OK so its about tire time for me...I had no complaints about the stock Bridgestones, but the dealer has Dunlops now and wants $270/tire...I said thanks but no thanks.

Looking at Tire Rack and doing some reading on here, I've just about narrowed it down to either the Bridgestone RE050A Pole Positions at the top of the performance heap, or Kumho Ecsta SPT for something a bit less "extreme." And a bit cheaper. Now, the Pole Positions are on sale, but are still quite a bit more than the Kumho. I am street only, and it rains a lot but never snow or ice.

One other thing...how much advantage would I really get with the 245/40/18 as opposed to the stock 225? Is it worth the price difference? Btw, on the Kumhos the price diff is significant, but on the Pole Positions, its only about $5/tire right now!

jds

 

... I have the SPT's and very happy with it! I paid $504 after tax and install...

 

How would you compare them to the stock RE040s if you had them originally?

jds

 

Also buried in my initial question...the gains to be had from upsizing to 245s on the stock rims...how much is that really worth, and other than cost, is there any downside?


jds

 

Different tire, but same issue - I got the 225/40-18 when I got the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. Since the tire is slightly lower (40 vs 45) my speedometer says 60mph when I'm only doing 57. With 20-20 hindsight, I wish I'd gotten the 245/40-18, or even 255's, since they're closest to the same height as the OE 225/45-18. The added benefit should be better cornering, too.

Sizes - Diameter (inches):
225/45-18 - 26.0 (OE)
225/40-18 - 25.1
245/40-18 - 25.7
255/40-18 - 26.0 <--

 

Interesting you mention that Goodyear. Reading on here I saw very little about that tire...lots of people like the Kumho MX, lots like the Kumho SPT but acknowledge is a compromise in terms of performance, and people seem to like the Bridgestone RE050A Pole Position, although I'm not sure how many people actually have them.

I just read the December '05 tire comparison on the Car and Driver site, and the Goodyears won their contest. Kumho MX came in last, with a BF Goodrich tire that I also saw favorable comments here and the Bridgestone RE050 (NOT Pole Position) were only slightly better. Very strange!

jds

 

Yeah, there are SO many variables when it comes to tires that it really depends on what's most important to you personally. Some tires have better grip, but their UTQG rating says you won't get much mileage out of them. Others are better in the rain, but not as good at the track. And of course cost is a big factor.

I really like reading the detailed survey comments are Tire Rack, 'cause you can get some extra pointers that way. If you want them for street only, autocross/track only, or for all three, those detailed comments can make a difference. It's all a balancing act based on what's important to you.

One thing I also discovered at the track is that the Goodyears don't give very good audible feedback (chirping) at 40 psi (hot), but are much better at 44-45 psi (hot). I was unimpressed with their track qualities until I tried the higher pressure - now I think they rock.

 

Treadwear seems good too, although I understand that, between manufacturers, you can't really compare. I've been leaing towards the RE050A Pole Positions, but I'm a little scared of that UTQG number (its quite low).

jds

 

The Pole Positions will offer better grip, but will peel off much faster than the Kuhmo's. Personally, I think Bridgestones are great tires, but are really overpriced with better alternatives out there for the money. The Kuhmo's are about the cheapest thing you can buy that will offer decent performance. There are lots of tires in the intermediate range you could consider as well which have great grip and last a long time for a reasonable dollar... eg. as Yokohama ES100 and Dunlop Direzza. If you want awesome grip and are willing to drop the dough... try the RE-01R Bridgestones or Yokohama Neova AD07.

 

don't get the RE050's, they wear out quickly and there are better tires out there.

or so the STi guys that I hang out w/ tell me (they come with teh 050's stock)

for 'best bang for the buck' performance though, i highly recommend Falken Azenis RT-615, in 245/40/18 sizing, it rocks

 

if you are getting new tires i would recommend going to the 245/40/18 size. it will give a larger contact patch which will result in better handling.
Personally i am not a big fan of the kumho SPT. I threw a set on my 944 and wasn't happy with the noise level or the wet traction. But, i also have the ability to drive all of our tires side by side to see the real differences. Bridgestone RE050 pole position you will find will offer far better dry and wet handling, quieter, and will be more comfortable.

Just to comment on what ZoomZoomH said, the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 that comes on the STi's is different than the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 Pole Position. In fact there are 5 variation of the "RE050" name from Bridgestone. the Pole Position being the best that Bridgestone offers.

As for the S03. I think they are outstanding tires at a great price. On the down side they are discontinued and if you damage a tire you may not be able to get another one.

 

thank you for the clarification connor, didn't know that

 

wait... so 255/40/18 fits just as well as 245/40/18?

If anything the speed for my speedometer would more accurate eh?

 

I hear the Falkens are great, but wear down quick. Quicker than the Pole Positions I bet. From the limited tirerack reviews, the PPs seem to have to be durable.

I'm in the same boat. I'm leaning towards the Kumho SPTs over the PPs though, because the $360+ I save can go towards some other mods.

I mostly drive highway and don't do a lot of hardcore driving so the comfort and wear are more important to me than ultimate dry stick. Either way, PPs or SPTs are better all around than the OEM Bridgestones.

 

I have to put in a plug for my azenis 115s (245/40). Got up to 90mph in moderate rain the other day and I stayed STUCK to the road. It has to be the giant grooves on those things.

 

ya, I'm getting new wheels soon...

I planned on getting 245/40/18's, but the 255's fit just as well hu?

Going with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, they cost 30 bucks each more for that 10 mm increase.... is it worth it? Or would it even fit?

 

245 is listed as the max size for an 8" rim . the 255's will go on but don't know that it is a good idea.

 

I have put a 245/40 R spec tyre on for racing.

No problem, except feeling a bit on the heavy side.

It will fit, but not as nice as 8.5"

235/40-18 Yokohama Neova AD07? You don't mind noisy tyre?

BTW what is the price of Neova or Michellin PS2 in the US?

 

My last set of wheels were the Pole's ........they only lasted about 8K miles with aggressive driving and showed really uneven wear....am in the process of purchasing the Kumho's now and will drive considerabally easier on them ((oh ya got 22K out of my stockers ))

 

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07, 235/40-18, Price: $256.00 (each)

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, 235/40-18, Price: $249.00 (each)

(From TireRack.com)

 

Yikes! I have 16K on my stock RE040s, and while they're not completely worn, they're certainly getting there. By your ratio I will get about 5K on the PPs? I hope that was an aberration! I don't think I'm THAT aggressive...I've never tracked the car. Did you drive approximately the same on the stockers as the PPs?

jds