What tyres?

[Hasbeen]

Hi folks, looking to take advantage of your experience.

I've had my S2000 about 9 months now, & after 6,000Km I am still getting as much pleasure from it, as I did on my first drive.

However although the tyres are little worn, I am getting a little worried about their age. The rears were only bought, & fitted on the car a couple of years ago, but when I looked I found they are over 5 years old. The fronts are over a year older, & approaching 7 years old. This really is getting a bit beyond their use by date, & I am looking to replace them.

I have Bridgestone Potenza S-02 on both ends, & am happy with them in the dry. I have a little less confidence in them in the wet, but that could be a factor of their age. I mostly use the car as a fun car, often on twisty back roads, & do not avoid the wet. I have no plan for track days with it.

I want good road tyres, with driving performance more important than wear rate.

What tyres have all of you been using for normal fast road driving, & would you recommend them? My recent experience, [10 years] is limited, as I have been running classic sports cars, with 13 & 15 inch wheels, for which top performance tyres are not available.

[Stevil]

Hasbeen I drive 50-60K every year all over the country and until recently had no idea that low wear rating tyres could be some much FUN !! I threw on some Federal RS-R's after not being able to source some Khumo Ku-36's that a few mates run on there track cars. Now the RS-R's only have a 140 wear rating and I fully expected them to be shagged after 15-20K. I've now done 28K and 3 trackdays and they still have life in em. I paid $600 for 4 of these fitted (205/50/16). In the wet grip is still awesome and its really only standing puddles that can be an issue as they dont have big wide grooves. They are the best bang for ya buck Tyre on the market !!!

[NightKids]

Bridgestone RE02

[AusS2000]

I have Bridgestone Potenza S-02 on both ends, & am happy with them in the dry. I have a little less confidence in them in the wet,

That pretty much describes the S2000 S02s that the car came with.

[Dart]

Dunlop z1 ,,, I have these ,, on some rpf1 ,, quiet and sticky , makes the bridgestone adrenaline look like cheap import tyre

[euromandeluxe]

Agreed on Dunlop Z1 Star Specs for grip, but treadwear isn't the greatest. Perfect for a weekend car

[dlai5552]

I've alway recommended, the Z1's. But lately I've taken more interest to kumho Ku31's. They are a symmetrical tyre (good for switching on camber wear), really cheap, grippy and available within Aus unlike the Z1's which are about $300 more to import.
Although Z1's are a much better for performing on the track, but Ku31's will do more than enough if you aren't considering track use.

[Stevil]

If you want one of the best road tyres then consider the Yokohama Advan Neo AD08, locally we are screwed big time on pricing and recently US companies stopped shipping them but you can still get them out of the UK. expect to pay around $300 in freight. I'l be ordering some of these later this year. They're an interesting tyre in they have 8mm of tread depth and wear rating of 180.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/competition-tyres/yokohama-advan-neova-ad08-tyre

[DreadAngel]

Dunlop z1 ,,, I have these ,, on some rpf1 ,, quiet and sticky , makes the bridgestone adrenaline look like cheap import tyre

You can't compare Z1 Stars to RE001/002... They're same class as AD08s, RE11s and according to test, beat most of them too lolz

[dlai5552]

You can't compare Z1 Stars to RE001/002... They're same class as AD08s, RE11s and according to test, beat most of them too lolz

They're like the grippiest street tyres, but the wear out quicker then the more expensive ones like the potenzas.

[LEWD]

They're like the grippiest street tyres, but the wear out quicker then the more expensive ones like the potenzas.

Not sure about that, Ive done about 15,000km and they are still abit off the wear indicator....and I dont hang around.

[S2kane]

Go to tirerack.com
I got rims and tires delivered for 1300!
My tires are Kuhmo Ecsta Ku39's and for the price they are awesome.

[DreadAngel]

They're like the grippiest street tyres, but the wear out quicker then the more expensive ones like the potenzas.

Yup, the marshmellows [Z1 Stars, AD08s, RE11s, PS] are the softest and grippiest street tires but because it's such a soft compound it'll melt into the ground. They're also usually not that nice daily for the ignorant masses who are concerned with wet weather performance, longevity, road noise and comfort. RE001/002 are more like a medium compound that balances outright performance with other things =)

[Hasbeen]

Thanks for the information, & advice fellers.

I've also look at some tyre test results, & I'm still not sure, but I do know much more.

I'm getting some prices now, so thanks again.

[Racing Logic]

Go to tirerack.com
I got rims and tires delivered for 1300!
My tires are Kuhmo Ecsta Ku39's and for the price they are awesome.

X2 for Tirerack.com they have good tests and customer reviews of each tire as well. I have had a few sets of tires and rims from them, the service is great, price cheap and were at my door in a few days.

[pxwolf424]

running on KHUMOs, sux!

[euromandeluxe]

My star specs were great but the treadwear is pretty bad.

Are grip and long life mutually exclusive? Can't think of a decent compromise tyre to replace my rears with.

[dlai5552]

^ Maybe the Yoko Advan Ad08 or Hankook RS-3

[Engin09]

Ku36 grip crazy, run out quick. My next Tyre will be the re002. they selling them for $200 each at bridgestone atm with a $50 cash back and $25 wheel alignment

[Racing Logic]

Ku36 grip crazy, run out quick. My next Tyre will be the re002. they selling them for $200 each at bridgestone atm with a $50 cash back and $25 wheel alignment

What size are they selling for $200? I just got a price on 225/45/18s from my local Bridgestone center and they were $395 each!

[Hasbeen]

He is probably talking stock size, 225/50/16s.

I just got a quote from the Helensvale store of $190 each for 225/50/16 RE002.

These must be on special, as the 205/55/16 RE002 are $200 each.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I have decided to go with the Bridgestone RE002.

It is really going to hurt throwing out tyres that still look brand new, because of their age.

This is going to be even harder with the tyres on my Triumph TR7. In my experience low profile tyres don't work well on these older design suspensions, & it is getting really hard to get anything any good for 13" wheels. I have 15" on my TR8 for this reason, & the car doesn't really like them. Not only that, but it is getting hard to find anything good in 15s as well.

[Engin09]

What size are they selling for $200? I just got a price on 225/45/18s from my local Bridgestone center and they were $395 each!

Yep stock

[greek_rambos2k]

yokohama ad08s or starspec z1