replacement. It is quiet, lasts longer, and is a very good value in a run flat tire. The Goodyear, although correct and original, wear uneven and get noisy very prematurely.

[Dave K.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

There is tons of information in the C5 Corvette Forum about run craps vs. non run craps. Along with a ton of other people I replaced my runflats with non run flat Goodyear GSD3's and what a difference in performance, noise, etc. I carry a small jack, plug kit and miini compressor. In the 40 years that I've been driving I think that I have had 4 flat tires. I also have a AAA card and cell phone.

There are a lot of stories about poor tire wear with the C5s having both the run flats and non. I bought my C5 with 12K miles on it and the rear tires were shot. Instead of replacing only the rear I replaced all four. I can now hear my wife talk to me while I am driving -- a good thing?? The run craps were noisy and rough.

Dave K.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

Take a look at Tire Rack's consumer surveys for the different categories; it will give you something objective to study. The link below is for Maximum Performance Summer category. There is an Extreme Performance Summer category, but with 30K on the rears, I figured you weren't looking for extreme performance. There are only two tires in that category anyway...BFboodrich and Kumho.




Tire Rack Max Performance Summer Survey

[Chuck S.]

More...

From a comparison of the top four tires, frankly the Bridgestone RE-050A Potenza Pole Position looks the best to me based on customer feedback. But, I have to admit, I haven't heard the Corvette guys talking about Potenzas. There is also a new Firestone "Wide Oval" Run Flat (really, that's what they're calling them)...it's just hit the market so Tire Rack has no feedback on the Wide Oval run flats.




Performance Tire Comparison

[Chuck S.]

Ah, shoot...

You'll have to put in your car information, click the boxes, and do the comparison yourself. The page times out for each customer.

[John F.]

Re: Ah, shoot...

I replaced the original tires on my 97 with the Michelin Pilot Sports. What a difference! Quiet, much less harsh ride, overall better handling. I subsequently replaced them with a set of Michelin run flats at the suggestion of a local chevy dealer. Excellent. Very little difference between them and the Pilot Sports. Run flat technology has improved a lot. I have the Goodyear Eagle EMT Super Car tires on my 2006 and they're a vast improvement.

John

[Gary Bishop]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

I seems most of the C5 Registry ownwes have swithed to either Firestone or Michelin. I replaced the tires on our `99 with Firestone and was very satisfied.

[Jack U.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

I would personally go back to Goodyear's but I would agree Michelin is a good tire too.

I have the Magnesium wheels and my future concern is going to be balancing and removing/replacing the balancing weights so that the rims aren't scratched.

I show my 2001 and any blemish would kill any chance I have at winning any more awards.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

When you do have the weights removed very carefully have them replaced with the racing stick on type.

[George C.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

Thank you all for your responses. I looked at the Potenza and the Pilot Sport ZP very seriously. I had spent some time on the Tire Rack website last night. In the end I wimped out and bought another set of Goodyears. Unfortunately I made the decision tyhis morning withoutr the benefit of all of your great input.

Thanks again,
George

[Gene B.]

Re: C5 Tire Replacement

I changed out the tires on my 99 from the original Goodyear to Michelin. The mileage dropped by 2-3 mpg. A dealer friend of mine told me it was because the michelin was softer tire. I have no reason to dispute what he said. I would go back to the Goodyear if I replace them again.

Gene