Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Yet another search for tires - options inside. Luke, any experience w/ the RE950?

The search for new tires has begun.

I'm trying to decide between the following:

215/45-17 -

1. Bridgestone Potenza RE950 - H rated - 400 rating - $133
-it has 9s across the board, that's what got me interested, not to mention long life. How will they hold up to some performance driving?

2. BFGoodrich KDW - Y rated - 300 rating - on sale for $146
-on this, the fact that they're on sale surely doesn't hurt, and from reading everybody's opinion, it's a helluva tire. Just worried about how long it'll last.

3. Bridgestone Potenza RE730 - Z rated - 300 rating - $136
-Good ratings, fairly decent price, but the KDW is only $10 more. But then again, that's $40. Actually higher rated than the KDW.

4. Kumho Supra Ecsta 712 - Z rated - 300 rating - $92
-Cheap, very cheap. I'm running them right now, not a bad tire, but I like to try different things. Price would be the only thing wanting me this tire again

5. Nitto NT-450 - Z rated - 300 rating - $98
-Another cheap tire. I've heard good and bad things, hit or miss tire.

6. Toyo T1-S - Z rated - 280 treadwear - $156
-helluva tire from what I hear, but that's just plain expensive.

In any case, I'm really liking the RE950s (new tire, isn't it Luke?), but then again, they're an H-rated tire, and w/ my driving style, I don't think it would suite well. I *do* like the ratings though. I did find this though, and looks like the RE950s are a heck of a tire.

Well, after more searching I've discovered that the RE950s are a replacement for the RE930s, and are a much better tire... Hmmm.

Any of you with experience w/ the above tires, feel free to put them in order of which tire you'd buy.

Thanks guys.

John

I have Nitto 450's

Great tire

I would not use them in the winter, they came off last weekend :-)

l8r

JVT
I just ordered some 950's for my wifes 626, will give you some impressions when mounted.

got mine at Tirerack
Bridgestones- Potenza RE71 UHP Z-rated
$63 each

Thanks BIGFISHE,

lemme know. As of right now, it's my first choice, but I'm still wondering how they'll do in 'high-spirited' driving considering they're an H-rated tire with probably a hard compound.

Don't want them to chunk up too much....

John

I just noticed the RE950 was H-rated. I'd skip that one on a 45 series tire. I bought H-rated tires just once and they did not fit my driving style. They handled like crap and lasted 15k miles. That was a different car, but the KDW's last a lot longer and have higher grip.

I think Luke usually recommends the RE930 as the best value in hi-perf summer tires.

Right, but check out the ratings on the RE950!!

9s across the board. I know it's not gospel, but man, quite impressive.

I searched and found post by Luke saying the RE950s replaces the RE930, and is a better tire.

I'll see if Luke responds to this.

John

Yeah, but that's from respondants of tire sizes 195/65R14 to your size. It may be a kick ass tire for someone coming off some cheap Kelly's or Goodyears. I seriously doubt they are in the same leage as the KDW or RE730. Oh, about that one. I ssume you menat RE730 instead of the RE930. The RE950 is probably a replacement for the RE950, but the RE730 is the one better than KDW, not what I said in the previous post.

If Luke doesn't respond here before you want to order, i'm sure he's willing to talk on phone. Good luck

I've been running re950's for the last two months after finally completely destroying the original Goodyears on their third open track day. Size is 225/50/16 on stock SVT wheels with no rubbing [stock ride height].They work very well in the rain and that is very important due to geographical location. They seem to work best on my car at 34psi.They probably work about 95% as well as the Goodyears in dry conditions based on recent non agressive driving. Alex

Oops, I got the RE930 mixed up with the RE730.

Yeah, I'm starting to like athe RE730s. Rated better than KDWs, and are cheaper...

John