Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras - View Single Post

NevadaSTi · 2006-06-05, 10:53 AM

This is probably the best tire opinion / criticism I have read in a long time.

Vehicle: 1997 BMW M3 Sedan
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Driving Style: Spirited
Miles driven on tires: 2,685 Driving Condition: Combined Highway/City
Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 8.86 out of 10
Review Submitted: 2006-05-13

The 235/40-17 NonPole Postion/NonRunflat RE050A (shod on factory 8.5 x 17 M3 wheels) are phenomenal in the wet. Mid Ohio Sports Car Course was resurfaced with new asphalt. As part of the instructor staff with Mid Ohio Region Porsche Clubs drivers education 11/12 May 2006--I had my first chance to experience Mid Ohios new surface. It rained during the 2-day event. With 9/32nds tread depth I was comfortable charging into T7 at 105 mph (normal dry entry speed into T7 is 122+ mph). Once warmed the RE050As stick predictably well through Mid Ohios turns, and the tires adhesion limit is reached progressively, as the car drifts wide of the intended path. Smoothness is the key to effective sports driving--especially in the wet--and the RE050As reward the skilled driver with outstanding wet race track performance (as evidenced by the pointbyes rendered by drivers of more powerful Porsches). The RE050As continue to work well with the E36 M3/4s stock suspension--ideal in continuous wet driving conditions. The only criticism of the RE050As is their tendency toward low frequency vibration problems--this could be due to the difficulty in balancing factory BMW wheels; I plan to rebalance the wheels at a BMW-specialty shop to confirm if the vibration is a tire or wheel problem.

2006-06-05, 10:53 AM	#2
NevadaSTi EJ251 Real Name: Brian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Minden, Nv. Posts: 989 Car: 1994 Toyota 4Runner Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once	This is probably the best tire opinion / criticism I have read in a long time. Vehicle: 1997 BMW M3 Sedan Location: Indianapolis, IN Driving Style: Spirited Miles driven on tires: 2,685 Driving Condition: Combined Highway/City Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 8.86 out of 10 Review Submitted: 2006-05-13 The 235/40-17 NonPole Postion/NonRunflat RE050A (shod on factory 8.5 x 17 M3 wheels) are phenomenal in the wet. Mid Ohio Sports Car Course was resurfaced with new asphalt. As part of the instructor staff with Mid Ohio Region Porsche Clubs drivers education 11/12 May 2006--I had my first chance to experience Mid Ohios new surface. It rained during the 2-day event. With 9/32nds tread depth I was comfortable charging into T7 at 105 mph (normal dry entry speed into T7 is 122+ mph). Once warmed the RE050As stick predictably well through Mid Ohios turns, and the tires adhesion limit is reached progressively, as the car drifts wide of the intended path. Smoothness is the key to effective sports driving--especially in the wet--and the RE050As reward the skilled driver with outstanding wet race track performance (as evidenced by the pointbyes rendered by drivers of more powerful Porsches). The RE050As continue to work well with the E36 M3/4s stock suspension--ideal in continuous wet driving conditions. The only criticism of the RE050As is their tendency toward low frequency vibration problems--this could be due to the difficulty in balancing factory BMW wheels; I plan to rebalance the wheels at a BMW-specialty shop to confirm if the vibration is a tire or wheel problem. __________________ The last living thing on earth will be me. I'll step on the last cockroach.