General G-Max AS-03 Review

[Rendo]

Finally received my tires last week and had them put on Friday morning. I could not be happier with them.
The roads over here are rough and to get home I have to take mostly back roads. The stock Pirellis handled great on dry, maintained roads, but I dreaded the drive to and from work because of how rough the ride was. The difference between the Generals and Pirellis for me are night and day. The ride is smoother, quieter, and I no longer feel like I am being pulled off the road on the uneven parts. Best of all, they handle where it matters most over here, in the rain. Highly recommended for anyone in a similar environment!

[MEDISIN]

I've really enjoyed the AS-03's. Had them since October 2011 and was very impressed with their cold weather handling. Granted, we get little if any snow here in Raleigh, but they handle like champs in cold rain.
I also like that they don't pick up every little bit of road gravel and toss them against the wheel well! The Pirelli's were notorious for that - sounds aweful.

[Rendo]

I wasn't aware the Pirellis were partly responsible for the rocks being thrown all the time, thought it was just the design of the car. Great to know Medisin, one more plus to having the Generals.

[jshaf]

had mine since june and they are very very good! Very happy with my purchase

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by Rendo

I wasn't aware the Pirellis were partly responsible for the rocks being thrown all the time, thought it was just the design of the car. Great to know Medisin, one more plus to having the Generals.

It's not just a issue with the Pirelli's. It's an issue with all summer tires. When they get warm they get really sticky and this is what causes them to grab a hold of the rocks and sling them.

[Badman24]

I have had these tires on my car since Oct. they are great. I have even driving in snow. Although of course rear drive car in snow kicks out a bit, but the front have good traction. I just go down the street sideways. LOL General tires are made by Goodyear.

[edgehead2000]

I'm looking to place an order through Discount Tire for about $201/Tire. I know that they will price match Tire Racks $191/tire but I want to know what you guys paid?

I'm open to buying from forum sponsors too!

[Rendo]

Originally Posted by edgehead2000

I'm looking to place an order through Discount Tire for about $201/Tire. I know that they will price match Tire Racks $191/tire but I want to know what you guys paid?

I'm open to buying from forum sponsors too!

Previously I have always bought through Tire Rack, but I bought mine from Discount Tire Direct. The total to include priority shipping to my APO was $920. Main reason I bought through them, after calling around they were the only place which would honor the warranty overseas.

[edgehead2000]

Rendo, I've heard a similar story from another military guy; his tires went bald prematurely and they wouldn't help him because he was overseas... Crazy to think that not all tire companies respect the fact that military people move around. My sister and bro-in-law are air force so I hear these stories too.

This is what was posted on Road & Track's General GS-03 Review:

'Timbo' wrote:

I purchased these tires for a little over $200 a piece; they were mounted and balanced by the distributor, and shipped to me in Germany. 5000 miles and 3 months later, they were all bald. There were no deficiencies with the vehicle or any irregular driving, just a light seasonal snow and occasional freezing temperatures. I tried to call General/Continental to enact a warranty condition, but they advised me that because the distributor sent them outside the continental US they could not and would not support me. I explained to them that I am active duty military and they were persistently unsupportive. Buyers please be aware, these specific tires have some significant deficiencies when used in light seasonal snow and occasional freezing temperatures.

I'm still on the fence about these... At least we'll have the warranty stateside if there are issues with these.

[VTimHokie85]

i get mine put on friday cannot wait!

[Rendo]

Originally Posted by edgehead2000

Rendo, I've heard a similar story from another military guy; his tires went bald prematurely and they wouldn't help him because he was overseas... Crazy to think that not all tire companies respect the fact that military people move around. My sister and bro-in-law are air force so I hear these stories too.

This is what was posted on Road & Track's General GS-03 Review:

'Timbo' wrote:

I'm still on the fence about these... At least we'll have the warranty stateside if there are issues with these.

Well, it's not exactly the warranty, but Discount Tire Direct sells Certificates of Free Replacement for around $25 a tire (depends on initial price). When I asked them if they would honor them even though I am overseas, they stated they would and in the case of military, not even ask to have the tire being replaced sent back. Basically no questions asked. Pretty much sold me on buying the tires through them.

[camoman]

I got mine installed Friday, they are smooth and quiet and the car feels like it rolls faster. these tires are sweet

[edgehead2000]

Originally Posted by camoman

I got mine installed Friday, they are smooth and quiet and the car feels like it rolls faster. these tires are sweet

Cool! By faster you mean lighter or tacky? My tires are somewhere in the mail still but hope to have them soon. How is cornering?

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Mine corner well, been running them since October. Will be interesting how they and the Pedders sway bars like each other latter this week.

[Sir Nuke]

I've had mine on for 2 months......I could be happier!

[camoman]

Originally Posted by edgehead2000

Cool! By faster you mean lighter or tacky? My tires are somewhere in the mail still but hope to have them soon. How is cornering?

I mean the car feels lighter, and the tires stick real good dry or wet, you'r gonna love them

[edgehead2000]

Sweet! Thx for the heads up Camoman. Good news too since this is one of the cheapest tires out there for us.

[dave7378]

Do they corner as well as the p zeros?

[jshaf]

here is a thread I started on these last year, there is animation on the tire in the thread and I have had them on since may actually
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142667

[Sawyer]

Has anyone taken their gmax down the drag strip yet?

[camoman]

Originally Posted by dave7378

Do they corner as well as the p zeros?

They corner just as good to me

[Blue10CamaroSS]

Good thing for this thread. I was searching tirerack and I came across these tires so it appears I have found my replacements.

I'll probably order a set from tirerack once the summer gets here.

[eastwoodisme]

I had a set of Generals on my Camaro for about 24 hours, then drove back to discount and said "Put me some Pirelli's on here!" I can't remember if they were "G-Max AS-03" but they were General Something... they were very sloppy and made the rear end scate left and right (not skidding just sway). Could this have been because of how much rubber they had on them? I did a burn out in them and they didn't scream like most tires, they roared when being burned, and barked in 2nd and 3rd instead of squealing... Idk Maybe I shoud try them again...

Also how wide can I safely go on the rears?

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

It's not just a issue with the Pirelli's. It's an issue with all summer tires. When they get warm they get really sticky and this is what causes them to grab a hold of the rocks and sling them.

Yeah, typically the better tires (more grip to them) tend to pick up pebbles/rocks. When my drag radials are heated up, everything sticks to them.

[Rendo]

Originally Posted by camoman

They corner just as good to me

To be honest, I don't expect them to perform as well as the P-Zeros, but so far I have not noticed any difference on dry roads.

The thing is, roads are hardly ever dry here, so I have noticed an immense difference on wet roads. I drive mainly on curvy back roads to and from work. I would usually do 70-80 mph on dry roads, 40-50 on wet roads because the P-Zeros would slide so easily. Now I can drive much closer to the norm, usually 60-65 and I have yet to feel any slip, even on the s-turns.