I imagine that the stock bias/proportioning would never allow a rear to lock before a front if ABS were somehow turned-off.


In the manual, it says if the ABS is damaged/disabled to expect the rear tires to lock up under normal braking conditions...

 

I just did the same thing, and I agree completely. The Pilot Sport A/S tires are supposed to be among the best performance A/S tires out there, and they have a lot less grip in the dry than the RE070s, nor does the handling feel quite as tight. To some extent, this is to be obvious -- A/S vs. summer performance tire, but I hadn't expected this much.

A lot of people at the autocrosses keep saying that my tires are basically R-compounds. I will say that they're really nice street summer performance tires. But they're no Victoracer. I'd love to see a timing difference on an AX between the RE070s and a real R compound tire (e.g. Victoracer, Ecsta, Hoosier).

Personally, I find the ride and daily driving tolerance just fine. Better than my other two cars ('92 Integra and '96 Miata) with their stock suspensions. The Integra is a handling pig that screams understeer at every turn of the wheel, while the Miata is really nice (but has no power compared to the STi). I agree that the STi does have a lot of body roll. On the other hand, driving a shifter kart to work every day is a tad impractical. Either way, my wife thinks the STi is just fine as a car to drive (her favorite part is the power on the highway which makes passing really easy), so it can't be that bad. Maybe you're used to Lexus quality rides (or worse, a Lincoln Town Car, where you turn the wheel and you stay put while the world turns around you).

The car does rather well at autocross and kicks tail on the road courses, so I'm happy with it.

 

I've tried the Pilot A/S on someone else's STi, and tried the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S all seasons on mine. Both cars were otherwise stock.

The Pirelli's are significantly better on dry and wet - stiffer sidewall, grippier. No data yet on light snow performance.

 

No A/S tire will ever be as good as a high-performance summer tire.

After my initial on-track experimenting with the Pilot Sport Cup tires, I decided to go to the opposite tires for ride comfort and compliance with all-season capability on the street.

I live in PA, where sometimes you get a REAL winter, and other years you just get rainy cold... Aso for the winter upcoming, my crystal-ball isn't working just yet.

I remembered the Pilot Sport A/S as being pretty good in the dry, plus I had affordable access to a 2 of the 4 Pilot Sport A/S tires that are on my car. That influenced my decision to complete the set. Michelin does make some of the finest tires. I'm sure there are some better (for dry performance) A/S tires, but these are working to my satisfaction.

The lower-limit tires sort of keep me "in check" on the daily commute. Trying to keep a lid on the STi is like trying to trying to keep kids from being excited on Christmas morning. Easier said than done.

Your results may vary.
Pick the tire that works for your local winter needs.

- Dave