[blueballs]

I was looking at these tires at Tirerack, especially since they have the best rating and wondered if anyone ever used them before. Any thoughts before I take the $800 plunge? How do they compare to the stock Potenzas?

I am also thinking of going with a wider tire size using the stock BBS. What do you think would be a better fit: 235/45's or 245/40's? Anyone care to share their experiences with wider tires?

Thanks for the feedback,

Ro

[Xman]

I don't know anyone who uses these mainly because of cost. I believe there are equally good tires out there at less cost. I would definitely put the stock Bridgestones up against these any day and would expect the Bridgestones to come out ahead. Remember all those magazine reviews that raved about the tires??? There is good reason for that.

as for sizes, get the actual section width different manufacturers actual width can vary greatly in the same size tire. I would tend to go with 245 if you don't get much rain, and 235 if you are in a wet area. Just my opinion.

[austinpike]

had them on my Miata; I was pretty happy with them although turn-in was disappointingly slow. But I was no longer afraid of rain. If you want all-weather handling in anything short of snow they are great, but if you want dry traction I don't imagine they will be in the same league as the 070's. They are just a different kind of tire altogether.

When my STi shows up the 070's will be gone from day 1, replacing with GS-D3s or S03s. The 070s are just not practical enough in my mind for daily driving anywhere north or east of Oklahoma.

nasioc thread on the GS-D3
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=589290

[blueballs]

Thanks for the advice fellas. The stock tires were excellent in the dry! The only problem I didn't like was the noise level and how quickly the tire wore down. I never really had a problem with the stockers in the rain like some people complained about.

I guess I'd like something as comfortable and quiet as possible without sacrificing dry grip, handling, and turning response. I looked through the reviews at tirerack again and the nasioc thread and am now looking at the Michellin PS2's. People kept saying they were better than the S03's and they come with a $50 rebate. It is also listed as a "bestseller" for the STi. I think these may be the ones. They're $166 for the 225/45 size and $185 each at the 245/40 size :-?. Well, it is still a good deal since the stock RE's are $182 and offer no rebate.

Speaking of width, do the sidewalls tend to roll over and become too soft if I chose the 245 wide tire over the stock 225's? I'd like to get a little extra grip with a wider series tire, but I don't want any real negative effects when it comes to handling.

[Xman]

if you go wider you will end up with a 40 series tire to get approximately the same circumference. I don't think you would see any more sidewall rolling, but definitely would get better grip. However with more grip you get more sidewall rollover, it kinda spirals in on itself if you know what I mean.

[ksikyat2000]

i have the f1's on my s2000 right now. good tire in the dry and the great in the rain right only behind the new ps2's. the only thing is the car is going to feel kind of smushy cause of a soft sidewall. we are not use to that cause of our re070's so you might not like that feeling. if you want to retain the stock responsiveness and turn-in quality, an s03 might be better choice. i have had the kumho's mx's and i think i rate them as equally good as the f1's for weigh less the price.

[blueballs]

btw...the SO3's are actually the most expensive of the tires mentioned right now at Tirerack. For the 245's it is $214 a tire without any rebates.

I think I may try the PS2's. They do have a stiffer sidewall than the f1's, i think. I think I'm due for a change for a slightly better street tire than the re's.

Then again if I don't like them, the tires will only last me ~12k so I can try something else next year...(damn treadwear ratings)

[ksikyat2000]

well me personally i rather go with mx's than f1's. If money was no option, then the only option i would go with is the ps2. Its like the perfect tire in all aspects except PRICE