This has also been discussed before, but more and more are now needing to replace their tires (or at least the rears). The other thread discusses the OEM tires and wants to limit its discussion to those. I found that the stock tires do not do very well on wet surfaces, and since I do not race would like to switch tires (at least the rears now) to some other type which will do better in the rain. Cmnsnse has recommended the RE730's. I do not mind a little loss in the dry if I gain in the wet. This car is my daily driver. Any other experiences with other tires on this car yet? Also, I assume we should increase the size if we don't stick with the stock OEMs? Input is appreciated.

 

I'm running the RE730s on my rear and it feels the same as the stocks. They do offer better traction and last longer in tread wear. On dry conditions, the tires needs to be warmed up much like the stock tires. In wet conditions, I've notice a little better traction than the stock SO2s.

 

Ill post again:

If I was to order the PP's again I would get the 245/45 16 for the rear, BUT those still will not handle anywhere close to what stock will dry. I was very disappointed with the dry performance of the PP's

I recommend the RE730's @ 245/45 16 and 225/50 16 the price is unbeatable, and the performance VERY good and my wet/cold weather confidence is back! I used the 225/50 16 for the front, they may look a little fat for some but you could use the 205/55 16's also since they are the same diameter.

Here is a not so good pic of the fronts @225/50 http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1178...2599&p=40826189

And:

As for the RE730's, I do have more tread, maybe that is what results in such good performance. But they are at least as good as the stock were, be it known thats in the temp range of 40-75*F maybe the OEM stick even better above 75*? Its hard to beleive that going just by the treadwear ratings you can judge a tire because these have been so good, I only have 1000 miles on them so far.

The PP's were real wishy washy . . .
I might try the 205/55 16 RE730 next time in front just to see exactly how different an inch less of tread makes in front

My 245/45 r16's are .7" wider than OEM SO-2's "TREAD WIDTH"

Oh Yeah, I also ran BFG Comp T/A in the rear they placed somewhere between the PP's and RE730's all around performance. And Yes I am placing the 245/45 r16 RE730's damn near equal to OEM SO-2's in road holding, dont know about wear on a track though. I cant say anything about the fronts because I have 1.5 inches wider tread than OEM SO-2's, thats with the 225/50 r16 on front



[Edited by cmnsnse on 02-20-2001 at 09:35 AM]

 

Has anyone tried Michelin Pilot Sport? They seem a bit expensive, but reviews on http://www.tirerack.com were good.

-B

 

That's what I wanted to hear. I'm also considering the RE730's but in a search someone claimed poor performance. I drive in the cold and wet and never on a track.

 

Remember that my sizes are not the same as OEM

contact patch fnt/rear RE730 7.9"/8.8" my measurements
and for the OEM fnt/rear 7"/8"

Those are the widths of the contact "footprint" at rest
I cant say the same sizes would be the same. . .

The performance in the dry is comparable, wet is great and cold much better than OEM SO-2.

Oh those widths are for 225/50 front and 245/45 rears RE730's

 

Yeah, I love the S02's for dry weather...and not bad for wet weather (when you have full tread). But man...the tread wears fast for me and when the tires were at half tread...I had to drive like grand-mama in the rain.

It's a shame to put anything else than the 225/50/16 S02's on this car. I mean the S02's tread width (not overall section width) is more than 8 inches. Me and ITR were measuring it yesterday afternoon, and it seemed like 8 1/2.

The 245/45/16 Pole Positions only have a tread width of 6.7 inches.

My Toyo Proxes T1-S 245/35/18's have a tread width of 8 inches.

The RE730 245/45/16 have a tread width of 8.6, I say go with those.

 

The footprint is actually 8.8" for the 245/45 RE730's and only 8" for the OEM 225's and that's a fact.

Oh wait for those anal ones it's at 32 psi for both! And both were on the car with full weight. Im working on tread AREA's for later

[Edited by cmnsnse on 02-20-2001 at 10:47 AM]

 

I also just ordered a set of the RE730's. I have heard some great raves about these wheels and people who have used them just think they have wicked performance....

My config...

* Rear - 245/45/16
* Front - 225/50/16

 

STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! Tread wear rating is 300 and they are not sticky at all!!!! even with 245/40/17's my car could not take turns nearly as fast as the stock set up!!!! Plus the damned things don't ever wear out!

I cannot believe anyone could even think they are close to the same handling abilties??? It took me almost 10k miles of BURNING to get the rears to finally wear out enough to get rid of them. THEY SUCK!!!!

You cannot have a 300tread wear rating tire that is also as sticky as a 140-180 wear rating tire...

STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE RE730's!!!!!!!

Scot