The 2004 S comes with Bridgestone REO50 tires, as everyone knows. I'm wondering how they compare to the SO2s. Are the Bridgestones rated for better traction? They are A rated.

Are the REO50s summer only? How will they do in cold, dry conditions? I'm also wondering if they will be safer in the winter than the SO2s because of the revised suspension in the 2004 S2000, which makes it less likely to spin out.

Let me stress that I am not asking about driving in the snow, only very cold, dry conditions. How do you think the REO50s will fare on cold, dry pavement?

 

The 050s are summer only. Any of the non-all-season tires can be treacherous in the cold. I drive mine if it's not snowing or snow-covered and just have to back off due to the lack of grip (I can feel the rear skipping a little just on relatively gentle left/right turns if I give it some gas).

You can certainly drive in the cold. Just don't think about trying to impress someone and you'll be fine.

 

How servere does the weather have to get for the standard tyres to become a problem? I have the standard with the '04 and I would rather not change them. Would they survive the UK winter?

 

You shouldn't have too much problems until 0 degrees C

It does get slippery below 10 degrees, but not really bad until freezing.

I haven't got complete traction until NOW at 25+ degrees!

 

I have both the 01 & 04. The Re's are Better than the S0'2 but only by 10-15% in the cold and rain. Not much improvements but much more progressive than the S02's and more predictable.

BC

 

I've run various brands and models of summer tires in the winter down to at least 0 deg. F. They get hard and slippery but if you drive with common sense and figure out where the traction limits are, you're fine.

I just don't use them in snow or slush 'cause I don't wanna die...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jguerdat
I've run various brands and models of summer tires in the winter down to at least 0 deg. F.

 

I live in Canada and just about everyone here (journalists, government, car experts, salespeople, etc) agrees on this issue, which is indeed a rare occurence. What they all say is that a 4 season tire becomes hard enough at -15 Celsius (+5 F) to lose significant grip and be dangerous. I assume a summer tire would be even worse. It's a question of tire compounds.

Also consider this. OEM tires on the S are pretty expensive, so that in the long run you would probably end up saving money by fitting winter tires and even some metal wheels that you could leave them mounted on. If you keep your car for a few years you sure won't lose any $. And if ever you do hit snow you would have the appropriate thread on that appropriate rubber.

$0.02

Cheers