Hello All,

Haven't bought tires for the ITR in oh i don't know 5 years LOL. Anyway anyone have experience with both of these tires on the stock rims? I am thinking 205-50-15. The price is comparable, but not sure which one would be a better HPDE/DD tire.

I don't care about noise, sidewall comfort etc. I only care about performance wet and dry and again even tire rack considers them comparable. Looking to replace my RT615 that are on there.

They look to have similar wear ratings etc. The reason I am leaning toward the RE11 is because they can be rotated normally instead of only front to back like the star specs. Any input from someone that has used both would be great. Thanks!

-Ken

 

<---- waiting on Nsxtasy!

 

Sounds like you've already looked at the side-by-side comparison test on the Tire Rack website.

Check out the comments from Andy Hollis in this topic.

They're pretty darn similar in most ways, so don't overagonize over the decision. You can save some money if you're willing to go with the Star Specs in 195/55-15 rather than 205/50-15.

 

I feel like he's answered the tire question 6 billion times.

 

195/55/50 Star specs are going for $306+ shipping. not too much different than the 205's.

 

Well, the prices for those Star Specs are much higher when they're going onto bling-bling 50-inch wheels.

Current prices for 4 tires:
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 195/55-15 $326 after rebate, with free shipping at Discount Tire Direct
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 195/55-15 $306 after rebate, plus shipping at Tire Rack
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 205/50-15 $378 after rebate, plus shipping at Tire Rack
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 205/50-15 $388 plus shipping at Tire Rack

Figuring $60 for shipping, that means the Star Spec in 205/50-15 at Tire Rack costs 34 percent more than in 195/55-15 at Discount Tire Direct ($438 vs $326, shipped). Maybe that difference of $112 doesn't mean much to you - in which case, good for you! - but it's significant to many of us (myself included). Besides, I'm sure most of us want to hear about opportunities for cost savings, regardless of whether or not we decide to take advantage of them.

 

Hmmm good call on the 195-55. My only concern is that during HPDE the 195 will heat up quicker and will probably also wear quicker. I guess it's a question of being able to rotate the wheels now. Thanks guys, I know this is not a new question. It's just that I have been out of the Honda game for quite a few years now. I actually love the Star Spec on my evo, but just wondering if they work well for the Honda crowd as well. I think they are a step above RT-615's, but haven't had enough miles on them.

I wonder why Discount Tire carries Bridgestones but not RE11

 

I just need a stamp of approval. Expo is coming up quick and i need to determine which tire i have to buy.

 

No worries man. I'm just pokin' fun at how many times we have to call on our resident tire expert

 

I don't know. However, it's possible they can order them even though they're not shown on their website. You'd have to phone in your order to ask.

 

Having run the Re-11 at last years Expo, I can say it is the single best street tire I have ever "spiritedly" driven on. That being said, both these tires are very close together in terms of performance.

The 2nd day, I switched to R comps and the difference wasnt as noticeable as it usually is from the drivers seat.

 

I went with the 195-55-15 Z1 Star Specs. The 100 dollar difference in price for a similar tire wasn't worth it to me. Maybe I will try RE11 on the evo next time around.

I did phone in my order and the guy said that discount tire doesnt really carry much bridgestone stuff for sports cars, mostly trucks. So I ordered the Dunlops instead. Can't really beat 326 OTD

 

If they don't send you the $50 rebate form, you can download it from Dunlop's website here.

Gotcha, thanks.

 

OT: I see you have a Porsche 914 in your sig. My dad has a 73 914 with a V8 conversion. We're ready to put our probably 4th V8 in there.

 

Yah mine still has the original Super Beetle motor. Haven't had any time to work on it. It just seems like it would be so unreliable compared to a modern car that I never really wanted to invest any money as well. I saw a nice LS1 converted 914. haha

 

I have the star specs and they are great! Hands down better than azenis in every way. For the price they simply amaze me. Also the 195 is just as wide as the re11 205, you wont have to worry about that.

However, my new set of tires are these. Advan ad08, 205's. The turn is better on these than the star specs. Overall feel great, i have yet to be able to push these on the track yet, (only one session before i broke) so i can't say how they will hold up over a full session or complete day. I will say that the evo guys love them.

Either way you cant go wrong. tire rack has a smoking deal on them currently though. Free $75 gift card.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....VAN+Neova+AD08

 

RE11

 

Wow, this is exact same tire decision I am trying to make for my ITR. These will be my track only tires so I too don't care about road noise. I am leaning more towards the RE-11s just because of how awesome the RE-01rs were and that the RE-11s are suppose to be the "replacement" for the RE-01rs.

I think I am willing to pay the higher price on hope of getting "RE-01r like" performance.

 

How was the tire wear on the RE-11s? My RT615s did pretty decent during a recent track day. The came out slick, warmed and started hooking well, then they got slick again. Any comments on the RE-11s?

 

If youre looking for track only tires, why go with these street tires? Go with R tires..

 

Getting some Re-11's installed tomorrow morning, Ill let you know it goes :D

 

Well I do every autox in my region and I am starting to get into track events. My concern is killing a set of $800 plus R comps on just a couple of track days until I really learn how to drive the car at high speeds. I currently run STX in autoX which is a street tire class. I am running my RT615s for the autoX events and plan on running some RE11s for track days. EVENTUALLY, I will be running R comps in autocross. I guess my major concern, (and feel free to interject), is having a short track life with R Comps......

 

The RE-11s will not wear like the 615s did. By everyones firsthand accounts they will last almost twice the time and abuse of the 615s. Also the RE-11s will not grease up or fall off in the heat. I have tried to overdrive them just to see if I could get them to fall off and I could not do it in a 25min track session. They have great cold adhesion for AutoX as well. I am sure you know this already but you cannot run R comps in STX. If you go to DSP though, you can.


You will not be disappointed.

 

And the guy saying to run R comps. Basically a beginner driver should not be using R comps while they are learning because R comps cover up mistakes in driver habit. Street tires develop the driver more, by teaching you to maintain the tire on track promoting good driver habits like being smooth and finding the optimum line.

This is all what an instructor at BW told me and I think it is good advice.

 

Oh yeah, I'm planning on switching to DSP around mid season. You seem to like the re11s it seems. I'm looking for something that will last longer than the rt615s. I think I'll give them a try. Thanks for the info.