Grip is really a question of money. The more grip you want, the more you have to pay....i.e. buy the best tires made for grip and watch them get eaten in 10,000 miles. Also these super gripping tires tend to get noisier as they wear. Also, many of the highest priced tires are great grip on dry roads but deceivingly not nearly as good in the rain. If you can afford to change tires every 10,000 miles them go for it. But realize you can't have the best grip in dry, best grip in rain, long lasting and have that tire be inexpensive. The re050A "Pole Positions" are for me a great balance all around at a decent price. I can't afford to buy new tires every 10,000 miles or so and therefore have to make a few compromises, I guess. As for your being sold on the Michelins, be cautious as those tires are purchased mostly by people with premium sport sedans (bimmers, mercedes) not as many people with true sports cars buy them. Also remember that a corvette`s stock tire are about 1-2 inches wider than your stock so that helps even cheap tieres seems to handle well because more rubber is on the road! That answer`s one of your questions as to why people go to 234 and 245`s.

I think you will find that the Michelin`s side walls will be a bit more flimsy compared to your RE50 A's. But if you have the money to burn, as it seems clear to me from your post that money is no object for you, then sure, give them a shot. You'll be back in a set a Bridestones before you know it.... I am willing to bet that the Re50A `Pole Positions`ride very much like the Michelin Sports and probably on par with the Michelin`s for spited driving, but for two thirds of the price... Good luck...

 

That may be the case, but the RE050A Pole Positions seem to be on closeout on TireRack. The S-04 Pole Positions have decent, not great reviews. For my tires, the pole positions (S-04 and RE050A's) are about the same price (Michelin had $70 off a set, which made all three the same price.)

For 225/40/R-19:
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - $274 each.
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position - $256 each.
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position - $255 each.


With the 245/35/R-19, I know it applies more surface area to the ground, but has it proven to be better on the R3? Smaller sidewall, and larger tire width really worth it? Does it make it worth the extra $$?

 

I can't say for sure if it will be better, but theoretically, it should as you have not changed the overall ride height and have more rubber contact with the road. If the tire is too wide for the rim and its starts to curve from the center to the edges, then I would say that would not be advantageous and probably make you handling worse. It must be flat on the road for the width of the tire tread....

 

I've got a S1, I'm not sure what the stock size for a R3 is, but S1 is 225/45/18.

When I bought it it had pretty rundown 245/40/18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position's.

I replaced then with 225/45/18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport's which now have about 12k miles on them. I love them. They're definitely quieter than the Bridgestones, way better grip on a wet road, much smoother, and as far as I can tell just as grippy with similar wear as the Bridgestones.

When these are worn down I'll be going Super Sport again, however debating if I should go back to 245/40/18 or not.

 

R3 stock size is 225/40/19 and they are stretched as f**k

When the OEM Bridgestones go I'll be switching to 245/40 or 245/35 Nitto Invos, most likely.

For street driving only, Hankook v12 is one of the best options imho. Ran them on the speed3 and liked them much better than S.drives, which were on the car when I bought it used.

Gotta be careful with your choices when a set of street tires is over 1k :P

 

+1 on the Hankook. Went with a stock 225 and it fits flush with the lip of the rim.

 

Just wanted to bump this thread and share some pics.

I just replaced the tires on my R3 wheels. Went with the Hankook V12s because of a great deal price and great bang for the buck tire. Decided to go with 245/35-19s instead of the stock 225/40-19.

As you know both the stock 18s and the R3 19s have the same wheel width - 8 inches.

Here are a couple pics of the stock 225/45-18s. You can see a slight subtle stretch on the wheel.









And a picture of the 245/35-19. Square setup - I think it fits perfect and recommend going with a 245 on our 8 inch wheels if you are on the fence about it.







And the final picture of all four just because!

 

Very nice pictures showing that stretch on the stock and the fitment of the 245's. How do they handle though, that is the main question!

I went with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports at stock 225, but I haven't tried the 245's at all. It's hard for me to compare off the line traction, handling grip, etc.

Let us know!

 

i went 255's with my r3 rims and it has been great plus i like the sidewall out a little over rim edge =)

 

just ordered new HANKOOK ventus v12 evo size 245 - 35 - 19.

 

I've had the Hankook RS-3 in stock size (225/40/19) on for 500 miles and I'm extremely happy with them.

 

Do you reckon I could fit Dunlop Sport Maxx's size 275/35ZR19 on R3 stock rims ? Cause the run-flats are awfully hard on bumpier roads

 

245 is the recommended max on 8" wheels.

 

I have to replace the OEM Bridgestones on my 2010 R3 and Tire Rack has Michelin SS in a 245/35-19 for $988 for a set of 4. So my question of people who changed up, Michelin SS or other brands, do they handle better, do they change the feel of the steering, slower acceleration, worse mpg? I love the way the car feels now but is it better with the 245/35s? BTW, I have the Super Sports on my Passat and love them.
Tom

 

I replaced the OEM tires with Michelin Pilot Super Sports-
same steering response, equivalent dry grip to OEM tires, better in the wet, and a bit quieter as well
I have been at Road Atlanta and Talladega Gran Prix, and drive the car daily, these are excellent tires

 

I would suggest to anyone looking at V12's to take a look at HTR Z3 tires. in my opinion they grip better in the dry and wet. They are a little noisier though when approaching the limit.

Mgsrx8r3,
are you michael? if so, I'll see you on the 31st at TGPR. I'll be participating this time. I managed to get a baby sitter. You are doing AMP in Oct right?

 

I like a tire with a bit of a howl as I approach the limits.

 

I have only used the stock size, as it seems that going with 245/35R19's would just make the sidewalls less stiff, but make the tires look better? I want the best handling without replacing the rims or adjusting the suspension (don't want to spend $$).

The Michelin Pilot Super Sports are very interesting. They barely make a sound when cornering or when pushing them to the limits. They are lasting me a while, and I really like them overall. I wish they gave me more dry grip, but they do very well as is...also, I am running on the stock R3 rims, 225/40R19.

Most likely, I will be buying them again, unless something better comes along.

 

Same here. That's the main reason I advocate getting these. Yes, there are plenty of tires that grip more but for the money these HTR Z3 tires can not be beat. Cheaper than V12s and with more grip. I've seen a couple guys who get Rs3's or comparable tires and wash out on the track more because when approaching the limit there is little warning and you have to really know the car's limits. This is not a mistake I'm willing to make on the track because a good tire makes a huge difference in corner speeds. Until I get my confidence and skill level up I won't be stepping up to a better performing tire.

 

I really love my Nitto Invo's 255/45/19 on TSW Tanaka wheels

 

255/45/19. Damn

Edit: and on TSW to boot. Probably the heaviest combo ever on this forum

 

Does it rub at all? I have heavy friends...do you think that would be an issue?

 

Tire rack agrees with you. HTR 2nd place, V12 4th place. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=149

 

Actually they are lighter than the wheels That were on my R3 when I got it(Never came with the OEM wheels ) yes they are heavy, but not as bad as you think haha

 

More importantly, I hope the 45 part of your tire sizing is a typo. 35 is closer to OE sizing.