Yes, replace all four when changing to different types of tires. It can be quite unsafe otherwise.

You should just do one more set of RE-050's in the rear. Usually the fronts wear out after two sets of rears, then you can move on to other tires.

 

Jim, why is it dangerous to put kdw2 in the back and stock re050 in the front?

how are the kdw2 s?

thnx

 

Mixing a "Max Performance" (Re050) tire with a Ultra High Performance(KDW2) is not a good idea on the S2K. You will have traction issues. This car is very sensitive to differences in tires.

Don't take my word for it. Test for yourself...Let 10 psi out of one of your tires and drive around for awhile. I guarantee your will think something is wrong with your car. It will pull to one side and your car will brake funny. Just think...these handling changes are brought on by a drop in psi...imagine how tires with various amounts of traction will effect your car.

 

Ask Silver S200 from the SESM a couple weeks back about mismatched tires... he is now replacing the front end of his car as well as the tires.

 

Dude you should really try the Fuzion ZRi's. They use the same UNI-T technology as the S03's, are almost as grippy, and are near half the price. They're not as good as the S02's, better than the KDW's (not KDW2), and wayyyyy better than the Supra 712's. Good treadwear from what I've heard too.

For the money, go ahead and replace all 4's. They're a steal at $83 Front and $97 back.

 

Interesting, I called my local Discount Tire store and was told that the prices for the Ventus R-S2 Z212's are $95 front and $105 rear. Seems like the online price and the store price are different.

When I check discounttiredirect.com they are $78 front and $95 rear with free shipping for a total cost of $346 for the set. Mounting lifetime balance at Discount is $10/tire for a total cost of $388.40 out the door.

Sounds too good to be true. I'd like to see more poeple report back how they like the R-S2's.

 

I reccomend trying Toyos latest tire the T1R.

This is what Toyo Says...

[QUOTE]Toyo Tires

 

The T1-R is a good tire. The T1-S was a great tire, aside from the notoriously soft sidewalls. The T1-R has definitely fixed the sidewall issue

 

The FM901s aren't very grippy. They're in the same league as ES100s and Fuzion ZRis, but a bit less grippy than either of those. KDW and KDW2s are in that league too. None of these will provide you the same level of grip as the S02s. HOwever, if you're looking for a better combination of good grip (dry and wet) and good tread life, any of these will do the job fine. Notice, good in many things, not great in any.
The Kumho MX is supposed to be a much grippier tire (may try these in the future when my RE050s wear out) and many use them for auto-x and track. They handle heat very well, so many ppl like to use them at the track. They're relatively low priced and probably the grippiest tire you can get for the price. Keep in mind tho, grippier means less tread life.
The Falken RT615 is another tire I'm considering to replacing my RE050s. Not much info out there yet on whether the RT165s or MXs are grippier, but my next tire will likely be one of these.

 

How would the T1-R compare to the OEM S-02s on a 2002 MY? I'm at 12,000 miles on my original tires and need to replace them.

While I've come to count on a bit of break away when I take a turn hard, I'd prefer something that stuck a bit better. (I'd also like to be a better driver, but I'll take stickier tires first.)