This is my first post on here and I need you help with my front Bridgestone RE050 MZ's. I just bought my first S2000.
It's a White 2009 UK GT100 model with just 16,000 miles on the clock.
The rear tyres have been replaced with the original RE050's by the previous owner but the front tyres are still original (over 5 years old).

I've noticed some cracking in between the tread on both fronts - see photo.

I'm guessing that most people on here would say change them but they still have 5mm tread left so I'm a bit reluctant. Are they dangerous? It must've passed its MOT like that.

 

These tires are probably quite hard by now and not up to the level of tire this car deserves and demands for hard driving. Sure, you could run errands around town and you'd probably be ok, but this tire is going to be woefully inadequate for any serious driving. I have experienced old RE050s firsthand and I can tell you they don't have much grip at all.

 

Tires age just sitting there. Check for crazing of the inner sidewalls too.

Bridgestone RE-11A tires run about 75% of the cost of the OEM RE50s and folks who know more about tires than I do assure me they're better tires. I've been very pleased with mine the past 90 days or so since fitted. I'd put a complete set on the car.

-- Chuck

 

I'm thinking of replacing them with some Uniroyal Rainsport 3's in standard size 215/45x17 as I like this tyre having had them on my previous MR2. I know the original RE050 MZ's have very stiff sidewalls so to compensate for this I wanted to get the XL (91) load rated versions on the S2000 which have stiffer sidewalls than the regular Rainsport 3's fronts (load rating 87)

I've looked at the tyre thread but no comments on this specific Rainsport 3 in XL? Anyone have any experience of Rainsport 3's XL 215/45x17 on the front of their S2000?

 

I've never heard of anyone putting these tires on an S2000. They look like mid-level performance all-season tires. They wouldn't be the best choice, but they would work and would certainly be better than worn out RE050s.

 

I think the best rated road tyre on S2KI seems to be the non XL version of the Goodyear Assym 2, is this right?

 

It largely depends on what kind of tires you have available to you in your country. Are you in the UK? Very few people run the Goodyear Asymmetric tire on the S2000 here in the US. Most people prefer a higher performance tire.

 

Yes I'm in the UK. We dont get the RE-11a mentioned earlier. As a semi track tyre people recommend the Yoko AD08R but I'm concerned about the wear rate on these.

 

How deep is that separation? Id say those tires are done based on the fact that they are ripping apart - not something I'd trust any more.

I have the Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2 and I love them. For me it was between these and the Bridgestone S04s.

 

Conti DWs are a summer tire with great life and may be a good compromise for you between grip and longevity. They are also stellar in wet conditions