I have read all the threads I could find on the F1 Asymmetric but didn't come up with a satisfied answer. I currently have 19" PS2's that need to be replace very soon. The last time I checked with the dealer the rears were still back ordered. The PS2's have been a good tire although they have worn out in 6,000 miles (no track days) which is not so good at $1500 a set.

Given cost and lack of stock I am considering the F1 Asymmetric but in 19" the stock size isn't available for the rears. I could go:

235/35ZR19 Front (25.5" dia.)
275/30ZR19 Rear (25.5" dia.)

or

245/35ZR19 Front (25.8" dia.)
275/30ZR19 Rear (25.5" dia.)

My main concern is the rear being 0.8" smaller in diameter than stock (26.3" dia.) leaving a greater gap. Also, do I need to up the fronts to 245 to stay at the 30 rule or can I stick with the 235. BTW, the F1's are in stock at Tirerack and come out around $160 less than the PS2's for a set.

Personally I ran 245/35 and 275/30 before and the extra contact patch helps, but the ride does suffer because of the smaller rear sidewall. And if you're considering that size in 19'' you should also consider Bridgestone's RE-01R since you live in the mountains and posted that video of your commute, I think the Bridgestone's would be a blast up there.

If your concern is more ride quality over all out performance, then I'd stick with OEM sizing in the PS2 or RE-050A.

__________________
- Suneet


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I wouldn't deviate from the stock tire sizes. I know someone that just put on Pirelli Pzeros because of all of the back orders. Apparently these are available in the stock sizes right now. (I haven't verified that.) He claims they're pretty good, but then again most brand new tires seem good.

Suneet,

I definitely lean towards performance and handling ability over comfort. How much did the gap bother you at the rear? I know you switched out to the Falken Azenis ( no 19")but would you go back to the RE-01R? What kind of tread life did you get on your RE-01R's? I would like to get more than 6,000 mi. on my next set of rubber. As you saw in the commute video it is hard to drive casually around here - at least in a Cayman Why would I go with the RE-01R over the Asymmetric, is it a better tire? Sorry for all the questions but I know you have a good bit of experience in this area. Thanks in advance.

I am very happy with the Potenza RE050 A's I recently put on, 245/35 and 285/35 X 19". If I were you I would check my alignment though before buying new tires, I'm a pretty aggressive driver also with no track time bit my PS-2's lasted 15000 miles.

The only reason I really switched to Falken Azenis was price, I got the whole set for only $620. The RE-01R is grippier and seemed more predictable... but I only have about 150 miles on the Falkens so far, I do miss the width I had with the 275 rears because the rears are lighting up a bit more than they used to. I probably will be switching back to RE-01R's, unless the Azenis impress me on the next few trips to the mountains and autocrosses.

I had the RE-01R's on for 10,000 miles, mostly all spirited driving. The fronts had plenty of life left, they were at about 6/32nds (in fact they're still sitting in my garage for future use). The rears were at about 3-4/32nds depending on where on the tire you measure so they I would say they had at least 2000 more miles left on them. But I got an unfixable flat and figured I'd go back to 18'' wheels for some weight savings. I'm sure you'd have no issue replacing the rears at 12k and keeping the fronts until 24k.

As far which is the better tire... they're just made for different purposes. The assymetrico is a max summer performance tire, it has more grooves and a softer sidewall to give you better traction in all conditions, and it also has been acclaimed for its great ride and low noise, where reviews says that it surpasses the Michelin PS2 and the RE-050A and all other max performance summer offerings.

The RE-01R is an extreme performance summer tire, pretty much the only one you can get in 19''. It has less groves and way more rubber meets the road so it's noisier (I never thought it was too loud, but I have an AWE catback). It's still pretty good in the rain because of a high silica compound and it has a continuous grove in the middle. It's a heavier tire because it has more reinforcement in the sidewall, in fact I drove it flat probably for more than 15 minutes and didn't notice it was flat until after I got home and looked at the tires. The reinforced sidewall leads to better grip in corners, and a good turn in feel and predictability, but it hurts ride quality. I also ran mine pressure heavy (38-40psi cold rear), which probably made ride quality a little worse.

Also the gap wasn't that bad... I still have a gap because the Falkens are 235/35/18, I've just gotten used to it. Ultimately you will just have to choose whichever tire you think better meets your driving style and requirements.

__________________
- Suneet


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Thanks for the feedback Suneet. I think I am leaning towards the RE-01R's. Best price + strong performance. Only problem I see is that Tirerack only had 3 in stock last time I checked and I want to line up somewhere to get them installed first so I can have the tires shipped directly to them rather than me trying to lug them around. Maybe get a chance to use them at next years Rock-n-Croc - give Spindoc a run for his money

I looked more closely at the specs today and am a little concerned about how much heavier the RE-01R is than the PS2. We're talking 5 lbs. a tire here. That is like the opposite effect of lightweight wheels but even worse since the weight of a tire is concentrated further from the axis of rotation than the wheel's weight. I have no doubt the tire is likely superior but I am fearful the car might have a more sluggish feel. 5 lbs. a wheel, 20 lbs. overall. This definitely wouldn't make Fort Felker's list for weight reduction .

You're right, it's a significant weight increase from the PS2, not as much from the goodyear, even less from the RE050A and about the same as the Falken Azenis. As you reinforce a tire, it gets heavier... that's why there are lots of stories of PS2's chunking and prematurely cording at the track.

For me, the extra weight of the RE01R and Azenis was worth it... I'm more concerned about all out dry grip than anything else. I can vouch that you won't feel like you're any slower in the mountains, my car was much quicker with the RE-01R's than with the PS2's, as I drove both tires extensively in and around the smoky mountains on various trips.

I think for day to day use the RE-01R and maybe even the Azenis RT-615 are probably overkill. Eventually I'll be running a 19'' wheel with street tires in OE sizes and keep the 18'' set fitted with RT-615/RE-01R for autocrosses and mountain trips.

__________________
- Suneet


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I would go with 245/35/19 and 275/35/19.

__________________
Tomasz

Apologies for spelling mistakes, most of them are keyboarding errors. To enjoy this forum I run out of time to proof read.