BlackJoker

Hey Jim. I have an '03 S2000 and I am shopping around for new tires. I am in between the Bridgestone Potenza S-02 and the Potenza RE-01R. On the tire rack website, the RE-01R comes in the stock S2000 sizes of 205-55-16 and 225-50-16. I read that you are supposed to get 245-45-16 rear size for all non-S-02 tires for the OEM 16" wheels. Can I still get the RE-01R since the tread width is only 2 tenths of an inch smaller than the S-02s on the rear tire or do you recommend otherwise? Thank you very much.

-James

Jim@tirerack

The RE01R would be an excellent tire if you are an agressive driver. They turned over 1G in our testing on the skid pad with stock BMW325"s. They are as close to an R compound tire as you are going to get for the street. It would have been better with the 245/45R16 but they do not have any plans at making that size.
If I can help let me know.

BlackJoker

So what kind of handling changes would I notice if I went with the 225 width on the RE-01R? Would the oversteer be that much more prevalent just because of 0.2" less tread on each rear tire?

esracer

another question you might add is are these tires actually better than S02's?

BlackJoker

From what Jim is saying and from the reviews I have read, the RE-01Rs are better than the S02s in dry and wet handling. I really want these tires and just would like to know if the rear tire sizes not being 245-45-16 will be a huge issue. My driving style is aggressive.

Surf2k

I think the bigger issue will be the front tires. The front 205/55 RE-01R's are .5" wider than the OE S0-2s. Add to that the .2" difference in the rear, and there's .7" of difference in the F/R stagger. You'll probably get more oversteer than usual.

BlackJoker

You make a good point there. I noticed the difference in front tread width earlier but somehow forgot to mention it in my post. Good catch . I remember there was one member on this site that ordered the RE-01Rs in 205 F and 225 R and mounted them on stock wheels and loved the way the car performed. I'd love to hear any other opinions on the tire with the 205/225 set up on OEM wheels. I'd just like some more input if possible before I decide on this or the S02.

BlackJoker

Bump for Jim's reply on if the tire sizes will cause the car to have excessive oversteer during daily and/or aggressive driving

owenxguo

go for RE01R, great tires

BlackJoker

I'm going to get them on my next paycheck