I have nearly 16,000 miles on my04, and my rear Potenzas are nearly bald. My fronts still look great, so I need new rear tires only. I want to put new Kumho ECSTA Supra 712, 245/40/wr17's, on the rear and leave the stock Potenzas on the front until they wear out. Anyone see a problem with having these two different brands of tires on the front and rear?

 

This is probably a bad idea. I imagine if you never drive agressively you could get away with it but this car is really sensitive in regard to tires. People report handling issues with tires just a couple of PSI low.

You are just asking for trouble mixing tires. I would buy 4 new tires or just get new RE050s for the rear.

 

If your not upgrading wheels then I would stay with the OEM rubber in the rear.

If you go with a different tire you will most like induce oversteer and your handling will be effected.

For only 2 tires... stick with the re050's....then if you want to skimp later then at least you will have the same brand/rating on all four corners.

 

I run the stock 225/50 SO2 on the rear and 205/55 Falken Azenis RT 215 on the front.

The 215's are great & stick when warm.If Falken made more sizes,I'll run them on all my rods.

\rlr

 

I put the new Kumho's on, and I just wanted to update. I put the Kumho's on the rear only. I guess since I went from nearly bald re050's to the Kumho's, it was more of an upgrade in traction. I know they won't grip like the stock new re050's, but they are doing really good for me. For the price, I am really pleased and surprised at how well they are sticking in the curves.

 

You better check your fronts again. I've seen many 04's with inside camber wear. It is very hard to see unless you are looking for it. The best way would be to put your car on a rack and check. If you don't have access to a rack, spin your steering wheel either to the right or left all the way to lock. Afterwards, run your hand on the inside of your tires. You may have a different impression of your fronts afterwards.

BTW...I think Bridgestone is still offering a $100 rebate if you buy all 4.

 

I would say what would happen at the limits is the car will over steer more easily.

 

That's very possible, but it's more likely wear like that is from too much toe-out. Camber really doesn't wear tires much. If there was enough camber to wear the tire prematurely, then it would probably be visible without a rack.

Wear from toe is usually on the very inside or very outside of a tire. Often a tire will look completely normal from the front, and on the inside there's an inch long strip worn down to the cord.

 

The 712s don't grip nearly as well as the S02s. At the limit, I think oversteer is a high possibility. If mixing tires front and rear, you should try to at least get tires with similar levels of grip (and preferably breakaway characteristics, but that's a lot harder to find out w/o trying). Kumho MXs would've been a better tire to match the S02 fronts. Falken RT615s would also have been a good choice.

 

I currently have S02's in the front and S03's in the rear and didn't notice any problems. I don't track my car, but it seems fine. I just ordered S03's for the front and should have them on by next week.

Funny how people are this site are so "concerned" and passionate about their cars, yet nickel and dime the most important things like tires.

I'd reallocate your resources so you can set of matching good tires, or at least replace the fronts with what you are replacing the rears with.