Spotted

[black magic]

In Horsell (near Woking) a black C5 coupe Y 326 OHC (I think) in Bury Lane, anyone here or know the car? It came from Atlantic cars according to the tax holder.

[anonymous-user]

black magic said:

......a black C5 coupe Y 326 OHC

Clearly a figment of your imagination. There have never been any OHC "Over-Head Cam" C5s!

[vetteheadracer]

5 USA said:

black magic said:

......a black C5 coupe Y 326 OHC

Clearly a figment of your imagination. There have never been any OHC "Over-Head Cam" C5s!

....or 326 cubic inch engines.......

[LuS1fer]

But it is a Y body....

[Black-C5]

That'll be me, then.

Just visiting friends in Woking last Friday night. The car normally resides in South Oxfordshire.

I'm new to this forum, and fairly new to Corvette ownership. I bought the car last year from James at Atlantic Sportscars. It's a 2001 coupe, bog standard Euro spec, with the mag wheels. It's currently completely stock - the wife vetoed the addition of a Borla exhaust on the basis that it might upset the neighbours in the sleepy little village where we live!

Anyway, the car is brilliant as it is. It's better in virtually all respects than the XK8 I had previously - faster, better looking, rarer, more reliable, and cheaper to run (yes, I have seen 30+ mpg on a long run). The Jag was luxurious, but it was a bit like driving a sofa - the 'Vette is in a different league. Slightly regret getting an auto though, and I wish I'd tracked down a manual to try first...

I could do with some advice: I need new rear tyres and from what I've read here, those Goodyear Eagle run-flats are a bit scarce at the moment. Do I go for the Bridgestone RE050 run-flats or gamble and fit regular tyres instead (PZeros maybe?). What's the general consensus? Also, are there any independent Corvette specialists in my neighbourhood (between Reading and Oxford)? Any advice gratefully received.

[vetteheadracer]

Black-C5 said:

I could do with some advice: I need new rear tyres and from what I've read here, those Goodyear Eagle run-flats are a bit scarce at the moment. Do I go for the Bridgestone RE050 run-flats or gamble and fit regular tyres instead (PZeros maybe?). What's the general consensus? Also, are there any independent Corvette specialists in my neighbourhood (between Reading and Oxford)? Any advice gratefully received.

On the independent specialist front it depends what you need doing.

Regarding tyres I run Kumhos on my one but they are the non-runflats. There are loads of threads regarding tyres on here so please look back using the search facility to be inundated with info!

There are also loads of other threads both on the club website www.corvetteclub.org.uk and in the USA www.corvetteforum.com

[black magic]

Black-C5 said:

That'll be me, then.

Welcome to the forum and Vette ownership. It's nice to find another convert. It's a shame I didn't see you at the weekend as I run a Yr 2000 Black convertible with 6-speed box, you would have been welcome to have a quick spin. Perhaps next time you are down, I only live about 1/4 of a mile from where yours was parked.

With regard to tyres, I am still running Goodyears, though this will probably be the last time as they are getting so scarce. I thought about the Bridgestone's and am waiting to hear if anyone has any experience of them. As I use the Vette all year all weathers, I want to stay with the run flats, allied to this is if you use conventional tyres and use the 'get you home gunk' it apparently ruins the tyre pressure censors and these work out around $100 apiece, (although Continental have just brought out a kit which is meant to be OK)

Enjoy the Vette and try to get involved in the club, they are a great bunch and we have some great events during the summers.

Edited by black magic on Thursday 8th February 16:31

[LuS1fer]

The C5 Z06 uses non runflat Goodyear Supercar F1 tyres as standard which I believe are the equivalent of the Goodyear GS-D3 F1 Eagle. The Z06 comes with a foam inflator kit. My mate also fitted Kumhos to his Z06 and has just fitted a second set because they're better in the snow than the Goodyears but they only lasted about 6000 miles. He has no complaints about their overall performance and none about their price. But you'd have to buy a foam kit in the event you got a puncture. The trade-off should be better handling and ride.

[V7TTE]

I'm running Kuhmos on my C5, and he handling and ride (and tyre noise) is much better since the changeover.

I am planning to get one of the tyre-goo kits, and this new one apparantly does NOT knacker the tyre pressure sensors (Conti-comfort-kit manufactured by Continental Tyre co). If you call Merrit Tyres in Kingston on 020-8974-6400 ask for Paul. Cost £59.99

[Black-C5]

Thanks for all the advice, gents. I think I'm going to play it safe and go for the Bridgestone run-flats. I'll let you know how I get on. I've also just purchased some new headlight bulbs which allegedly give 30% more light than the standard items. Have yet to fit them but I'm looking forward to any improvement over the originals. There's little or no street lighting round where I live and I find myself crawling down the country lanes at night peering into the dark, whereas I can belt along quite happily in the wife's Audi. Can't justify going for the (expensive) HID kit so I'll give these Philips bulbs a go for starters.

Anyway, roll on summer when I don't have to worry about these sorts of things and I can actually get the roof off and enjoy the car a bit more...