Tyres for a C5.

[ndear]

Hi Guys,

I've had a C5 now for just over a month and need to replace the existing Goodyear F1 Eagles tyres. I can see that the sizes for the front and back are 245/45/17 and 275/40/18 respectively.

I've heard that the Goodyear tyres are not great and I'm not especially pleased with them (grip mainly). I've heard good things about the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres but they only seem to be available in the US.

Does anyone have any recommendations for alternative / good tyres? I have a good supplier of tyres already but if there's a particular supplier you would also recommend, that would be great.

I'm based in North Kent.

Thanks,
N.

[ZR1cliff]

Welcome to the forum N.

[Nath V]

I put a full set of Toyo's on mine and it transformed the car, not too expensive either. Only down side is they are soft so wear out quicker...

Although, Grip v Durability... Grip wins every time for me!

[ndear]

Thanks for the reply.

I take it these aren't run flats? Do you think that's a problem?

The Toyo ones sounds good - I've been looking at them. What model did you get and what is the road noise like?

Thanks,
N.

[te51cle]

I've been using Falken FK451s on my C5 for well over 3 years. I had the runflats on for about 15 months and got two punctures in them whereas I've only had one puncture in the Falkens. The Falkens are quieter and grip better than the runflats, they also transmit less road vibration into the car and make it a significantly better drive. Should be about £500 for a set of 4. Kumho Ecstas are good too and should be similarly priced. I'm lucky in having Micheldever Tyres nearby, but if you can find an independent dealer nearby you should be fine - stay away from the quick thick fitters !

[vetteheadracer]

I've Kumhos on my and they offer fantastic grip in the dry but not convinced about them in the dry, also not sure they do the sizes for a standard C5 but they do Z06 sizing. Z06 came with out spare or EMT tyres, it comes with a tyre inflator kit.

Welcome BTW are you a CCUK member?

[gsmcoverage]

vetteheadracer said:

but not convinced about them in the dry. Z06 came with out spare or EMT tyres, it comes with a tyre inflator kit.

You mean in the wet Nige?
Kumhos are avail in C5 sizes non EMT though, so puncture beware. Also an inflator kit for the standard C5 is ok so long as you dont value your tire pressure monitors.

Also have a read of this link....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=124134&f=100&h=0&hw=goodyear

>> Edited by gsmcoverage on Tuesday 15th November 23:02

[ndear]

Hi there,

Not a CCUK member, no.

I'll check out the Kumhos tomorrow.

It's been suggested that I might go for some Pirelli Asimmetrico on the rears and Pirelli Rosso's on the front. Apparently they will be OK together. I know the Asimmetrico's will have better grip on the rears (which I think is needed IMHO). Any thoughts on that setup?

If I go down this route, do you know where I could get the sealant / inflator kit from?

Thanks for all the advice guys!

N.

[anonymous-user]

Welcome! If you dig back you'll find plenty of old threads about tyres both here and on CorvetteForum. Like te51cle I used Micheldever Tyres (who carry a big stock and do loads of high performance cars so won't knacker your rims) although I went for Michelins at about £800 for a set. Both ride and handling are massively improved compared to the EMTs. Although there's the puncture risk it's worth it for the transformation of the car. The rear wheels no longer "hop" on mid-corner ridges so if you like to press on losing the EMTs is good for your nerves.

[LuS1fer]

Ditch the run-flats. The Z06 comes with Goodyear Supercar tyres which are the equivalent of the Goodyear F1 tyres (non run-flat) here. No complaints about them on the Z06 or on the Z28. For winter tyres on the Z28, I used Kumhos and was amazed by just how good they are for the money.

[Y50 VET]

www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html
Bridgestone Potenza 275/40 R18 99Y £ 195.70
Bridgestone Potenza 275/40 R18 99Y £ 198.80
Bridgestone RE 040 RFT 275/40 R18 99W £ 225.70

www.blackcircles.com/?_cmdexec=affiliate&acid
Bridgestone RE040 S Z275/40 R18 Z £255.42



www.surbitontyreandwheel.co.uk/ -
Surbiton tyre and wheel – 020 8391 1349
bridgestone £245


www.northhantstyres.com/ - NHT John – 01252 613 261

275 40 18 Brigstone £183
245 45 17 Brigstone £129



www.micheldever.co.uk/ - 01962 774 437
18’’ Brigstones £203.27
17’’ Brigstones £150.16

18’’ EMT Goodyears £234.88
17’’ EMT Goodyears £156.62

here is some of the information I saved when I was looking for tyres, I went for the goodyears because of the speed rating, and they are run flat.
The best advise is from Northants tyres, ask for Jon he really knows what he is talking about and will give you by far the best advise and the best price.

Surbiton tyre are a bunch of s do not go there unless you take some ky jell

Sam

[Y50 VET]

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=169526&f

old thread

Sam

[yellowshark454]

Oh yes Michelin Sports are available. Put them on mine very pleased. BUT

The Corvette engineers engineered the suspension to match the tyres ie run flats. Beware all these experts like me that recommend something else else!!!

[ndear]

Where can you get the Michelin's from (and what model are they?) I really like the look of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP but I've been told they are only available in the US.

N.

[Y50 VET]

www.northhantstyres.com/ - NHT John – 01252 613 261

[anonymous-user]

ndear said:

Where can you get the Michelin's from (and what model are they?) N.

The Michelins sold in UK are just marked "Pilot Sport" and look back through this thread to find where to get them. I looked at the Bridgstone run-flats but don't know anyone who's using them on a Vette so didn't feel like taking an £800 gamble. They're what's used on BMWs and there's plenty been written in the press about poor ride in the latest cars.

[yellowshark454]

ndear said:

Where can you get the Michelin's from (and what model are they?) I really like the look of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP but I've been told they are only available in the US. N.

Michelin Pilot Sport TL back in summer 2003. They had 3 models homolugated to Mercedes, Ferrari and somebody else. Talking to Michelin Technical dept the manager was advised to fit the TLs (Mercedes) to the C5. At the time the manager had just been to a demo of the Michelin Pilot Sports 2 which he was raving about and I assume is the model now available. Got mine from my local ATS becuse I like their fitters but never thought them as being difficult to get from anywhere - the fitters just order them from the wholesalers.