Should have titled this "I need new tires..." probably... hah.

I just got my car yesterday. It has 35000 well cared for miles. I'm concerned with the tires, however. It currently has Michelin Pilot Exalto's on it that seem to be low on life. The fronts have about 8/32's of tread and the rear a little less - yikes.

On a "normal" car I wouldn't be as concerned, but as I understand it, our cars are especially known for needing great condition, proper rear tires. I saw in one of the FAQ's that there have been a number of crashes due to bad rear tires. I don't particularly drive aggressive, but it's nice to goose it a bit on an on ramp once in a while. I don't go around town driving aggressive and I won't be doing any autocross. That said, with barely any effort and low-moderate power in an aggressive corner yesterday, I could tell the rear end wanted to swing out...

Tire Rack says that the car originally came with Bridgestone Potenza S-02's. I don't drive in winter or in rain (unless I'm simply caught out in it...) so the summer tires should be just fine for me. Is this a good choice? I'm "Mr. Original" as well, so that's another reason I'd like to put this rubber on my car. I don't think $800 is particularly bad at all for rubber all around, but some of you may better know than me.

In my research I see tires depending on driving habits lasting 8-12,000 miles a set which will probably take me 5 years to put on the car. Is this an accurate estimate?

All thoughts and comments appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Congrats on your S!

New tires come with ~10/32" so your front tires with 8/32" still have good life left unless the depth was measured wrong.

 

I'd change around 3/32"

 

OK, cool. What about switching back to original tires? I feel like I'm not getting the best handling with an all-season tire.

Thoughts?

 

I would go with another high performance summer tire. Such as hankook rs3v2, bridgestone re-11a or dunlop zii. They are a few hundred less and will outperform the S-02's. However if performance isn't a big concern and you dont mind the premium to keep it original then they will do just fine.

 

I'm currently on standard sized Yokohama S drive and don't have any complaints. I also don't do any track days or anything competitive other than just spirit driving around my area.

 

The RE-11 and RE-970 both outperform the S02. These fit standard AP1 wheels.

If you have a wheel size that allows the Michelin Pilot SuperSport that is pretty much the tire to beat today. I think that you can get SuperSports for AP2 standard wheels?

The original tires were pretty bad. The REs are quite a bit better, but if the SuperSport on the S2k handle anything like they do in 265/35 19 you will be amazed with the difference.

 

I change my tires when I see cords

 

I've been running yoko S- drives and have been happy with them I just bought two rears, stock size, from tire rack and with shipping it came to a bit over 220 dollars for both. I don't like to wait until they are too run down before I replace them better safe than sorry.

 

Robb, I'm with you - I'd rather replace a tad early then be unsafe. I just bought my car, still learning it, not confident enough yet to know the dynamics of the handling it on almost-bald tires.