After eliminating the PS2, a tire I found sensational both in the dry and wet and deciding not to go with the Goodyear F1 GS-D3s, I found myself wanting to push the envelop again.

This meant stepping up to the <b>"Extreme Performance"</b> level of summer tires. More companies are making tires that fall into this category but there seems to be two tires that stand out in that group at this time.

After searching, reading up on the tires and getting the input from the Tirerack, I narrowed it down to these two. However both tires do not come in the OEM tire size for my car (235/45/17).

They both offer a 235/40/17 or a 245/40/17. I have had 235/40/17s in the past for road use (S03s) and I do run Toyo RA1s on the track in that size now. I also run a 245/40/17 in autocrossing. Both have a smaller diameter then the OEM tire (235/45/17) but the 245/40/17 is closer to the original's size in diameter. Regardless both will offer slightly better acceleration and a stiffer sidewall for better handling. Both tire sizes and both manufacturer's tires will fit on an 8" wide rim.

The two candidates are;

The Bridgestone <b>Potenza RE-01R</b> and the Yokohama <b>ADVAN Neova AD07</b>.

<b>Tire Specs</b>

<b>Potenza RE-01R</b> in a 235/40/17 90W SL:

UTQG rating of 140 A A, Max Load of 1323 lbs, Tread depth of 10/32, weight 25 lbs, <b>Price $168</b>.

<b>Potenza RE-01R</b> in a 245/40/17 91W SL:

UTQG rating of 140 A A, Max Load of 1356 lbs, Tread depth of 10/32, weight 27 lbs, <b>Price $160</b>.

<b>ADVAN Neova AD07</b> in a 235/40/17 90W SL:

UTQG rating of 180 AA A, Max Load of 1323 lbs, Tread depth of 10/32, weight 24 lbs, <b>Price $202</b>.

<b>ADVAN Neova AD07</b> in a 245/40/17 91W SL:

UTQG rating of 180 AA A, Max Load of 1356 lbs, Tread depth of 10/32, weight 27 lbs, <b>Price $212</b>.

The strange thing is the RE-01R in a 245/40/17 is the cheapest of the group at $160.00. On price alone it seems to be the better or most logical choice. I'd rather have more rubber on the ground, have a higher load rating and pay less (I do have to save money some where!).

So what am I to do? Which tire is it going to be? I decided I needed some human input to solve the dilemma so I called the Tirerack and got some answers.

I explained my and my car's back ground and the fact that I was very happy with the PS2s but wanted something more extreme perhaps. I mentioned to him to not leave any tire out of his choice and explain to me why he would choose the one or ones he comes up with.

Well it came down to the two previously mentioned here. Yes the same ones I was looking at. Finally here are some of Tirerack's comments and I quote...

"Both these tires are faster than a PS2 on the dry as tested on their track."

"As a matter of fact the ADVAN is the fastest tire we ever tested on the dry."

"It (ADVAN) should be the equal or slightly better than the PS2 on the wet."

"The RE-01R should come close to 95% of the ADVAN's dry performance."

"However the RE-01R will be <b>20-25% better</b> than either the PS2 or ADVAN in the wet!" WOW, that's amazing considering I loved the PS2s in the water.

"Expect to get only 10K to 15K miles out of these tires." I'll be very happy if I get that kind of mileage out of them, I did no more than 12K miles on the PS2s.

Since I do get some rain around here and since both tires are faster than a PS2 on the dry and since I can get a 245/40/17 tire cheaper than the others it seems to boil down to...

My choice unless someone wants to change my mind is the... <b>Potenza Re-01R in a 245/40/17 size</b>.

 

If Bridgestone's are good enough for Ferrari....

 

I wouldn't go lower than 91 for your car. I am not sure Tire Rack would even sell you the 90 rated tire.

Why did you eliminate the GS-D3 again? Missed that. I just ordered a set, but discovered that the Goodyear strike has affected production and nobody knows when the GS-D3 will be available again at this point. Sigh. I had a set of T1-R, which seemed like the best alternative, but the shoulder wear on them is insane. I don't think I want anything that wears quicker than they did either.

 

I wanted something that performed even better than the PS2 or GYs.

 

That's a huge number that can't be backed up. Plus, the RE-01R is the only tire in the group that has an "A" for wet traction. The others are rated "AA".

Koz.

 

I know but that's what he said. I'm still going to inquire about it.

 

They're supposed to be some extremem tire, or maybe the Falken Azenis RT615.

 

then go for the Advans which have a higher treadwear rating as well as a higher traction rating (assuming the ratings are correct). Of course these benefits are offset by the difference in price. So it depends on your priorities.

 

You cannot cross compare the UTQG ratings from one company to another.

 

Where are you getting this tires from after reading your comments i phoned a retailer here in Vancouver his price is 315 cnd. Thanks in advance