After about four years of no-problem service, one of the Bridgestone Potenza RE 730's on my IROC blew out on the freeway yesterday. There was plenty of tread left and no visible objects had punctured the tire ... it appears as though the sidewall failed, perhaps due to the rubber rotting.

Thank goodness I had a spare set of 16-inch wheels and tires just for situations like this, because as it turns out, I bought the Potenzas at Costco, but it no longer stocks 245/50/16 tires and takes three weeks to special order them, sigh. Also, the Potenza is now up to about $145 a pop and that's too much for cruising on island roads at 70 mph.

So I checked with my good buddies at Tirerack.com and they said the Fuzion ZRi @ $79 each or the Yokohama ES100 @ $99 each are the best deals and that Hawaiian Tire and Auto Center in Aiea is a reputable installer [behind cut-throat Cutter Ford].

Which tire would you guys choose -- ZRi or ES100?

 

I just happened to get 2 of those ZRi's for my IROC wheels. I'm gonna be running a mix of RE730's on the front and the ZRi's on the rear (this is for street driving). From what I've heard they are not that bad, made by Bridgestone and all, even uses some of the same technology from the higher end Bridgestone tires. I also saw them for $79 each on Tirerack (no longer a deal when you add shipping) but cheapest I could find in the ammount of time I had was $106 each from Firestone in Pearl City. I've run the ES100's before but in a smaller size, both seem to be a step above regular pass car tires. Are you going to replace all 4 or do a mix match?

 

Well, I have a mix-n-match now with the BFG "spare" on the rear and the car seems to handle OK. The wheel is the same as my white ones, except it's silver, which kinda looks like a dirty white anyway... Dunno if I'm desperate enough to get four new tires, since the Bridgestones now on the car have a lot of tread left. That will change in a heartbeat if another tire blows out soon!

 

The Shafter Firestone was like $96 per ZRi I think, call and check. Plus, they have the 10% military discount.

Haven't tried either, though. I'm planning to try the HRi's on my Maxima and the ZRi's when I get a set of 16"s for my 'bird.

Scott

 

Not sure exactly when I'll do it, but looks like I'll be getting the Yokohama ES100 instead of the ZRi.

 

I use Kumho ASX from Sears now and like them since I need a wet/dry tire due to rain. The last set I had were Kumho ECSTA Supra 712s. Those were damn good tires for the price.

 

I think I'm going to try Firehawk Wide Ovals when I get some 16"s.

I wanted the SZ50's but they were discontinued when I needed a new set. The 'hawk W/O's are not much more cash than the ZRi's... plus I like the name better.

Scott

 

REX TIRE???

 

KUMHO ecsta 712,
55 bucks per tire, and 70 to ship all 4 to japan. They were here "air frieght" in 6 days.
These tires seriously kicks ***, even over here on CORAL roads, that are slick as snot when wet. They shed water great, and don't make alot of noise.
By the way, I am back from australia, and just about to head out to the CONUS. Will be instates for july/aug.
shawn

 

The 245/50WR16 Kumho 712s are $82 to Hawaii, so not a lot of savings here. Nice tire tho... What part of the mainland will you be at during July/Aug?

 

all of it....
seattle, then new york state, then phoenix, then disney, california, then back to seattle, then home to okinawa.
Get the tirerack.com price of 55 bucks.

 

I would think twice about Disneyland California. I just went there last week and lemme tell you its so crowded its not even any fun right now. Its a stampede waiting to happen ....

Hope you have a better time.

Hey Ed, lemme know whats up with those RE730's when you get em dismounted, I'll help you recoup some of that cost ...

 

uh oh. My wife, and inlaws are dead set on making this happen. I have 2 days booked for it. PLAN TO BURN UP THE 730'S????
later

 

Hahaha I feel for you man. It was crazy trying to get through the crowds at Disneyland. People were so rude, even pushing small kids around, and some people were stink real bad like toe jams or something hahah ewww. The part that did it for me was how the insane crowds ruined the special shows like the fireworks or laser light show. Way too much people. Either you get there early and actually get a seat, and then wait for people to literally try and sit on your lap and watch since they dont have a seat .... or else you show up when the show starts and you are forced to walk through special areas with rope borders and you are not allowed to stop walking to do anything (take a picture, try to look where you are, pull your hair out). If you do try to do anything some kid with a light wand is going to yell at you that you need to keep moving. I eventually got sick of them yeling at me and I told one of em to "SHUTUP!" and he almost ran away. bahahahah. End the night moving 1mph through a crowd of thousands of other people trying to go the same way (and opposite way) you're going.

Those RE730's in that size make excellent front tires for drifting with 16's.

 

I need to get off my dead *** and order the Yokohamas, sigh.

 

Hey CH, ordered the Yokos online, should be here this week so will let ya know when they're available.

 

Sweet! thanks Ed!!

 

This Saturday the Yokohamas will be installed at Hawaiian Tire Co. located in the shopping area behind Cutter Ford, Jellies and the video porno place, about 1 p.m. How about meeting me over there, picking them up then?

 

Thanks for the tires Ed!! I didnt get to measure em yet (had to goto work) but I'll let you know.

 

Too mad we missed out on lunch! No hurry on the tires, hope they work our for you. Driving home on the new Yokohamas was nice, always enjoy how new rubber feels. The ES 100s are quieter than the RE 730s, feel firmer and are directionally very accurate.