(yes I've searched)
I'm between these two tire based on this review for spring/summer daily and track use:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=71

The Neovas would be stock size and the RE-01R would be 245/40 (they don't have a 225/45). The contact patch would be 8.5" for the Neova and 9" for the RE. Bridgestones are 2lbs heavier. Cost is not the issue but the Neovas are $245 and the REs are $217. Treadwear rating is lower on the Bridgestones but that is to be taken with a grain of salt anyway.

Being the two choices (not looking at Falken/Toyo/Kumho) what's the personal experienece out there with both the tires and sizes? Is running a 245 better or worse? I'm jaded on Bridgestone based on the RE040.

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

For track use I would get the widest possible on the stock wheels which would be the 245/40/17. Or better yet I'd get a set of 17" track wheels and pay much less for tires. They're both good tires but pricey, maybe look at the RT615

 

The price difference between 17s and 18s is very minimal. Plus, if I were to do a separate track set I'd do R compounds but that's not in the cards right now. Also, as mentioned the Neovas are really only a 1/2" narrower than the Bridgestones.

 

Sounds like you already have already made your decision and you're made of money. The difference in the 245/40/17 AD07 vs the 225/40/18 AD07 is 150 a set. But that's a narrower tire so you really have to compare to the 255/40/18 AD07 which is 360 more a set.

 

It might only be a 1/2 inch but it's a 1/2 inch on all four corners.

 

$150 a set, plus 17" wheels, plus everyday tires? What's with the made of money comment when you've got me spending two to three times as much? I'm not made of money hence a dual purpose tire. I'm talking about replacing the stock tires with the best for my needs.

Found this vid on the Evo boards searching for reviews:
http://earth.via.or.jp/yokohama/ad07nakayama_b.wmv

 

first, for $5 more you can get the Advan Neova 235/40-18 which is 9.1" wide

second, you can't directly compare these measurements between different brand tires because there is no common standard that they all use, each manufacturer chooses what two points to measure between on the treadface, it's completely arbitrary

 

Team, thanks for that info. I know you run shaved Neovas but do you have any RE-01R experience? Also, ever get the tread depth on those KDW2s?

 

I'm curious as to why you hate the stock rubber. I doubt either of your choices will be better in the wet. Are you merely going for pure dry weather stick?

 

I also have full tread Advans for rain/street

Advan best, Re01R close 2nd

Have you tried to buy a tread depth gauge recently? Auto parts stores really suck these days. I have one, but it's in the truck down in southern California. We fly back tomorrow to race this weekend and then drive the rig home. I won't be able to check them with my gauge until next week.

 

I got Neova Advan 225/45/18 AD07 tires recently. Been on 1 track day and one gymkhana since. At first (coming from RE040) the tires feel soft and have less road noise the the old ones. The grip in the beginning wasn't so good. I think this is because you have to get through an outer layer before you hit the real rubber. Now, they feel superb. Cornering, you can really feel them grip and inspire more confidence. On the last hairpin at Tsukuba (the fast one), I was able to take it about 135kmph on entry and keep it very smooth all the way through. I think I can go more with bigger *****. Previously on my old RE040s, the car was a little unsettled at 120 or so. At the gymkhana, it was raining and they really surprised me. Very good grip levels even in the wet. Sliding was also very nice and controlled. I am very impressed and will use them going forward. I was curious to try RE01Rs initially but I got a great deal on the Neovas so went with them in the end. Not looking back right now. I'd say you won't be sorry with either tire though.

Tom.

 

Excellent review! You'll have to post again with mileage and wear.

 

I've tracked 3 sets of tires and also driven them on the street as well. Stocker RE040, Kuhmo SPTs, and Bridgestone RE-01R. I can't compare them directly as the size was different for each one (225/45/18, 245/40/18, and 265/35/18 respectively) so obivously grip increased each time. Also, as for the rain performance my SPTs had the best with the RE-01Rs, and the RE040 being the WORST performer of the bunch. I have tracked both the RE-01Rs and the SPTs in the rain ... I'd never do that with the RE040 as they were so unstable on the street I wouldn't even both on the track.

I'd go whatever you want. If price is an issue then go the RE01Rs if not then get the Neovas. I think the performance difference is neglible (unless you're team and can get to the very bleeding edge of tire performance).

 

+1 for RE-01Rs on 19" wheels in a 245/40-19 size front and rear. Good ride, great handling. I've got the stock wheels and Dunlop tires and can't bear to put them on, even for 600 mile work trips in the RX-8!

 

Perhaps a dumb question but why is the temp rating on the RE-01R an A when pretty much everything else is an AA. See link for explanation...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=48

Just nit picking but would like to know.

 

Today I finally changed my trusty ADVAN Neova AD07 (225/45R18) tires out. I managed 19 track days on them since getting them in February. Yes 19! I'd say that was pretty good. I managed to get the fronts down to 2mm and the rear was looking like 3 to 4mm when I got rid of them today.

Last track day at a tight twisty course on Tsukuba TC1000 (this shorter twisty sister of of the infamous TC2000). I managed my best time of 43.81 seconds. Previously to this, my last run at TC2000 I got a 1'09.744 which is my first time to break under the 1'10 barrier (summer was hot so 1'10 was all I ever got). This was again on about 3 to 2mm on the front. Grip had deteriorated quite a lot since about July but I stuck with the tires as you learn quite a lot with less grip and its a greater challenge being smoother. At 2mm though, they had to go as they are my road tire too.

Not sure how many km I put on them over the last 9 months. Most of my driving is to the track and back and when I'm on the track I drive them hard all the time. So I think I did pretty well and am happy in general with the tires.

So today, I slipped on a brand new set of RE-01Rs. I haven't driven on the track yet. Currently getting an alignment done so the car is in the shop for another week (haven't time to pick it up!). I drove about 15km on the tires today though and noticed they are quite different to the ADVANS.

Immediate differences that spring to mind just from that 15km drive would be. Road noise is about the same. Ride comfort increased a little in my opinion. But this could have been due to the ADVANs being a bit old. I can't rightly recall exactly how they felt when they were new. Car didn't tramline at all during that 15km. Recently with the ADVANs, it had started tramlining, although I can't remember it being a big issue mid year. Could be another old tire thing. I took one fast right hander trying to make a traffic light and although I wasn't expecting much grip (as the tires are new), I felt a tingle of "a lot of grip". The car really clung to the line that I took around the corner. I feel the ADVANs although they gripped well initially, didn't give me that confidence inspiring feeling in a long time. Hmmmm. Exited!

Next track day is at Tsukuba TC2000 course on the 13th. I'll be breaking the new tires in and am looking forward to it greatly! Let the RE-01R good times begin :D

If you want to see what my last day of ADVAN torture looked like, try this video on my blog. http://roxy-rx8.blogspot.com/2007/10/tc1000-video.html

 

I'm interested to see what tire you ultimately decide on. I'm am debating between both of these tires as well, plus the Kuhmo MX. The main reason I am leaning to the RE-01R's or the MX's is the size, both can be had in 245/40-18. And the Kuhmo's are a lot cheaper. The main drawback to the Bridgestone's is the lack of traction in the wet. We don't get rain much in Phoenix, but when we do it gets slick due to all the oil and deposits being washed away by the infrequent rain.

I think I am leaning Advan's or Kuhmo's at this point, tho.

 

im already spending 2 grand on rims and tires, those tires are really expensive, but they do extremely good on the track

 

Well, I'll just join in since I am also debating buying one of these tires, or going to a dedicated track wheel/R-comp setup. If I can afford it, I'll do the latter, but I may be forced to do one more year with a set of good compromise tires for double duty.

Both tires are available in the 235/40/18 size, and both turn at 820revs per mile, about 3% more than the OEM dunlops I currently have. Both weigh in about the same. The deciding factor for me would be the steering response and feedback.

TPODOWD, you mentioned that the Bridgestone felt more comfortable. Did they feel soft in the corners also? Was the treadwear even on the ADVAN's?

Thanks!

 

I run stock size 225/45-18 Advan Neovas and the RE-01Rs are now also available in that size. According to people that have driven both in ST class autocross, the RE-01Rs have slightly more ultimate grip, but the Neovas handle better; i.e. turn-in, breakaway, and transition properties are superior to the RE-01Rs. STU results seem to bear that out as the Advan Neovas dominated the class. Perhaps Team can chime in with more information.

 

I have 245/40 RE-01R and they are amazing - even in the wet Chickenwafer. I have under 3000 miles on them with no appreciable wear. I wasn't able to do any track days this year but try to drive like a hooligan whenever possible (in as safe a manner as possible of course ). The only times they break free are when they are not warmed up (3-4 miles or more) or when it's cold out such as the 30 degree mornings we've had. Snows going on soon. For those living in 40 degree and below winters make sure you're aware the Advans have to be stored inside where the temp doesn't go below 40 or their compund chemistry changes.

I bought them over the Advans because of the 245/40 vs 225/45 and also because they were $100+ cheaper and Bridgestone had a $100 rebate for SCCA members. Whenever they die I will replace them with the same unless I'm broke and then it will be Kumho or Falken.

 

well take a look at the STU tire results at the 2007 SCCA Nationals, if you think those are amazing the Advans would have blown you away ... WRT track use beware unshaved RE-01Rs, they an overheat and get greasy very fast even for autox use if it's hot out

BTW, new tires will always feel better than old, worn out tires, it's not a fair comparison

 

I still haven't driven on the RE-01Rs on the track so can't compare them yet where it counts. On the track I'll be able to compare as I know Tsukuba pretty well at this stage and know how my car behaves there. First track day is 13th followed by a time trial (Mazda Speed Circuit Trial) on the 18th. 13th will hopefully be enough to develop some good grip for the 18th.

 

it will help that the weather is cooler, you can only directly compare tires under the same identical conditions, regardless the difference in results are already well proven ....

 

I'd consider the Advans but my wife wouldn't be too happy about sharing her house with them 6 months a year.