Surfndav

My car is a 2009 Cayman S.
I currently run Michelin PS2 235/40 18 F and 265/40 18 R. I'd like to change to the Bridgestone Potenza RE 71R, the problem is they don't make it in the 265 size for the rear. They do make a 255/40 18, but that is 10mm less in the width. So should I go with the 255's or is there another tire size that works?
The PS2's have not been bad, but many people I've talked to say the RE 71R is a superior tire, and I'd like to give them a try, but the size issue has me confused.
I have a track weekend at the end of the month (May) and I want to have these tires on hand because my PS2's are nearing their end.
Any help would be great.

daylorb

I've researched this quite a bit and I'd be surprised you notice much of a difference with less 10mm. Some interesting reading out there like this: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...res-more-grip/, I've seen some argue for a balanced setup as well, but I've never run this way.

ZDan

I'm going with one-size-smaller tires front and rear, 225/40-18 and 255/40-18 Yokohama A052s on my '11 for street/track. 225/255 sizes are a better fit on stock 18x8 and 18x9 wheels than 235/265 are anyway...

PorscheAddict

Doubt you'd notice 10mm but I'm running 275/255 RE71 for max grip and more front grip.

Surfndav

I think I'm just going to go with the 235's F and 255"s rear. Thanks for all the replies.

badabing

It's not just the difference in width you have to be concerned with. It's the difference in height and the delta from front to rear.

The stock sizes allow for a certain rake which you want to try and maintain when changing sizes.

Kuro Neko

From my recent readings, the RE71R - presumably for 'race' - is considered more of a track focused tire?
I just pulled the trigger on a new set of PS2s accordingly, as I am not tracking the Cayman...

Your needs may vary.

PorscheAddict

Yeah, you don't want RE71 unless you're at least driving hard in corners on the street or auto cross, preferably track. They wear fast and are loud (but the grip is mega for a street tire).

Surfndav

Without getting into my personal finances, I’ll just say I’ll be coming into some money this summer as I do every summer because of the work I do. I have plans for this car that include a second set of wheels and tires, one for the street and one for the track. These will be predominately track tires. I bought this car last December, because I wanted a sports car to do sports car stuff. I had no idea how much I would love driving on the track. But that’s my new hobby, driving this car on the track.
Thanks for all the replies it’s been a lot of help.

Kuro Neko

Neat...
Then I have one word for you - Advan!

PorscheAddict

Hey man, you don't have to sell me on them I run RE71 on my car street/track (5-6k/year with 6-10 track days)! RE71 are the bees knees as long as you don't expect much street life from them.

daylorb

If you are doing a complete set of track tires, have you considered something the the NT01's?

Code

I'm also running 245/275 on 18" wheels.

Scooby921

I had commented on your thread in the tire forum, but this pretty much clears things up. As PorscheAddict had said, the RE71R is great for grip, but loud and obnoxious as a daily driver / street tire. If you are buying them primarily for track they'll be wonderful. If you're using them on the street then a different tire would make you happier. Plenty out there which provide sufficient grip for street use while making a whole lot less noise.

If you're going to get a second set of wheels to mount these tires on, especially for track use, then look at sizing up instead of down. Grab wheels a half inch wider than stock and bump the front to a 245 or 255 and rear to a 275 or 285.