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

JVT, noted your tire search which also piqued my interest in comparing my current Kuhmo Ecsta 712 to other ultra high performance tires. First note, don't think the RE 950 falls in that category...the 400 wear rating should tell you that. But with my own autocross, dry handling interest in mind I noted the numerous tests Tire Rack has done with 2000 BMW 328Ci and conveniently the 225/50-16 size unless otherwise specified below. Compiled test times below on their 1/3 mile course. Times are listed from fastest to slowest. Note that asterisks are included next to each tire that identify which other tires they were tested with:

Potenza S-02.....30.75 (225/45-17,8" wide)
Michelin Pilot Sport...30.76 (225/45-17)
PZero Rosso Asimmetrico..30.78 (225/45-17)
Potenza RE730****....30.78
Yokohama A520***....30.97
Dunlop SP Sport 8000****..30.97
BFG Comp TA ZR****....31.01
Potenza S-03**..31.12(225/45-17 on 8")
Kuhmo Ecsta 712***...31.25
PZero Rosso Asimmetrico**..31.26(225/45-17)
Sumitomo HTR Z***....31.29
Michelin Pilot Sport**..31.42(225/45-17)
Potenza RE950*........31.44
Michelin Pilot XGT H4*..31.63
BFG Comp TA HR4-2*......32.05

The Yoko A520 looks like a bargain at $90 for 225/50ZR-16 and $110 for 215/40ZR-17, but that from an autocrosser point of view.

Here are a few tires tested on a 99 BMW 328i in 225/50-16 size:

Michelin Pilot XGT Z4****....30.97
BFG G-Force TA KDW***.......31.08
Firestone Firehawk SZ50***..31.15
Dunlop SP Sport 5000****.....31.17
Bridgestone RE-71**........31.18
Yokohama AVS Intermediate**.31.21
BFG Comp TA ZR4****.........31.33
Dunlop SP Sport 8000**....31.46
Goodyear Eagle F1*......31.74
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS***...31.85
Firestone SZ50*.....31.91
BFG Comp TA ZR-3*...32.14

Here are a few from the 99 328i on larger 17 X 8" rims and 235/40-17 tires or 225/45-17 when specified.

Pirelli PZero Asimmetrico**..30.88
Michelin Pilot Sport**.......30.93
BFG G-Force TA KD*...31.07 (225/45-17)
Bridgestone Potenza S-02**...31.14
Pilot Sport SX MXX3..31.23*(225/45-17)
PZero Asimmetrico...31.41*(225/45-17)

Or on a slower day, same car...

Yokohama AVS Sport........31.5
Bridgestone Potenza S-02..31.59
Dunlop SP Sport 9000......32.38

SVT Cole,

thanks for the info.

However, I won't be doing any Auto-x events with these tires, as I've said I have some old KDWs on stock E0 wheels to rag out.

Having said that, comparing the 280 ratings of the Kumhos and the 400 rating of the RE950, I'll take the RE950, and be slower by .2 sec.

The Yoko A520 don't last long at all, and a fellow CEGer wasn't too happy w/ them.

So, is the RE950 worth the extra $$$ over the Kumho 712?

John

JVT, looking at the respective wear ratings of 280 vs. 400 means the Kuhmos last .7 as long as the RE950 in theory. Multiplying .7 by the $133 price yields a Kuhmo price of $93 to offer the same value wear-wise which means at $92 they cost about the same. But when you add $10 shipping to each tire it changes to $143 vs. $103 which shifts more in the RE950's favor.

But if you don't like the cheaper A520, the RE730 is only $3 more per tire than the RE950 and they were nearly .66 quicker on the 30 second course which means 1.32 on a minute course which is an eternity in autocross/road racing and the like.

If you want Potenza's get the RE730!!

SVT Cole,

I agree the RE730s are great tires, but reading up on all the reviews at tire rack, they get ridiculously loud as they wear.

Makes the KDW feel like a luxury T-rated tire. Heh. Doing a search for the RE730 also revealed Luke saying the same thing. LOUD.

I still might go for them though.

John

Is this thread still going? :rolleyes:

Just get either the KDW or RE730. They both have outstanding grip and last hella long time. They both get really loud as they wear, but that's what a stereo and exhaust are for.

FWIW,

I just put the Dunlop Sport SP5000's on our MPV.

Wonder what that would do through the cones?

Baby would love it!

TB

Ordered the RE730s. Couldn't pass up the great deal at Costco, so I did it.

$518+tax inc. mounting/balancing. ($129.50per)

I'll let you guys know what I think, but I'm sure it'll be a improvement over the current Kumhos.

John

Let us know how they work out John. I'm interested to see. I'm still looking at the 950s but if these do alright then who knows?

I thought those lap times were for the specific tires being tested against each other only and was not an accurrate way to compare other tires on Tirerack that were not a part of the test. I thought I read that somewhere on their site. The ratings were also tested for a tires specific class. If a Max Performance tire scored a 7.5 in handling...that score represented how it ranked in the Max Performance category only. An ultra High performance tire may score a 7.5 but that does not mean it is as good as the Max performance tire because they are rated per class.

If this wrong please correct me...but I remember specifically reading this so I did not compare tire ratings unless they were tested together and in the same class.

As someone with 38,000 miles on my original tires, I found this discussion helpful as I have been thinking about purchasing new tires, but I am interested in 17". I am looking for a good handling tire that is quiet, I am not concerned about cost. If this opens up or changes the discussion, I would like to know.... Thanks