I have a stock 2000 S2000 that I have owned since new. I have been running Bridgestone Potenza tires and have always liked them. I need to replace the S02's on the front and the RE11's on the rear due the the age of the tires. Both of these models are now discontinued. I'm looking at Bridgestone Potenza RE 71 RZ and Pirelli Zero Rosso. I would be interested in hearing any opinions of these two options.

Thanks,

Gary

 

I’d probably do a bridgestone potenza sport in 205/55/16 and 245/45/16. Grippy but not as uncomfortable and loud as an re71.

 

Unless you're tracking it, an RE71RZ is super overkill. Pretty sure those things won't see optimal operating temp on the street. Tyre Reviews just did a great video on the current batch of high performance summer tires, so one step below track-spec tires. The Pirelli P Zero R seems to be a clear winner in both wet and dry handling.

Edit: Link for you.

 

Bridgestone SO2 and RE11 tires aged-out maybe 10 years ago and went out of production about the same time. I had the RE-11A tires on the car for a while and loved them, but every time its time to replace tires Bridgestone discontinues what I've been running. Progress.

Noisy? Must be subjective or the result of several generations and tread design variations in the RE-71 (RE-71, RE-71RE, 71-RS, etc.) as I've been running the RE-71RS tires on all 4 corners for the past 2 years. Not sure why anyone considers them noisy. They're been superseded by the RE-71RZ which I wouldn't hesitate to fit (but haven't heard them).

Overkill? Of course! The S2000 is overkill by design. Heck all-seasons will fit and be fine if all you want to to is get groceries.

BTW: The S2000 is tire sensitive to mismatched tires. Including inflation even if all the tire patterns and wear match. Put the same tire on all four wheels.

-- Chuck

 

I love the Bridgestone Potenza Sport. Really more as enough for really fast road use. And allways remember, the S2000 is delicate on wet roads. If i choose tyres, i allways choose them based on how well they perform in the wet also. The Bridgestoen Potenza Sport performes incredible good when it rains.

 

Can't go wrong with the choices discussed so far. And, I know OP didn't ask for it, but to throw a wildcard in there: I have been running Continental Extreme Contact Sports 02s on my AP1 for a couple of years. Huge grip on the road. Solid wet grip. Good wear. Solid for light track use. Strong sidewall. Very good tires.

 

+1 data point on RE71's being extra noisy.. the set I had were so atrocious that it has deterred me away from Bridgestone in its entirety.. I'm a Michelin guy now

 

Lol. The RE71RS and RZ are basically a DOT racing tire. Turning away from a brand because you bought a racing tire is crazy. That's like refusing to buy Snap-on tools because you bought a SAE set and it doesn't fit your Japanese car...

 

I've never found the RE 71 RS to be noisy. But then, I can tolerate car noises of any sort without bother. I typically run 200-340 UTQG summer tires.
Darcy

 

What are you doing with the car? I only run tires like the REs on mine for the street but that is because I drive about 1000-2000 miles on the street per year and the rest is track and autocross. And on the street I drive it if it is top down weather (aka no raining) so dont care too much about tire noise. If you are driving primarily on the street though those are kind of overkill like others said and will wear faster than some others mentioned here. In terms of grip, the RE is right at the top of the heap for street tires. But if you are not looking for ultimate grip and want a good all around street tire the wear and the price likely makes them a poor choice. Also focus on something that has good rain performance if mostly street driven and you live where you see much rain. Some of the higher grip 200TW tires are not good in rain. For example, the Kumho V730s were excellent for grip for the price but horrible in the rain so not a good street tire.