After 15,000 miles my original Potenza S-02 are becoming slicks. Great for burn-outs, sliding around corners, and other fun but a bit hairy when I get caught in the rain. Is there an advantage to sticking with the S-02's?? They are the priciest of the bunch but don't seem to measure up to some other tires (such as RE050A) on the tire rack sites grids and graphs. I had read that the car was tuned just for the S-02's. I just use the car for general cruising around. No performance mods on the car. I don't want bigger, fatter, badder, etc. I like the performance of the S-02 but would be happy with better handling, less noise, and better wet traction. Tire wear not that critical as I only put about 2000 miles/year on it. Don't need track tires. Any help would be appreciated.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresult...eter=16&type=MP

 

If you are replacing only the rears the best is to stay with the S02. If you are looking for the same handling characteristics for less money take a look at the new Bridgestone RE-01R. They are going to handle even better with a little more wet traction.
If I can help let me know.

 

I don't think the OEM S02's are the best choice in any case (despite all the hand-wringing in the stickie over published tread width and "tread width stagger", which are not a direct measure of performance or balance). S02's would seem to be a particularly poor choice if wet traction is a concern.

RE01R would be a better choice than S02 for *any* type of usage, IMO.

Given the stated wants/needs/expectations, I'd go B'stone RE050A Pole Position (better wet traction, "AA" vs. "A").

That's what *I'd* do, anyway. But that said, Jim *is* the tire man

 

OEM S0-2 225/50/16:
Section Width: 9.2"
Tread Width: 8.5"
Diameter: 24.8"
Revs: 840

RE050a PP 225/50/16:
Section Width: 9.1"
Tread Width: 8"
Diameter: 24.9
Revs: 837

According to Tire Rack, you will lose .5 inchs of tread contact

 

According to Tire Rack, you lose 0.5" of published "tread width" with the RE050A PP vs. OEM S02.
Which is not the same as losing 0.5" of "tread contact".

Tread width numbers are not the be-all end-all of actual tire performance, there are other more important factors.

In some instances (in the wet on the street, for example) wider can mean LESS grip rather than more grip, anyway.

IMO, the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth over "narrow" non-OEM 225/50-16 rear tires for the AP1 is much ado about very very little, particularly regarding real-world street performance.

I would bet that the RE050A PP (or several other tires) is the better, "safer" choice for most AP1 drivers than the wider-published-tread-width OEM S02's.

In the end, the OP is much much better off with ANY new Max-Perf 225/50-16 than he is with slick S02's.

So, don't agonize over oem vs. non-oem, just make a choice and get new tires ASAP!

 

How do the RE-01R compare to RE0501 PP?? My plan will be to drive from March to November in Michigan if there is no snow. Will temps in the 30's have a significant impact on either tires performance?? Wet handling differences?

 

Jim, any help?

 

[QUOTE=tcampbel1965,Oct 8 2008, 09:29 AM]How do the RE-01R compare to RE0501 PP??

 

I ordered a set of Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs that are going on my car as I write this... Rudy @ The Tire Rack really likes these... What I like was that they also have a pretty wide tread width. Here's the Tire Racks, test comparison:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=107

I'll try to post a review when I put some miles on it. They were pretty inexpensive also. I think I was out $550 for a full set with insurance and S&H.