IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes

Just released, so it's only available in a few sizes right now, but the 18" and 19" RX-8 OE sizes are among them.

The original S007 was the OE tire for the Ferrari F12, and then non-runflat versions propagated to some other performance/exotic cars. Guess this is a variant for mass consumption. Apparently it replaces the RE-11(A). In terms of wet grip, dry grip, and NVH, it's supposed to land somewhere between the S-04 Pole Position and the RE-71R.

Should be a great option for R3s in particular. The OE R3 tire is 2 generations old and hasn't had a clear upgrade, so if you wanted something better before now, you pretty much had to go for the Michelin Pilot Super Sport or Pilot Sport 4S and accept slightly less of that razor-sharp handling feeling (though they crush the OE tire in every other respect). The S007A likely won't match the Michelins for wet grip or NVH, but it stands a good chance of beating them for dry grip and feel. It's 2 lbs heavier than the Michelins, but still 3 lbs lighter than the OE tire. As long as Bridgestone wants to be ridiculous and not release the RE-71R in the R3 size, this might be as good as it gets for an R3 on a dry road.

FWIW.

Steve Dallas

^ Most people don't want to track those 19" boat anchor rims anyway, so it's not surprising Bridgestone doesn't make the RE-71R in that size. Come to the light side of 17" rims and feel the power of the torque!

UnknownJinX

Hmm, could consider these when my current set of summers(Falken Fk 453) wears out.

I am playing around with the idea of 19" wheels in the future. I have read that bigger wheels can help with handling a bit. Is that true?

Also, IIRC the R3 wheels are about the same weight as the non-R3/40th Anniversary wheels because they are forged. Even the 19" Mazda M008 wheels I have been eyeing are 22lbs each. Not much heavier than the 18".

That said, I think I might just stick with 18". Some roads here were paved by monkeys and full of potholes.

IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

Hah, true.

Is the RE-71R really a track tire? I always thought it was in that weird gray area between high-performance street tires and R comps.

Also, isn't the RE-11 roughly in that same category, with some differences? That tire is available in the R3 size...


This should absolutely crush the FK 453.


In theory, yeah, maybe. In practice, you need an insanely stiff and light wheel to offset the downsides, and wheels like that are very rare and very expensive. So for all practical purposes, smaller is better.


Slightly lighter than the normal RX-8 18" wheel I think. 20 lbs. Very hard to get lighter than that without throwing strength and rigidity out the window.


A good 18" wheel with this tire or something like it would be a killer combo.

UnknownJinX

Thanks for your info.

I think I might just go with the 18" in the future then, since 19" is then only worth it for the bling.

And honestly, I think that gray area you described fits my bill. Mine is a spirited DD, but I am picking up AutoX this year. There is supposedly a meeting tomorrow, and I will show up to see if I can get a spot.

NotAPreppie

17" for weight, angular momentum and price.
Enkei RPF-1 and 255/40-17 is hard to beat.

UnknownJinX

17" wheels don't look good though.

Yeah, it's a stupid reason, but it matters to me.

IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

IMO the only real problem with 17" wheels is that it's hard to find a tire size that matches the stock overall diameter unless you go significantly wider. That's obviously no problem for the track, but it's not ideal on the street.

18" seems to be the sweet spot.

The only situation that seems unclear is if you already have the stock R3 wheel and are looking for an upgrade for street use. The stock R3 wheel may be too big, but it's a forged BBS. 20 lbs, and strong. Very hard to beat that by any significant margin without spending a LOT of money.

Steve Dallas

The RE-71R is an autocross tire that is good at the track, as long as you don't overheat it. It is marked 200TW, but it is realistically 100TW. Way stickier than the RE-11. It is loud (sounds like Velcro unsticking) and wears funny. It warms up quickly and gives monster grip for about 10 mins, then gets greasy. I have gone through 4 sets and have a love-hate relationship with it. Toyo R888 ended up being my replacement tire, and lap times show a similar level of grip, without the funny wear patterns and greasiness.

Steve Dallas

This is my track rim, except I run a 235 tire, which is only 0.2" smaller in diameter than the OE size. The smaller section width yields a lighter tire with a stiffer sidewall and the same size contact patch as compared to the 255.

NotAPreppie

This experience mirrors mine with the RE-71R. My fastest lap times are usually in the first half of a 20 minute session.

IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

Tire Rack review is up: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=239

Wet performance below that of the S-04 Pole Position is a bummer. That'd put it comfortably below the Michelin PSS and way below the PS4S in that respect.

Nice to hear it has the response of a higher-performance tire than the S-04. Kind of sucks to hear it lacks the extra feel and feedback though. So I guess it's less promising as a direct upgrade for the OE R3 tire than I had thought.

Still, it looks like a good tire if you absolutely have to have one for both street and light track use. Or if you never drive in the rain.