Stock Yokohama's 1132$ shipped 235/45/17
Bridgestone RE-01r 706$ shipped 245/40/17
Falken RT-615 584$ shipped 255/40/17

I love the A046, but the price is killing me! I know the other 2 tires are great value for the money but I'm wondering which one has the stiffist sidewall so I can retain the steering feel or if it's even possible by going to a wider size...and how close they come to the stockers. I've read many posts, I hope to get some feedback from Evo owners who have spent some time behind the wheel with these tires.
Thanks

 

Falkens have stiffer sidewall

 

What do you want?

The falkens have the stiffer sidewall and thus more crisp turn in. They are cheaper and good for begginers.

The Re01R will provide more grip when pushed to the limit and are supposed to ride very nicely.

Im going for the latter.

 

I want the A046 for like 700$ I read a grassrootmotorsports article in which the falken was faster on the autocross than the bridgestone on the 1st lap but after was equal. I'm not autocrossing..it's a daily driver..but I love the responsive steering(don't want to lose that_)

 

Consider purchasing a barely-used set of stock Advans for cheap off someone who purchased an Evo and immediately put on some bling rims.

 

I didnt lose turn in with my RE-01R's. They are stickier then the advans, possibly because I went to 18's and 245's, but they still offer a ton more grip. I havent been able to kick the rear out and drive with the pedal with these yet, and I tried. With the stockers I could do it on command.

That grassroots review wasnt done on an evo. It was done on a miata that ways 1/3rd of what our cars do. Do some research on the forums from people that actually track their cars, and they will tell you the same thing. The rt-615 is great for straight line drag car because of a SOFTER sidewall. The RE-01R is more of a track tire with better tread, stickier, and stands up to heat better.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new...-vs-falken.php

Also, in that article, they hands down gave the win to the RE-01R. So not sure what article you guys are talking about.

I love my 01R's, plain and simple. Nils just took a street class win on some too, that should say alot.

 

Only problem with Bridgestones is size, i like the prices but a 245/40-17 is pretty short. If they made 255 i think they would be a better option

 

I believe the Bridgestone RE050 that come stock on the STi have a very stiff sidewall.

 

No no, you got this part confused. The RT-615 is has a VERY stiff sidewall. It is by no means a drag tire - it's a handling tire. That's why it's the most popular replacement for the stock Advans - it handles VERY well and is half the price. The RE-01R is not MORE of a track tire - it's just a BETTER track tire, which is also why it costs more. I don't doubt your experiences with your 245/18s, but the RE-01Rs are not considered grippier than the A046s.

 

Warr, have you tried all of these tires? Also, what about the 255 RA-1's?

 

I have raced on the Advans and RT-615s both at the drag strip, in autocrosses, and on the road course. I have not driven on the RE-01Rs, but I keep track of what the guys are saying in my SCCA region who run STU, and they all prefer the RE-01Rs over the RT-615 but not necessarily over the Advan Neovas.

RA-1s are great non-competitive r-comps that will last a long time and make you faster than street tires. They also get faster as they wear up until the point they wear out.

 

I just put a set of full-thread 255/40/17 RA-1s today. Steering response is still not as crisp as stock advans... The real test comes tomorrow when I go to the track tomorrow.

 

Remember that RA-1s aren't good out of the box unless they're shaved. You'll have to wear 'em in for a while before they get grippy. Just be careful not to chunk them, or they'll be screwed.

 

Ya Warr pegged it. It pretty much goes Neova > RE-01R > RT615 in terms of tracking the car. And from what I hear, for the extra cost of the neova's, its not much of a difference between the Bridgestones.

Warr for some reason I remember seeing people say the 615 was a great drag tire. Bunch of guys here in Vegas run them and they only do 1/4 mile stuff. I know they warm up quick and dont have much tread, so maybe thats why they make a good drag tire. One of the guys was running 1.7 consistently on ao46's and dropped to consistent 1.6's on rt615's.

The reason my Bridgestones seem more planted is probably because they are a touch wider and an inch bigger then the ao46's on my BBS's. The RE's really do feel great though, car feels really planted during "spirited driving". Next autox I'll really be able to tell, going to do runs on both wheels I think. Need to burn up the ao's so I can buy ra1's hehe.

 

I have the RE01R and they are awesome. They ride nice and handle awesome compared to the stock advans. My buddy has the falkens they are a great tire for the money and handle very well but they are loud as heck. And on the road corse they squeal real bad "lol" but they do grip. The RE01R are are a much better tire in my opnion