Rear Tire Shortage?

[93RubyZ]

I've seen some posts recently on CF of people having difficulties in locating new 315-35-17" tires. Some have said Goodyear has discontinued the GS-D3 in that size and that BFG may have as well. I've been checking Tire Rack for the past couple of months or so and they have them listed as being on back order for a while. The BFG's are listed as low stock, but those that have tried to order have been told they're aren't any. Michelin already doesn't make them and it looks like fewer and fewer companies are making this size.

Has anyone here had difficulty finding rear tires? What's going to happen if we can't get this size? Are those of us running stock size going to be forced to move up to 18" wheels?

[Corvette95]

There are some NOS GSC's left over in private hands....they are between 300 and 400 each right now and rising.

[Kevin]

I think it's the F1s that have been discontinued

[Jeffvette]

There are some NOS GSC's left over in private hands....they are between 300 and 400 each right now and rising.

And they are a garbage tire if you want to drive on them.

I've mentioned this before. You have to look at how many cars came with 315 tires. 6,939 ZR-1's 809 Grand Sport Coupes. And a handful of others.

[Mika73]

No more GoodYear F1 Supercar 315 ? :???:

[Aurora40]

F1 Supercars were discontinued in 315/35-17. I don't beleive the GS-D3's have, unless very recently. I think what does happen though is they run a batch, and then if they sell them it takes a while before they run another.

I almost got stuck having to wait 4+ weeks for 275/40-17's when I got new GS-D3's because they were out of stock waiting for another run.

[yellowz]

kevin aka ralph
i think your discontinued:)








peter

[Jim Jones]

There are other brands that are making those sizes, though. I think Kuhmo and Sumitomo both make tires in that size.

Jim

[93RubyZ]

Looking at the other thread on Max tire size, I realized I forgot something -- the 335 tires. Although I'm not sure availability on these, it sounds like that may be another option instead of moving up to 18" wheels.

[ajaxajax2000]

I'm getting new ones all around and will put on Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 335/35/ZR17 rear. They are available here in Sweden, but when I checked prizes I found them on Tire Rack and some other US dealers. I also found GoodYear and Pirelli.

Peter

[Ccmano]

Got my Sumitomo 315/35-17's this past summer through Tire Rack this summer. Last I looked they still carry them...cheap too..

[Kevin]

i've found you get what you pay for when it comes to tires

[GrayZ]

I just went to the garage...and pulled the cover off the car..
and i am happy to report...there are still rear tires on my car :thumbsup:
so no shortage here...:mrgreen:

i can still order goodyear d3's through..dobb's tire store here locally...:-D

[We Gone]

I hope not..I can't seem to get more than 12K miles out of a set...:mrgreen:

[sledutah]

I just put Sumitomo's on, $450 for all four including shipping from Tire Rack. Had them do a 4 wheel alignment. All 4 were out of spec. WOW, drives like a different car now. :dancing:dancing

[93RubyZ]

Has anyone heard of Vredestein tires? I haven't, but here is a set on ebay in ZR-1 sizes:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130043215031&fromMakeTrack=true

[evl_twn]

Tirerack shows they are still available (315 F1 GS D3) but they are out of stock, expected 11/27.

[Z Factor]

Has anyone heard of Vredestein tires? I haven't, but here is a set on ebay in ZR-1 sizes:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130043215031&fromMakeTrack=true

I've never heard of them and they certainly look different than any tire pattern I've seen for a Corvette. It is nice to know there are other options out there besides the ones mentioned already. I hope someone buys a set and reports back to us on them.

:cheers:

[ffvetteman]

I've never heard of them and they certainly look different than any tire pattern I've seen for a Corvette. It is nice to know there are other options out there besides the ones mentioned already. I hope someone buys a set and reports back to us on them.

:cheers:


Never seen them either. Interesting tread.

I prefer the tread on the BFG's but thats just me.

[Z Factor]

Never seen them either. Interesting tread.

I prefer the tread on the BFG's but thats just me.

Cosmetically I am with you.:thumbsup:

However if those ride and grip well along with having a decent tread life I would give them a shot. I just don't plan on being the first one to test them out.:wink:

:cheers:

[carnold]

Does anyone have 2 new rear 35 series goodyears or know where I can buy them or has anyone figured out if Goodyear has definitely stopped production?

[93RubyZ]

Here is another possibility I've thought of: The Nitto NT555R. These are available new and are not very expensive (relatively speaking). Has anyone used these? I think the tread life is less, but that's not as big of a consideration for me. I'd put the same type on the fronts. Would these work OK for regular street driving (in dry weather)? Has anyone used these tires?

[RedSled]

When I bought my car this year, it had almost new GS-D3 315/35-17s on the rear. My car had the original fronts though and it took me some time to find matching GS-D3 275/40-17 fronts. I wondered too if Goodyear makes them in batches. I was finally able to get them from a local Goodyear distributor.

[janozr1]

Peter,
you wil not be satisfied with 335 dimension , your Z wil be more slowly , you
will directly feel all holes on the road and you cant reach top speed anymore......I change them back with 315 before I need to do this (tyres still have 5mm).Here in EU we have another road conditions like in States:thumbsup:
jano

[93RubyZ]

Well, I finally found some. Tire Rack had the BFGs listed as "low supply" so I took a chance at ordering and when I submitted the order it then indicated "in stock." I got a call from Tire Rack today explaining that their Reno warehouse didn't have one of them so they were going to ship a set from Louisiana and that it would only take one additional day. With the weather situation, I suspect it may be more than that, but that is fine with me. I got a follow-up e-mail today indicated they were shipped out today. :thumbsup:

Edit: They've arrived (GSC vs. BFG KD):

http://i18.tinypic.com/2nkov2a.jpg

[blackjack]

ive been using yokohama avs for some time...never had any problems finding them...since they are the only ones ive been using,i cannot compare,though
they "flat spot" easily when cold
bj
91/1735