LiQUiD iCE

I'm in the market for new rear tires, just like everyone always seems to be

I really like the RE050s on my car right now. I'm comfortable with the way the car handles. I don't like how the RE050's in stock size cost $186 per tire to replace and only last 10-12k miles. TireRack has a special right now on RE050A 255/40 YR17s for $116 a piece! The tread width is only 0.1" larger on the 255s versus the 245s ...

Is there any difference between the OEM RE050, and the RE050A other than the size? For $120 less per pair, I'd love to put these on instead.

I understand I maybe introducing slightly more understeer on the car because the 255 is a wider tire than the 245 and I'm not changing the fronts, but with a 0.1" difference in tread width I don't think it will be a huge problem?

Anyone have any recommendations? I know Jim from Tire Rack frequents the forums, any reason I should stay away from this deal?

Thanks to all that can help! Hopefully I've just saved myself $120

ahbongkadah

I would like to know also. 225/45/17 for fronts are only $95.

INDYMAC

If you are happy with the way your car handles, I would stay with the OEM tire sizes (all four tires the same tire also). With bigger tire sizes comes more unsprung weight. Your car will feel heavier and less nimble. If this is more favorable to you, then get the bigger size. But don't mix tires (rubber compound is different) on the front and back if you can help it.

LiQUiD iCE

But how different are the RE050As from the RE050s? They look like the same tire ... At a $60 difference per tire, if the only difference is a slightly wider tire, and 1 lb of unsprung weight increase (the weight difference between the OEM 245 tire and the 255), I'll save the $120 and buy the 255s.

I understand if I were looking at S-03s, but this is the RE050 versus the RE050A. I'm not even sure if there is a difference between the two other than the sizes available.

INDYMAC

Unfortunately, the tire compound of the RE050A Pole Position (Uni-T) is more similar to the S03 Pole Position than the RE050. In fact, the RE050A is the replacement model for the S03. I guess the S03 will be discontinued soon.

Jim@tirerack

The RE050A is not the replacement for the S03. The RE050A Pole Position is the replacement and the tires are all different. The Pole Position is one of the best all around tires we have tested. You can see the test on our web site. You would need to go to the wider tires to get that tire though.
I really don't see the tires are going to be that different than the OE tire though. You are staying with a high performance tire front and rear and you can't rotate them.
If I can help let me know.

INDYMAC

I stand corrected. I thought he was interested in the new RE050A Pole Position tires. Since I couldn't get the OEM size RE050A PP for the front, I bought four RE050's again from you last month.

LiQUiD iCE

Thanks Jim! I ordered the RE050A rears through you. It sounds like the only difference between the OEM RE050s and the RE050As is that the RE050As are asymmtetrical, so as long as you're careful when you mount the tires you shouldn't have any problems.

For those ordering all 4 tires, just note that the 225/45 YR17 has a tread width of 8.3" versus only 6.7" for the RE050 215/45 WR17. Thats a pretty big increase in width versus the 0.1" difference on the 245/40 WR17 and the 255/40 YR17 ... Because of that, you may end up inducing a bit of oversteer... but maybe thats not a bad thing

It might even be better to go with the 205/45 WR17 XL RE050A in this case, which is still wider than the 215/45 WR 17 but closer in spec to the OEMs than the 225 tire. But alas that tire isn't on sale