2016 STU Discussion!
Originally Posted by Jim3142
In my experience, the RE71Rs aren't good down to the wear bars if you put a decent amount of street miles on them...my set of 255/40/17 RE71Rs were done before the 80-run mark (had maybe 3-4/32 left) with several thousand miles (maybe 5k) of street driving on them. Other locals have had the same issue (primarily on DD/autox Street-classed cars). My second set of Rival S (245/40/17) had ~115 runs on them with about 4k miles before I took them off (tread was below wear bars, no cords showing), they were still fast at the time. Current set of 265/35/18 RE71Rs has 85 runs on them with less than 2k miles of street driving, should last awhile longer.
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 22
From: Reading, MA
First of all, you are risking something happening to that tire on the drive to the event. The longer the ride (like one to Nationals for us New England guys), higher the risk we are putting our self under is.
On the top of that, my car is using Continentals DSW 06 at the moment and they are pretty good all around tire. And it is about $100 cheaper than one of those new street race versions.
Finally, I have driven my car for a few days on RS3s and than on RE71s, and they are over the top on so many levels. First the noise is horrible and anything longer than 15 min is hurting! Next, the amount of grip is too much for regular (sane I should say) street driving and unnecessary for my age. DSWs have plenty of grip to scare my self and others on on/off ramps, so having any more than that is just asking for trouble.
The great part is that 4 extra tires fit nicely on the back seat with easy access, so I just don't get why would people go the other way...could be just old me though...
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: CT
This also doesn't make sense to me as well - that being as driving on tires you race on...
First of all, you are risking something happening to that tire on the drive to the event. The longer the ride (like one to Nationals for us New England guys), higher the risk we are putting our self under is.
On the top of that, my car is using Continentals DSW 06 at the moment and they are pretty good all around tire. And it is about $100 cheaper than one of those new street race versions.
Finally, I have driven my car for a few days on RS3s and than on RE71s, and they are over the top on so many levels. First the noise is horrible and anything longer than 15 min is hurting! Next, the amount of grip is too much for regular (sane I should say) street driving and unnecessary for my age. DSWs have plenty of grip to scare my self and others on on/off ramps, so having any more than that is just asking for trouble.
The great part is that 4 extra tires fit nicely on the back seat with easy access, so I just don't get why would people go the other way...could be just old me though...
First of all, you are risking something happening to that tire on the drive to the event. The longer the ride (like one to Nationals for us New England guys), higher the risk we are putting our self under is.
On the top of that, my car is using Continentals DSW 06 at the moment and they are pretty good all around tire. And it is about $100 cheaper than one of those new street race versions.
Finally, I have driven my car for a few days on RS3s and than on RE71s, and they are over the top on so many levels. First the noise is horrible and anything longer than 15 min is hurting! Next, the amount of grip is too much for regular (sane I should say) street driving and unnecessary for my age. DSWs have plenty of grip to scare my self and others on on/off ramps, so having any more than that is just asking for trouble.
The great part is that 4 extra tires fit nicely on the back seat with easy access, so I just don't get why would people go the other way...could be just old me though...
I can't fathom why people that are willing to transport a separate set of tires to an event and change them on site wouldn't just start running Hoosiers.
So much more awesome. True story.
that was my logic. save money in the long run by running on all season tires whenever I could.
114 runs last year on the Mini with re71rs, tires still not done. probably around 1k street miles
78 runs on the evo with re71rs, and 2 track days. tires nowhere close to being done. maybe 500 street miles
114 runs last year on the Mini with re71rs, tires still not done. probably around 1k street miles
78 runs on the evo with re71rs, and 2 track days. tires nowhere close to being done. maybe 500 street miles
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 22
From: Reading, MA
ST classes are nice because they allow some fun modifications, but they don't require a massive investment and dedicated race car to be competitive.
The latest crop of max-performance street tires is expensive, but they're still cheaper than buying multiple sets of Hoosiers every season. My RE-71Rs have lasted a lot longer than I expected from the early internet chatter.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: CT
Because switching to Hoosiers is a lot more than just buying a different set of tires. The jump from STU to ASP is not cheap.
ST classes are nice because they allow some fun modifications, but they don't require a massive investment and dedicated race car to be competitive.
The latest crop of max-performance street tires is expensive, but they're still cheaper than buying multiple sets of Hoosiers every season. My RE-71Rs have lasted a lot longer than I expected from the early internet chatter.
ST classes are nice because they allow some fun modifications, but they don't require a massive investment and dedicated race car to be competitive.
The latest crop of max-performance street tires is expensive, but they're still cheaper than buying multiple sets of Hoosiers every season. My RE-71Rs have lasted a lot longer than I expected from the early internet chatter.
People really like exaggerating the difference between ST* and *SP.
I've been driving several SP cars in the last few years, none are "dedicated race cars" or un-streetable. All are/were capable of winning at the national level.
None of them are "massive investments". Just because you can, doesn't mean you have to, or that it's even necessary to be competitive.
From an Evo-perspective, if "fun" is a goal, I cannot overstate how much a rear diff, ebc, and tune improve the driving experience. Makes my STU car feel like a pile of crap.
If you're buying more than two sets of Hoosiers a year, you're doing something wrong, and when you're doing things right the Hoosiers are free. Can't say the same about RE-71Rs. As much as I like the RE-71Rs, they're just the best of the street tires, it's like being the "best all-season tire". Hoosiers are more fun.
-Bryan
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 22
From: Reading, MA
I think you have to describe fun...my last SP car was a lot of fun and lot of grease monkeying for a lots of nights...after a while that part stops being fun
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 154
From: Why do they always call the Evo the Dark Side?
People really like exaggerating the difference between ST* and *SP.
I've been driving several SP cars in the last few years, none are "dedicated race cars" or un-streetable. All are/were capable of winning at the national level.
None of them are "massive investments". Just because you can, doesn't mean you have to, or that it's even necessary to be competitive.
From an Evo-perspective, if "fun" is a goal, I cannot overstate how much a rear diff, ebc, and tune improve the driving experience. Makes my STU car feel like a pile of crap
I've been driving several SP cars in the last few years, none are "dedicated race cars" or un-streetable. All are/were capable of winning at the national level.
None of them are "massive investments". Just because you can, doesn't mean you have to, or that it's even necessary to be competitive.
From an Evo-perspective, if "fun" is a goal, I cannot overstate how much a rear diff, ebc, and tune improve the driving experience. Makes my STU car feel like a pile of crap
All that said, I am glad I don't have a set of 18s because now I am having bad ideas about 80:20 ASP prep (power stuff, fender roll, 285s, rear diff). So... quiet, you.
