gtpvette

I've been looking for new tires as I'm changing the rim size on my C8. That said, shopped Tire Rack, Discount Tire, Discount Tire Direct (I believe these three all owned by same folks), Costco, Walmart, EBay, Simply and Priority. I'm looking at a couple of different options based on my sizes, Pilot Sport 4S, Firestone Indy 500, Continental Extreme Sport, Toyo. I'm leaning to Pilot Sports or Continental.

Tire prices are all pretty much the same and in the end, Costco seems to be the best deal as Road Hazzard and installation are included free. Order tires, show up and they install them. Discount Tire the worst as Road Hazzard and Installation are both additional ($300 on my setup). Tire rack is middle of the road, free shipping and Road Hazzard but you have to pay for installation and if shipped to your home cart the tires to the installer which is a PITA.

I'm surprised about Costco, never bought tires from them before as I've been a Tire Rack guy for ages.

You have any thoughts on better options??

3LZR21U

Ask locally. I sourced my last set of tires for my wife's truck through my regular repair shop. Got a great deal. Plus that makes it easy to get them rotated while getting an oil change or serviced--as that's a free service with the tires.

I'm a fan of Conti DW/ DWS's. I have Pirelli P-Zero's on my DD currently. Don't really have any thoughts one way or the other about most tires, but if they are excessive on noise or wear fast, that I do notice. I've usually gone off Tire Rack's user reviews of noise and grip--and tried to pick "Best in class" among those ratings--with an eye for price.

Kbmwgt

YOU would trust the guys at Costco to touch your C8, let alone new wheels? No matter what the road hazard they offer.
As far has TireRack...great service and if you don't know they actually will drop ship anywhere you want. Pick your own tire mounting service. OR...they offer such places on their website near you.
As far as the brand and type of tire...well ask about what oil to use. Everyone has an opinion. I usually go with what the manufacturer designed and made the car with. Heck Corvette racing has done pretty good with Michelins.
Oh and many have said to me....you spent $80k+ on your car and NOW you are going to cheap out?

Andybump

Don't know if you asking about installer options, or tire options since you discussed both in your preamble. But here are my thoughts:

I bought and had my Michelin Tires (the ones that are standard on the non-Z51 Stingray) installed at my dealer (Criswell, Gaithersburg). And I was able to use my reward points. I thought the price was competitive, and I trust that dealer to install them properly and without any damage. There can be issues with both wheel damage and improper lifting of the car - most report good experience with Discount Tire, and I have no recent experience with taking a Corvette to any of the other places. I do not buy the road hazard coverage. I'm not going to rationalize that - I just never have done it - and never regretted not having it.

In the section of the Owner's Manual, Buying New Tires (and in several other places in the manual), it mentions the GM specific Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) specification. And recommends that replacement tires meet the same TPC. I do not know if that necessary - I am sure some will say its a good idea, and some will say it is entirely marketing. I'm just pointing it out - since you mention several tire options that are not the OEM tire. Having been on the forum for a while, I realize there are reason why some choose to select different tires.

HRDTOPC54FUN

Unfortunately, the TPC Spec Rated Michelins are only available in the stock tire sizes. The OP is changing rim sizes.

Also, they can be tough to get. In my area they were 4 weeks back ordered for the fronts at Tire Rack.

hamta

In addition, Discount Tire/America's Tire (I think that's the name???) are located all over the U.S. relative to Costco locations (and I'm a HUGE fan of Costco). But for tires, I'll stick with Discount Tire...

Dale06

I’ve been driving since the mid 1960s, and haven’t had a road hazard incident yet. I can’t see the value in paying for that kind of insurance. My last several sets of tires, corvette and other vehicles all were from Discount Tire, and I had no issues.

JCtx

Quick related question: Can you install Michelin Pilot A/S4s NON-RF tires on the stock wheels? I'd buy identical tires than stock (non-Z51), but just non-runflats (regular ones). Thank you.

SMOKN C8

I would be unlikely to trust anyone outside of Discount Tire with my C8

z51vett

Firestone is know as may pops in my neighborhood

RKCRLR

Yes, the wheels don't have special features for the Michelin run-flat tires. I realize some run-flat tires do require special wheels.

JCtx

Great news; thank you very much. Plus RFs require special equipment not many shops have, like in case of a flat on the road, so much better to have regular tires for those who travel with their C8s. Even if the stock Michelins don't require special equipment. With the stiff sidewalls and low profile, it's much easier to damage the wheels if the equipment is not sturdy enough for RFs.

Wife said I could

I grab tires from Discount Tire (or Discount Tire Direct) 75% of the time.

The other times? My vehicle may have a shimmy or some uneven tread wear. Then Belle Tire becomes my choice, but only because they offer in-house alignments.

Otherwise, I lose an afternoon sitting at Discount, then another day at my local repair shop.... I prefer one-stop shopping.

I have a few friends who say the same thing. I think Discount may be leaving a few shekels on the table....

gtpvette

I have a large local family run repair shop that's second generation, they also has a separate tire shop. They've installed multiple set of tires on my C7 as well as my wife's truck. They do excellent work. They've got 2-3 guys that work in there full time. I never thought about asking what they can get and I have to believe they can get tires. It's funny, wife is there right now getting oil changed.

Thanks for the info. I'll review the Road Hazzard stuff.

Closest Discount Tire is 75 Miles away in the suburbs of Ft. Lauderdale based on their website. No locations in Miami. That said, if the deal was good, it'd be worth the drive.

Never did up util a couple years back. Hit a hoe (not to be confused with a hooker) that I assume fell off the back of a landscape truck. Ripped the sidewall out of my front tire on my C7. AAA flatbed to get home. Tire Rack sent one out right away no charge. New Michelin Pilot 4S front tire (which is top of the line) is maybe $400, rear $460 so if you have to pay for Road Hazzard, probably not worth it, just pay for the tire.

Kbmwgt

Can someone please translate this post? Not sure what it means. I think he likes Firestone/Bridgestone tires but not positive about that.

rawbar

Wish Discount Tire was prevalent in the northeast. I wanted to buy their wheel/tire warranty, but there are absolutely zero DTs in new england.

JToddH

I was considering going to 21”/20”…

But then I realized I’d give up the Run Flats. With no spare tire, seems prudent to stay OEM in a state notorious for potholes.

I ran low profiles on my CLS550 and lost three tires and one wheel over the years.

Just something to consider

3LZR21U

I would go with higher sidewalls and smaller rims, just so I have peace of mind about giving up the RF's. I'd go with the smallest size rim that can fit over the calipers. But I'm also the guy who prefers meat hanging off the sides of the rim, rather than stretching the sidewall to its absolute limits. I think the swamper look on a performance car is sexy. Menacing and gives off that FAFO vibe.

direct007

Before you buy tires anywhere...make sure the tire installer has the machine to change Corvette Tires. Most of the places in my area other than select Chevrolet dealerships don't have the proper machine to change the low profile, wide run flats that C8's have.