Bridgestone S-04... at the track?

[osbornsm]

Morning all,

I'm looking for replacements for the RE050 on the rears (go figure?) I see that the S-04 is the replacement for this tire but i have ALSO noticed a significant difference in treadwear 300 vs 140.

Can you run Bridgestone S-04 on a road course and expect any different results than the RE050 ?

[gpolak]

You shouldn't mismatch tires. Different compounds, pattern, and handling characteristics. While you could probably get away with it on the street, if you are heading for the track then don't cheap out and replace all four with matched pairs.

I don't know about the S-04s (reviews on TireRack seem decent), but the different threadwear rating tells me that they will heat up at a different rate then the RE-050s. You don't want to be on the track with your front & back pressures suddenly getting all wonky.

[PapoZalsa]

Is the treadwear 300 vs 140 the rate the tire is going to last?

Highest last longer...

[DR_]

The S04 is not the replacement for the RE050, it is the replacement for the S03.
Do not put the S04 on the rear with RE050 on the front as you will likely get some scary snap oversteer.

Yes higher treadwear should last longer but typically have less dry grip.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by DR_

... Yes higher treadwear should last longer but typically have less dry grip.

Although I can tell you that for street driving the S-04s perform very well.

[Coon-azz]

Originally Posted by VCuomo

Although I can tell you that for street driving the S-04s perform very well.

I'll be honest. I just put these on my 2012 Sport. I drive this as a DD and though they grip really well and the wet traction is one of the best I've had (driven in near tropical storm conditions at 75 MPH) I am not very pleased with how they feel so far. I'm not sure if its me or the tire. For daily driving, they feel like I'm on stilts compared to the tires the car came with. They also seem more "squirly" up front. Perhaps its a much better tire than I'm use to driving with? Don't know but they don't feel as "stable" as the stock tires did...Just my 2 cents so take it with a grain of salt

[UNKNOWN_370]

My rear tires are beat to shyt at 11,400 mi. But my car is a lot more fun to drive now. lol

[kenchan]

yep. S02 went to S03, then RE050A PolePosition, then S04 PolePosition. these tires share similar traits.

RE050A non-pole position is not the replacement for S03 and is different from the RE050A PolePositions. the compound seems different. PolePositions grip far better than the non-PolePositions from my experience.

i have experience with S02 PP, S03 PP, RE050A, RE050A PP, S04 PP. the RE050A did not grip as well as the others. S04 PP's grip like hell vs RE050A's. S04 PP's grip far better than RE050A PP especially in the rain.

[cossie1600]

If you drive hard and fast, you might want to worry about these tires chunking at the track.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by Coon-azz

I'll be honest. I just put these on my 2012 Sport. I drive this as a DD and though they grip really well and the wet traction is one of the best I've had (driven in near tropical storm conditions at 75 MPH) I am not very pleased with how they feel so far. I'm not sure if its me or the tire. For daily driving, they feel like I'm on stilts compared to the tires the car came with. They also seem more "squirly" up front. Perhaps its a much better tire than I'm use to driving with? Don't know but they don't feel as "stable" as the stock tires did...Just my 2 cents so take it with a grain of salt

They definitely feel different than the RE050s. I always thought the RE050s felt "heavy", so I'm very happy with the difference in the way the S-04s feel (and I like that the "crunch" noise is gone when I turn the tires hard right/left). The stiffer sidewalls and harder compound let the tires turn much easier than the RE050s, IMO (that's probably the "squirrely" feeling you mentioned).

Give them a little more time so that you get used to them then let's see what you think.

[osbornsm]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

If you drive hard and fast, you might want to worry about these tires chunking at the track.

The OEM tires chunked pretty well at the track. Some pretty good divots in there. Eek.

[cossie1600]

Yeah that's what happened when you track a tire that isn't meant to do more than 2 laps.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

If you drive hard and fast, you might want to worry about these tires chunking at the track.

S series is made for street. i'd run RE11's if for track, minimum.

[RonZwanson]

Originally Posted by kenchan

S series is made for street. i'd run RE11's if for track, minimum.

I have the S04s and wanted to do a track day. When you say "RE11s for track," do you mean when you're going balls-out competitive tracking, or even track days when you're going like, 75%? I've never done a track day before but want to some time soon.

Thanks.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by RonZwanson

I have the S04s and wanted to do a track day. When you say "RE11s for track," do you mean when you're going balls-out competitive tracking, or even track days when you're going like, 75%? I've never done a track day before but want to some time soon.

Thanks.

for the most track events (like your 75%) im pretty sure your S04's are fine. cossie's talking about time attacks or real race events where racing tires are used.