Jah2000

I just got them too. I know they're only UHP and considered a step below MP tires, but they're also very new 2016 technology and there's some people saying they handle and grip just as good as the PSS or S04.

Car Analogy

The S04 is Bridgestone's replacement for the tire that came stock on our cars, the RE050.

The one thing this tire has going for it over the mpss is its slightly stiffer sidewall, which gives sharper steering and better feel. Our cars prefer a stiffer sidewall.

You'd be giving up a little grip compared to mpss, and gaining a bit of steering feel. Depends on what you value more.

s2000Junky

Yeah 16's are really limited. Ive got a set of 275/315's NT05 waiting to go on the car once I finish off these old 255/295 XS.

JoePhotographer

Nokian ZLine. 'Nuf said.

rpg51

I value the steering feel more. I'm not putting any of these tires near the limit in my driving. So, I go for S04. Little cheaper too. But, to each his own. Its all good.

Bama Dave

RE-11A (3 sets) my first pick and would like to know if the original RE-11 are as good (looking into them next). Second would be the Star Spec ZII (2 sets). Pilot Super Sports would be my third (first set and still rocking them). They aren't as sticky as the other two but should hold up better with the 300 thread wear. A friend put it to me like this "if you don't buy a tire thats not as close to the OEM spec tire (140 UTOG) then you aren't doing the car justice.

B serious

The original Bridgestones are in the 300TW range, IIRC. Unless you're talking about the CR's RE070...which was 180 or 200. You're not doing the car any "injustice" by buying MP tyres in the 300TW category.

FWIW, RE71R's aren't even officially stamped as 140TW.

TW's also mean different things for different manufacturers. Hence why a Z2 (200TW) lasts significantly longer than a 71R (200TW).

I would not run Z2's (or any EP tyre) on a street car that won't see track time. Its a complete waste. The wet traction is relatively VERY bad. And the noise is unbelievably loud once you get some miles on them.

EP tyres (Z2, RE11, AD08, RE71, RS3 etc) aren't ideal street tyres. TONS of compromise for street use.

MP tyres aren't ideal track tyres (MPSS, S04, etc). TONS of compromise on the track.

The MPSS does bridge the gap quite well, however. I daily drive them (summer) on 2 different cars. They are also more than capable for HPDE use on a stock, or mildly modded S2000.

The MPSS is close enough to the dry grip of the RE11 or Z2.

Jah2000

Rubber compound innovations and new formulas and technologies play a big factor too I would think. A 200tw tire rubber compound from 10 years ago (RS3v1, ZII, RE11) would be much different than the rubber compound of modern RE71r, etc.

This is why I feel 2016 FI500 tires would have better rubber compound than the old and outdated SportComp2... or perhaps even PSS or S04 (which are getting very old now).

dc2-2-ap1

I agree with the technology advancement, but the ZII is 4 years old- ZIISS is a 3 year old tire.

s2Y00

Whoa... been loving the new tires so far, absolutely feel a difference when driving. But this weekend went out for a drive when it was low 50's/high 40's and I started to understand why they're called "summer tires."

Definitely felt a loss of "feel" and I swear my braking distances were off.