I have Bridgestone RE-71r on all four wheels. I need to replace the front tires but the rears are in excellent condition. If I replace the fronts with RE-71rs, will there be a noticeable difference for daily driving or
will the new fronts wear any differently since the tread patterns are different between the 71r and 71rs? I know the R's have been discontinued for a while but I have spare set of rears that are near full life on tread and
would rather not just throw them out.

 

You'll be fine.

 

I doubt there will be any issues daily driving but you'll soon find out how they feel. How old are the tires you have stashed? I think the RE-71R tires were discontinued four years ago.

Tried any of the large tire chains or here or eBay to see if they have any RE-71R front tires in the garage or back room? Perhaps buy them one at a time if necessary. By the time you wear these out Bridgestone will probably have replaced the RE-71RS tires with something new and improved.

-- Chuck

 

The RE-71Rs are about 4 1/2 years old, I had them in storage as I bought them when they were discontinued about 3 years ago and discount still had some extra ones in their warehouse. I thought I was going to use them sooner but didn't get to putting them on until recently. Now that I will be driving the car again more frequently they wont last since they are on the rears.

 

yeah other than old you should be fine overall. If stored in climate controlled areas then they likely are still as grippy as new. If allowed to freeze over 4 winters they will not be as good as new and grip may be noticeably lower