Bridgestone RE-11 VS RE050A
#61
Racer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The RE-11, which I own and use, is a much better tire than the two N-rated OEM tires that I've had on my 997s. I much prefer it to the N-rated Michelin PS2 and P Zero.
On a related matter, I do struggle to understand why people who have never used a product feel the need to comment on things they really have absolutely no idea about.
On a related matter, I do struggle to understand why people who have never used a product feel the need to comment on things they really have absolutely no idea about.
#62
Rennlist Member
The RE-11, which I own and use, is a much better tire than the two N-rated OEM tires that I've had on my 997s. I much prefer it to the N-rated Michelin PS2 and P Zero.
On a related matter, I do struggle to understand why people who have never used a product feel the need to comment on things they really have absolutely no idea about.
On a related matter, I do struggle to understand why people who have never used a product feel the need to comment on things they really have absolutely no idea about.
N-rated is tested and approved for our cars and if you have no specific issues with those, I see no reason to move to another tire, if it's not for cost, or for specific purpose (like tracking).
I VERY MUCH PREFER and trust Porsche engineers and testers opinions to your subjective un-scientific observation of a tire that "you own and use"!
#63
Rennlist Member
If a tire has an N specification you can certainly feel confident that it will perform suitably on a Porsche and with a Porsche driver's performance expectations.
What is not valid, though, is the leap of illogic that the reverse is true. If a tire lacks an N specification you can't infer that it is necessarily inferior to an N specification tire. All it means is that the tire has not been specifically tested and rated by Porsche. That's it. There's no reason to assume that the RE-11 worse than an N specification tire simply because it lacks the rating. Glibly put:
Notice what is not listed. You can not infer:
- Porsche has tested this tire and found it to be inadequate
- If Porsche did test the tire, it would not earn an N Specification
- This tire is worse than another tire which does have an N Specification
- This tire is unsafe
I VERY MUCH PREFER and trust Porsche engineers and testers opinions to your subjective un-scientific observation of a tire that "you own and use"!
#64
Racer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Same as you who are saying RE-11 is better than RE-050, since it was better than OTHER N-rated tires you had!
N-rated is tested and approved for our cars and if you have no issues with those, I see no reason to move to another tire, if it's not for cost, or for specific purpose (like tracking).
I VERY MUCH PREFER and trust Porsche engineers and testers opinions to your subjective un-scientific observation of a tire that "you own and use"!
N-rated is tested and approved for our cars and if you have no issues with those, I see no reason to move to another tire, if it's not for cost, or for specific purpose (like tracking).
I VERY MUCH PREFER and trust Porsche engineers and testers opinions to your subjective un-scientific observation of a tire that "you own and use"!
As for those Porsche engineers and testers, they seemingly weren't asked to test the RE-11 so the point you're making, and rather poorly at that, is moot.
#65
Rennlist Member
I can say for sure, that an N-rated tire is:
- Safe for my car
- Performs AS Porsche engineers intended
- Will do 200 MPH (if in Germany) with no issues
- Was part of Suspension tuning of the car while being tested at Nurburgring
- Was better than OTHER tires tested AT THE TIME while being tuned by Porsche engineers and test drivers
- Will be safe in wet conditions with adecuate hydorplaning and traction
- Has the RIGHT weight rating for my car
- Will do WELL in all driving conditions as Porsche intended, while probably not best in ALL areas (wet, noise, comfort, etc.)
#66
Rennlist Member
Was better than OTHER tires tested AT THE TIME while being tuned by Porsche engineers and test drivers
Will be safe in wet conditions with adecuate hydorplaning and traction
Will do 200 MPH (if in Germany) with no issues
Has the RIGHT weight rating for my car
Has the RIGHT weight rating for my car
#67
Rennlist Member
Ok, that's a very fair statement. If one is not satisfied with performance of a tire provided by the manufacturer, it's more than fair to try another brand/model.
#68
Rennlist Member
No, but I am saying that just as much as you cannot conclude a non N-rated tire is unsafe, slower than N-rated, etc... you can't conclude the contrary either (that it is for sure safe, it's for sure will perform as intended by Porsche, etc...).
#69
Racer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#70
Rennlist Member
If I believed that Porsche had tested the RE11 and it failed to earn an N specification I would agree with you. There's plenty of reason to disbelieve that theory, though, not the least of which being that the RE11 is a superior tire to others which do carry an N specification. Porsche has not published an opinion on the RE11 and it's a mistake to think that they have.
I for one am quite happy with PS2 performance in dry and wet, and IF it wasn't as expensive as it is, would have never considered another tire. I probably would when it's time to change them but it's not because Porsche didn't do their homework right!
I am sure there are tires that laps a track faster, will do better in wet, will have less noise, etc... but not to do ALL of the above better. An N-rated tire provides a great balance between all areas of tire design that is fit for a Porsche.
#71
Ran the Re-11 on my 997tt and worked great at Sebring for Low 2:30's and im a pretty novice driver.. I was 8 Seconds faster than running on some POS Dunlop i had before those.. I ran a 1hr 30min session and they never got over heated either and greasy like some other tires i have used..
#72
Rennlist Member
Your other point was equally fair - Porsche has indeed tested the tires granted an N-rating and they have found them to meet whatever standards they chose to set. The only area where we disagree is whether we feel comfortable running with a non N-rated tire. While I feel those that choose not to are missing out on some great tires, I do understand why some prefer to stick to the OEM offerings.
Cheers back at you!
#73
Rennlist Member
#74
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Just for the sake of completeness...
In 11 months I've put 11,340 miles on my RE11s. I've only got 2 or 3 wet track days and 1 dry track day on them, tops. They've been 99% street driving, so they've had a pretty easy life.
The tread is still very deep, they cope with standing water just fine. From looking at them, it seems like they could go for another year. But over the course of the past few weeks they've lost most of their grippiness. I don't know if the rubber has just aged or what, but they're slippery now and don't handle nearly as well as they did even a month ago.
In 11 months I've put 11,340 miles on my RE11s. I've only got 2 or 3 wet track days and 1 dry track day on them, tops. They've been 99% street driving, so they've had a pretty easy life.
The tread is still very deep, they cope with standing water just fine. From looking at them, it seems like they could go for another year. But over the course of the past few weeks they've lost most of their grippiness. I don't know if the rubber has just aged or what, but they're slippery now and don't handle nearly as well as they did even a month ago.
#75
Going back to the OP question, nobody touched on his idea of changing to size 305 in the rears, from 295 I supposed. I've read that in order to do that, front tire size stays the same at 235, but wheel size in front is half an inch wider from factory, to compensate for increased understeer, due to higher grip in the back. The 997.2 owners manual also shows 1/2 inch wider wheels in the back. Not sure on 997.1