Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Rudy@tirerack]

Here are Tire Rack's test results for the new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ttid=217&a=AH8

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by kaede

Had been running these on my EP3 Civic SI and it's been phenomenal. Dry grip for the price is outta the world, it IS comparable to the Continental DW that I had on the Civic previously and seemingly offer stiffer more direct feel all around. Think we just found a very budget friendly "high" performance tire

Cheers!

That's good to hear my main gripe with the DW is how squashy they are, I was running 3-4 more pounds of air pressure in them just to liven up the steering a bit even compared to the PSS which isn't exactly the stiffest tire

[UPSROD]

They won't fit an M3 with 19 inch wheels.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by JsL

Video Comparison by TireRack

Indy 500 was stiffest and had the worst steering feedback. For me, that's a big fat "no thanks" on a daily driver tire.

[kaede]

ya TR test says it lacks "feel" although offering up precise and responsive steering. I have to somewhat agree that it does feel rather "dead" even though traction and performance itself is fantastic.

On my Civic EP3, the steering feel isnt exactly stellar to begin with, and compared to the Continental DW that i had before the Indy 500 feel isn't noticeably much worst.

If one is planning on using this on the M3, keep in mind they're still CHEAPER tires that offer up fantastic value/performance.

[pbonsalb]

What tires do you think are better in this price range. I am on PSS but dont think they are so great they are worth what they cost and would consider something else.

[PrematureApex]

Been liking these on our tuned 135...

The Indy 500 is the RE003 overseas, which is the third gen of the RE001.

Guess what the RE001 in the U.S. is? The RE760 Sport.

We never saw the RE002 here, under any name. But this tire certainly feels very similar. A modernized, slightly improved version. Which unsurprisingly, it is.

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by lutfy

Adam told me about the Costco warranty. Unlike Joe's shop dealing with Michelin directly (for warranty), Costco will honor the Michelin warranty on the spot provided you are rotating the tires with them (no cost).

DE is not considered racing and warranty is about 'averages'. One caveat "EVEN wear". Meaning camber related (inside) wear will not be honored since its alignment related.

Same warranty applies for Firehawk and Bridgestone tires as well. Re11 is excluded from warranty but Re71R is not? Amazing

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare...ranty-options/

Also my issue is not about wear. That is secondary. I purchased AD08R last year and granted used it year long with 5 track days last year and 12K street miles. They still show 4/32 but are so heat cycled out that they were literally BORING on the track (horrid grip). Per data, peak grip was low (same time last year high 80s).

That said, no warranty will cover that and I end up getting a new set of tires each year for that. FYI PSS and AS3 both heat cycled out pretty badly after 12K miles (as expected) with mixed street and very light track usage.

Lutfy

Comparing your PSS to your AS3, were there any dramatic differences in steering weight, sharpness, and response?

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by thakid22

Comparing your PSS to your AS3, were there any dramatic differences in steering weight, sharpness, and response?

Back to back from what I recall (baldish PSS) the AS3 were softer. Both in sidewall flex and steering sensitivity. I didnt mind it because I live in DC and roads here are horrific.

If you are not tracking, the AS3 (now the AS3 pluses are out) is a great alternative. I 'think' my tires were cycled out because I used them as my rain setup. Cant go wrong.

If you dont like them for any reason, Michelin will replace for another set (PSS to AS3+ or vice versa) so you are satisfied! Didnt have to use it ever but very happy with Michelin tires overall.

Lutfy

[kamber]

This is a somewhat necro-post response, but I saw mention of Costco's warranty earlier on page one of this thread.

I wanted to let you guys know that their warranty, at least at the Tacoma WA location (I triple checked and verified with the supervisor that this is a COSTCO policy, not a MICHELIN policy), is FULL warranty on the rear tires and HALF warranty on the front tires when using a staggered setup. I found this odd, as it's to our benefit, however 1 of the nearby techs even confirmed that a pro rated replacement tire was given off this policy just within the last hour to a customer. When asked for it in writing somewhere though, the supervisor said he had nothing he could give me stating it.

[JsL]

Anyone run a set of these on their M3 yet?

[pbonsalb]

I was tempted, but the new Continental EC Sports were very little extra money.

[FFM]

Different car, but I just threw these on my ISF Saturday and after a few days of breaking them in I'm quite pleased. 245/275 19" tires for under $700 with the rebate is a steal.

Using them for daily driving. Where a tire nearly twice the price just isn't worth wearing away on the freeway commuting every day.

[pbonsalb]

A grassroots motorsports puts the PS4 ahead of the EC Sport. Probably about equal to the PSS, maybe just under.

[dublin14]

Bump to.this post. I have them on my modded E92 335i and they have been a great tire so far.

[z3papa]

I ran these (255F/275R) which are my daily tires this last weekend at our autocross school on the second day where instructors do runs in a mock event. I opted to not switch to my competition RE71R's because I didn't feel the need as I know what I and they can do when pressed. Our second day started at 50 degrees and wet. When really pressed on a wet but slowly drying course, they were fairly good but off the pace of a full-thread RE71R's. Later in a second session which was mostly dry, the delta in speed to the UHP kings (Stones or Rivals) was more defined and probably 1.5 seconds on a 60 second run. Not bad for a relatively inexpensive 300 TW Max performer. Definitely good all around daily driver tires.

[jballer123]

AI ran these at streets of willow in 255 35 19 on the front and switched back to pilot ss in 255 for a a direct comparison after each run. The Firestone seems to wear better and have better steering respone at the expense of grip to the Michelin. The firestone also makes very little noise at the limit which i didnt like, but for the price i think the trade offs in ultimate grip are worth it, unless you want the most out of a lap like i do. The firestone also ride a little firmer on the street, here is a picture after 3 sesions.

[nickauger]

Just install 255/40/18 in the front and tire is rubbing inner fender with stock suspension and stock wheels. With a little bit more caster it would be ok. Also when I compare to michelin pss , indy 500 in 255 and 275 are as wide as michelin in 245 and 265. If i've known before i would have ordered wider set .

[Freiheit]

I'm shopping tires right now for all of my vehicles. I've always put the (discontinued) SO-4 on my wife's cars, so her M235i will be getting a set of the Indy 500. Thats one problem solved.

For my E92 ZCP its a tougher choice. That car still has the original Continental ContiSport 3, which I've never been happy with. I'm looking at the Indy 500 but also the PS4S and ExtremeContact Sport.

Originally Posted by FFM

Different car, but I just threw these on my ISF Saturday and after a few days of breaking them in I'm quite pleased. 245/275 19" tires for under $700 with the rebate is a steal.

Using them for daily driving. Where a tire nearly twice the price just isn't worth wearing away on the freeway commuting every day.

Originally Posted by dublin14

Bump to.this post. I have them on my modded E92 335i and they have been a great tire so far.

I'm interested in hearing how you guys liked the tires long term. Did you stay with them?

Originally Posted by jballer123

AI ran these at streets of willow .... The Firestone seems to wear better and have better steering respone at the expense of grip to the Michelin. The firestone also makes very little noise at the limit which i didnt like, but for the price i think the trade offs in ultimate grip are worth it, unless you want the most out of a lap like i do.

The Indy 500 tire seems like the best performance value but reviews that say it has a pretty sharp transition between grip and slip with very little warning concern me, and now I see your comment that they don't yell much at the limit either. Do you think thats more of a track thing, or could that limit be found on the street? I will NEVER track my M3 but I enjoy taking ramps, turns, and curves at more entertaining speeds, so I'd like a tire that will give me a lot of margin before it gives up.

[bhowelett]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

For my E92 ZCP its a tougher choice. That car still has the original Continental ContiSport 3, which I've never been happy with. I'm looking at the Indy 500 but also the PS4S and ExtremeContact Sport.

I'm interested in hearing how you guys liked the tires long term. Did you stay with them?.

I have Indy 500s on my m3; which I've had for about 4,000 miles now, and have driven it pretty hard at times (though only on the street - lots of backroad country driving). The Indy 500 tires have been good for me. I've never noticed any issues at all; although I've only really driven my car in dry conditions, so I can't say how the wet traction is.

I wouldn't be hesitant to recommend them to anyone at this point.

[aus]

For anyone who has had them on a few years, do they get loud as they get old?

For anyone who used them in the wet, are they ok?
.