Put a deposit on a Spec D today. I noticed that it has Potenzas -I've only heard bad reports about them - should I change as a priority?

 

If there is tread left on them, leave em on. I got them on my Spec D, there ok, vague really but you gotta kill the tread off before swapping them IMO

i take it there are Re070's....

Book on a track for half a day, that'll take care of those tyres for ya

 

Good advice - not much tread but, yes, I'll do my best to wear 'em out!

 

I dont particularly like them, but in the real world they are ok for my needs. I would not get them again though. I had Pirelli P zero's on my old blod and they were awesome in comparison.....Welcome to the Spec D club, you now officially have a sleeper car

 

brilliant in the dry, a bit iffy if worn in the wet, feckin hopeless in the snow.

 

..+1
Took the words out of my mouth, still had tread on mine when the snow fell in dec. Had to change 'em pretty quick as they was soooooo bad in the snow.

 

if they are re070s they are good tyres. Just take it easy in the wet .

 

not sure how close they are to the Re040's i had on the CTR
that was an awesome tyre in the summer, dry hot etc
a bit shocking in the wet and cold
but then most of driving in the wet in cold can be put down to the right foot control :d

 

RE070's, great in the dry pretty good in the wet (never had a problem and it rains all the time here ) very interesting on greasy surfaces and useless in snow
Im on my 3rd set having replaced the very pathetic P Zero's that were on there previously (horrid tyre though they were getting low, about 3mm left)

Tony

 

+1

Just take it as driver training in the wet.

 

They are quite different in the dry IMO. The RE070 has essentially a semi slick shoulder block.

 

Agree with that (had 2 sets on my Spec C) albeit I only ever had one "moment" in the wet - full power off a r/bout in the wet caused a brown trouser moment ...

IMHO they are awesome tyres + look great too!

TX.

 

In summer, on a hot day and dry road the grip you will get from RE070s is un-feckin-believable. Best summer tyre I've ever used.

In the wet they are OK.

In winter they are absolutely shocking.

 

As already said, you wont appreciate just how much grip they have in the dry until you change them. However, I absolutely hated them as a road tyre as they made the car tramline and the sidewalls are so solid it made the ride crashy. I changed them for Goodyear F1's and the ride was instantly better for day to day use, although when pushing arounf the nurburgring last may, the difference in grip was noticable. SInce then, I have upgraded to 18's and now have pirelli corsa's, which I will never have again, but thats a different story.

 

i had bridgestone Re01 Rs on my last sti 5 wagon and they were amazing in the dry but very soft. Manouvering in and out of parking spaces felt like the tyre treads were flexiing. what little tread pattern there was that is.
Nightmare in the wet though

 

i have them on mine and had no problems at all even in the snow. i am however confused on when they need changing as mine seem low but just had the MOT and nothing was said. i understand they are semi slick but how can you actually tell when there gone?

 

There's a marker in the grooves towards the centre of the tire.

 

whats it look like mate? the outer rim lines are the ones that are really warn but the centre seems fine. what does the marker look like?

 

Sorry to be pedantic, but which potenzas? Pretty much all sporty(ish) Bridgestone are labelled Potenza

RE040, RE050, RE070, RE080 etc.


Its like saying "I've got an Impreza"...but not saying which one: 1.6 GL, 2.0 Sport, STi, WRX, P1, s202, 22B etc - get the idea? Its the same with tyres.

 

Just a small rectangular bit of rubber.

Have a look on this forum thread you can see the marker on some of the pics:

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-wheel...read-left.html

 

yeah i understand i just checked and its the Potenza re 070

 

ok just checked my tyres and i am guessing if the rectangle bit is at the same level they need changing, looks like i need 2 and the other 2 are pretty bloody close aswell. grrrr where can u get em cheap?

 

Yeh, once level with that marker they're done. Last time I got mine from blackcircles.com but just seen Camskill.co.uk have them cheaper at £106.22 inc VAT. That doesn't include fitting though and blackcircles may work out cheaper...

 

Pretty fair to say odds on RE070's since that is what is on the car from new??!!

 

i used to have a 55 plate wrx fitted with potenza#s reo70 and although they were good in the dry they were really average in the wet and terrible for tramlining especially on motorway

 

At a guess, many owners do replace tyres with the same ones that came with the factory, so its likely.

Personally, seeing most the roads I drive on are either wet or damp (such is teh UK climate), I would use something else.

 

Frigging useless in the snow!!


Took them to my Scooby Independent Garage as I had several laxitives in the snow with them.


He said , no problem in the snow, I have several STI'S seriously remapped use these, what is the matter with you??


I asked him to take it for a "spin" he came back a bit white faced, he said it's deadly in the snow.

He fitted some Toya Winter Tyres on Steel Rims, (my Alloys are now up on a rack, along with some other Scooby Owners Sumeer tyres).

They are brilliant in the Snow/Wet.

The Potenzaas are great in the Summer in the dry, in the wet not so good.

I bought them for the new Alloys that came with them, when they wear out, I'll probably go for Falkens, great all round peformance tyres for not a lot of cash.

I hope this helps.

regards.


Alan MaC

 

I changed the RE070's on my Spec D after 5000 miles - loved the grip (in the dry) but that was it. Hated the road noise, tramlining, poor wet performance and the ride quality. Part of the reason for getting the Spec D was to have a more comfortable everyday car, but still have the STi performance.

I've used Good Year F1 Asymetricals since (111,000 miles - although not one set ! ) and love them. Far better ride quality, lower noise, and more than enough grip for me in the dry, and far more in the wet. They are also far more progressive and easier to judge, especially in the wet.

If you are looking for other tyre options, I'm sure others will have difference preferences and experiences, but the F1as are a very good tyre IMHO.

Cheers

Gareth

 

If you experience any ice or snow weather they are absolte hopeless !!!!!! ( I can share some true stories on how bad they really are).

However as stated by others they are good come summer. I'm about to pick up my new STI and my negotiation enatiled ensuring Potenza's were removed and other new ones (not Potenza) put in place for deal to be done.