[badelf]

C5 EMT's replaced with Continental ContiExtremeContacts

I recently replaced the Goodyear EMT’s on my 2001 C5 coupe with a set of Continental ContiExtremeContacts . I was never really happy with the EMT’s but had to wait until they wore out before replacing them. After 21,300
noisy, harsh driving miles I finally got my wish. I looked at a number of tire alternatives but finally picked the ContiExtremeContacts because of their W-rated all-weather capabilities and economy. The price of buying them via the net from Tirerack, shipping and local mounting came to under 700 dollars. I’ve only had them on for a few weeks but I’m very satisfied thus far with their performance, ride and noise levels. I wouldn’t recommend them to you if you push your vette to the limits daily or for racing but they suit my driving style perfectly. Since I drive my corvette everyday come rain or shine and even in light to moderate snow, I opted for a tire that had a good snow rating. Unfortunately, it hasn’t snowed since I put them on so I’ll probably have to wait until next year to see how they handle. (not a bad thing) I had the EMT’s out in an inch or two or snow this winter and, let’s just say it was serious white knuckle driving most of the time. Hopefully my snow drive with the Continentals will yield better results.
Lastly, the issue of getting a flat tire with regular tires on the C5 always comes up. Personally, I haven’t had a flat tire in over 12 years on any of my vehicles but that probably means I’m due any day now. Especially since I’ve recently dumped my runflats. My contingency plan includes:
12volt Air Pump
Patch Kit
Knife/ pliers
12volt Flood Light
AAA Card (Just in case I can’t fix it!)
Cell Phone
Can of Fix a Flat (only for extreme
emergencies – ruins tire sensor - $125.)

For other vette owners thinking about removing their EMT’s you can get the dealer tire repair kit that comes with the Z06. $399.95!! Yikes!! Or, you can also get a kit from Eckler’s for around $99.00 that’s reliable. I think the Z06 kit has a sealant that doesn’t ruin tire sensor. I’ve put together my own kit and I’m comfortable that it’ll work in case of a tire emergency. I’ll keep you posted! Wish me luck!

the Z06 Kit.

Eckler's Kit.

 

[Patrick]

Your car looks great, nothing like a red vette. Good to hear the tires are working out for you, keep us up to date as time goes on.

We are working "behind the scenes" on our software for member reviews just like yours!

 

[tproth]

Hey badelf
I was wondering if your decision to get away from runflats was the $$$ or was there some other reason. $700 for a full set is not bad at all.:buhbye:

 

[CrazyYellowZ06]

$700 is a good price. are they z rated for the Z06?

:cheers:

 

[badelf]

ContiExtreme Speed Rating

The speed rating for the Continental
ContiExtremeContact is W. (168 mph)

 

[ultra88]

tire noise

Love my 02 vette...but those GOOD 4A YEAR TIRES SUCK.
I HATE THE ROAD NOISE......Anybody else out there find a good quiet replacement yet?

 

[EFI-1]

$700? I wish I didn't get killed on shipping being that I live across the pond!

 

[tproth]

Hey badelf
Was just wondering if you have had any luck this winter driving. Are the new tires better in the snow? TIA :excited:

 

[Hercules]

I've read that the Michelin Pilot Sports are pretty good too. But they're pricey.

Like to comment on those kits. The Eckler's uses plugs. The Z06 kit uses a sealant. I work by construction and my trucks attract nails like magnets. There's a difference in trying to plug a tire (especially a rear tire that cannot be turned for easier access) and filling a tire with sealant. Just FYI.

 

[badelf]

I've had the Continental ContiExtremeContacts on my C5 for over a year now. I've been very happy with them so far. They have good summer traction and handle well in the rain. This winter I've been able to get around in snow that would have left me in the garage on the EMT's. But, we did have an ice storm here last week and the roads were fine but I couldn't get the vette to negotiate our long iced over driveway so, back in the garage she went, slightly sideways. Actually, does any rear wheel drive performance car handle well on ice? Not!! So, I would recommend the Continentals to anyone that has to drive their vette on a daily basis no matter what the weather. Since we have mild winters here I get to drive year round except for a few horrendous days. On those days my wife just drops me off at my office 4 miles away. Lastly, there are much more responsive tires out there than the Continentals but for the price I think they do a good job. And that flat thing. If I have one on a nice sunny warm day, I'll take a stab at using the repair kit. But if it's cold, raining and dark, I'm calling AAA!

 

[ultra88]

road-tire noise

How do they compare to the good yrs as far as noise?
my good for a year tires only have 3200 miles on them and they sound like truck tires singing down the road....

 

[JWOLIN]

CONTINENTAL TIRES.

I purchased the same tires recently in Las Vegas from big O tires
for around $900.00 I did go a bit wider in the rear so they cost a little more but not much.

I'm extreamly satisfied with the continental tires they are quiet, they hook up well, and drive a lot better in the rain.

It's a much better choice then the Good4nothing run flats.

Well thats not exactly true they are good for one thing! If you stact two of the goodyears on top of each other and lay a thick glass paine across them they make a neat coffee table.

 

[falco84]

I thought I read that if you change out the EMTs that the tire pressure sensors won't read the pressure for other types of tire, anyone know if this is true or not?

 

[badelf]

The Continentals are a lot quieter than the EMT's and have a smoother ride also. And, I still have my stock tire pressure sensors and they work just as well as they did with the EMT's. According to the shop that mounted my tires it's your choice to keep them or not. I opted to keep the sensors just in case I started getting a slow air leak one day. I want the warning so I can at least try and make it to the barn before it goes totally flat. If I buy a new 2005 C6, I'm getting Continentals for it also and selling the stock tires on Ebay. At least that's the plan!

 

[RF Hayes]

Re: C5 EMT's replaced with Continental ContiExtremeContacts

For other vette owners thinking about removing their EMT’s you can get the dealer tire repair kit that comes with the Z06. $399.95!! Yikes!! Or, you can also get a kit from Eckler’s for around $99.00 that’s reliable. I think the Z06 kit has a sealant that doesn’t ruin tire sensor. I’ve put together my own kit and I’m comfortable that it’ll work in case of a tire emergency. I’ll keep you posted! Wish me luck!

Since the Z06 does not use run flats, it doesn't have tire pressure sensors either so RunFlat or the like would be OK.