Thanks for this info, I was leaning towards the CC's for replacement but will explore other options.

After the 500 mile break in “suggestion” at America’s Tire, I can report that the Pirelli RFT’s did not change the fuel consumption, maybe even easier to get to the normal range around town in 42+ range. It’s possible that it’s better around town. Pulse and gliding around, I hit 45 a few times easily. It was not that easy on the Alienzas.

-It is definitely smoother and quieter. It even feels like I just had bushings changed on an older car!
-The road noise is significantly cut down such that I notice the engine roar that has been mentioned on this forum.

I just did a drive from the Bay Area to South LA and back and I can report that if you drive it as fast as most people on I5 (exluding the famous LA traffic). You will be in the 30’s - it even dipped below 30 for a few minutes going thru some long approaches. In the Grapevine, I was at 32-35 mpg.

Bear in mind that this exact experience was achieved by me when replacing my 20 inch RFT’s after 30k miles with exactly the same Bridgestone RFT’s.

the key point is that 8mm of tread versus 3-4mm of tread makes a world of difference to smoothness, quietness and comfort. We too feel as though we have got a new car!😬

Agree, Whenever I replace a worn set of tires with a new set of tires I have made the same observation of experiencing a more quiet and smooth ride. The key difference would be what the tires do after a similar 25k miles on them just as the original RFTs had......all I am saying is that you cannot judge a new set of tires with an old set of tires. A more fair way to do it is to compare a new set of Bridgestone RFT's w a new set of Pirelli RFT's.... comparing apples and apples....

True, I did get this CPO at 16k miles with 7/32nd tread depth and I distinctly recall there being significant noise. Strangely, as it wore down to 4-5/32nd I thought it had either gotten quieter or I had gotten used to it. As to the claim that the Pirelli’s perform better than the Bridgestones, I will find out when I go autocross it this weekend - NOT!

Regardless of the vehicle you will almost always see complaints about oem tires. Oem tires generally have less tread depth than a tire you would buy yourself.

Aren't OEM tires the same as the those with the same name distributed by tire dealers. Surely you are implying that tire brands have regular depth tires and the same tires with less tread depth for car dealers ? Nah can't be true.

YMMV,
MidCow3

I've posted this video in another RFT tire post too.

This guy is based out of Europe / UK so his videos only deal with tires available from that region. Tires that are available in Canada and USA are typically 'named' the same like " Michelin Cross Climate 2's " but will almost certainly be made to a different specification than for European spec tires. So Tread pattern, rubber compound, ply configuration etc will most likely be different in USA Canada than EU / UK, as well as certain specific tire models are only available in EU / UK and not sold in US Can. To be absolutely certain, there are tire model or spec numbers that are used to identify a tire, as an example in Canada CC2's are listed with an: MSPN 55754 .

In this video he specifically details what in fact are OE tires and the reasons why manufacturers have them made to their specifications. As well as, why almost certainly most OE tires are not worth reinstalling on your car as a replacement once they wear out due to their focused design specs called out by car manufacturer.

This guy focuses on things like handling in snow. It's common knowledge winter and summer tires need to be very different if you want top performance, there is no way around it, and all season tires are compromise for both.
Then you have wear speed - it's also common knowledge soft compound is good for sports handling (or low temperatures) but it will wear down quick. Or narrow tires will perform better in rain but not on dry surface.
You can have anything but not at the same time.

Where I live now there is no snow, like in the half of the US. I'm totally not concerned about winter performance for this reason and looking for summer tires only or close to such.