New Tires & Brakes help on MS3

[knique]

TIRES:
I''ve poked around on the forums for what feels like endless hours now trying to find a great tire to replace my stock Potenza RE050A. A bit of background, I live in Chicago (mostly city driving), I've got dedicated winter rims/tires, and I track my car about two times a summer. This past summer's track day ripped up my stock tires pretty quick. I've been very happy with the day-to-day manner of the stock tires, but was hoping to not spend that much on replacements, but will if I have to, to get what I want in a tire. Also, I'd love to have something that gives me a few more miles than stock (they lasted about 14k).

The tire that has caught my eye right now (from TireRack) is the Potenza RE760 Sport, which I've learned are new tires and I can't find many (non-user) reviews out there, but the user reviews at TR seem to be great. Are these tires technically a downgrade in performance? The cost makes me think so. But I'd rather have slightly lower track performance for a good bump in tread life.


BRAKES:
I've been trying to pick some new pads (all around) and a new set of rotors for the back. I've had my brakes checked by a couple of local shops and all of them say I can keep my front rotors and just get them machined down, but the back ones are too thin and need to be replaced, which is fine by me. I'm unsure if it's safe to upgrade or replace just the rear rotors, but I'm assuming it's kosher. I'm interested in upgrading my front rotors before my track events this summer as well, but the rears need to be done before that.

I've read the Hawk HPS are pretty solid replacement/upgrade from stock; that they lack the initial "bite" of the stock brakes, but resist fade better, especially on the track. I'm not sure if this is a good trade off for me, seeing as I only track twice a year and drive around the city everyday. Thoughts?

I'm not opposed to going with the Hawk HP+ (or equivalent from other brands) pads, but I've read they can be louder and I know that'd drive me nuts if they squeak all day long.

To sum up... Right now I'm leaning towards the Potenza RE760 Sport, upgrading my rear rotors now, fronts later, and picking up the Hawk HPS pads all around.

Sound like a good plan or am I being a stupid noob?

Thanks everyone for any help you can provide!

 

[MicaSp33d]

i seen some people with the re50a as stock tires were getting the sumitomos htrz III as replacement so i went ahead and tried it too.

These are very comparable tire to the re50a as far as dry and wet grip. I actually like these tires better because of the better comfort.

The re50a are more responsive, but thats about it. The htrzIII dry grip is just as good, maybe better. Tread wear looks as if it should last longer, but i only have about 4k on them. For the money, i think i would get these over the re50a which imo are overpriced for what you get.

check out the reviews at tire rack, most buyers were satisfied

 

[knique]

I'll check'm out for sure. Thanks for the info.

 

[unicef]

I just bought Falken FK452's as a replacement for my stockers, and I've been super happy so far; they stick like nobody's business and should get decent tread life. I've seen a lot of people mention the Falken Azenis, but they have brutal tread life. I know people with the RE760's, and supposedly they get great tread life but still keep decent performance. I mean technically it would be a downgrade in performance, but I doubt it would be very much (don't hold me to that though, never tried them).

As for brakes, my car is only 30,000 km's old so I haven't had to think about that yet.

 

[knique]

I just bought Falken FK452's as a replacement for my stockers, and I've been super happy so far;

These look really nice. Read through some user reviews and most people really like them. I'm not sure they come in 215/45-18 to fit our stock rim. Which size did you end putting on and are you still using the stock rim?

Thanks.

 

[Hank3]

I've heard the Yokohama S-Drives are really good. My brother just bought a set for his 300ZX and has liked them. The tread pattern looks yummy too.

 

[unicef]

These look really nice. Read through some user reviews and most people really like them. I'm not sure they come in 215/45-18 to fit our stock rim. Which size did you end putting on and are you still using the stock rim?

Thanks.

running 225/40/18 on tenzo-r 18x8 45 offset. pics to follow

car:

tires:

 

[knique]

Those are pretty slick looking. I'm impressed you've driven them in the snow, I'd assume they're grip in the white would be horrible.

 

[unicef]

Those are pretty slick looking. I'm impressed you've driven them in the snow, I'd assume they're grip in the white would be horrible.

Funny story...

SO. It's April 11, new summer tires are finally in, no snow for weeks, been +5-10, gorgeous weather... So I think to myself: "Self, it's time to get these tires installed!".

Got them installed, drive amazing, super happy. No word of a lie, 5 hours later we get a HUGE dumping, more than a foot of bulls*** snow. And the next morning I'm supposed to drive 2 hours home. It was a little scary, not gonna lie.. The tires weren't "good" in the snow, which isn't surprising considering they are "high performance summer tires".

But they held, and got me home... I just drove really slow and was very careful