MrLeadFoot

I posted a new thread on this to try to appeal to a broader number of members. I apologize if this is inappropriate.

I feel like I must be doing something wrong, because when I look, I can only find 2 summer performance tires in stock C5 Coupe sizes, and I find that hard to believe.

1) Continental ExtremeContact Sport
2) Hankook Ventus v12 Evo2

I tried going up a size, too, to no avail. Just to see if I lost my marbles, for grins, I went onto Tire Rack and found 0 tires for the C5Z06 stock rims! Surely, this can't be right!

What is everyone doing for tires these days, running all-season tires on C5s? I might as well just drive my Suburban! Seriously, what is everyone doing for tires? I want tires for my stock coupe rims, and I want good cornering and handling. Last tires I had were Hankook Ventus Evo2 and I want something better. Contis are not working out for me. Although I don't know for sure, I think I'd be settling if I go with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ tires, unless someone can tell me that a Michelin all-season performs better than the Hankook which is rated as a summer performance tire.

I could mismatch Michelin Super Sport on the rear and PS4S on the front, but isn't that a no-no?

glbeauchamp

Stock sizes for Z06 have been almost extinct for some time.

Vetteman Jack

On my C5 coupe, I ran the Hankook tires - a great tire for the price and the performance was very good.

Corvette#2

I've been using Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 and Continental Extreme Contact DWS.

dowroa

To increase tire selection, start looking at total outer circumference of tires you are considering including different width/sidewall combinations, if you are not: https://tiresize.com/calculator/

With that tool, you would be able to maintain the actual F:R circumference ratio to avoid *possible* ABS/AH issue *and* have a lot more viable choices. You can also use the Tirerack supplied "rev per mile" to get an approximation while you are surfing for options.

I have found +1 the front wheel to an 18 and may need to increase the front width to 10-10.5" to accommodate a slightly wider tire well (275).

There will be more viable solutions at that point from the 350TW to 100TW solutions.

Personally, I am using a solution like this and my use case (HPDE + DD) to select tires like the RS-4 for longevity and the ability to run track with decent water/rain ability to get seat time.

The CONTINENTAL Tires are good for a summer tire if you are planning to DD mostly, but I have concerns about turn-in on track with what I have *read* about the tire (not experienced). I would like more data here but I currently have none to share.

Going with something more extreme like an R888 seems interesting, but a 100TW with daily driving (35mi commute) for myself doesn't make much sense (without a second set of wheels).

Finally, if I was autoXing, I would be throwing most of this out the window and just running 10.5" all the way around on OEMs with a 275/315 in CAM-S (or more aggressive front). However, I am not (setting up for autoX) nor am I an experienced expert in this area like Strano, Popp, or other really fast and knowledgable active autoXers.

Good luck in your choices, and if you have more background for your use case, please share.

awches

Well, my set of Hankook tires for the front , Hankook Ventus 245/45 ZR17 X , lasted about 25.6K miles due to waiting to long to have them alined after changing shocks and wheel bearings. Started seeing some wear on the inside on the drivers side so had them alined but was too late to stop the wear pattern so no threads left on that tire on the inside corner.
Ordered a set of Toyo Extensa 275/45 R 17 from Walmart which came in yesterday. Since not a go fast or track guy at this stage in my life, I don't need/want to pay for any high performance tires.. At a little change back from 215 bucks for both tires I liked that price. Monday I'll see about getting them mounted , balanced and relined.

runner140*

TireRack is your friend. (Tirerack.com)

PJ Ellis

I just bought a 2004 Base and went through this. I didn't want run flats so I went with Cooper Zeon RS3's. I'm totally blown away with the ride and performance and they are really affordable. I use my 2004 as a daily driver and I don't race it at the track so these tires are perfect.

DDaaryl

Tirerack is a great place to get a price quote but one of their installers over charged me about $50 above the agreed price on their web site. Use their web site for a price and get your local tire shop to meet or beat the Tirerack price. Life is too short to deal with Luke.

dowroa

1. I have not dealt directly with Luke. I am sure he is awesome.
2. In general, if you work with a Tirerack associate (I have done this) for tires on a c5z06, they are going to tell you there isn't much out there. Relative to stock sizing and stock widths, this is 100% accurate.

This is why you need to look a https://tiresize.com/calculator/ and start finding other tire widths/sidewall heights that match close to OEM or the OEM ratio to find solutions that work.

If you do not, you are going to wind up with "meh" All Seasons on a z06 such as Bridgestone RE760s.

If your desire to find a good summer tire, using exact OEM size matching without alternative sizes is not going to work.

For tire pricing and installs (aside from awesome local shops), https://www.discounttiredirect.com/tires/brands and https://www.tirerack.com/content/tir.../by-brand.html are going to have similar/exact tire prices or each will match.

Ensure when ordering summer tires you are paying attention to tire construction date to avoid getting OLD tires at a "discount": https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret....jsp?techid=11

DDaaryl

[QUOTE=dowroa;1600232579]1. I have not dealt directly with Luke. I am sure he is awesome.

Luke is "awesome" until he promises you a credit for being overcharged and never issues that credit. Buy local and you won't regret it.

chasboy

USAZR1 provides the exact info I was going to relate and others mentioned https://tiresize.com/calculator/ which will provide you with statistical and visual information about the various size tires.
I drive mine until they spread the ‘anti ice’ brine on the roads, so I prefer an all season, which is why I use the Conti DWS06 and think they are great.
Bottom line is there are very few ‘matched sets’ available anymore, but there are many variations available if one is flexible with tire size, in particular the fronts. On my Z, I had 275/295 and just squeaked under the stagger requirement. On this coupe I have 255/295 on Z06 size rims and and I’m well within the stagger numbers. I do AutoX also and have no concerns about the Conti’s

MrLeadFoot

Thanks for chiming in here, but I think you misunderstood my post, or I wasn't clear enough. In either case, I'm finding that most manufacturers don't make the same tire in BOTH sizes. Are you suggesting that I mix tires between front and back? Also, I am talking sbout SUMMER tires, not all-season.

MrLeadFoot

I DID try Tire Rack and see only two SUMMER tires for my car, Continental and Hankook. Please share if you can find more.

MrLeadFoot

So, you're mixing tires between front and back? I thought that wasn't supposed to be a good idea?

MrLeadFoot

That's what everyone says. And, my last set was the Hankook. I don't want something good for the price. I want something good, no matter the cost. So, I was hoping for something better. I'm having trouble with the Continentals I had put on recently, which is why I'm still looking. Looks like there may be no choice in tires for our cars anymore. Not sure I want to run the Michelin because it's an all-season tire, which I suspect would not perform as well as the Hankook. Anyone have experience to share in this regard?

MrLeadFoot

I didn't know that. That must mean stock Z06 rims are being chucked in the trash all the time now, right? I can't believe tire manufacturers are doing this to us. It should be illegal.

MrLeadFoot

Yes, I feel like I might as well turn my C5 into an SUV if I go with all-season tires.

I HAVE been looking at overall diameters and front and rear ratios. In fact, I just put on 255x45x17 on the front and 285x40x18 on the back, which is one size up. The only tire that comes in these sizes are the Continental Extremecontact Sport, which are proving to be a quality nightmare (7 tires in 3 weeks worth of a nightmare) , which is why I am looking again.

If I remember correctly (don't have the number in front of me), stock front diameter is about 26", and rear is about 27". I have been trying to stick as close to stock diameter/sidewall height/ratio as possible, but can't seem to find anything else, even in alternative sizes.

Stock is 245x45x17 and 275x40x18. From what I understand, the largest I should go to without compromising handling is 255x45x17 and 285x40x18, which I have done. Some tires come with the next step up on the rear but drop to 35, which I believe is too wide for the rim, as well as lowers sidewall height making the overall diameter the same as the front, which I assume would be bad for the electronics, not to mention would make for a pretty harsh ride, right?

chasboy

There’s flexibility in rim and tire sizes. I have 9” rims in front and 10.5”rear. Stock c5Z wheels are 9.5 fronts. I could have put either 255 or 275 fronts on these rims. I chose the smaller one. I’ve found the 265’s harder to find with the proper size rear, which for me is 295 or wider.
I never suggested mixing front/rear tires, it’s something I don’t like either unless there’s a special use, like for drag racing. However, one can find within a tire brand and specific model, combinations that will work.

chasboy

C5Z06’s come with 40/35 profile tires. I never felt any ride harshness in my Z, and my coupe now has C6Z06 tires, rims sways and shocks and I don’t feel ride harshness with them either. In addition there are many who drive a square setup and most report no problems with the electronics.