POLL: A/S 3+ On Your ME

[John]

We keep hoping GM would offer an all season tires as an OEM C8 option. Of course, we do not have any inside info as to whether that would even be a factory option. However, if an all season were offered, it would probably be the Michelin A/S 3+.

However, to further differentiate the entry from the Z-51 performance model, IMO if offered the A/S 3+ would only be available as an option on its entry model (just like Cup 2’s are not offered on every C7).



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So if all those assumptions are true, would you:

1. Get an entry model but get it with the new Michelin PS4.
2. Get an entry model but choose the A/S 3+ option.
3. Safety is more important than performance; so I would give up the Z-51 option but still have 1.0G incredible cornering on my entry model, and check the option box for the A/S 3+?
4. Z-51 with PS4’s
5. I want it all, getting a Z-51 and additionally a second/separate set of tires and wheels with the A/S+ for my poor weather season.

[whl3]

John,

I think you missed an option! I would vote for getting the A/S +3 tires on my C8 Z51 as standard equipment and then buy an extra set of wheels and tires from Tire Rack for track duty. My 2015 Z51 C7 has (non ZP) S4S's on the OEM wheels but when I decided to go to the Rolex 24 at Daytona this year, there was no way I was going to drive from Cincinnati to Daytona in January on the "summer only" S4S's! I purchased a complete set of wheels and (non ZP) Michelin A/S 3+ tires from Tire Rack. The Michelin engineers talked to everyone in the Daytona Corral and told them that only the most discriminating of drivers would ever tell the difference in the on track performance of the two tires! I love my S4S's over the OEM Michelin PSS ZP's. They are quieter, have better wet and dry traction, and should provide better mileage! On the other hand, the A/S +3's are a better choice for those of us who would rather not put their car away during colder months of the year. Those tires just make more practical sense and can be safer in cooler outside temperatures where "summer only" tires may never come up to safe operating temperatures to develop safe wet or dry grip! From my limited experience with the A/S +3's, I have no reason to doubt what the Michelin engineers claim for this newest A/S tire technology!

Bill

[Klinn]

I'm with Whl3 on this one -- A/S+3's basically for winter storage outside, another set of wheels & tires for autocross. Those are traditionally very sticky and quick-wearing, beyond even the PS4s. If they last more than 2000 miles, they weren't sticky enough!

[John]

Thanks whl3 & Klinn. However, your option involves more tire swapping, as an original assumption listed above, was that GM would not allow a Z-51 to leave the factory with A/S’s. Of course I could be wrong, but since the Z-51 has always been the performance option, I highly doubt that GM would allow a entry model to leave the factory with PS4’s, yet the Z-51 to be delivered shod with A/S 3+’s. Again, it is an assumption, and we know about people who make them.

To accomplish your plan, and I am sure you will, if that originally listed assumption is correct, you are going to need to do a fair amount of tire swapping if that assumption is correct.

[Klinn]

That's a good point John. If the models work out that way, I wonder if I could arrange a swap with my dealer? A/S for me from a base car that they brought in that way, and some "better" tires they could use as a selling point on the cannibalized base model? Who knows if they would be willing to do such a swap. My dealer will probably become annoyed with my pestering them with all sorts of questions.

[dweaver]

Personally not in the market for a "base" or "Z51", but if I was, I'd go Z51 with PS4 tires, and if I took the car to the track, I'd buy wheels and wrap them with a R comp. But, I live in the south and would never need to have A/S tires since it doesn't get that cold (and if it does, I wouldn't be taking the car).

[John]

Right now, and not belittling your dealer, but you probably know as much or perhaps more than your dealer does. The more we collectively learn here, the higher chance we will be able to provide info to dealers. Just like the beginning of C7 ordering, I expect to get calls from non top-tier-dealers asking me to help them with an option or spec question. And then later from members, we will help each other with “where do I buy this mod part?”

Lots of dealers will not make trades on their new dealer stock; but others will. We will have a vibrant C8 wheels and tires section down the road, Of course, distances interfere with that at times, but have seen that work well especially when someone buy’s a new Corvette from a dealer stock with pieces and parts they do not want nor need, items that another member might trade for.

Best of luck.

[JB]

I would definitely order z51 fe4 yet would if available order the AS 3 tires if it were an option. If not Id order a set of as3 s and have them installed locally.

ive been running 3 sets of michlin as3 s probably for 50k miles. They are excellent tires for my z51 now. I dont care for tires that crack in under 40 degree weather. Id still only buy a z51 fe4 as I prefer the heavy duty suspension, gearing and coolers more so than for any other reason. I dream there is some extra durability in heavy duty components over time...

personally i believe gm has heard consumers who daily drice their corvette z51 s and will make them available for all c8s.

press cars will come with summer only tires but for normal owners as3 s are great. No reason to give up under 40 degree usuage.

unless you know something we dont Id suggest gm will make the as3 s optional for all models of the first year c8...

just guessing though...

[JB]

Id probably run the ps4 s until winter months then just slap a set of as3 s on for the winter...then the following warmer month season Id swap back the ps4 s to wear them out...

i drove about a thousand miles a month so Id imagine it wouldnt take long...

the as 3 s last about 20 k miles. Id imagine the os4 s quite a bit less probably 12k...

I probably wouldnt even bother this time around with a second set of wheels.

[John]

The PS4’s have a 30,000 mile warranty.

[JB]

The PS4’s have a 30,000 mile warranty.

That warranty requires rotating tires...

ive found 20k miles with as3 s is more accurate.

just my experiences over a few sets.

the ps4 s may do better than the soft high performance tires on the c7 z51 that I am willing to admit...

lots of guys sell off their summer only tires at a discount on the forum for anout what the as3 s cost...

[John]

Good points. Thanks JB.

[Frenzy36]

PS4S- Excellent tires I put a set on my Mercedes SLK55 AMG and made a HUGE difference in the ride quality. I also changed out the runflats on my Cadillac ATS-V for the PS4S and also a HUGE difference in ride quality and especially going over RR-tracks and rough pavement. Even if the C8 isn't offered with them I would definitely switch them out ASAP and see if it would make a difference. I don't track my vehicles so for exceptional ride quality I am definitely sold on PS4S.

[John]

A friend put the PS4S on his C7 Stingray and can not stop raving about them — as has every review I have read. Tirerack’s test “proved” this also. Good video on them at the link:

Super good news that they are the standard tire on the C8!

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=223

[Klinn]

Right now, and not belittling your dealer, but you probably know as much or perhaps more than your dealer does.

Heh-heh, no kidding, the sales manager explained that GM will continue producing the C7 alongside the new C8 in the expanded plant. Not sure how that jibes with the official GM statement that they'll be auctioning off the very last C7 built on June 28th.

Back to the all-season tire discussion, my current faint hope is that, since I'm up here in Canada the Frozen North, GM might make all-season's a no-cost option for any C8 model. I will stubbornly cling to that hope until proven otherwise.