My tires were also obviously "off" way before I hit the wear bars. There's definitely a different rubber compound down deep. Heat cycling may contribute but my tires never get all that hot to touch, just into the pain level even after auto-x'ing.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Red_s2k
[B]t.c., how long did you drive the car with new OEM S-02's? I have found a huge diff between worn S-02's that had many heat cycles... vs new (after 200miles) S-02's.

 

Amazing TC. I can assure you that the grip difference in worn and new tyres is huge. I am very surprised you cannot feel it - I can only suggest that you haven't pushed the car hard enough.

Each time I have my tyres replaced I can feel the difference immediately I hit the first corner after leaving the tyre dealer.

 

you rip corners after you initially have tires put on? brave man. all the tires that I have had brand new have had a protective "coating" and very squishy tread that takes a few hundred miles to wear off before the grip comes on.

 

Not so brave Kame - I'm going a hell of a lot slower than when I have worn the mould compund off but also a hell of a lot faster than with the old rubber. The difference is simply that great - even between old and "fresh out the mould" new.