Currently have OEM Potenza S-02, want to replace rear with Potenza RE760.
Will having S02 in the front and RE760 in the rear be ok? I would hate to replace the
front tires since they have plenty of tread left. Or should I just stick with
S-02?

 

If you do mix tires, you want to stay with a similar-performing make/model. The RE760 is in a longer-wearing/lower-performance class compared to the OEM S-02's. You want to stay in the "Max Performance" or "Extreme Performance" categories.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchRe...ter=16&x=66&y=6

Dunlop Direzza Star Spec is probably going to be about your best option for the $$$.

 

Mixing tires can do bad things, not really recommended. If you do it, take it easy until you get them all match up.

 

my tires right now are mixed and i haven't noticed any problems for daily driving and easy cruising. i just wouldn't run it like that for a track day.

 

I have mixed snow tires, but they are both V rated, both Dunlops, just a different model (M3 vs D3). They have a similar tread pattern and Jim (from the Tirerack) confirmed with Dunlop that it would be okay to run these two tires. I have no problem with this set-up. That being said, I have read a lot on this site about people getting into accidents, the likely cause being mis-matched tires. I would call/e-mail Jim to ask if Bridgestone recommends such a set-up. Alternatively, I would buy a matching set (if Max performance is not important to you, get the 760, or since it's a matching set, go for a different brand like the BFG T/A KDW) and sell your front S-02's on your local forum. You would still be saving money over getting a pair of S-02s in the rear (S02s $177x2=$354 vs BFG (($70x2)+($75x2))=$290). Of course you need to factor in the cost to ship 4 vs 2, install 4 vs 2, hopefully you can recover this cost from selling your S02s though.

Just my 2 cents!

Cheers!

 

i have OEM Bridgestone RE050s up front, and Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs in rear. I've been driving with this combo since about april 09, and have had no issues.

 

im runnin sumitomo htrz III in the rear and in need of replacement in the front. wat do u guys recommand for my front?

 

sumitomo htrz III

Btw, I compare mixing tires to Russian Roulette. Just because the gun hasn't gone off yet doesn't mean it won't eventually

 

Mixing tires is not a big deal IF you keep to the same basic characteristics (wet/dry/cold/snow/ice grip, sidewall stiffness, etc.).

The originator of this thread proposed mixing tires of different categories, with different characteristics. Obviously, you don't want to do that.

Tons of info is available on a LOT of tires at the Tire Rack website, and it's just a click away.

Whether or not you mix/match tires, you should know what you want/need and make an informed decision. The Tire Rack website is the best place to get the info you need.

It ain't rocket surgery, and it's not "Russian Roulette" either.

 

FWIW, I have driven on seriously mismatched tires, including:
Ultra High Performance fronts with UHP All-Season rears in the cold/snow
Worn and lower-wet-grip MaxPerf fronts with new and higher-wet-grip ExtremePerf tires in back at the track in the wet
DOT R-compound fronts with Extreme Performance rears at the track in the wet.
High-grip DOT R-compound fronts with TOTALLY FRIED no-grip DOT R-compound rears on a dry track.

In traction-limited driving in the above situations, the balance of the car was affected, but the car remained controllable. But the last case, where the rears had significantly less grips than the fronts, was a freaking HANDFUL!

If tires of different performance characteristics are to be used, you want the lower-grip tires in the front.

For the OP, this seriously limits the rear tires that should be considered. Personally, with S02 fronts, I'd *only* be looking at
Bridgestone RE11
Dunlop Star Spec
Yokohama AD08
All of those tires should have more dry grip and significantly more wet grip than the S02 fronts. Still, they probably all will have softer sidewalls, and being new tires vs. worn-out, will have more tread squirm than the used-up S02 rears, so be aware that the FEEL of the car will change. The back end may *feel* a bit looser, even though more ultimate grip is available. This would also be true to some degree with new S02's in back as well.