2014 IS OEM Tires - only Bridgestone?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,365
Likes: 2,764
From: Calgary, AB
That is not true in the present. Just like was the case with Ferrari and how Ferrari dumped the S001 Potenza back in 2009, Nissan dumped the RE070 back in 2009 as well. Nissan traded it for stickier and more grippy Dunlop Sport Maxx GT back in 2010 and it has been shipped only with these tires since then.
Both these manufacturers wanted ultimate track grip at the cost of daily drivability.
Although, from a performance stand point, RE070 are one of the better tires with very big tread blocks and high-grip rating and Lexus LFA set the Nurburgring record of 7:14 with RE070 tires. The RE070 are not recommended to be driven in the rain or snow because of big tread blocks trade water channels in favor of more contact patch with the asphalt.
Anyway, Potenza S001 are designed so that they can be driven in the snow (people with LFAs have driven the S001 in snow) and wet easily and they handle the wet and snow quite well. However, the downside is, the small tread blocks and extensive network of water channels reduces the contact patch, which means much less dry grip.
Pirelli, Michelin and Continental are ranked three top brands for best dry/wet traction combination.
Both these manufacturers wanted ultimate track grip at the cost of daily drivability.
Although, from a performance stand point, RE070 are one of the better tires with very big tread blocks and high-grip rating and Lexus LFA set the Nurburgring record of 7:14 with RE070 tires. The RE070 are not recommended to be driven in the rain or snow because of big tread blocks trade water channels in favor of more contact patch with the asphalt.
Anyway, Potenza S001 are designed so that they can be driven in the snow (people with LFAs have driven the S001 in snow) and wet easily and they handle the wet and snow quite well. However, the downside is, the small tread blocks and extensive network of water channels reduces the contact patch, which means much less dry grip.
Pirelli, Michelin and Continental are ranked three top brands for best dry/wet traction combination.
When it comes to grip on dry and handling respons the bridgestones are great.
I've driven a few cars with bridgestone tyres, and my Impreza STI are equiped with Re070.
Same tyres as the GTR comes with.
However, these tires give a harsh ride, are stiff as hell, and makes more road noice than studded tires. They also have poor grip on wet.
So the "sporty" ride comes at the expence of all the comfort.
Why would anyone sacrifice the comfort when they can have both sportyness and comfort with michelin or continental?
I've driven a few cars with bridgestone tyres, and my Impreza STI are equiped with Re070.
Same tyres as the GTR comes with.
However, these tires give a harsh ride, are stiff as hell, and makes more road noice than studded tires. They also have poor grip on wet.
So the "sporty" ride comes at the expence of all the comfort.
Why would anyone sacrifice the comfort when they can have both sportyness and comfort with michelin or continental?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,238
Likes: 274
Ferrari 458 still comes with S001's... it is one of the 3 tires it comes with.
You can check 458 forums on that and confirm - i saw that it came with them in 2013.
Also you are completely wrong on their behaviour - S001's are some of the best tires you can find for dry, period... for wet they are worse and mid pack.
They are hard, but then again Lexus probably made IS350's suspension soft so hard tires are suitable... so if you put something much softer, it will ruin the handling of the vehicle...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,365
Likes: 2,764
From: Calgary, AB
Ferrari does not offer S001 tire as a default standard tire. To further elaborate, I am talking about Ferrari's preferred choice of OEM tires selected for track tests. Recently, Ferrari and Michelin did a track day event where they show cased the custom version of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires as their top tire of choice in many countries. There are videos of these events.
Considering race car drivers like Randy Pobst, Sharef Abdelbassett criticized LFA's S001 tires for not having enough grip to handle it's 553 HP, I would take their word over yours, no offense.
Matt Farrah in his glowing review of the IS350 F Sport also pointed out the only two weaknesses in the IS350 F-Sport are it's tires and its lack of exhaust note. That is it.
Better yet, there are 20 - 30 tests for the Ferrari 458 Italia available online and find me one single test where Ferrari equipped it's test car with Bridgestone S001. You will only find Michelin PS2 K1 for earlier model 458 Italia and then in 2012 Ferrari switched their tire of choice to a custom version of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport that offer better traction than the previous generation Michelin Cup tires.
The way I see it, it is completely irrelevant argument anyway since as it stands Ferrari itself never chooses to send its test cars with those S001 tires to the track and equips the cars always with Michelin tires. That says everything I need to know about those tires on the track.
Considering race car drivers like Randy Pobst, Sharef Abdelbassett criticized LFA's S001 tires for not having enough grip to handle it's 553 HP, I would take their word over yours, no offense.
Matt Farrah in his glowing review of the IS350 F Sport also pointed out the only two weaknesses in the IS350 F-Sport are it's tires and its lack of exhaust note. That is it.
Better yet, there are 20 - 30 tests for the Ferrari 458 Italia available online and find me one single test where Ferrari equipped it's test car with Bridgestone S001. You will only find Michelin PS2 K1 for earlier model 458 Italia and then in 2012 Ferrari switched their tire of choice to a custom version of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport that offer better traction than the previous generation Michelin Cup tires.
The way I see it, it is completely irrelevant argument anyway since as it stands Ferrari itself never chooses to send its test cars with those S001 tires to the track and equips the cars always with Michelin tires. That says everything I need to know about those tires on the track.
i have to correct you here because you are spreading this in all forums out there.
Ferrari 458 still comes with S001's... it is one of the 3 tires it comes with.
You can check 458 forums on that and confirm - i saw that it came with them in 2013.
Also you are completely wrong on their behaviour - S001's are some of the best tires you can find for dry, period... for wet they are worse and mid pack.
They are hard, but then again Lexus probably made IS350's suspension soft so hard tires are suitable... so if you put something much softer, it will ruin the handling of the vehicle...
Ferrari 458 still comes with S001's... it is one of the 3 tires it comes with.
You can check 458 forums on that and confirm - i saw that it came with them in 2013.
Also you are completely wrong on their behaviour - S001's are some of the best tires you can find for dry, period... for wet they are worse and mid pack.
They are hard, but then again Lexus probably made IS350's suspension soft so hard tires are suitable... so if you put something much softer, it will ruin the handling of the vehicle...
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; Jun 27, 2013 at 05:42 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,238
Likes: 274
The way I see it, it is completely irrelevant argument anyway since as it stands Ferrari itself never chooses to send its test cars with those S001 tires to the track and equips the cars always with Michelin tires. That says everything I need to know about those tires on the track.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 10
From: ON, Canada
Glad that you said it is on a IS350. Otherwise, from the closeup of the wheel, this could be a IS350 non-F Sport with 18" optional wheels or IS250/IS300h non- F Sport with 16" wheels. :P
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Emirates
The 18" on the f-sport IS350 had the same Tyres
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Isn't that possible when you get the vehicle to the dealership? I have heard or seen on other forums where memebers have done tire swaps prior to taking delivery. It doesn't hurt to ask.