IS350JDM

iTrader: (1)

I just picked up a set of F-Sport 19" wheels and I'm planning to put them on in Spring after I lower my car with Tanabe Sustec Pro 5 coilovers. I'm planning to lower about 1.5" which is not too aggressive, and fine-tune the ride-height after I put the rims on. I'm also not an aggressive driver anymore, however, I can still appreciate gunning it when the right opportunity arises.



So, I'm looking at a couple of sets of tires that will offer the following in the order of importance:

1. Treadwear - Needs to last a long, long time, as I do not intend to replace tires every other summer. I want them to last at least 4 years.

2. Brand/Tread Aesthetics - Many of you might say that this is irrelevant, but I'm guilty of being a sucker for JDM brands and good looking tread patterns.

3. Dry Performance - Need to be able to trust my tires in the spur of the moment when I decide to push the car.

4. Wet Traction - In Toronto, it is often rainy so I do need to have a set of reliable tires that perform well in the rain.

5. Cornering/Steering - I don't really go crazy at intersections anymore, so this has become less important. Spirited driving at winding highways and roads interest me more.

6. Noise - I don't mind if the tires turn out to be loud. My exhaust will hopefully drown out the noise.

The look I'm looking for in my tires is an aggressive stance in the rear with the wide/fat-lip look, so I want the rear tires to stretch a bit. So here are the choices that I'm currently researching.

WHEEL

F-SPORT Gunmetal 5-spoke split
Front: 19 x 8 +40 (Recommended tire size: 225/35R19)
Rear: 19 x 9 +40 (Recommended tire size: 255/35R19)


TIRE OPTIONS


Bridgestone Potenza RE050
Front: 225/35R19
Rear: 245/35R19 OR 255/30R19
(These sizes are not listed on Tire Rack)


Bridgestone Potenza RE11
Front: 225/40R19
Rear: 255/35R19
(No idea about the price $$$, will have to be imported from HK or JP. Please note, the front profile is 40, which makes it the same as an IS-F OEM tire. Please comment if this is not recommended for IS350's)


Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
Front: 235/35ZR19
Rear: 245/35ZR19
(Fronts maybe too wide for proper fitment)


Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position
Front: 235/35R19
Rear: 245/35R19
(Same as above, fronts maybe too wide for proper fitment)


Yokohama Advan Sport
Front: 225/35ZR19
Rear: 245/35ZR19
(Good Value)

JUST ADDED: 01/29/2009

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (A stands for Asymmetrical)
Front: 225/35R19
Rear: 255/35R19
(Finally, a set that comes in the recommended size!)


This is all I have for now, so now my question to you guys is which one to go with. Please reply if you are currently using any of these or have used them in the past, and what is your experience? Or if you have used any similar or different tires that you recommend, please post. Thanks to all.

VikH

iTrader: (5)

Do RE050A Poles. They get great reviews.

IS250_6Spd

PS2 gets great reviews!

eric_r_ho

iTrader: (9)

None of those tires will last you four years..but if anything I would go w/ the RE050's. The PS2's are great but they don't last any more than 20k miles..

2slow

iTrader: (5)

If you don't have a budget, take a look at michelin ps2. I have those and they are great! Yokohama advan sport are good as well.

IS350JDM

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone have any suggestions/comments about the tire sizes?

juice14

OK, I dont know if you are locked on these two. If you ddont mind let me STRONGLY SUGGEST Toyo T1r tires.
they ride great. I dont know how the tread wear because ive only had them for 2 months.
A frined of mine, who suggest these to, who has a G35 with 20's has had Michelin SP, Nitto, Pirelli, and Potenzas, says he says he will never get anyhting that is not the T1rs. I dont blame him. I wont either.

2slow

iTrader: (5)

The toyo's are a good choice as well.

I personally would like wide tires in the back for traction, and as for the front would try to get 235 or 245.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

You will need All Season tires if you want something that will last a while.

I would suggest Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS or Goodyear Eagle F1 AS tires

Evil Teo

iTrader: (13)

if i had to choose out of the above i would pick the RE050A Pole Position. but if i didn't i would get the toyo.

juice14

Sick Wheels BTW. post pics as soon as you get them on the car.

IS350JDM

iTrader: (1)

Hey Juice, I had T1R's before on my old EK9, and they were ok, just that they didn't last very long. That's why I want to try something else this time.

I will for sure post pics once everything is installed!

2slow, I thought about putting 235 up front, but I’m afraid that this would not allow me to lower too much. Anybody have a pic of 235/35/19 at the front?

I’m leaning towards the RE050A Poles or the Advan’s now. Thanks.

So many choices, but don’t know which one to go with. The tires listed above are all not the recommended size, which isn’t really a problem, but it’s making it hard to choose.

josh_317

RE050A Pole Positions

pisaykotik

I have the same F-Sport 19" wheels on Michelin PS2s in 225/35 and 255/35 and I couldn't be more satisfied with the PS2s. Of all the items you listed, only treadwear is questionable. Well I should mention that it usually costs more than other brands as well.

IS350JDM

iTrader: (1)

Hi pisaykotik, Can you please post pics of your set up? I wanna see close-up shots of the tire profiles, if you have. Thanks!

Also, does anybody know the difference between
RE050
RE050A
RE050A Pole Position