Yes, I just read the archives (Ray), but didn't find out the durability question. My 95 is a daily driver, no track (no time), and have had Michelins, Pirrelli, and last two rounds were Dunlops. I put ~12k a year on them and the dunlops have lasted about that long, while the others were 6-8k max. If it wouldn't be heresy, I would consider slightly sub Z rating for another 5k or better wet handling. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

I have 17000 miles on my RE 730s - including two dry track days and 4 wet track days. The rears are now worn to the wear bars but the fronts will last a while longer. Everyone knows I believe in these tires - they are about 60% the cost of the super tires and grip fine on the street (even on the track). If you need more tire, you need less driving.

E. J.

 

Thanks, E.J, and just to be sure, you mean the Bridgestone Potenza RE730? With all the names/brands and numbers, didn't want to get the wrong one. Funny, with our cars, even the "wrong" one won't be wrong for long as quickly as they wear out!

 

That's the one. Good luck and you're welcome.

E. J.

 

I'll second the RE730 for a street tire. Long wearing, handle well, pretty good in the wet, too. I was less than whelmed with them on the track - mine got greasy pretty fast. I had a "leftover" set of Pilot Sports that I ran last time at SP, and they were a good deal better. Probably 33-50% more $$, though.

I wouldn't get another set of super-premium street tires like the Pilot Sports - they're wasted just driving around IMO. The RE730 is good value for money - I'd put another set on if I drove my car on the street a lot more.

 

12K on my rear Bridgestone RE730 tires and I'm down to 3/32" tread (255/40X17); no track or autocross miles. BFG Comp T/A ZR lasted better (about 20K miles) - too bad they're not made anymore. Original Yoko A008 lasted 12K miles.

Considering I'll need rear tires shortly, will prob. go with Bridgestone RE730 again, since I had very bad experience mixing different type tires front and rear (w/ A008 in front and BFG Comp T/A ZR in rear, got far more oversteer than even my old '76 911S). For track, I might try Kuhmos (was happy with Bridgestone RE71) - I need a track tire with tread/grooves to drive back & forth from track and home on 2-5 hour drives. Some local folks have given them the thumbs-up.

 

Mac,

My Bridgestone S-02s have 8500 miles on them in 12 months, with plenty of good tread left both front and rear. Mostly street driving, with four track weekends. Excellent wet weather traction, though I can tell it's not quite as good as a year ago.

 

I heard someone said that S03 had the same performance as S02, but were more durable. But when I tried to buy them here, was told that I had to wait 2 months for 255/45/17 S03's!! Two months!

Couldn't find any of them after checking several tire stores. Finally, Dunlop SP9000's were recommended to me. About 10% cheaper than S03's. Anyone familiar with Dunlop SP 9000?

 

Re; the Dunlops. have run them over the last two years and they're squirell-ly on the wet, and at about 3/4 tread life get a bit squirrell-ly in the dry too. No track time, but am not happy enough to get them again. Durability~12K. From the above posts, I'll be buying the RE730's.

 

Thanks Mac, for your comments. Maybe that's why no one on this board talk about Dunlops.

I guess this means waiting 1-2 months for those S-03's.

 

Can't comment on the Dunlop's, but my experience with SO-2's on my 95 993 coupe was marginal. Wet performance was good but track runs was crap. I'm currently on Pirelli P-zero's and am happier. Price is good and track performance is very acceptable.

Just a friendly thought !

 

Hmmm! Well, I know I have mentioned this before, but I can't manage to get more than 4'000 miles on my rears (Bridgestone S02 - 285/35 18"). I am talking about "normal" use (no jokes please, I really mean normal), not track use (and no, I am not driving like a maniac). In summer, when I like doing the old Gotthard pass now and then(instead of the tunnel), then I only get 3'000 miles. Before I did all the mods on my car, I'd get maybe 5'000 miles, so that can not really be it. Any Europeans out there running the same dimensions have similar or different experience? (Softer rubber used on European version of tires?)

 

The wear is very even.