[Michael_In_Hoboken]

I've got an 05 Sport Pack Elise and have been researching new tires. Please jump in and give your opinions on my best move here.

I do almost all street driving....once in a blue moon I do an autox event, but it's pretty rare. I live in the NYC/NJ area and I'd like to drive the car year round (not in snow, but I will drive in the cold and/or the rain). I drive the car aprox 5k-8k miles/year. I like to drive aggressively, but I would not say that I push the car to it's limits

I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the Kumhos. Then I came upon the great 1/2 price clearance sale on the RE-01Rs which makes both tires the same price. Now I'm torn....anic:

Thoughts appreciated

 

[Minnis]

lots of posts on this, but I for one love the RE-o1's in dry and wet. Very nice and cheap. I have about 15k on my rear set now and still pretty decent. And I do a decent amount of smokey burnouts. Most of the miles were my wife so that doesn't count.

 

[Michael_In_Hoboken]

Thanks...

My only real hesitation on the Bridgestones is the cold....say between 25-40 degrees (pretty common for NE winters). I've searched and seen a lot of info on both of these, but not too much related to the cold performance specifically.

 

[sleeprfocus]

Easy, go with the RE-01R, one of the best performance wet and dry tire. The Kumho is an all-season tire, not the best comparison, a closer comp is the Kumho MX which is much cheaper than the Bridgestones but wet performance isn't as good. Tirerack is having a closeout sale, you could get these for a huge bargain.

 

[Bane]

RE01-R without a doubt.

 

[Minnis]

Tirerack is having a closeout sale, you could get these for a huge bargain.

woah, thanks for the heads up! I know better (flame suit on) but 195's fit well enough on the standard front rims? I want to keep an extra all weather set and at $77...

 

[Baysailor]

Thanks...

My only real hesitation on the Bridgestones is the cold....say between 25-40 degrees (pretty common for NE winters). I've searched and seen a lot of info on both of these, but not too much related to the cold performance specifically.

I have RE01-R's for street use on my Elise and love them. I drive my Elise pretty much every day through the winter with temperatures often getting down into the low 20's. Heck, I even took it out in the snow last night! I also have the RE01-R's on my wife's Saab turbo convertible and it also gets a fair amount of winter use too. While the RE01-R's do lose grip in the cold, I find the loss to be gradual and very predictable.

I am looking forward to trying the new and improved RE-11's next.

 

[mrcarcrazy]

I have Kumho ASX's on the rear of my elise (came on the car)....I'd go RE01R's...but I love grip! not to say the ASX isn't a good tire...but its not the most aggressive tire out there, I'm not too sure how it'll do in an autox...but for DD its perfectly suited.

However I will change to something more aggressive when I get wheels.

 

[Ian]

I have Re-01R's on one set of rim's and the Kumho's on the other.

If performance is your main objective, go with the RE-01r's.
If a softer, all season ride is your main objective, go with the Kumho's.

Personally, for the same money, I would get the RE's. They look cooler too.

 

[craracer]

Dang it! I was just about to pull the trigger on some 888's until I saw this post.

 

[Ender]

Each for a different purpose. Choose based on your needs.

R888 = competition tire
RE-01R = extreme summer performance tire
ASX = all-season extreme tire

 

[Jones-in']

RE-01Rs -- I have 15k on them and they still have plenty of tread left. I bought another set on sale over the weekend at Tirerack. They don't make a 195-16 for the fronts so you have to go with the 205s. Fits the Sport Pack wheels, but not the stock rims.

 

[Michael_In_Hoboken]

Thanks for all the replies...I think I'm closing in on a decision.

If I may take this a bit further. If I do end up going for All Seasons, can anyone rate the following from best to worst choices:

Kumho ASX
General Exclaim UHP
Goodyear F1

 

[viacondotti]

Aspect Ratio

RE-01Rs -- I have 15k on them and they still have plenty of tread left. I bought another set on sale over the weekend at Tirerack. They don't make a 195-16 for the fronts so you have to go with the 205s. Fits the Sport Pack wheels, but not the stock rims.

I'm about to pounce on a set of these to replace my worn Eagles for street use only. What's the recommended aspect ratio for fronts and rears? Anyone? I'd like to have 205s up front and 235s in the rear, but 205/45, 205/50? 235/40 or 45?

Thanks. I have no idea how to size tires.

 

[Michael_In_Hoboken]

I just sealed the deal on the RE-01Rs.

How can you argue with $450 shipped for all 4???? :nanner:

 

[mrcarcrazy]

I just sealed the deal on the RE-01Rs.

How can you argue with $450 shipped for all 4???? :nanner:

Wow, I'd buy them just to have them if they'd fit on my wheels.

 

[mjf]

We had a similar thread earlier, and the conclusion came down to TOYO Proxes R1R or Falken Azenis RT-615.

 

[mjf]

I'm about to pounce on a set of these to replace my worn Eagles for street use only. What's the recommended aspect ratio for fronts and rears? Anyone? I'd like to have 205s up front and 235s in the rear, but 205/45, 205/50? 235/40 or 45?

Thanks. I have no idea how to size tires.

I made a spreadsheet to calculate it out to maintain roughly same height and front to rear proportion. It came up with this:

205/45R16 + 235/40R17 (about 1/2 inch shorter)
215/45R16 + 245/40R17 (marginally shorter)

 

[Michael_In_Hoboken]

We had a similar thread earlier, and the conclusion came down to TOYO Proxes R1R or Falken Azenis RT-615.

I liked the R1Rs, I just couldn't pass up the bargain price on the Bridgestones.

 

[viacondotti]

I made a spreadsheet to calculate it out to maintain roughly same height and front to rear proportion. It came up with this:

205/45R16 + 235/40R17 (about 1/2 inch shorter)
215/45R16 + 245/40R17 (marginally shorter)

Thanks. That's helpful.