Hi, I'm finally at the point where I need to get new set of tires for MY04 STi. The tires aren't in bad shape, but each had a puncture and one of the tires is not holding pressure any more. So the choices are:
RE070
Pilot Sport PS2
BFG T/A KWD-2
Pilot Sport A/S

Well, I like the RE070s. They are great, but I keep hearing people complain that they hydroplane. I've driven on them for 2 years and yet to feel any of that, but I did drive at the speed limits during the wet days. Only problem I have with tires is that they tend to pick up anything and everything of the road. During the times I had to seal the punctures, I noticed all kinds of nicks and cuts on the tire from all the little things on the road. I guess that's the price you pay for having a sticky tire.

So, from the 4 above, PS A/S is the only all season tire, rest are summer tires. Out of them all RE070 is the worst on wet road. PS2 best on dry. Any one got a firsthand experience with any of the tires above that they'd like to share? Any more choices? I love the dry grip of the RE, but wet traction is always a plus. PS2 has better wet traction then RE, but is it really better than RE on dry? Don't you have to give up some of the dry traction to get better wet? In other words, the closer the tire is to the slicks the better dry traction. And vise a versa for wet, right? Some expert help please?

Thanks much!

 

well...tread design has more to do with wet weather traction than compound.
we had a set of KD(Dry) on the shop S2000 at CT and they handled excellent, but wet weather was another story...then BFG released the KDW(Dry-Wet)...designed to shed the water and help prevent hydroplaining...tread design was good, but the dry traction wasn't there...
when they redesigned the KDW-2 they improved the compound and the KDW-2 are actually stickier on a skidpad than a standard KD but the tread design sheds water very well.

we had a choice to mount KD or KDW-2 for the C&D Super-Four Challenge and our head tech picked the KDW-2 after a few test track days and talking to the guys at BFG (who told him the compound in the KDW-2 is a better compound) and that year the CT S2000 won the RWD/AWD challenge and killed on the slalom and the braking portions of the test...
the driver on the accelleration/braking test (0-100-0...best ET & shortest distance) said he'd never felt anyhting like it on a street car...he said it about sent him into the windshield when he stood on the brakes at 100mph...he said it was like someone through out an anchor.

if you plan to go to the snow i wouldn't recommend them, but if you're a Sacramento area driver who will only see rain, i would definately recommend the KDW-2's. they're a great tread design and the traction is better than most dry only tires.

 

Well, for everyday driving, I love the Pilot SPort PS2's. The only exposure to them I've had is on my dad's car, C230, and they are extremely comfortable and just sticky enough to have fun. Alos had the chance to drive them in a very heavy rainstorm and they performed very well.

RE070's are too loud if you don't need them.

 

Cool, thanks for feedback! I did a little research before I made the thread and those are the top dogs I found. I read lots of reviews, but mostly they were for different size tires or people in BMWs complain that they are too loud... I did like the KDW-2s and they looked like a good choice instead of REs.

LagnWagn, the PS2s on your dad's car are they low profile? I had some experience with Pilots, but they had a high sidewall and felt like jelly beans not a very reassuring feeling.

 

Yeah, they are 40 or 45 series, so about the same size as we'd run on a Suby...Also on a 17 wheel, And i'm VERY picky about squishy tires. I thought they felt very consistent.

 

Sweet, thanks.

 

I'm plan on getting a set of Potenza RE050A's soon.

 

I was wondering what size tire should I get on my 05 STi wheels (17x8). They are going to be my track wheels so I was thinking 245/45/17 or maybe the stock 225/45 size but I'm not sure. Any input?

 

No clue on that, but theoretically the wider the tire the better as long as it is not too wide.

 

245/40 is what you want if you want to go wider. It's perfect diameter. 235/40 if you can't get the tire you want in the larger size, which is going to be likely with track tires unless you're talking about competition tires. Also, strongly consider more RE070s- they are listed as 225s, but they're quite wide, sticky, and hold up on the track well.

 

I dont know of too many manufacturers that make 245/40. Most of them make 245/45. Some have 235/45.

 

Tire Rack listings for 245/40R17 tires. Includes only Max performance Summer, Ultra-high Performance Summer, and Competition tires.

There aren't all that many 245/40R17 tires outside of these categories, mainly becuase it's not a common OE size. However, it exactly matches the diameter of 225/45R17 tires, which is a very common OE size tire. I personally think this is the perfect aftermarket tire size for 17" wheels on a Subaru, but you can go much wider on 18s without increasing diameter.

 

The most important tire missing from 245/40 listings is the Falken RT615.

 

The Tire Rack seriously needs to carry Falken. The RT-615 is not yet available in the stock bugeye wheel size and this tire would be my first choice. The treadwear rating of '200' makes this tire legal in some SCCA competition that requires streetable tires. Low-priced when compared with other competitive tires on the market but gives up next to nothing in dry grip.

America's Tire RT-615 page.

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"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm going with the KDW-2s for now. Unless I find something better.