After very limited driving for the past 7+ years, I need get new tires again on my '05 Evo. I currently have a replacement set of the OEM A046s mounted, and I want to get a similar tire to replace them. It seems everyone is running bigger and wider rims these days, I have no interest in that. It was a royal pain to get those JDM Evo VII wheels, I am not about to switch them out...

Apparently the A046s are discontinued? Discount tire by me had them listed for over $350 a tire, with no stock at any location in the state.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

The RE71R is a awesome super sticky DOT tire that is daily driver friendly

 

I use AD08R's in stock size. They are stickier than the 046's and wear better. Comfort is a bit less - stiffer side wall.

I suspect the RE71R Bridgestone is a step up in stickiness but probably worse for wear.

 

I think I bought the last of the A046 production. This was when Tire Rack had them on clearance. The tires are stamped the 8th week of 2009.

 

Check the inside of your treads for cracking/separation. My brother bought one of the last sets they had in Tire Rack South Bend, IN. After like two years of extremely light use, and stored properly in the winter in bags, the rubber was separating in the treads...

 

Go to tirerack's web site, filter the search result for the size you want to only show "extreme performance summer tire" and pick one. Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, and Yokohama all offer a tire you will be happy with.

 

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Thanks for the warning, I checked. My tires are fine.

 

The price/performance of the Hankook RS3 is hard to beat. Get a set of 245/40-17 for stock rims. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....22V2&tab=Sizes

 

Similar thread I just replied to and recommended the B-Stone RE-71R as well as Dunlop's Z2 Star Spec. Both great options similar to, if not better, than the oe tire.

 

Neal, have you guys done a recent tire test comparing the RE71r, ZII and RS3's? Link?

 

Not those specific three at the same time, but more tests are coming and that may be one of them.

 

Please consider doing a track day comparison of the RE71r, ZII, Rival, RS3, and V720. We don't need to know about road noise and wet weather performance. We need grip, steering response, and tread life/heat cycling info.

 

I can tell you from first hand driver and passenger seat experience, on an EVO X, the RE71r is done after 2 laps at the most. It is not a track day tire.

 

Agreed, but I want to know about wet performance. It's not highest on my list of priorities but I don't want to drive on roller skates just because I got caught in the rain.

Still, noise, ride comfort - if I cared about those things I would not have bought an Evo.

 

Thank you everyone for the responses. I definitely have some options to weigh now.

Damn Neal, awesome to see you on this forum and at Tire Rack still. I remember ordering tires from you back in '05. I will definitely consider the B-Stone RE-71R as well as Dunlop's Z2 Star Spec, my biggest goal is keeping the steering feel similar to the A046s while having comparable levels of grip.