Should I stay with S04 Pole Position or get anything else?

[sambar]

So I got my car a few weeks back and it needs new tires (which I knew at the time of buying). Currently it has S04 Pole Positions, 245/40 and 275/35 on the stock 19" sport wheels.

I like the steering feel and grip these tires give, and I am tempted to just get another set. Should I get something else instead? I am looking for good grip and stiff sidewall (for turn in feel). Probably no or very little autocross planned, aggressive driving on the street.

Iam hesitant to for for Michelin PSS because the sidewalls are kinda soft.

What about Bridgestone RE11 or RE11A? How do they compare with the S04, do they wear out a lot faster (being in a more performance oriented category)?

Any opinions on Dunlop Direzza Z2?

Also, my current set is 245/40 in front and 275/35 in the back. Should/can I go any wider on the stock wheels without spacers?

[cjwsrt6]

if you're not going to track or autocross i wouldnt go with the re11, yes its a great tire but just going to wear out faster and cost more. i run the continental DW on mine, 265/305 and love them, i do autocross but use different tires. but i am confident if i ever had to use them that they would hold up. i would go a little bigger, maybe 255/265 and 285/295 rear, just my opinion. I have ran a 285 on the stock ray up front and loved it. if i didnt have aftermarket wheels i'd run 285/35 and 305/35 on stock wheels

[Zbrah]

S04s are good value for a daily vehicle. I would also go with a wider set up like cjwsrt6 mentioned.

[sambar]

What would be the sidewall size on those, 255-40 in front and 285-35 in rear?

How much turn in sharpness will I be giving up going wider in front?


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[cjwsrt6]

Originally Posted by sambar

What would be the sidewall size on those, 255-40 in front and 285-35 in rear?

How much turn in sharpness will I be giving up going wider in front?


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285 35 19 rear. or 295 35 19... front i dont want to comment on sidewall height, i run 265/35 or 285/35...
not to sound like an *** but as for the sharpness you would not be able to tell the difference in my opinion . even with wide 285 I cant tell loosing any sharpness, can tell there is more grip and less under steer for sure.. when in doubt go wider if itll fit

[sambar]

Originally Posted by cjwsrt6

285 35 19 rear. or 295 35 19... front i dont want to comment on sidewall height, i run 265/35 or 285/35...

not to sound like an *** but as for the sharpness you would not be able to tell the difference in my opinion . even with wide 285 I cant tell loosing any sharpness, can tell there is more grip and less under steer for sure.. when in doubt go wider if itll fit

You have no problem fitting 265 in front? Any rubbing? Did you have to get spacers

What's the widest you can go in front without rubbing? Sorry kinda new to the Z, coming from BMWs I love these sizes


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[cjwsrt6]

Originally Posted by sambar

You have no problem fitting 265 in front? Any rubbing? Did you have to get spacers

What's the widest you can go in front without rubbing? Sorry kinda new to the Z, coming from BMWs I love these sizes


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ive seen 295/30/19 hoosiers on a stock wheel, ive ran 285/35 myself up front. 265/35 would fit no problem with no rubbing
just run a 265/35 and 305/35 and call it a day

[sambar]

Originally Posted by cjwsrt6

ive seen 295/30/19 hoosiers on a stock wheel, ive ran 285/35 myself up front. 265/35 would fit no problem with no rubbing
just run a 265/35 and 305/35 and call it a day

Thanks, I've decided to keep it 245 & 275 after all, and stay with the S04 Pole Positions.

[Trips]

For the current wheels you're running thats perfectly fine tire sizes.

Could you run a way bigger tire? Sure but at what price slightly less nimble and heavier tire?

I think your fine with the current setup if it's not going to be pushed to the edge of it life.

And if you do the S04's should hold their own for the money.

[sambar]

Doesn't sound like the square setup is what I'm looking for right now.

I'm now debating if keeping 245/40 and 275/35 versus going slightly wider to 255/35 and 295/30 will make any tangible difference. Looks like s04 is available in both of those sets of sizes.

I don't imagine I will have to do any other work on the car if I decide to go to 255 and 295, not even alignment. Any thoughts on that? I'm not too concerned about the perhaps 2mph extra speed reported.


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[sambar]

How much more noisy is the RE11 vs the S04, any idea?

[roplusbee]

There are at least 2 threads that discuss tire selection in this section. Check out the stickies and use the links from there. You could always search..........use the google machine or the forum search feature. You are welcome.

[Davey]

It depends on what you want...

RE11's are pretty hardcore just for daily driving. If you like to drive "spiritedly" and want great performance on warm dry days and you're willing to compromise some performance in the rain (especially cold rain) they are a great choice.

The S-04's are also good tires and they are cheap, especially considering the performance level. If you don't need the most traction possible in the dry, they're a great choice. They're more of an "all around good" tire than something like the RE11. They will do better in heavy rain and slightly colder temps.

Both tires (like any Bridgestones I've tried) will have good turn-in feel due to the stiff sidewall.

Keep in mind that with these kind of tires, on a car like the Z, tires are not that big of a deal, because if you don't like them, in 8 - 12K miles, you'll be trying something else out, anyway.

If I were looking for a tire for a daily driven car that feels good in day-to-day use and could still dish out some performance I'd pick the S-04. If I were looking for tires for a weekend toy, I'd pick the RE11.

[GZ3]

I DD my re-11's and its not a big deal.... Doesnt seem like a hardcore tire at all. I was actually a bit disappointed with them after all the praise they got on here. To me they ride excatly like the re050a with better handling characteristics. Thats pretty much it. They are a little quiter too. And its rain grip is pretty amazing. The only reason id chose the pole positions would be price. MPSS are a good dd tire, soft and quiet, decent handling, moderate lateral grip... Even though its a summer tire has pretty good all weather performance

[Davey]

Originally Posted by GZ3

I DD my re-11's and its not a big deal.... Doesnt seem like a hardcore tire at all. I was actually a bit disappointed with them after all the praise they got on here. To me they ride excatly like the re050a with better handling characteristics. Thats pretty much it. They are a little quiter too. And its rain grip is pretty amazing. The only reason id chose the pole positions would be price. MPSS are a good dd tire, soft and quiet, decent handling, moderate lateral grip... Even though its a summer tire has pretty good all weather performance

I guess I didn't make it clear enough... They're "hardcore" in the sense that they sacrifice wet grip for dry grip and the treadwear is not that great, and they're expensive - not that they are uncomfortable. For a daily driver that sees 3-season temperatures and stop-and-go driving, they seem like a waste of money IMO.

The point is that the S-04's are quite a bit cheaper and other than the ultimate dry grip they'll do fine.