Getting replacement tyres for my Z06
Discussion
Hi all, I got pulled by the cops on Saturday, not even sure why, wasn't speeding (central London) or anything, but all of a sudden two unmarked cars behind me pulling me over.
Long story short they were convinced the tyres can't have been legal.....they're the Pilot Sport Cup 2 ones that come with the Z07 package. They passed the MOT two weeks ago before I bought the car, so I'm somewhat baffled as to whether or not they are legal or if they have been ragged to death and need replacing (car only has 1,000 miles on the clock and never tracked!) I'll get some photos taken tonight and post them up.
ANYWAY.....question is where on earth do I get new tyres from?? I've put the dimensions into black circles and a few others and basically get "NOPE, no tyres of that size"
The only joy I've had is at Demon Tweaks for the Pilot Sport Cup 2s, coming in at £621 each!?!
Am I being dumb, or is it next to impossible to find tyres that will fit this car? (This is just for the rears, the front tyre size seems to be much more common)
Long story short they were convinced the tyres can't have been legal.....they're the Pilot Sport Cup 2 ones that come with the Z07 package. They passed the MOT two weeks ago before I bought the car, so I'm somewhat baffled as to whether or not they are legal or if they have been ragged to death and need replacing (car only has 1,000 miles on the clock and never tracked!) I'll get some photos taken tonight and post them up.
ANYWAY.....question is where on earth do I get new tyres from?? I've put the dimensions into black circles and a few others and basically get "NOPE, no tyres of that size"
The only joy I've had is at Demon Tweaks for the Pilot Sport Cup 2s, coming in at £621 each!?!
Am I being dumb, or is it next to impossible to find tyres that will fit this car? (This is just for the rears, the front tyre size seems to be much more common)
Just a thought, but do you reckon they were using the tread depth as an excuse to pull you over? They would have access to the MOT report off your reg, and if it had no advisories, would have been hard pushed to have thought the tires were illegal if the date was only 3 weeks ago. Maybe they were worried you were a street racer (or wanted to hear you pull away from a standstill....?!)
c6pete said:
Just a thought, but do you reckon they were using the tread depth as an excuse to pull you over? They would have access to the MOT report off your reg, and if it had no advisories, would have been hard pushed to have thought the tires were illegal if the date was only 3 weeks ago. Maybe they were worried you were a street racer (or wanted to hear you pull away from a standstill....?!)
I can't imagine they'd have had a good look at my tread depth before pulling me over......I guess I should have asked why they had actually pulled me, but at the time I didn't really care, I just wanted to make sure I got away with no problems. They were perfectly pleasant about it all at the time, could quickly see I'm not a t
t who was going to be racing around London (fiance in the car too) so who knows. Maybe they heard the loud exhaust as I left the lights and pulled me over based on that alone. All a bit of a mystery, but in the end zero happened so I guess no harm no foul. What are the sizes?
If it's same as ZR1 they can be had for 280 a side from blackcircles. Ebay should be even cheaper.
https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...
DT always take the piss on tyres I find.
If it's same as ZR1 they can be had for 280 a side from blackcircles. Ebay should be even cheaper.
https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...
DT always take the piss on tyres I find.
Barry Homo said:
What are the sizes?
If it's same as ZR1 they can be had for 280 a side from blackcircles. Ebay should be even cheaper.
https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...
DT always take the piss on tyres I find.
My rears are 335/25/20.....! Fronts are 285/30/19 I think, much easier to find these, but the rears seem limited to just two options from what I can find.....If it's same as ZR1 they can be had for 280 a side from blackcircles. Ebay should be even cheaper.
https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...
DT always take the piss on tyres I find.
They SHOULD be absolutely fine on the road with that mileage the PSS Cup2 look like they are slicks to the average person, and I include police here but they are road tyres and are perfectly legal. Having said that I really wouldn't recommend them for road use. Having had them on my C7 Z06/ Z07 from new I quickly replaced them with Pilot Super Sports (same size). The reason for the change was their aquaplaning in rain and tram lining. Once my PSS wore out (I've had the car since 2015 and it was a daily driver!) I changed to Continental Extreme Contacts in 285/30/19 fronts and 335/25/20 rear (same as OEM I think). They aren't run flat but you gain a much better ride, wear rate, poor weather performance, price, availability and reduced tram lining at only a small summer performance loss. Well recommended changing to those. If you want to get rid of the Cup2s I may be interested in them as I track my car and have the OEM wheels for that, using another set of wheels for the road.
alabbasi said:
Did they give you a ticket? If not, then they stopped you because you had a nice car and used tire depth as a reason. Take it back to the MOT station that did the test and ask them to check the tread depth again.
Nope, didn't give me anything so all ended fine so agree with your opinion, bright yellow car in London, let's pull him over and find something to moan about. helipilot said:
They SHOULD be absolutely fine on the road with that mileage the PSS Cup2 look like they are slicks to the average person, and I include police here but they are road tyres and are perfectly legal. Having said that I really wouldn't recommend them for road use. Having had them on my C7 Z06/ Z07 from new I quickly replaced them with Pilot Super Sports (same size). The reason for the change was their aquaplaning in rain and tram lining. Once my PSS wore out (I've had the car since 2015 and it was a daily driver!) I changed to Continental Extreme Contacts in 285/30/19 fronts and 335/25/20 rear (same as OEM I think). They aren't run flat but you gain a much better ride, wear rate, poor weather performance, price, availability and reduced tram lining at only a small summer performance loss. Well recommended changing to those. If you want to get rid of the Cup2s I may be interested in them as I track my car and have the OEM wheels for that, using another set of wheels for the road.
Ahhh good to hear from someone in my exact situation 
I think I'll probably keep them on there as I won't be driving it in the rain/wet at all, so fingers crossed I won't be coming across the understandable wet weather issues.
That said, since I bought it I have barely been able to drive it, but that will change this weekend when I head out into the countryside so I should get a better idea of how the tyres perform on the road
Where did you get your Continental Extreme Contacts from?
UTH said:
Ahhh good to hear from someone in my exact situation
I think I'll probably keep them on there as I won't be driving it in the rain/wet at all, so fingers crossed I won't be coming across the understandable wet weather issues.
That said, since I bought it I have barely been able to drive it, but that will change this weekend when I head out into the countryside so I should get a better idea of how the tyres perform on the road
Where did you get your Continental Extreme Contacts from?
I actually bought them when I was living in the USA (Tire Rack)...looking online they don't appear to do them anymore actually which is not good! Have a look at Corvetteforum.com there may well be other tires out there too, and thats where I got my tip.I think I'll probably keep them on there as I won't be driving it in the rain/wet at all, so fingers crossed I won't be coming across the understandable wet weather issues.
That said, since I bought it I have barely been able to drive it, but that will change this weekend when I head out into the countryside so I should get a better idea of how the tyres perform on the road
Where did you get your Continental Extreme Contacts from?
Anyone interested, after a lot of searching it seems the best place I found to change my tyres is here https://www.merityre.co.uk/
Lowest price and they had two tyre options rather than just one I found elsewhere, so getting Pilot Super Sports fitted next week.
Lowest price and they had two tyre options rather than just one I found elsewhere, so getting Pilot Super Sports fitted next week.
UTH said:
Anyone interested, after a lot of searching it seems the best place I found to change my tyres is here https://www.merityre.co.uk/
Lowest price and they had two tyre options rather than just one I found elsewhere, so getting Pilot Super Sports fitted next week.
Maybe too late, but *if* you can switch that tyre order I would strongly recommend going for...Lowest price and they had two tyre options rather than just one I found elsewhere, so getting Pilot Super Sports fitted next week.
- Cup2, 325/30 R20 (MO)
- Cup2, 275/35 R19 (MO)
... instead.
Essentially the AMG GTR was initially launched using your (Corvette specific) 335/25 R20 & 285/30 R19 Cup2 tyres. Three issues with those:
1. They clear absolutely no water
2. You struggle to get 5k miles on them
3. They're run-flat (which I appreciate some people do actually like, I'm not a fan)
So, AMG commissioned Michelin to make the 325/30 R20 & 275/35 R19 instead for their GTR (hence Mercedes 'MO' notation). These tyres are...
1. EU homologated Cup2, so actually have a decent amount of tread depth (5.5mm) from new and can be used safely in the wet
2. They are not run-flat, so a much nicer ride on the stiffer damper modes
3. The higher side-wall also adds compliance, so you'll get better grip on anything other than a race circuit
Below are some photos on my friend's C7 Z06.
He confirms the increased diameter does not cause any rubbing at all, even on full-lock. Your speedometer will read a touch low, that's only downside, like approx. 3mph low @ 60mph.
I think going to a SuperSport from what you're currently on you'll be shocked how much grip you give back. Since putting my C6 Z06 on Cup2 there's no way I'd go back to SuperSport, and you're way up on torque.
Thanks for the input mate, appreciate your post.
I can try and find out if it's too late.....but given my rears are currently 335 width.....won't 325 be too narrow for the wheel? I'm not overly clued up on how much variation one can do when it comes to still fitting. 335/25 to 325/30.....is that totally fine to do?
I can try and find out if it's too late.....but given my rears are currently 335 width.....won't 325 be too narrow for the wheel? I'm not overly clued up on how much variation one can do when it comes to still fitting. 335/25 to 325/30.....is that totally fine to do?
AkinaSpeedStar said:
Maybe too late, but *if* you can switch that tyre order I would strongly recommend going for...
- Cup2, 325/30 R20 (MO)
- Cup2, 275/35 R19 (MO)
... instead.
Essentially the AMG GTR was initially launched using your (Corvette specific) 335/25 R20 & 285/30 R19 Cup2 tyres. Three issues with those:
1. They clear absolutely no water
2. You struggle to get 5k miles on them
3. They're run-flat (which I appreciate some people do actually like, I'm not a fan)
So, AMG commissioned Michelin to make the 325/30 R20 & 275/35 R19 instead for their GTR (hence Mercedes 'MO' notation). These tyres are...
1. EU homologated Cup2, so actually have a decent amount of tread depth (5.5mm) from new and can be used safely in the wet
2. They are not run-flat, so a much nicer ride on the stiffer damper modes
3. The higher side-wall also adds compliance, so you'll get better grip on anything other than a race circuit
Below are some photos on my friend's C7 Z06.
He confirms the increased diameter does not cause any rubbing at all, even on full-lock. Your speedometer will read a touch low, that's only downside, like approx. 3mph low @ 60mph.
I think going to a SuperSport from what you're currently on you'll be shocked how much grip you give back. Since putting my C6 Z06 on Cup2 there's no way I'd go back to SuperSport, and you're way up on torque.
- Cup2, 325/30 R20 (MO)
- Cup2, 275/35 R19 (MO)
... instead.
Essentially the AMG GTR was initially launched using your (Corvette specific) 335/25 R20 & 285/30 R19 Cup2 tyres. Three issues with those:
1. They clear absolutely no water
2. You struggle to get 5k miles on them
3. They're run-flat (which I appreciate some people do actually like, I'm not a fan)
So, AMG commissioned Michelin to make the 325/30 R20 & 275/35 R19 instead for their GTR (hence Mercedes 'MO' notation). These tyres are...
1. EU homologated Cup2, so actually have a decent amount of tread depth (5.5mm) from new and can be used safely in the wet
2. They are not run-flat, so a much nicer ride on the stiffer damper modes
3. The higher side-wall also adds compliance, so you'll get better grip on anything other than a race circuit
Below are some photos on my friend's C7 Z06.
He confirms the increased diameter does not cause any rubbing at all, even on full-lock. Your speedometer will read a touch low, that's only downside, like approx. 3mph low @ 60mph.
I think going to a SuperSport from what you're currently on you'll be shocked how much grip you give back. Since putting my C6 Z06 on Cup2 there's no way I'd go back to SuperSport, and you're way up on torque.
UTH said:
For a start, Mercedes give you the option to spec 275/35 R19 & 325/30 R20 OR 285/30 R19 & 335/25 R20. The WHEEL sizes are the same irrespective of which tyre combination you choose, and those are 10J and 12J same as yours.
Further, the C6 Z06 and C6 ZR1 both use 12J rears, but come with 325 width in Z06 or 335 width in Z07/ZR1 form.
For a given width of wheel, the recommended variation of tyre width usually encompasses a 30mm range. For 10J and 12J the 285 & 335 combination is actually at the wider end of that range, so going 10mm narrower you'll have no issues, plus you'll have much better grip than SuperSports without the compromises of the standard items.
Finally my friend has guinea pig'd it for you and he hasn't exploded in a fireball yet.
AkinaSpeedStar said:
Totally fine.
For a start, Mercedes give you the option to spec 275/35 R19 & 325/30 R20 OR 285/30 R19 & 335/25 R20. The WHEEL sizes are the same irrespective of which tyre combination you choose, and those are 10J and 12J same as yours.
Further, the C6 Z06 and C6 ZR1 both use 12J rears, but come with 325 width in Z06 or 335 width in Z07/ZR1 form.
For a given width of wheel, the recommended variation of tyre width usually encompasses a 30mm range. For 10J and 12J the 285 & 335 combination is actually at the wider end of that range, so going 10mm narrower you'll have no issues, plus you'll have much better grip than SuperSports without the compromises of the standard items.
Finally my friend has guinea pig'd it for you and he hasn't exploded in a fireball yet.
Again thanks for your post, appreciate you explaining. For a start, Mercedes give you the option to spec 275/35 R19 & 325/30 R20 OR 285/30 R19 & 335/25 R20. The WHEEL sizes are the same irrespective of which tyre combination you choose, and those are 10J and 12J same as yours.
Further, the C6 Z06 and C6 ZR1 both use 12J rears, but come with 325 width in Z06 or 335 width in Z07/ZR1 form.
For a given width of wheel, the recommended variation of tyre width usually encompasses a 30mm range. For 10J and 12J the 285 & 335 combination is actually at the wider end of that range, so going 10mm narrower you'll have no issues, plus you'll have much better grip than SuperSports without the compromises of the standard items.
Finally my friend has guinea pig'd it for you and he hasn't exploded in a fireball yet.
I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see about changing them
My pain continues.
I had them fitted yesterday, straight away the rears are rubbing (turns out after all the back and forth I have 335/30/20 Super Sports which is a bit thicker than the original 335/25) so I have to find my original sizes to avoid rubbing. Can't find them anywhere.
So.....for now, I guess the car is useless!
I had them fitted yesterday, straight away the rears are rubbing (turns out after all the back and forth I have 335/30/20 Super Sports which is a bit thicker than the original 335/25) so I have to find my original sizes to avoid rubbing. Can't find them anywhere.
So.....for now, I guess the car is useless!
Just looking at the US market, here are the options:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.j...
Might be worth contacting the UK distributer for each brand and asking? The other option is importing, which might be expensive, but possible?
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.j...
Might be worth contacting the UK distributer for each brand and asking? The other option is importing, which might be expensive, but possible?
Camelot1971 said:
Just looking at the US market, here are the options:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.j...
Might be worth contacting the UK distributer for each brand and asking? The other option is importing, which might be expensive, but possible?
Currently seeing what Ebay has to offer, 2 options on the Super Sports there, otherwise next will be your suggestions I think. Didn't even occur to me that getting tyres would be such an issue when I bought this car https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.j...
Might be worth contacting the UK distributer for each brand and asking? The other option is importing, which might be expensive, but possible?
UTH said:
Currently seeing what Ebay has to offer, 2 options on the Super Sports there, otherwise next will be your suggestions I think. Didn't even occur to me that getting tyres would be such an issue when I bought this car
Yeah, the Corvette is so rare here there's not much point in stocking those tyres. Hopefully the importer or manufacturer might help. Anything in the EU market you could import?Camelot1971 said:
Yeah, the Corvette is so rare here there's not much point in stocking those tyres. Hopefully the importer or manufacturer might help. Anything in the EU market you could import?
Not really sure where I'd look for EU importing, any idea? Demon Tweeks is the one place that still seem to list the SS in my size, but even they say dispatch in 5 days as not in stock. But they are bloody expensive getting them from there.
edit: Why can't the corvette just take the same size tyres as similar cars and make life easy HAHA
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