striper

In a previous post of mine I was trying to decide on new wheels and the sizes I should get. I am now past that point and tires are the next step. There are only three brands that make tires that will fit the wheels I am getting. In increasing prices they are Hankook V12's, Continental Extreme Contact Sports and Michelin 4S. They cost in order approximately $750, $1000, and $1200. I can't decide even though I should probably go all the way and buy the Michelins. Money is not the problem because I made a good deal when I sold the wheels and tires I previously had, so I've got the $ to buy whatever. My problem is justifying the price difference from Hankooks to Michelins. I need to deicde before next Monday because Discount Tire is having some really good rebates and discounts ending on the 27th. Thanks in advance to anyone who wants to chime in. I'm sure someone is going to ask so the sizes are 255/30-19 fronts and 305/30-19 in the rear.

redcycle13

I don’t have a direct answer to your question, but all the power and suspension in the world is only as good as the tires you run. I’m a Michelin man, but don’t have experience with that specific tire.

striper

The 4S is the newest tire, superseding the Pilot Super Sport. It is supposed to be even better than the SS. I really do agree with you about tires, but there is a considerable price difference and a lot of people on the forum have liked Hankooks. Can't say that I don't have any reservations about Korean tires on a Corvette.

Tsumi

Hankooks are exactly what they are: good for the price. If your primary concern is performance, get the Michelins.

Corvette#2

I have the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 on the rear and Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 3+ on the front. I think Continental and Michelin both make great tires. Unless you're an advanced track day enthusiast, I'm not sure one could tell the difference. The Hankooks and Indy Firehawk Firestones get excellent reviews too. I based my decision on price and tread life as my car is a daily driver.

IIRC for all seasons, Consumer reports rated Michelin #1 and Continental #2. The Firestones were still in the top 5-6 out of about 60 tires they rated.

If money is no object, and you just want the best tires you can get for a C5, I'd probably go with Michelin. I put the Continentals on the rear because they had excellent reviews and saved me a little cash. But they still weren't cheap.

xtremeyolks

All depends on what you do with the car. Hankooks are fine if you're just street driving the car, but if you do any performance driving events, canyon carving, etc, then you'll want the new contis or michelins. Also, the contis and michelins are excellent in the wet if that's a concern for you.

XmentalPilot

Back in 2006, the manager at my local Discount Tire store convinced me to buy Mich PS2's for my '06 GTO... he guaranteed that if I didn't think they were worth the extra $$ they'd take them back and get me the BFG's I had originally intended on buying.... a couple of months later I moved from my 04 Z06 to a 06 Z51 'vert and immediately did a tire/wheel upgrade that included PS2's again! Since then I have been a Michelin guy... Came from the factory on my 60th anniversary 427 'vert. Got 'em on my SUV and my 2K FRC. Great tires definitely worth the extra $$.

Pounder

I think the Michelin's are worth the money, have had great experience's on all my vehicles with Michelin's !!!!!!!!!!!!!

knewblewkorvette

Michilens

radar502

I think Michelins are the gold standard so if money is not a factor the Michelins ,one thing I have seen with my C-6/Z buds is the roars don't seem to last very long ??? might be a right foot deal ?

radar502

It should be rears but roars might be a better word.. The 427s in the C-6 Zs do make some noise..

beboggled

I think the Michelins wear significantly faster than the Continentals, meaning even though the price diffierence seems not that much, if you have to replace your tires 30% sooner then its way more expensive.

I would look at the miles per dollar and compare from there, especially if you're daily driving and don't need the absolute highest grip and you're not supercharged/crazy torque

Notninja

I have the super sports on my 98. It is a different car now I have to be really stupid to loose traction. Im not afraid to drive it in the rain. Get the 4s you wont regret it.

Vetteman Jack

I have the Hankooks on my car. I do not track the car, but for normal driving they perform very well and the price is certainly great.

striper

The dollars I sold my previous wheels and tires for allows me to buy the Michelins, even after buying the new wheels. So I'm going to go Michelin. If it is a mistake, probably not, I can go cheaper next time. I once had PS2's on my car. Their only problem was that they cost over $1700. The 4S is at least $500 cheaper than that, not including the additional discounts that Discount Tire is giving this week.

striper

I'm going to hijack my own thread. What kind of plane do you have? I was going to build an RV6 or 8. I changed my mind when my wife told me she will never fly in a small plane regardless of who was flying it, me or my instructor. It would be a lot of work to fly around by myself. Is it an RV in your avatar? In my previous house I had a garage built to build a plane in.

XmentalPilot

Good eye. Yes it is an RV4, fairly early build (completed in '91) I sold my Cardinal in '97 and found the RV down in the Palm Springs area.... awesome aircraft, super fun to fly! I took a well respected RV builder (he's also a licensed A&P) to help with the prebuy inspection...
The avatar photo was taken at Burning Man on the playa @ Black Rock Desert.

johnson-rod

I had Michelins the last two tire sets. PS2 AS ZPs I loved them. If you wear your tires out they are great. My last two sets of rears started cracking around the sidewalls before they were down to the limit.

I didn't buy them again. This time I went with BFGoodrich. Time will tell.

My wife gave me the same ultimatum - she ain't riding motorcycles any more. I'll miss her.

striper

My wife doesn't enjoy motorcycles either, but that was okay because I haven't ridden for several years now anyway. However I still have a '71 Honda CB750 four that I built into a cafe racer in the early 70's. I took it apart many years ago and never put it back together. So now I am restoring it. Somehow, after all these years I'm not missing any significant parts and it's going back together easily. So one day my wife asks what I'm going to do with it once I'm done. I said ride it, her expression was priceless.

02BlownZ06

Hankooks for me. Great tires for the money. I went with 275's up front and haven't had any rubbing issues at all for what it's worth. Same size as OP in the back.