I have a 2000 S2000 with 2006 17" wheels. The rear RE 050s are shot and I will purchase either the Bridgestone RE-11s or the Dunlop Direzza ZI Star Specs (tough decision).

I don't like the way my car "pushes" or understeers with the 215/45R17s on the front and the quick transitions to terminal oversteer with the 245/40R17s on the back. Will 225/45R17 on the front and 255/40R17 on the rear work for me with no downside?

Are the RE-11s worth the extra bucks? My car has never been driven in the wet.

Thanks

 

Jim?

Beuller? Beuller? Beuller? Anyone? Anyone?

Help me out here, I've waited 4 days to buy tires. I need input from this august body. I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

 

You can run:
215/45 F, 245/40 R
215/45 F, 255/40 R
225/45 F, 255/40 R

Any of those sizes will be fine. The change in under/oversteer balance of the car with relatively minor changes in section width is not going to be terribly significant, particularly on the street. More important to get the best tires for your usage, so if the best tire is only in one of the preferred size configurations, just get it, whether its 215/245, 215/255, or 225/255.

mho...

 

i just got the RE11's and they are badass. I decided against the star specs due to the recommendation of changing all 4 at once due to the compound the star specs use. I didnt see that recommendation on the bridgestones and I didnt have an issue with my previous bridgestones when I went through 2 sets of rears and kept the same fronts.

 

Sorry guys. Caught me with time off this weekend. You may be better off with the 225/45R17 and 255/40R17 with the RE11. In the testing that we did here the RE11 is the superior handling tire. Grassroots Motorsport confirmed that on the track as well. You can also play with air pressures and suspension to dial in the handling.
If I can help with the tires let me know.

 

Thanks all!

I'm going with the RE-11s in the size recommended.