as my quest for the ultra high performance summer tire comes to a close, i narrow the contestants to two. the Falken Azenis RT 615 and the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position.

i am gettin 245 40 18s on all four corners. i would like to kno anyones opinion on either of these tires. if you have a personal expeirence with either, ur 2 cents are taken seriously. if u hear "potenza" and whine and cry, go away.

anyone have plus or minus on either tire????????

 

I have the Falken's and I highly reccomend them.

 

Potenza S-03????

umm, no, maybe 3 or more years ago, try the new Bridgeston Potenza RE-01R and Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 as Falken competitors

 

"Potenza S-03????

umm, no, maybe 3 or more years ago"



funny that u say that. i was like RAISED on the S-03 thats why i still wish to own them. its an old favorite. i fear the re01s bc i dont kno a lot about them. ive heard nothing but great things about the rt615s and i heard good things from the rt215s that they replaced so....yeah. i looked on tirerack and they dont offer info on falken tires......any suggestions????????????????????

 

The best place to get RT-615s http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm. Low prices, low ship cost. Relatively few sales outlets apparently.

Here my 2cents on your request for a comparison, and note - I am only a knowledgeable user not a tire engineer.

The S03s are 'normal' hi-perf tires, designed several years ago. Never having owned any, I can only say people seem to like them, say they're happy w/them. Sounds pretty decent.

The Azenis, which I do own, are new tech tires with a few fundamental differences from S03a. Tread depth is less than a normal tire, giving sharper response 'out of the box'. Tread compound turns to the semi equivalent of R-compound once hot, becoming very much feeling like 'gum-ball' rubber. Sidewalls are very stiff w/wide rounded shoulders for quick response and good 'at the limit' responsiveness.

I'd suggest you get more opinions about other newer design tires like Advans, and as mentioned the RE01, although they are so new, little info exists in the US about them. Good luck!

 

Pricing on the Neova or RE-01R?

 

the RE-01R has been available in Japan for a year or two, it is on par with the Advan, which means both should outperform the RT-615 ... the RT has much softer sidewalls, they cost quite a bit more though, especially now that Falken dropped the price, for a street tire the RT-615 will suffice, if you want the max performance you'll have to pay the piper as usual

 

I am right now in the same boat. Getting ready to order some RT615s for about $150.00. BUT., B/S is right now replacing the S0-3 with the REO50A Pole Position. This tire costs about 250.00, but connor over at tire rack mentioned a sale right now where you get 100.00 back on the purchase of 4 dropping the price to 225.00. Still alot more than 150.00. I have some experience on the 50As, but not the Pole Position version.. The 50As can be quite good, but it depends on which version you get. For me. I will likely stick with the 615s for track use. My .02

 

I just got the 615s a few weeks ago, and couldn't be happier. Traction is excellent, and ride quality/noise is good as well.

 

I've had the Falken ST615's for allmost a year as summer tires and I'm impressed. They are very good in the corners. I am also surprised at the amount of traction I get in the rain. I've found little hydroplaning even at moderately high speeds. This dispite of the tread pattern.
Discount Tire has them available as a order item. They don't stock them at the local stores. Takes a couple of days for them to arrive.

 

falkin RT615 are yyummmy.

 

how is treadwear on there bad boys?

 

Having had mine 1 yr - I would say my experience has been far better than I had anticipated (esp after suffering with the RE040s NVH problems) - i.e., about the same wear speed as the RE040s and by that I mean not amazing - but not bad either considering what I have subjected them both to, i.e., many track days, maybe 10K miles of street driving each.

With the 235/40s at cold 37-40psi on track days, plus the extra psi heat adds to them on track, it turns out I have way more shoulder tread (5/32) both inside and outside shoulders than center tread (3/32). Not bad considering they started life with 8/32!

With my new 275/35s Azenis arriving shortly, I'm going for trying lower pressure this year to see if I can get more even wear. With the 235s the higher pressure seemed to provide more stability or at least I thought so at the time (last year).

I really don't care about tread wear, I'm more interested in these as tires I can put on, leave them on, and enjoy (read suberb ride comfort on the street, outstanding performance on the track) and drive on them in every condition I encounter (dry/rain/cold w/no snow-[marginal use]). Being able to drive to track events and use them is key.

They have performed as above without fail, and surpassed my expectaions for cost/benefit, cost/performance, overall satisfaction.

In short they rock !

 

SOME YUMMIES JUST ARRIVED

'Old' 235/40/18s were so tiny - only 8" wide

 

I know I really like my S-03's. I've had them now for a month or so and have no regrets.

 

I've had my 615's in 235/40-18 for about a year now and have really liked them. I drive my car daily approx. 100 miles and a spattering of Auto-X events on the weekends. These tires are nearing their end of life and didn't last as long as the Potenza's but I felt they had better traction at proper track inflation. And I know I got more even temp readings. I too thought they did a little better in wet weather.

With that said my next set will be Advan AD07's in 255/40-18.

 

what width wheels do you have?

 

If you're speaking of my wheels, you purchased the same wheels I did.

 

Sorry to dredge up a 4 month old post but I am curious what use most people put their RT-615's to. I just bought a set of these in 255/40R18, drove 150k's (100miles) to and from the track and was a little dissapointed with their performance on the track. On the road however they were great.

So basically I am curious how you use them and what you think about how you use them.

Cheers

Andrew

 

The RT-615s need to be about halfway worn before they start getting fast. When they do, they're pretty damn good. They are probably better autocross tires than track tires, because you want to keep the heat down a little. They should be fine for track use, just not great like a Toyo Proxes or other road racing tire.

I'd like to compare them to the Advans, but I just can't afford to do so right now. I would guess the Advans are quick when they are brand new and don't require as many cycles to be competitive.

 

Since this thread talks alot about the Rt615.... Am actually deciding between the RT615 and the AD07....

Would appreaciate if anyone who has experience with these 2 tyres to share their views...

For me, the tyres will be used for spirited driving, no track...

Would like to know in terms of performance via handling... and as much as i want a performance tyre, would like to know which one is easier to live with too... so which produces a lower noise level



Thanks

 

I cant comment to much as I haven't used the AD07's however in the wet season that you guys have in SGP I would be cautious of using anything like these tyres as they have very little tread. If this sort of thing dosnt worry you then I can tell you that in dry weather driving RT615's are a fantastic tyre for spirited road driving.

Andrew

 

Actually, it ain't that wet in Singapore.... probably only 3 months of the year that are the raining season, otherwise, we'll only get on and off showers....
which tyre are more expensive in australia? is it the 615 or the 07? (just curious)

 

Granted its only 3 months of the year but when it does rain in those months I wouldnt take my car on the road with the 615's on. Not sure on the price of the 07's but I will find out for you on Monday.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Thanks for the advise... sounds like yr experience with the 615 on wet roads are very skidish.... no worries about the price... thought you would know on top of your head, dont have to take the trouble to ask around... cos in Sing, AD07 is priced fairly reasonable amongst the performance tyres category...

Ta