varying contact patches?

[bladerunner]

8600 miles and I'm in the market for new tires (the funnest 8600 miles). Anyways, I love the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE050's but would like some more tire life and that said I'm considering the Potenza RE750 (I used to have a car on the old RE730's which I thought were great). My cars a second gen, but I've heard people with first gen cars talk about replacing their tires with the Potenza RE750's, and mention how they would put 245 width tires in place of their stock 225's in the rear(don't remember about the fronts)because of a contact patch difference between the RE750 and the old S02's. Wondering if something similar is necessary between the RE050's and the RE750's, or if it's all just speculation and rumor. It seems weird that Bridgestone would have such widely varying contact patches on the same listed size between it's models with the exception of minuscule differnces in tread pattern.
Other tire recommendations similar to the RE750 in performance and price(Continental?, BFGoodrich?, the others?) will be apreciated! AS I NEED TIRES SOON!! Yes, I've been on tirerack but I want to hear it from the people.
THANKS

[Scott]

Sorry, I can't help much. I buy shorter-lasting tires. It's a trade-off in most cases...Longer life = less traction.

But I've heard good things about the 750 Potenzas.

[bjurasz]

I loved the old Dunlop D40's but they stopped making them years ago. I have never been impressed with Continental. Ditto for several sets of Goodyears that I've had over the years. My choices are Bridgestone, Michelin, Dunlop, possibly Yokohama.

[spa01s2k]

I have worked for a couple of different tire companies, and you will see differences in width between tires of the same brand. I don't think you have have to worry about going with a wider tire on an AP2 (at least not that I have heard). The AP1's didn't have to worry about going with a bigger front tire.

I can't help you with a tire that will last longer, because all I'm concerned about is grip. But I can tell you to stay away from Yokohoma AVS ES100's, they didn't last long on my car and didn't provide all that great of grip. There are a ton of Yokohama's that are better grip, but are guaranteed to wear out quickly.

[bladerunner]

Hey, thanks for the feedback guys. I went ahead with the RE750's and don't have any regrets. It is what it is. I knew that there would be less grip with a higher treadwear rating, but I just can't spend a $1000 (the RE750's were $715 installed out the door @ Tire Pros) every 6 months on tires (as much as I would love to, I'm only 22 and am streching the wallet a bit to have my first pick of the cars I could actually obtain, I considered the WRX(fun!), RX-8(oil burner) and 350Z(fat-ass) but was able to get the best of them all, the S2000).
I took the car for a spirited drive up Protrero Rd. to Decker Canyon Rd. to Mulhulland Highway torwards the PCH and back, the tires did just fine. I made sure to be real smooth and cautious as to feel them out and build what little heat I could into them (it was about 45 degrees out, less than ideal for summer tires) and they proved themselves to be good tires. I never really took them to the level of the RE050s(first day, mind you) but I could still tell that they're good and I look forward to getting to know my new tires.
The RE050's were great. I expect these RE750's to be just slightly less great.
I know it's off topic but I just wanted to say that I hate BMW Z4's for some reason.
Be well.

[spa01s2k]

What is the treadwear rating on those (RE750's)?? I'm looking for a tire to use as a road trip tire and I'm tired of using 280 treadwear tires on trips. But I still want some performance.

BTW - Not a big fan of Z4's either.

[bladerunner]

The treadwear rating is 340

[bjurasz]

I had and loved the RE730's as well at one point, on a supercharged Regal. Nice tire, though admittedly not the ideal platform to judge a tire by. While we're at it, I'm not a big fan of BMW in general. Know lots of people with them, most of whom will buy a Lexus next instead of another BMW. Spa's signature of a 1980 Corvette took me back in time to my first one. Red on oyster, 4-speed manual. Love the lines of that car. Excuse me as I go back in time for a moment...

[spa01s2k]

Originally Posted by bladerunner

The treadwear rating is 340

340's not bad, let us know how you like the tire once you used to its potential. Keep us updated on the mileage too.

bjurasz - What year was your Vette?? Mine's a 4spd too. Mine is dark blue with blue interior, just over 37000 original miles.

[bladerunner]

Originally Posted by spa01s2k

340's not bad, let us know how you like the tire once you used to its potential. Keep us updated on the mileage too.

bjurasz - What year was your Vette?? Mine's a 4spd too. Mine is dark blue with blue interior, just over 37000 original miles.

Will do. Goin out for another break in run today, but it's still too cold

[spa01s2k]

Originally Posted by bladerunner

Will do. Goin out for another break in run today, but it's still too cold

Your in Cali and its too cold?!? Whats the temp there?

I'm just giving you crap, we're at 9 degrees here.

[Java Junky]

Blade;
I know you said that you did TireRack, but did you check the data on Test Results, Survey Results n' Tire Tests?
As good as it is, the input from site members is extremely limited. The data put together by the 'Rack gives you much more info to work with.
I've found that surveys of individual owners (I'm talkin' TireRack here guys, don't nobody go gettin' offended on me okay?) is always a matter of apples n' oranges: everybody's rating of somethin' is usually all over the map.
But, tests done by professionals, that actually do the testin', the ratin' n' the recordin' are generally more accurate.
Face it when you've got Fred commentin' on the 3 tires that he's familiar with n' Stan commentin' on 2 different tires that he's familiar with, n' Bob . . well, I think you probably get my drift.
However you decide to go, good luck, be well, n' like the old knight said . . .
Java

[spa01s2k]

I like to read tire tests that come out in "Motor Trend", "Car and Driver", "Road and Track", and other such magazines because the tires are all being tested in the same conditions, by the same driver, on the same car. And most of the time they are professional drivers that can tell the difference in tires.

[Java Junky]

Amen spa. Those guys go all out at some facility ( r' probably jus' some flat spot they know of at zero-dark-thirty in the mornin') n' they use a wide span of the current tires available.
Even if we could get the tires, went through the many changes involved n' could repeatedly test n' eval each set . . I think our chances'a windin' up with a fist full'a go-directly-to-jail cards with suspension r' loss of license would be pretty good.
Gettin' data from the pros makes sense to me too.
Be well.
Java

[bladerunner]

Yeah, I looked at the comparison tests done by Tire Rack and the customer surveys and found them fairly helpful. You can do a survey search for just S2000's or any car for that matter and you'll have nothing but the S2000 owner surveys which I liked. The tests they do are pretty thorough. They use Identical 330i's and use equal size tires and do all the handling tests you'd expect, wet and dry. The RE750 didn't always come out on top in their tests but with my experience with the Bridgestones and how well they handle repeated heat cycling I felt most comfortable sticking with Bridgestone.

Hey Spa I'm in Southern California and it's been about 40-50 during the day and about 30-40 at night. Record chills aparently. Heard about it because the chill is threatening California's citrus crop which hasn't happened before. 9 degrees! I'm sorry man.

Took by buddy Jeremy out in the car yesterday. If you would ask him about the RE750's he would probably tell you that they're "insane". Judging by what he kept saying through the corners. They did good.

[spa01s2k]

^^ I don't blame you for sticking with Brigdestone, they make great tires. As far as the weather goes, 40-50 is pretty chilly for you guys. We are going to hit a heat wave by wednesday!! mid 30's!!

[bladerunner]

You must be craving your car pretty bad! I can only go a few days before the car permeates my thoughts and starts to call my name. Hope it warms up for you.

[spa01s2k]

Originally Posted by bladerunner

You must be craving your car pretty bad! I can only go a few days before the car permeates my thoughts and starts to call my name. Hope it warms up for you.

I drove it last thursday, which was the first time in 3 1/2 weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to get it out this week too. No top down though .

[bladerunner]

Well, I'm here to finish up my little spot on the RE750. I spent about 12000 miles living w them & I wouldn't recommend them. I only got about 3000 more miles out of them than the supreme RE050's. I'm sure this would vary quite a bit but with my canyon driving and freeway on/off ramp behavior they didn't last. I think it's cause where the RE050's would just hold, these you'd have to play with the adhesion limits A LOT whether it's front or rear. They were extremely predictable, but it was how much they slid that was predictable not how much they stuck.

I just put on a set of Sumitomo HTR Z III's having read how they beat out the RE050 pole position & some other bad-ass tires, I'm willing to give them a shot(tire rack-full comparison test). Not to mention they were only $450 out the door. I'm back in school & don't want to spend a $1000 on tires. So, we'll see how they do.

[Java Junky]

Keep us posted blade, much appreciate your input on this thread.
My read of the 750s didn't leave me as sold on 'em, n' I was wonderin' how this was gonna play out.
Needless to say, the Sumitomo Z III's naven't been on the site (that I've noticed anyway) n' your eval of 'em'll be looked forward to.

As for low temp Stewiein' . . summer tires'll put you at risk when things get cold. If cold is how your version of the year spends a chunk'a it's time, if at all possible, a second set'a rims with hoops meant to grab when it's cold is the way ta keep 'er stuck.
Thanks for a great thread guys.
Be well,
Java

[SoMe0nE2tAlK2]

Hehe you're the 2nd person I know testing out those Sumitomos. The first guy says they're actually pretty good but he hasn't had a chance to take them up to some canyons yet.

I'm interested in the results seeing as how I probably got a few months left on my tires. And I'm definitely not buyin the RE070 if the RE01R is cheaper and better.

[bladerunner]

So far so good. I will note however, more initial understeer, but not much, they feel predictable and seem real good overall.