KeninBlaine

I noticed today that my tires are approaching 8 and 9 years since date of manufacture. I live in a temperate climate and there is likely less ozone in the air than in places like So Cal, but guess I should look at replacing them soon even though I don't race the car and the rubber looks in good shape. The Bridgestone S-04 Pole Positions look reasonably priced, and I always had good life and performance using their RE 050A tires in the past on my 997's.
My 993 is mainly a weekend car for fun, so doesn't get too many miles, but I do like to drive it in a spirited manner.
Curious if others have liked the S-04 tires, or if I should consider something else.

Tlaloc75

Check out the re71r. Love them.

swmic

Just swapped out tires for the same reason. Mine had date codes from late 08 - early 09.

NC TRACKRAT

What he said...Hard to beat for the money. It's the current "hot ticket" for street and track.

KeninBlaine

Thanks. I'm thinking that those tires may be a better choice in warmer and drier climates. Here, where it is cooler and wetter, I think the S-04 tires may be better suited to the wet roads here. I happen to have a set of Michelin track tires mounted on TT wheels that I can put on if I want more traction for autocrossing events.

nile13

Would you like aa honest answer or would you prefer that I tell you that an S-04 is a good tire?

KeninBlaine

Honest, of course.

LexVan

Just about any new tire is going to be a huge improvement over your 9 year old hockey pucks. Look for the Michelin Super Sports or the new PS4S that are coming in the 18" sizes. PS2s would be great too.

Tlaloc75

Its a reasonable concern given what they are designed for, but I'm running them up here in Montana with good luck. My experience is that they are good in wet and do well in cold down to about 40 degrees if you have a garage to keep the chill off. If they were to sit outside, I think you'd have problems but if they start at 50 or 60 and then you drive in 40 degree weather they never get too cold due to motion and engine heat. I can feel the grip come down a little in the cold, but when they aren't gripping as well as normal they are still gripping better than any other street tire I've driven.

If you really want a tire designed for colder, wetter conditions (still above freezing) then take a look at the new continental extreme contact. They are specifically designed for wet traction.

If you want something for below freezing, then the pilot sport a/s 3+ is the best I've found. But I don't think that freezing is a major concern for you in Blaine.

nile13

S-04 is an older tire that has not been very good from the beginning. If you describe carefully and honestly what your needs and preference are, I, and others, could recommend something specific. I know it's more difficult than it sounds, but "drive in a spirited manner" and "wet and cold" are almost diametrically opposed things (you autocross, so you should know that, right?).

So far, Toyo R1R is the tire that sounds like what you need, but I'll withhold any recommendations until having more details.

nile13

It's not nearly as black and white in my experience and very much depends on intended and previous use.

mpruden

Disclaimer - my #1 rule on rennlist is never get into a tire debate with Nile13

That being said, I've driven a 993 with the S-04 on street and track, rain and shine. In my experience, they're not worth the money and not a significant improvement on the nearly 1/2 price Sumitomo HTR ZIII (I'm on my 3rd set now).

Neither are in the same league as the RE71R (I've only driven these on a dry track).

HalfGerman

On tire life, Michelin recommends after 5 yrs old , check every year by a "professional" and definitely replace when 10 yrs old.

That advice is probably aimed at the average guy just driving down the road and not pushing the tires to any where near their limit.

nile13

What, am I a Sicilian and is death on the line?

nile13

I honestly believe that it's aimed at selling more tires, especially on the paranoid coattails of several issues like Explorer/Firestone fiasco,

It's not a bad idea to drive on fresh tires. It's a great idea to inspect tires and know and understand what their condition is and drive accordingly. That includes age, possible cracks, heat cycling issues, etc. E.g. I "drive" one of my cars on 13 year old and completely heat cycled Falken Azenis. Those familiar with those tires understand the horror of this statement. OTOH, I "drive" the car on them for about 90 miles a year, never in wet, always according to their condition (i.e., really bad braking and ability to easily break out sideways in 3rd gear in a 130 hp car, etc). Would it be better to spend $500 and get new tires? Probably, just to avoid thinking about it. Necessary? Not particularly.