For those interested about Michelin Pilot Sports A/S on a C5

[hermiteer]

Sort of in order of importance to me: 1) Ride - GREATLY improved 2) Handling - improved, but haven't had them long enough to make an scientific determination (read as still in placebo effect right now) 3) Road noise - GREATLY improved 4) Compatibility - no problems with sensors, wheel wells or the stock 99 rims 5) Cost - ~$1600, pretty expensive but she did break 30K miles last week so this is kind of a treat for her. 6) Looks - uh, they look like snow tires but given the other pros, this is only a minor gripe. Anyone else dis/agree?

[jay17]

I wish they made them in 315/35/17 :nonod: Don't they have a 400 wear rating :eek:

[hermiteer]

Yep, 400 wear rating = 40K miles. Depending on how you drive I suppose :)

[C5Brian]

Yep, 400 wear rating = 40K miles. Depending on how you drive I suppose :)

:nonod: How ya figure?

[mozin]

Yep, 400 wear rating = 40K miles. Depending on how you drive I suppose :)

Where did you get this 400 wear rating = 40K miles idea? :confused: All it means is that this Michelin should wear out only half as fast as a Michelin with a 200 wear rating.

Tom

[Vette XP]

hermiteer wrote:

6) Looks - uh, they look like snow tires but given the other pros, this is only a minor gripe.

Could you post a few pictures? The Pilot Sport A/S are what I was planning on replacing my worn Firestone SZ50EP RFTs with, but "snow tires" appearance? :confused:

[hermiteer]

How ya figure?

Sorry, I should have explained better. My original Goodyears lasted 30K and had a wear rating of 300. I simply just "guess-timated" and said that the Michelins should last 40K since they have a wear rating of 400. Admittedly this is not scientific by any means, just a guess :)

[hermiteer]

Could you post a few pictures? The Pilot Sport A/S are what I was planning on replacing my worn Firestone SZ50EP RFTs with, but "snow tires" appearance? :confused:

I'll take some tonight and post em.

[Bob Caffey]

are they run flats?

[hermiteer]

are they run flats?

Yes, they are.

[jay17]

Could you post a few pictures? The Pilot Sport A/S are what I was planning on replacing my worn Firestone SZ50EP RFTs with, but "snow tires" appearance? :confused:

www.tirerack.com has pics of them.

[mozin]

I just noticed that Tire Rack now lists the performance of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S the same whether or not it is the runflat design. Interesting.

Tom

[mozin]

Any more thoughts?

[lotzahp]

Ouch! Them are pricey.

[hermiteer]

Any more thoughts?

Alright so its been a little more than a week since I had the Pilots put on. My thoughts:

1) Still quieter :)

2) Handling is comparable to the Goodyears, although she has a slightly different feel in tight cornering. The Goodyears made me feel like I was sliding through, these feel like the car is "rolling" through. Not sure how else to describe it.

3) I've gotten used to the appearance. The tread contact patch, judging from what is dirty and what is still clean, seems smaller than the Goodyears. Although I should point out the tire overall is wider. This is due to a more rounded profile. In fact, the sidewall actually sticks out from the rim a bit, perhaps in an effort to prevent bad drivers from scratching the rims :)

[mozin]

Any more thoughts?

Alright so its been a little more than a week since I had the Pilots put on. My thoughts:

1) Still quieter :)

2) Handling is comparable to the Goodyears, although she has a slightly different feel in tight cornering. The Goodyears made me feel like I was sliding through, these feel like the car is "rolling" through. Not sure how else to describe it.

3) I've gotten used to the appearance. The tread contact patch, judging from what is dirty and what is still clean, seems smaller than the Goodyears. Although I should point out the tire overall is wider. This is due to a more rounded profile. In fact, the sidewall actually sticks out from the rim a bit, perhaps in an effort to prevent bad drivers from scratching the rims :)

According to Tire Rack the front tires on 8" rims should be the same section width for both the Goodyear EMTs and the Michelin A/S ZP. The Michelin section width on 9.5" rims is listed as only 0.2" wider, also on the 9.5" rims. I wonder what it is that you see that makes the Michelin look wider.

Tom

[hermiteer]

I wonder what it is that you see that makes the Michelin look wider.

All I can say is with the F1s, if I parked exactly next to a curb, the rims would touch. With the Pilots, the sidewalls touch but the rims do not.

[mozin]

I wonder what it is that you see that makes the Michelin look wider.

All I can say is with the F1s, if I parked exactly next to a curb, the rims would touch. With the Pilots, the sidewalls touch but the rims do not.

Maybe the Michelins have a softer sidewall which allows the weight of the Corvette to bulge out the sidewalls while the Goodyears are so stiff in the sidewalls that the Corvette weight does not make them bulge?

Tom

[mozin]

I spoke with a rep from Tire Rack today who owns a C5. His DEFINITE choice in replacement tire is the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. He knows that the Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position performs better but he insists on runflats for his car.

The weight of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S is 28# & 30# compared to the Goodyear EMTs 30# & 34#. The Yokos AVS RFT weigh the same as the Michelins. This amounts to an unsprung weight savings of 12# for the set which I feel is worthy of mention.

The unsprung weight savings by switching from the stock Goodyear EMTs to non-runflats would probably be closer to 20# for the set of four tires. For someone looking to lose unsprung weight it looks like the tire choice makes a lot more difference than trying to find a lighter wheel.

It would be nice to hear from someone else that is running the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP.


[Modified by mozin, 5:14 PM 2/2/2002]

[mr.vet]

I agree, I would love to se a couple of pics of a C5 with the Michelins and the Yoko's, if someone outhere have please post a couple of pics or post a link to where we can see them, PLEASE