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[M3MPH1S]

I've found a few threads discussing the RE-71R, but most of them are from back when they were just released. So now that they have been out for a while, can anyone give me some personal feedback on what they thought about these tires in the rain? Obviously they aren't going to be as good as PSS or something, but I've seen some people saying they handle well enough for daily use and others saying they don't really have enough grip.

I'm fortunate that my daily work commute is 75% twisty rural roads (that are surprisingly well maintained) so I'm considering trying out a set of these for use as a DD. I know I'm kind of barking up the wrong tree here since I won't be using these for track, need them to perform decently well in the rain (driving normally - not spirited), and will be putting a lot of miles on them (~30k/yr). However, in the "pros" category, loud tread noise and a harsher ride do not bother me. So would these be good enough in the wet for me to try or should I just stick with my S-04's if I'm concerned about it?

[TWiTCHY]

Is there something lacking with the S04? When I had those on my F82, they performed really well in cold and wet conditions.

[tadmcmichael]

I just bought Bridgestone RE-11. They will have better wet grip and will last a lot longer than the RE-71R based on the reviews. RE-71R is getting popular as an autocross and street legal track tire (arguably the fastest).

That said, the Pilot Super Sports are as good as it gets for a daily driver. You would only be giving up a bit of dry grip and a lot of sidewall stiffness to the RE-71R (or RE-11). PSS will last longer (you drive a lot), ride better, and be more comfortable.

The only reason I didn't get PSS is that they don't hold up as well for track use. Even at "drive it like you stole it " speeds on public roads, I would choose the PSS.

Check out the Tire Rack reviews on the RE-71R before pulling the trigger.

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

Is there something lacking with the S04? When I had those on my F82, they performed really well in cold and wet conditions.

No, was just looking for something new to try out for fun. I agree, the S04 is very good, I even prefer it over the PSS personally.

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by tadmcmichael

I just bought Bridgestone RE-11. They will have better wet grip and will last a lot longer than the RE-71R based on the reviews. RE-71R is getting popular as an autocross and street legal track tire (arguably the fastest).

That said, the Pilot Super Sports are as good as it gets for a daily driver. You would only be giving up a bit of dry grip and a lot of sidewall stiffness to the RE-71R (or RE-11). PSS will last longer (you drive a lot), ride better, and be more comfortable.

The only reason I didn't get PSS is that they don't hold up as well for track use. Even at "drive it like you stole it " speeds on public roads, I would choose the PSS.

Check out the Tire Rack reviews on the RE-71R before pulling the trigger.

I see, thanks for the insight! I'll check out some more reviews, but I'm thinking I will just stay with the S04 for now.

[tadmcmichael]

Originally Posted by M3MPH1S

I see, thanks for the insight! I'll check out some more reviews, but I'm thinking I will just stay with the S04 for now.

Yes, S04s are very good also. I would just stay out of the Extreme Performance (RE-71R, RE-11) unless you really needed it.

[z3papa]

From full tread down to 4/32's, they pretty much rule in the wet. So much so that it can be shocking how strong the longitudinal grip is. Below that, any tire gets a bit sketchy.

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by z3papa

From full tread down to 4/32's, they pretty much rule in the wet. So much so that it can be shocking how strong the longitudinal grip is. Below that, any tire gets a bit sketchy.

Interesting. Were you driving on public roads, track or both?

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by M3MPH1S

Interesting. Were you driving on public roads, track or both?

Both although tracks in the wet are completely a different deal as most are honed pretty damn smooth. In the wet, they can be hairy on the best tires.

[dparm]

RE-71R for daily driving is going to be a waste of money. Everything I have read indicates that it's incredibly sticky but that comes at the expense of very short life. The 200 treadwear rating is a "cheater" rating so it can squeak by certain racing bodies' rules. Realistically it's probably like 140 or below. I doubt you'd get 30k out of them.

That being said, I would not feel comfortable taking that onto the highway in the rain at 55mph. The M3's wide tires will be a hydroplaning accident waiting to happen.


Try the PSS if you want 30k. They'll do it for sure. Mine did 20k and that was including a bunch of track and autocross use, and I suspect I could've squeezed even more had I not jumped the gun on AD08Rs (damn your double rebates, Discount Tire). My PSS provided phenomenal wet and dry grip, though I wouldn't call them the softest or quietest tire ever. Still, for the money, you can't beat them.

If you want to step up from the PSS, the Yokohama AD08R seems to be the popular choice along with the RE-11.

[Richbot]

There is a difference between grip and hydro planing resistance. I doubt many tires develop more grip in the rain than the re71r so long as it isn't being asked to pump too much water. In warm weather my RS3's have ages more grip in the wet than my PSS...until you hit a deep enough puddle. And the RS3 is not in the same league as Re71R

[UPSROD]

My local tire dealer is pushing the Bridgestone tire and say they will beat Tire Rack prices. I wanted PSS's....they are saying the PSS sidewalls crack, does anyone agree with that?

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by dparm

RE-71R for daily driving is going to be a waste of money. Everything I have read indicates that it's incredibly sticky but that comes at the expense of very short life. The 200 treadwear rating is a "cheater" rating so it can squeak by certain racing bodies' rules. Realistically it's probably like 140 or below. I doubt you'd get 30k out of them.

That being said, I would not feel comfortable taking that onto the highway in the rain at 55mph. The M3's wide tires will be a hydroplaning accident waiting to happen.


Try the PSS if you want 30k. They'll do it for sure. Mine did 20k and that was including a bunch of track and autocross use, and I suspect I could've squeezed even more had I not jumped the gun on AD08Rs (damn your double rebates, Discount Tire). My PSS provided phenomenal wet and dry grip, though I wouldn't call them the softest or quietest tire ever. Still, for the money, you can't beat them.

If you want to step up from the PSS, the Yokohama AD08R seems to be the popular choice along with the RE-11.

DPARM is 100% spot on! I would NOT run RE71R for street only use. Even with occasional street/track I went with AD08R and am very happy. Since its street only, I will keep it on topic (no track) now that we have eliminated RE71R.

AD08R does humm a fair bit in dry. Sidewall is super stiff. They are fairly decent in the wet akin to what Richbot said about his RS3.

OP If I were you, I'd continue with the S04 (had that on the 911). Quite, enough grip for street, great in the wet. For $800~ you feel good about the savings too.

Long and short, stick with the max performance category for street only. Use the SUPER MAX or Ultra category or whatever its called on Tirerack for Street/Track duty.

Have fun and and enjoy in good health.

Lutfy

[dparm]

Originally Posted by UPSROD

My local tire dealer is pushing the Bridgestone tire and say they will beat Tire Rack prices. I wanted PSS's....they are saying the PSS sidewalls crack, does anyone agree with that?

I've never heard of that, nor has anyone on this site posted about that problem (to my knowledge). Sounds like he is trying to steer you towards a tire he makes a bigger margin on.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by UPSROD

My local tire dealer is pushing the Bridgestone tire and say they will beat Tire Rack prices. I wanted PSS's....they are saying the PSS sidewalls crack, does anyone agree with that?

Somebody is getting better margin from selling Bridgestone than Michelin when he matches TR pricing...

[M3MPH1S]

Thanks everyone for the input especially DPARM and lutfy. I'll just stick with S04/PSS till I can save up some money for track days. And anyway I just picked up a set of 19x10/11's from another member on a whim so that will be a little extra traction I can play around with for now

[UPSROD]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Somebody is getting better margin from selling Bridgestone than Michelin when he matches TR pricing...

It is the local Firestone dealer that installs Tire Rack tires...so they actually make Bridgestone tires and get them much cheaper!

[XxMerlinxX]

Daily drove RE-11A tires for a year and a half, never had any problem with hydroplaning on surface streets or the interstate. Only time when it got a little bit hairy, was when it snowed here and I had an hour drive home from work that turned into 2 hours. At the end of the year and a half, the rears were shot and the fronts had roughly 35% tread left on them. I imagine I probably covered 20k miles or so in that time span. No track days, but made two runs on the Dragon and two runs on the Blue Ridge Parkway with them.

The bottom line is that you can daily just about anything as long as you're careful.

[admranger]

I'll jump in late just to say 1) I agree that the RE71R is not a great choice for a street tire; 2) I'm on my third set of tires and just flipped 30k miles on my 2011 E90M3; and 3) we once had a 1996 Z3 2.8 with Toyo RA-1s on it for daily driving -- could really use your driving skills for evil (e.g., take an off ramp turn at such high velocity the guy who was tailgating you nearly runs off the outside edge of the road trying to keep up...lol).

As far as PSS' splitting, I had not heard of that either until this recent thread was posted: PSS Sidewall Splitting

[pbonsalb]

I am not very impressed with PSS on my E90M3 that I drive about 8k miles per year. 265/35/18 and 285/35/18 on Apex ARC8 18x9.5/10.5. Id like a tire with better traction and more sidewall.

[Richbot]

275 and 295 PSS would accomplish both

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Somebody is getting better margin from selling Bridgestone than Michelin when he matches TR pricing...

Probably the case. I get 275/35's for $245 and 285/30's for $285 mounted which is better on both fronts than TR and makes up for the sales tax. It all depends on your relationship with the vendor and where they stand in the source delivery chain. He could not get me as good a deal on the Rival S.