Looking for suggestions to replace my current Potenza RE050

[bimmmmer]

Here's the current specs: (all OEM)

Front - 8.5J x 19” Bridgestone Potenza 235/40 ZR19
Rear - 9.5J x 19” Bridgestone Potenza 275/35 ZR19

(I would like to stay with the same Rims, not interesting in changing them)


I personally know squad about sizing of tires to make any kind of educated choice for alternative options. If I stay with the exact OEM size, all I can find are the Potenza RE050's.


What I would like out of a tire option:
Looking for a great summer performance tire, a few track days, 15k life span is acceptable, very occasionally wet weather, most of my driving would be mix of city & HWY for Canadian summer driving.

I like the reviews of the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, but not sure if they'll work for me.

Some of the tire calculators online say that I'm fine if I stay within 3% of the diameter. These are some of the results it spat out:


Current OEM
235/40 ZR19 Front

RE -11 Options for Front:
235/35R19 Diameter Difference: 3.53%
245/35R19 Diameter Difference: 2.47%


Current OEM
275/35 ZR19 Rear

RE -11 Options for Rear:
275/30R19 Diameter Difference: 4.07%
285/35R19 Diameter Difference: 1.05%


Would appreciate any input current owners might have in terms of this tire, other tires you would suggest and sizing options.


Thanks!

[Murph7355]

What is it you don't like about the tyres that are currently on it?

IMO they're a very good tyre. Grip's not a problem (on public roads), tyre noise is OK, they're sound in the wet (and slightly less so in snow) and they wear very well.

I find that modern cars are very, very sensitive to messing about changing tyre makes/models, with the cars developed from the outset with one or two types of tyre, and straying from that path can lead to problems.

The option tyre on the V8 Vantage was (is?) the Pirelliz PZero Corsa (I think this was the sub type...might be Rosso Corsa). They give a lot more grip in good conditions, but in every other aspect they're not as good as the Bridgestones.

The problem with "occasional" wet use, is that it's all too easy to bin a car if you're not fully aware of a tyre's shortcomings in the wet. Doesn't matter if you only ever get caught in the wet once, if you're pressing on and lose it, you'll regret having the wrong tyre on.

Unless there's something you're particularly unhappy about with the standard fit Bridgestones, I'd stick with them. The only other thing I'd consider are the OEM option tyre (Pirelli).

[bogie]

Have to agree with all the above from Murph...

Im on my 3rd set of RE50s - IO you wont find much "better" as an all round performance tyre that works well on the car

the optional Corsas are a proper summer trackday tyre which will get you a bit more cornering/ braking on track, with the downsides of wearing 2-3x as fast and aquaplaning earlier in the wet

any other tyre is just an experiment...and unless you are a chassis setup engineer/know what you are doing, its all going to be subjective

Personally, I would take some tuition on your trackday (always worthwhile on a new circuit) and let the instructor take you around in your car on the RE50s ...then when you are as fast as the instructor on "standard OE" rubber, you are ready for something more sticky

9/10 times the driver is the limitation...certainly in experience...Ive spent tens of thousands on go faster bits over my car hobby lifetime and know that the out of the box Vantage is more capable than I am LOL

[Murph7355]

bogie said:

...
9/10 times the driver is the limitation...certainly in experience...Ive spent tens of thousands on go faster bits over my car hobby lifetime and know that the out of the box Vantage is more capable than I am LOL

[MrOrange]

Point taken but surely wider tyres are automatically better, especially if you can reduce the profile as much as possible?

Edited by MrOrange on Monday 4th April 14:29

[bogie]

MrOrange said:

Point taken but surely wider tyres are automatically better, especially if you can the profile as low as possible?

yeah for sure ...the Pirelli Corsa option does that ...but they are like driving on Yoko A048 or Toyo R888 all the time...perfect for 10% of the time on a sunny afternoon, but compromised when cold n wet

guess it all depends on the use of the car ...ideally you get a spare set of wheels for track use

[MrOrange]

I was taking the mick.

Besides, if you wanted a track warrior then you'd probably not choose a V8V.

[mikey k]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Get a really good 4 wheel laser alignment done instead

[bogie]

MrOrange said:

I was taking the mick.

Besides, if you wanted a track warrior then you'd probably not choose a V8V.

but 305s are surely better arent they? thats what Porsche use?

(need more obvious sarky smileys)

Edited by bogie on Monday 4th April 15:39

[bogie]

mikey k said:

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Get a really good 4 wheel laser alignment done instead

yeah, likely most Vantages would benefit from that more than different tyres