Need new tires for the BRZ

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We were using the RE-11 for daily and track use but the tires now needs to be replaced. It's been recommended that we consider the RE-71R but my SO would prefer the R888 as she used to track her 944 with these tires.

Tough to find any direct comparison between the two but it seems that the R888 might give up on grip once the grip level goes down, and while the RE-11 still had some rubber left (especially that front left tire), the grip level was still there.

Any comments between these two? I'm kinda leaning towards the RE71R. Others have recommended the Ventus R-S3 as it's a bit cheaper, she's looking for maximum grip in a street legal tire.

[drewbot]

I keep hearing the 71's wear like paper (vs. 11) but have a next level of grip, probably closer to R888 wear

[tanner]

Same here, want grip something's going to get compromised. The RE71R has a wear rating of 200 but people thinks it's more like 180.

We're also going to add in a degree of camber which should help keep the wear a bit more even as the wear with the factory suspension and setup wears the outer half a lot faster than the inside. So maybe we'll get two years out of these tires.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[aruxe]

Im currently having RE71R on my car.
Dry and wet handling very well, especially heavy rain too. No regret for that.

[cortrain]

My RS3's work quite well. Take all the abuse I throw at them. Decent road noise for a 245 "street" tire.

Mind you, you have to ask yourself whether you are actually able to get 100% of the grip out of the tire (alignment but, mainly driver. Are you supplementing tire grip for driving ability?). I'd say, most of us, myself included won't be able to come within the limits of the tire. So why not save some of the money and put it towards track days?

If, you want to split hairs and talk about theoretical "best tire" the RE71R's are your tire of choice (this year).

Hopefully I don't start a flame war. Haha

[wparsons]

^^ His SO is a very capable driver, she's got a race license and has lots of competition experience (see his other recent thread with video of her driving).

RE71R or Rival S if you want best all out grip. Neither will last for 15-20 minute sessions full out though, they're really only good for autocross or a time attack format (3 hot laps).

If you're willing to really compromise on wear, check out the Hankook TD's. Similar tread to an R888, but they're significantly quicker.

I'd stay away from R888's, every person I know that has used them finds they heat cycle out long before they're worn out. You'll get a couple fast days out of them, then they fall off pretty fast.

NT01's aren't super fast, but they last VERY well and will take longer sessions and come back for more.

FWIW, my Dunlop ZII's (original, not SS) wore WAY better than my current RS3's, and the RE71R's wear even faster than RS3's. I got almost two full summers out of the ZII's, RS3's are basically toast now and they were new in September.

[GSpeed]

We've got about 9 sessions on our RE71Rs, and we're just now seeing a drop off in lap times. Oddly enough, though, they've still got plenty of tread left, maybe 50%. I'm not sure if that's due to the heavy heat we've been putting them through, or what. We've been working them very hard on track temps well over 120F.

[Sammakko]

i'm running the Kumho V720's (from tire rack). they are the stickiest street tires i've ever owned. i KNOW the Rival S's are better, but they wear out quickly (like the Hoosierstone RE71r's). I can't comment on the wear life of the 720's yet, as i've not yet autocrossed on them, but i can say without a doubt, they are WAY grippier than my Rivals from before (not S, the 2013 design).

I've run the RS3's on other cars, and loved them! I've also run RA1's.. you give up a lot of grip for a very very long lasting tire, that doesn't mind getting a little warm.. like we used to say "the RA1 SUCKS!!!! but it does it for a very long time".

cheers!

(i just realized i helped you 0%)

[tanner]

Yeah as wparsons mention I'm trying to find the best tire based on my wife's driving capabilities

I was pretty set on the RE71R but the problem is the tire size. They don't come in 235-40-17s, only 225-45 or 245-45. The 245-45 probably won't work with our Enkei RFP1 17x8 ET45 rims. 225-45 would but not sure how much of a compromise there is by going down a bit in size. People have ran 245-40 but again not available in that size. But then if I get the suspension setup with a bit of camber we'd probably be making more use of the contact patch based on the extreme wear on the outer half of the tire if I go with the 225-45...... decisions decisions decisions.....

Time to see what sizes are available for the Hankook TD's ....

[wparsons]

They do make a 245/40 in the RE71R's, but availability might be tricky.

http://www.bridgestonetire.ca/tire/potenza-re-71r

TD's are available in both compounds in a 225/45

http://www.hankooktire.com/global/co...s-td-z221.html

A 225 is arguably faster at stock(ish) power levels than a 245, but the 245's will probably take heat better since there's more surface area to spread the load over.

[tanner]

I think I'm going to go with the 245-40-17s, looks like they'll be fine on the car with the stock suspension based on a rim/tire fitment thread here.