Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R

[z3papa]

For anyone willing to get into the muck and read a huge thread on such tires, here is the link for you. http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthr...es#post1861563

and here is my posts concerning my experience on BFG's

http://www.cicenet.net/showthread.php?t=14248

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by z3papa

For anyone willing to get into the muck and read a huge thread on such tires, here is the link for you. http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthr...es#post1861563

and here is my posts concerning my experience on BFG's

http://www.cicenet.net/showthread.php?t=14248

Thanks for sharing!

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by z3papa

Chris Harvey of Tirerack (posts under CAH in the Paddock on http://www.roadraceautox.com/forumdi...?2-The-Paddock ) confirmed the statements made by Hollis. Essentially, this left all the guys on smaller sizes waiting for the new tire until it was excluded in Fast Track and later repeated on Solomatters. The larger sizes will probably have a higher speed rating but their compound and design is supposed to be unchanged. As for the observations of Fair, he conveniently left out the results in SS which was won by a guy on BS and only one BFG driver out of the 1st 10 and AS where John Laughlin (Rexplegi here) was 2nd behind the alien, Daddio, in his current ride, a C5Z06, when most of the class had made the same conclusion that Fair did re: wider BFG's are better. He clearly cherry picked his results to use to make a point.

I'd say that's a Fair assessment

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Richbot

I'd say that's a Fair assessment

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by z3papa

I'm going to swapping wheels and doing my rear brakes this evening or tomorrow evening. I'll test fit the 285's up front and give you some feedback on clearance.

Definitely let me know once you have a set to try this. Also curious what rim width and offset you are running.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Definitely let me know once you have a set to try this. Also curious what rim width and offset you are running.

I'll confess. I got a late start, had to swap all my wheels and swap brake pads which turned into a really gross, messy job. Got it done but didn't have the motivation for wheel fitting. Let me get through this weekend where I have events on two days, and I'll pull the rear wheel and fit it to the front. I'm running 285's on 10" rears with 25 offset and will tell you what back spacing is needed to make it work.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by z3papa

I'll confess. I got a late start, had to swap all my wheels and swap brake pads which turned into a really gross, messy job. Got it done but didn't have the motivation for wheel fitting. Let me get through this weekend where I have events on two days, and I'll pull the rear wheel and fit it to the front. I'm running 285's on 10" rears with 25 offset and will tell you what back spacing is needed to make it work.

No worries and thanks! Same size as my front EC-7's so should be a good test. I am pretty darn sure they'll fit but haven't heard a confirmation from anyone yet.

Oh, and I did find a good deal on a set of 285/30R18's, $1042 plus shipping, PM me if interested.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by z3papa

The larger sizes will probably have a higher speed rating but their compound and design is supposed to be unchanged.

As I expected, z3papa was spot on. TR got back to my e-mail confirming that the new design is only for the 3-rib size Rival S' (they said 255 and smaller section width) with the larger sizes unchanged --- based on the latest information they have received from BFG.

[White 13]

What hot pressures are being used with the RE 71? Does it change if you have less camber in the front?

[macdude357]

Anyone else notice that Costco has these in 275/35/18 for $248. That's a pretty good price, no?

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by macdude357

Anyone else notice that Costco has these in 275/35/18 for $248. That's a pretty good price, no?

Decent price considering they install them for $15/tire. You do have to pay tax also but if you catch them on a $70-off-four sale then its a good deal.

BTW, I called my local Costco last week and they said they could not order the 285/30/18. Online Tires quoted me an excellent price for a set though, $1042 plus shipping, no tax.

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by White 13

What hot pressures are being used with the RE 71? Does it change if you have less camber in the front?

I would welcome some feedback on this topic too. I had the opportunity to run the Bridgestones RE71R for the first time last week (275/35/R18 square).

I started out at COLD 27psi

After my first 20 minutes session, I measured 40psi hot. I decided to drop the front to 34psi and the rears to 36 psi HOT.

Second session out was much better and I was able to drop my time further.

Interesting to note, these tires seem to drop off after a few laps. I found them to be quite greasy towards the end of my session. We typically were lapping 12- 14 laps around a 1.68 mile road course.

I am currently running in MDM mode and I certainly need to modulate throttle on corner exit. I hope to work up to full Traction Control OFF this season. It seems as though it is hampering me slightly on corner exit.

Any feedback on tire pressures would be great from the forum members. Local guys have indicated that the RE71R is not affected much by tire pressure variations.

Thoughts?

[///Mobbin]

Any concerns about the '93' load index of the 285/30/18 tires?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Any concerns about the '93' load index of the 285/30/18 tires?

I have none. If you do the numbers it's usually ridiculously over engineered

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Any concerns about the '93' load index of the 285/30/18 tires?

Not from experience but I've only used them on the street and for autocross events since I am in need of more CAMBER to avoid roasting the outside edge for track days.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Decent price considering they install them for $15/tire. You do have to pay tax also but if you catch them on a $70-off-four sale then its a good deal.

BTW, I called my local Costco last week and they said they could not order the 285/30/18. Online Tires quoted me an excellent price for a set though, $1042 plus shipping, no tax.

That's way better than what their site states. Do they quote lower if you call and mooch. I know Discount Tires Direct will beat their advertised price. I've got a local vender who will do $285/per mounted plus tax.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by z3papa

That's way better than what their site states. Do they quote lower if you call and mooch. I know Discount Tires Direct will beat their advertised price. I've got a local vender who will do $285/per mounted plus tax.

They gave me a deal on my last set of tires when I called in, just emailed them this time though. I would call for the best price.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by macdude357

Anyone else notice that Costco has these in 275/35/18 for $248. That's a pretty good price, no?

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Decent price considering they install them for $15/tire. You do have to pay tax also but if you catch them on a $70-off-four sale then its a good deal.

BTW, I called my local Costco last week and they said they could not order the 285/30/18. Online Tires quoted me an excellent price for a set though, $1042 plus shipping, no tax.

Interesting lifetime cost comparison:
285's - $1042 + $70 shipping + $130 install + $130 tires off rotation = $1372
275's (Costco) - $992 + $82 tax + $60 install + $60 tires off rotation = $1194

Now granted I could find a cheaper installer for the 285's and I have but not sure I trust the place. I have used my local Costco twice now and they've done fine.

Also, need to order sooner than later, 6 weeks to COTA! Anyone run 285's up front with success yet?

[///Mobbin]

^ Scratch the above. Just called Costco and they will install/rotate tires you bring in now, same price, $15/tire.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Also, need to order sooner than later, 6 weeks to COTA! Anyone run 285's up front with success yet?

Can you tell me what event is in 6 weeks at cota? I like to go spectate.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by Patrón

Can you tell me what event is in 6 weeks at cota? I like to go spectate.

Texas Trifecta - BMWCCA

And now I see it's sponsored by the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R, lol! They really should comp me on the tires for this event.

[///Mobbin]

From Tirerack regarding the 93 load rating of the 285/30R18:

The 285/30R18 93W RE-71R has a max load of 1433 lbs per tire = 2866 lbs per axle.

The E92 M3 has a GAWR Front axle: 2249lbs & Rear axle: 2469lbs

So, although the tire does have a lower load index than the factory tires, it still meets the load capacity for the vehicle, I do not see any safety issue with this.