Tire Talk For Boxster S

[rockbox]

I just got a set of Kumho ecsta spt; 225/45ZR-17 and 255/40ZR-17; this is a daily driver wet and dry, replaced conti contactsport2's that were well worn and one had an unrepairable nail. Only about 150 miles on them so far, going to take them to vegas tomorrow. All I read said good things about these tires. America's Tires in northridge close to tirerack prices and have been satisfied with their service in the past with tires for at least 3 or 4 of our previous cars.

later
rockbox

[Suz]

Thanks so much for all the tire advise. It is very appreciated...think I will shot for the Michelins. And,yes, I was looking for best performance, on the street, not track...just to and from work etc...and a whole heaping lot of cornering!

[Topless]

Originally Posted by Suz

Thanks so much for all the tire advise. It is very appreciated...think I will shot for the Michelins. And,yes, I was looking for best performance, on the street, not track...just to and from work etc...and a whole heaping lot of cornering!

Check these out. Very similar wet/dry performance to my PS2's, only 2/3 the price. Worth a look.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Bridgestone&model=Potenza+RE050A+Pole+Position&vehicleSearch=true&index=28&frontTire=055WR6RE050APP&rearTire=25WR6RE050APP

[insite]

i am now a total convert of the bridgestone RE-01R. this tire is schitzophrenic. it's totally quiet, VERY comfortable, but STICKS like crazy. once you heat it up, it's seriously as grippy as an R compound. good in the rain, too. i did dry / wet braking tests w/ my G-meter. i use cold stop decel numbers to tell me how good a tire's street grip will be. these are the only tires i've tested that pull > 1.0G stops while cold (1.03G). they still pulled 0.81G stops in the rain. that's incredible. once you get em' hot, even better. IMO these kill the PS2's and are even better than the advan Neovas.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by insite

i am now a total convert of the bridgestone RE-01R. this tire is schitzophrenic. it's totally quiet, VERY comfortable, but STICKS like crazy. once you heat it up, it's seriously as grippy as an R compound. good in the rain, too. i did dry / wet braking tests w/ my G-meter. i use cold stop decel numbers to tell me how good a tire's street grip will be. these are the only tires i've tested that pull > 1.0G stops while cold (1.03G). they still pulled 0.81G stops in the rain. that's incredible. once you get em' hot, even better. IMO these kill the PS2's and are even better than the advan Neovas.

I saw those tires and the test results look great. They just don't offer them in a 255/40 17 size. The fastest guys around here autocrossing with street tires are usually on Advan Neovas. It looks like the RE-01R could be a contender in S/S class.

[insite]

Originally Posted by Topless

I saw those tires and the test results look great. They just don't offer them in a 255/40 17 size. The fastest guys around here autocrossing with street tires are usually on Advan Neovas. It looks like the RE-01R could be a contender in S/S class.

then go for the 245/40. a 255/40 is getting pretty tall for a boxster. plus, one thing i noticed when i mounted these is that they run a little wide.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by insite

then go for the 245/40. a 255/40 is getting pretty tall for a boxster. plus, one thing i noticed when i mounted these is that they run a little wide.

Yes I considered that. Here are the relevant numbers for the street tires I like in 17". I should add that my car is a weekend toy and not a daily driver. I use it for spirited canyon carving, Auto-X, scenic tours, and track days only.

Tire..............................Size............ .....Wear R.........Wt........Diam......Tread Width
Bri. RE01R ..............245/40/17..............140............27.........24.7”... ..........9”
Bri. RE050A P.P .......255/40/17..............140............27.........25”..... ..........9.5”
Yok. Advan Neova....255/40/17..............180............28.........25”..... ..........9.9”
Mich. Pilot PS2..........255/40/17..............220............24.........25”..... ..........9.5”

As you can see the 245/40/17 RE01R in this size is slightly smaller in diameter than stock and narrower by almost 1" compared to the 255/40/17 Neova. This would give me a slightly lower C.G. but I am not sure the improved tire compound could overcome a nearly 10% reduction in contact patch. Given the same tire size the RE01R looks like a slam dunk because it has great performance and is also very affordable. I must say I am generally very happy with my PS2's. I got them lightly used and cheap. They are a vast improvement over the Eagle HP's that were on the car when I got it.

There are still two guys that regularly outrun me in S/S class by 1-2 sec. Both former Top Gun fighter pilots who really know how to drive. Both are running Neovas. Like you I am always looking for an edge. Maybe if I can just clean up a few more corners.....time to reel those guys in.