Anybody know Federal Tires???

[race king]

Hi gang.. the '04 has a pair of Federal tires on the front. Nice looking...595S's @ 225-45-17. I'm wondering if they are any good? I went to their site and they sell for $67...fronts and their 245-40-17's rear are $87. Anyone had any experience. I can remember when I said I anything other than BFG or Goodyear was junk...till I ran on Toyos and Hankooks...Thanks for your help. Race King

[Dr. Jimbo]

I'm runnin' Riken Raptors (A Michelin company). About $85 out the door (mount and balance included) from Tire Pros here in Santa Barbara. Stick great, quiet and look good too. I've got about 16k on 'em. Fronts still look good, backs are ready to be replaced soon.
Never heard of the Fed's though.

[Vezna31]

You really do get what you pay for with tires. Look at the traction rating on the sidewall (if it has it on there). My Goodyears are a 280. OEM Bridgestones are a 140 (reason they wear so fast). My Toyo R-compounds I use on the track are 100. Compare it to these. If it's in the high 300's, they are a hard compound that won't handle worth a crap.

[Dr. Jimbo]

Mine are 300. I guess when I'm down in SD, you can take my S out and tell me if they are crap or as good as I think. I guess Palomar would be a good test. I've driven these pretty hard in the twisties and haven't gone ass-first yet. I can kick out the rear a bit on a sharp left that goes over a slight hill by my house, but that's it.

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jimbo

Mine are 300. I guess when I'm down in SD, you can take my S out and tell me if they are crap or as good as I think. I guess Palomar would be a good test. I've driven these pretty hard in the twisties and haven't gone ass-first yet. I can kick out the rear a bit on a sharp left that goes over a slight hill by my house, but that's it.

Considering mine are 280 and yours are 300, I doubt I could feel any difference on the street, so you better let me take it to the track instead. I'll get a better feel there. Willow Springs is close

[jagg]

Give it to me Dr. Jimbo.........

Even if I don't feel a difference, I'm willin' to make something up that'll make you come out on top.....How can you go wrong Doc?

Regards,
Jagg

[race king]

Thanks for the help...RK

[SXY_S2K]

I have Federal tires on my S, haven't had any trouble with them yet, they are pretty grippy, but I haven't really pushed my car too much recently... I have only had them on for about 3 months... Not long enought to really tell you much about the wear...

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by Vezna31

You really do get what you pay for with tires. Look at the traction rating on the sidewall (if it has it on there). My Goodyears are a 280. OEM Bridgestones are a 140 (reason they wear so fast). My Toyo R-compounds I use on the track are 100. Compare it to these. If it's in the high 300's, they are a hard compound that won't handle worth a crap.

Very true. Although I was tired of replacing tires so quick so I got Kuhmo ASX for front and back. Priced well (about $75 per) and they have a treadwear of 420. The traction is AA and Temp is A. They handle very well for a 420 tire. I am very happy.

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by dezignpro04

Very true. Although I was tired of replacing tires so quick so I got Kuhmo ASX for front and back. Priced well (about $75 per) and they have a treadwear of 420. The traction is AA and Temp is A. They handle very well for a 420 tire. I am very happy.

For all around cruising, there is nothing wrong with having tires like these. It will last long and do what it was meant to do. But if you were to push them hard, the handling won't be there for you.

You really don't know the difference until you've pushed them to the limit and then push something else to the limit. I had Bridgestone RE750's a few years ago and thought they were ok. I went to the race track, but never had a "great" day. I was always fighting the handling of the car. When I changed my tires to Goodyears, I could feel the difference just in normal street driving on some exit or entrance ramps to freeways. Then, when I pushed them hard on a mountain run, I couldn't believe how much better they were than the BS. The RE 750's were crap compared to the Eagles. Now, I can even see a HUGE difference between my Goodyears and my Toyo RA-1's. Now I use the RA-1's on mountain drives to save the mileage on the Goodyears.

What it really comes down to is knowing the car very well, knowing your driving style even more, and having the right tire that fits both.

[Vezna31]

And don't forget about throwing in a good wheel alignment and the right air pressures for the conditions too. It all plays a part in the equation.

[Dr. Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Vezna31

For all around cruising, there is nothing wrong with having tires like these. It will last long and do what it was meant to do. But if you were to push them hard, the handling won't be there for you.

You really don't know the difference until you've pushed them to the limit and then push something else to the limit. I had Bridgestone RE750's a few years ago and thought they were ok. I went to the race track, but never had a "great" day. I was always fighting the handling of the car. When I changed my tires to Goodyears, I could feel the difference just in normal street driving on some exit or entrance ramps to freeways. Then, when I pushed them hard on a mountain run, I couldn't believe how much better they were than the BS. The RE 750's were crap compared to the Eagles. Now, I can even see a HUGE difference between my Goodyears and my Toyo RA-1's. Now I use the RA-1's on mountain drives to save the mileage on the Goodyears.

What it really comes down to is knowing the car very well, knowing your driving style even more, and having the right tire that fits both.

Well put Vinnie. I was thinking about that yesterday. My S is a DD and for fun on the weekends. My tires suit me well. If I was using my car only on the weekends and really pushing it hard on the twisties, I might want something a little grippier. Mine give me a balance of good handling, quietness, decent wear and good looks.

And thanks for the offer on testing my S. I'll let you. And Vez, just don't burn up my brakes.

[Dr. Jimbo]

Originally Posted by dezignpro04

They handle very well for a 420 tire. I am very happy.

Dp, kinda gives a new meaning to "smoking your tires"