Tire for best steering feel?
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,354
Likes: 2
From: Mukilteo, WA
Well the options you listed aren't going to be much of an improvement, if at all, might even be going backwards (did you read the posts above yours?) over the Comp2 or DW. An upgrade would be the Bridgestone RE-11, Dunlop ZII * in the extreme performance category. But you won't get as many miles out of a set, so how many miles do you drive/year? Might have to do your own research, read all tire rack reviews and testings if you want to really know what the perfect tire is going to be best for your use. If it were me and my only set of tires, for a combination of daily street driving and spirited drives (because with a sports car why not take a spirited drive every now and then), Bridgestone RE-11. If you're commuting and racking up the miles big time, maybe stick to what you have if it seems ok.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 1,705
From: Illnoise. WAY downtown, jerky.
Well the options you listed aren't going to be much of an improvement, if at all, might even be going backwards (did you read the posts above yours?) over the Comp2 or DW. An upgrade would be the Bridgestone RE-11, Dunlop ZII * in the extreme performance category. But you won't get as many miles out of a set, so how many miles do you drive/year? Might have to do your own research, read all tire rack reviews and testings if you want to really know what the perfect tire is going to be best for your use. If it were me and my only set of tires, for a combination of daily street driving and spirited drives (because with a sports car why not take a spirited drive every now and then), Bridgestone RE-11. If you're commuting and racking up the miles big time, maybe stick to what you have if it seems ok.
I had the RE11 installed on May 19th and since then have put about a 1000 miles on them traveling all around Texas. The steering is sharper and more responsive but the difference is not as dramatic as I was expecting. It is probably a limit of what electric steering can provide. The grip increase is HUGE and I have yet to produce any slip in the dry. Wet grip is increased as well but not to such an insane degree as the dry. I am suprised at how civilized they are for being a max performance tire. They are not loud and ride comfort is just a tad bit firmer than in my previous tires (all seasons). As some said in previous posts they may be overkill for the street. If I can get 15,000 miles out of them I will be happy.
The RE11 has more grip at a cost of a much shorter life span.
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 138
From: Cali
I found this review on TireRack quite interesting (Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's are updated/refreshed RE760's):
“Just bought these tires and will give 1st impressions and will follow up with more detail as the miles accrue. For those considering these now, there is so little data, I thought my experience so far may be of use. Feedback at the local tire store for the three sets they sold was very positive. For those that don't know, Bridgestone is the largest tire manufacturer in the world and owns Firestone, Fusion and other brands. I replaced a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports with these. I was extremely satisfied with the Michelins, but studying these tires, I decided to give them a try. The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (FFI500) are called Bridgestone RE003 in the rest of the world. The FFI500 is basically an update/refresh of the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport, which in the rest of the world is called the Bridgestone RE002. I have recommended the 760's to several friends who all liked the tire and the 760's get great reviews on this site. Looking on international websites I discovered the claimed improvements over the RE760's are as follows: 20% in on center feel, 5% dry handling, 10% wet handling, 6% wet braking, 4% straight-line stability, no improvement in rolling resistance or noise levels and a 10% improvement in comfort. That was the marketing data anyway. I can confirm so far it feels very good but I need more miles to give a full impression and will update in the next couple weeks. Its more comfortable than the Michelin PSS and noise levels are similar, but a different tone. Turn in is improved over the 760 but not quite the turn-in of the very eager PSS's. Hope that helps for anybody considering these now. Current $60 rebate is a nice bonus making these less than half the French tire's price in my size. I don't expect them to wear as well as the PSS, and wear data was missing from the marketing materials I've seen, but I have a square set-up and will be rotating them every 5K miles. Pleased so far!”
“Just bought these tires and will give 1st impressions and will follow up with more detail as the miles accrue. For those considering these now, there is so little data, I thought my experience so far may be of use. Feedback at the local tire store for the three sets they sold was very positive. For those that don't know, Bridgestone is the largest tire manufacturer in the world and owns Firestone, Fusion and other brands. I replaced a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports with these. I was extremely satisfied with the Michelins, but studying these tires, I decided to give them a try. The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (FFI500) are called Bridgestone RE003 in the rest of the world. The FFI500 is basically an update/refresh of the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport, which in the rest of the world is called the Bridgestone RE002. I have recommended the 760's to several friends who all liked the tire and the 760's get great reviews on this site. Looking on international websites I discovered the claimed improvements over the RE760's are as follows: 20% in on center feel, 5% dry handling, 10% wet handling, 6% wet braking, 4% straight-line stability, no improvement in rolling resistance or noise levels and a 10% improvement in comfort. That was the marketing data anyway. I can confirm so far it feels very good but I need more miles to give a full impression and will update in the next couple weeks. Its more comfortable than the Michelin PSS and noise levels are similar, but a different tone. Turn in is improved over the 760 but not quite the turn-in of the very eager PSS's. Hope that helps for anybody considering these now. Current $60 rebate is a nice bonus making these less than half the French tire's price in my size. I don't expect them to wear as well as the PSS, and wear data was missing from the marketing materials I've seen, but I have a square set-up and will be rotating them every 5K miles. Pleased so far!”
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 232
Likes: 6
i'm looking for same thing (DD tire with sharp handling and longer tread life) i run the indy 500 on my ap1 and it performs really well, except it has no feedback it feels digital 
! i will probably try yokohama s.drive once these are worn out.
! i will probably try yokohama s.drive once these are worn out.
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