sonnghiem

So my rear tires are worn out, it is Potenza RE070. The fronts are like new, they are Potenza RE070 as well. They are original tires. I don't track or race just spirited driving. I never drive my car in the winter or when it will rain. So I am thinking of switching to ExtremeContact DW since it fits my driving habit more. Plus it probaly will last longer than the RE070 and cost less. Is this a good idea if I don't get matching tires? Or should I get all new four tires in the same brand. I think it will be such a waste of the front tires since they are so still new.
What if I stay with Bridgestone brand and get something like Potenza S-04 pole position?

sillyboybmxer

having stickier tires on the front than the rear will make the car have more front grip than the rear. you wont notice it while daily driving but it would be ideal to get somewhat of a closer compound when mixing tire,....a star spec or a bridgestone re11 would match good with your re070,...the extreme contact dw and potenza s-04 are the step down in the performance category so i wouldnt do it personally. You could sell the fronts for cheap and get a set of hankook v12 all around. about the cost of two new potenza re070s

ZDan

I've tracked on "Extreme Performance" (Dunlop Star Spec) fronts with "Max Performance" (Dunlop Sport Maxx TT) rears, not a big deal at all.

I probably wouldn't combine the flimsier-sidewalled Conti DW with a stiffer-sidewalled RE070, but IMO it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I would sooner go with the Dunlop Sport Maxx TT. S04 would be a fine choice, but a bit pricey. Star Spec would also be a good choice. All of those are rated higher for comfort, noise, and hydroplaning resistance and wet traction than the RE070 while still getting high ratings for dry traction, cornering stability, and steering response.

sonnghiem

So in theory if I stay in the same performance category like extreme performance I can mix match them? And I should not match extreme performance with max performance?
Does this mean Bridgestone RE11 in the back and RE070 in the front would work?
I just think there are better tires than the RE070 for the money.

ZDan

No, you can mix between "Extreme" and "Max" if you pick tires that have similar characteristics. I've done it with zero issues whatsoever (see post above^^^). The difference between tires in the "Extreme" and "Max" categories isn't necessarily all that great, particularly for street usage. Pick the right tires, you'll be fine, no need to insist on the "Extreme" category.

That would work, so would the other tires I mentioned above ^^^

Absolutely.

alSpeed2k

Since you don't drive in the winter or the rain the contis may not be the best tire for you (since they seem to excel in the rain). The RS3s are good in the dry, and about the same price as the contis.

Sillyboybmxer's suggestion to buy a set of 4 Hankook V12's seems pretty good though! I was just on the tirerack website and 4 tires (2x225/45/17 & 2x255/40/17) total $454 but there's a $80 mail-in-rebate available reducing your overall cost! The 070 CR size fronts lists for $230 on the tirerack, if you have lots of tread, just sell them you can probably get good money for them since they fit on lots of other cars; you would reduce your overall cost to the price of one OEM rear and you wouldn't end up "wasting" your front tires.

Jim@tirerack

It is always the best performance to have matched tires front and rear. It won't hurt the car to have the tires mixed but in an emergency situation it can be a problem. Otherwise at least match the kind and speed rating.
If I can help let me know.

sonnghiem

Jim, for my situation. Would Hankook RS3 or Dunlop StarSpec for back tires work with front RE070?