Tire Question
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Tire Question
My 2001 is finally ready for new tires. Actually the fronts are fine the rears are shot. I am running the OEM Potenza S02's. In looking for this tire at the lowest price I ran across the Potenza RE050's (not the pole position) on close out thru Tire Rack and the price is so good I am considering it over the S02.
My questions are:
1) Does anyone have any experience with this tire?
2) Is the tire as good at cornering in the dry as the S02?
3) If I order from Tire Rack, can anyone recommend a shop that is "S" friendly and knows how to properly install tires (torque the lugs to spec. etc.) and wont bang up the wheels and the car during the process?
I have not nor do I plan on tracking the car, and it is not my daily driver so I am not concerned about wet traction. I want a good tire but the S02 price is hard to take in the face of the pricing for the RE050's. (More than half as much)
Thanks in advance for any input.
My questions are:
1) Does anyone have any experience with this tire?
2) Is the tire as good at cornering in the dry as the S02?
3) If I order from Tire Rack, can anyone recommend a shop that is "S" friendly and knows how to properly install tires (torque the lugs to spec. etc.) and wont bang up the wheels and the car during the process?
I have not nor do I plan on tracking the car, and it is not my daily driver so I am not concerned about wet traction. I want a good tire but the S02 price is hard to take in the face of the pricing for the RE050's. (More than half as much)
Thanks in advance for any input.
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Do you have 17" rims or the oem 16" rims? I don't belive you can get that tire in the right size for an AP1 oem wheel. The oem S02 is marked as a 225 at the rear, but actually has the contact patch of a 245. If you go with any tire other than the oem S02, look for a 245/45-16 for the rear tires.
Former Moderator
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Yes...the oem 225 is wider than the RE050 in the same size. You can look here:
RE050 specs
S02 specs (the first S02 in a 225/50-16 is our oem tire, the other is the Boxster oem tire)
Note the RE050 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.1". The oem S02 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.5". And that does not tell the whole story...the oem s02 has a very square shoulder which means more of the tread is in contact with the road. Tread on other tires rolls over the shoulder more leaving less in contact with the road. So that nearly half inch is a bit understated as well.
It may not seem like a big difference when you consider a contact patch that some 8" wide...but it makes a big difference in the way the car handles. The s2k is very sensitive where tires are concerned...I don't know of another car that experiences as severe adverse handling effects as the s2k when one tire is a few psi lower than the others.
RE050 specs
S02 specs (the first S02 in a 225/50-16 is our oem tire, the other is the Boxster oem tire)
Note the RE050 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.1". The oem S02 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.5". And that does not tell the whole story...the oem s02 has a very square shoulder which means more of the tread is in contact with the road. Tread on other tires rolls over the shoulder more leaving less in contact with the road. So that nearly half inch is a bit understated as well.
It may not seem like a big difference when you consider a contact patch that some 8" wide...but it makes a big difference in the way the car handles. The s2k is very sensitive where tires are concerned...I don't know of another car that experiences as severe adverse handling effects as the s2k when one tire is a few psi lower than the others.
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by negcamber,Mar 3 2007, 10:26 AM
Yes...the oem 225 is wider than the RE050 in the same size. You can look here:
RE050 specs
S02 specs (the first S02 in a 225/50-16 is our oem tire, the other is the Boxster oem tire)
Note the RE050 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.1". The oem S02 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.5". And that does not tell the whole story...the oem s02 has a very square shoulder which means more of the tread is in contact with the road. Tread on other tires rolls over the shoulder more leaving less in contact with the road. So that nearly half inch is a bit understated as well.
It may not seem like a big difference when you consider a contact patch that some 8" wide...but it makes a big difference in the way the car handles. The s2k is very sensitive where tires are concerned...I don't know of another car that experiences as severe adverse handling effects as the s2k when one tire is a few psi lower than the others.
RE050 specs
S02 specs (the first S02 in a 225/50-16 is our oem tire, the other is the Boxster oem tire)
Note the RE050 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.1". The oem S02 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.5". And that does not tell the whole story...the oem s02 has a very square shoulder which means more of the tread is in contact with the road. Tread on other tires rolls over the shoulder more leaving less in contact with the road. So that nearly half inch is a bit understated as well.
It may not seem like a big difference when you consider a contact patch that some 8" wide...but it makes a big difference in the way the car handles. The s2k is very sensitive where tires are concerned...I don't know of another car that experiences as severe adverse handling effects as the s2k when one tire is a few psi lower than the others.
Any suggestions where to find a deal on new SO2'S?
Thanks for your help!
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From: I put the intntl in s2ki
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Found the S02's here for 132 .....225/50/16 style for the s, w rated and yes they are the right tire.
Found the S02's here for 132 .....225/50/16 style for the s, w rated and yes they are the right tire.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Annapolis MD.
Originally Posted by negcamber,Mar 3 2007, 10:26 AM
Yes...the oem 225 is wider than the RE050 in the same size. You can look here:
RE050 specs
S02 specs (the first S02 in a 225/50-16 is our oem tire, the other is the Boxster oem tire)
Note the RE050 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.1". The oem S02 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.5". And that does not tell the whole story...the oem s02 has a very square shoulder which means more of the tread is in contact with the road. Tread on other tires rolls over the shoulder more leaving less in contact with the road. So that nearly half inch is a bit understated as well.
It may not seem like a big difference when you consider a contact patch that some 8" wide...but it makes a big difference in the way the car handles. The s2k is very sensitive where tires are concerned...I don't know of another car that experiences as severe adverse handling effects as the s2k when one tire is a few psi lower than the others.
RE050 specs
S02 specs (the first S02 in a 225/50-16 is our oem tire, the other is the Boxster oem tire)
Note the RE050 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.1". The oem S02 in 225/50-16 has a tread width of 8.5". And that does not tell the whole story...the oem s02 has a very square shoulder which means more of the tread is in contact with the road. Tread on other tires rolls over the shoulder more leaving less in contact with the road. So that nearly half inch is a bit understated as well.
It may not seem like a big difference when you consider a contact patch that some 8" wide...but it makes a big difference in the way the car handles. The s2k is very sensitive where tires are concerned...I don't know of another car that experiences as severe adverse handling effects as the s2k when one tire is a few psi lower than the others.
excellent tire knowledge.
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