S2000 Tyre Choices

[TommyBuoy]

I've put my summer tyres back on now, but didn't realise I had so little tread left.

At the minute I'm running the standard Bridgestone RE050 etc.

Anyone running a tyre that they would recommend over the OEM?

I'm interested in keeping wet weather performance as well, so track day tires are out.

Thanks

[TaylotS2K]

I always stick to OEM. Quite often out of stock though. RE50 RZ's are ok. Stiffer sidewall. Won't notice any difference day to day driving.

Edited by TaylotS2K on Monday 22 April 21:23

[Lee UK]

I have Falkens on mine that seem ok (on it when bought) but have felt the back move

I have had RE050 before and would go for them next time

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyres/bridgestone-tyres-22...

[Riknos]

Eagle F1 GSDs are meant to be better in the wet than the Bridgestones, and are priced about the same.

[Jurgen]

Well from the factory the S2000's were running on very specific tyres. On the early models the Bridgestone S02's with very stiff and striaght sidewalls. Almost a track tyre and rubbish in the wet, but you can't get it anymore anyway. On the 17" wheels they fitted the Bridgestone RE050 MZ. Which is a very different tyre compared to the regular RE050 (much stiffer sidewalls on the MZ version!). Unfortunately the MZ version is very hard to get, they aren't made anymore.

If you want a slightly hardcore tyre, then the Yokohamas are very good (AD048 and AD08), but probably not what you'd want on a rainy day. At the moment I've got Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric2's fitted on my oem 17" wheels. It's a very grippy tyre and also really good in the wet. My only complaint are the slightly soft sidewalls, which don't help with steering feel. There is an XL (extra load) version of this tyre though, which has stiffer sidewalls. Really wish I had gotten that, because otherwise it's a great tyre!

[TommyBuoy]

I was looking at Goodyear Asym 2s but was put off by the side wall stiffness - or lack of - as there isn't a huge amount of feel in the first place. I'll take a look at XLs (95Y I imagine).

Glad to know that the Falkens aren't quite right. I ran them on previous cars and was impressed and certainly the cost is better, but I don't want to sacrifice any rear grip.

Anyone had any experience with Continental or Pirelli? It looks like I'll need to stick with the premium brands.

[Lee UK]

The Falkens might be okay, I cant say I really test them but my comment was based on going over a hump back like turn and it just nudged, didn't lose it the tyres did the job but cant say I noticed that with RE050s but as said I don't really test them.
I do know what its like to have poor tread on though.

[havoc]

Couple of thoughts:-
- Couple of NSXers have got on well with Hankook V12 Evo's in 17" sizes - note though that these are XL tyres - I tried them in 15" non-XL on the 'teg and found them squishy and generally unimpressive, wet or dry.
- Contisports tend to have moderately stiff sidewalls, and are good all-rounders. But I found the F1 Asymmetric (mark-1) to be stiffer, so may be better.
- Dunlop's "centre rib" tech seems to work quite well in terms of feedback/turn-in response on the ITR - not sure what they do in 17" sizes though.

[Jurgen]

TommyBuoy said:

I was looking at Goodyear Asym 2s but was put off by the side wall stiffness - or lack of - as there isn't a huge amount of feel in the first place. I'll take a look at XLs (95Y I imagine).

Glad to know that the Falkens aren't quite right. I ran them on previous cars and was impressed and certainly the cost is better, but I don't want to sacrifice any rear grip.

Anyone had any experience with Continental or Pirelli? It looks like I'll need to stick with the premium brands.

Hmm actually I checked mine and they already are the XL ones, so I guess they're just not that stiff. But actually my first impressions were really positive compared to my old 16" wheels on RE050's. I haven't driven it much since though, so perhaps they need time to scrub in a bit.

[TommyBuoy]

Cheers for checking Jurgen. Not sure I want to lose side wall stiffness.

Read up on the Hankook V12s, seems some people are reporting them not being up to standard when pushed in the heat. They are £100 cheaper for a set of 4 though...

I've had a price of £509 for a set of 4 staggered RE050s in MZ trim. To me that seems a decent enough price, but they are on a couple of days lead time (I can see this being increased to not being avaliable!).

If I can't get them I'll get the Hankooks, at least then I'll be able to say how they feel on an S2000.

Anyother ideas appreciated, but it looks like people are sticking with OEM or Asym 2s in the main.

[TommyBuoy]

havoc said:

Couple of thoughts:-
- Couple of NSXers have got on well with Hankook V12 Evo's in 17" sizes - note though that these are XL tyres - I tried them in 15" non-XL on the 'teg and found them squishy and generally unimpressive, wet or dry.
- Contisports tend to have moderately stiff sidewalls, and are good all-rounders. But I found the F1 Asymmetric (mark-1) to be stiffer, so may be better.
- Dunlop's "centre rib" tech seems to work quite well in terms of feedback/turn-in response on the ITR - not sure what they do in 17" sizes though.

Thanks for the above, as my previous post, I've looked into the Hankooks and interested to see how they compare.

The Dunlops are more than the Asym 2s, Continentals etc - I don't fancy being a guninea pig at that cost!

There is an 18 page thread on S2Ki about tyres - so much information that isn't relevant though!

[davidsc]

I fitted 4 Kumho KU39 XL tyres on my 17" and I love them.

Really good tyres are were only about £400 fitted - the reveiws on them are very positive and made my S2000 feel much better.

[TommyBuoy]

Well I wimped out and got RE050 MZs fully fitted for a little over £500.

I imagine that by the time I replace them the MZs will be out of stock everywhere.

Seems most people are going for a performance tyre they like, but getting an XL loading for the side wall stiffness.

Anyone had run flats? Not sure how they would work out?

[b16a2_VTi]

Yoko AD08 are an awesome tyre both in the wet or dry.

[Ramble]

b16a2_VTi said:

Yoko AD08 are an awesome tyre both in the wet or dry.

Yep, agree. Put 4 of these on a couple of weeks ago and they have been fantastic.

[mpfourfour]

Go with AD08s, RE-11s, Direzza ZIIs, Hankook RS3s or something of the like - the S2000 is a twitchy car and benefits greatly from having sticky tires. If you want something a bit higher up in UTQG or don't drive on track or spiritedly as much, then perhaps look into the RE002.

[Busa mav]

Toyo Proxes T1R 's have been the best we have ever fitted to wifeys S2000 in the 9 years we have owned it. ( 16" wheels )

Gives so much more feel than anything else we have had.

[muffinmenace]

Busa mav said:

Toyo Proxes T1R 's have been the best we have ever fitted to wifeys S2000 in the 9 years we have owned it. ( 16" wheels )

Gives so much more feel than anything else we have had.

WHAT?!

[Busa mav]

muffinmenace said:

WHAT?!

What don't you understand ?

[havoc]

I'm with Muffin - had T1R's on mine after the OE S02's, and while they were good all rounders, they were a little too squishy unless you over-pressured them, and certainly weren't as feelsome as the Bridgestones.