Rochester

iTrader: (9)

At the moment, I only have 6400 miles on my 2011, but the tread on these OEM Bridgestones is down to about 1/3. It's really pathetic. Just like the others here, I don't expect to get more than 10K out of them. I certainly won't be using them next year.

rpm&my_G35

I removed the 18" stock Bridgestone RE050A tires, at 8000km, and was very surprised to see they were already worn down to ~7/32". I never spun the tires or did any hard cornering.
Now they sit stacked in my shed. I don't know if I will ever use them again.
At $280 and $320 per 18" tire, I'm pretty sure I would never choose to buy them. They are just not that good.

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

The RE050a's only come with 10/32" to begin with. To be at 7/32" after only 5K does seem almost normal - assuming somewhat linear wear, you'll get ~15K miles; typical from what's been reported - 15-20K miles average. Accelerate and brake more gently

rpm&my_G35

I know they are soft tires but at that rate they would be done in another 16k km. Without even having 'fun' on them.
I put 60,000km on my 07X stock GY RSA tires and when I returned it they still had enough that the lease company accepted them. Other members here report that the RSA's also don't last them very long.
In other words...I don't drive hard.

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

You can't compare rsa's to the 050a. The goodyear tires might as well be rolling bricks. They're an all season tire, not a performance tire. Not a very good all season tire either. I had 'em on my camaro when I bought it. I changed them out at around 20K miles (32K km). They weren't completely worn, but handling was poor, wet driving was dangerous, and one got damaged enough that it couldn't be repaired.

Check out the TR reviews - Goodyear Eagle RS-A

rks

iTrader: (6)

The RE050a isn't that bad of a tire. They may be overpriced for their performance but they are decent OEMs. I am currently running Michelin Super Sports and I honestly can't say the RE050a were in a different ballpark.

rpm&my_G35

I wasn't comparing the tires, I know the differences and know that RS-A's are crap. I'm pointing out the fact that I don't drive hard enough to wear out tires quicker than ' normal '. I am of the opinion that the RE050A's are crap too, for what they cost. Other brands offer similar handling characteristics but last much longer than 24k km of gentle driving.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

Heresy, I say! Heresy!

But seriously, it's not that I drift my way to the office or anything, but still... the car is fun, and I'm going to drive it that way more often than not.

That was an interesting point you made about the original tread depth on these Bridgestones. I didn't know that, and it explains a lot.

Next year: Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Last month, there was a thread where Black Betty gave a really good assessment on a variety of tires.

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

@rpm

Agreed. We'll see how long the 050a's last. But I too have a set of PSS's on my shopping list. I've been through probably 10 sets of their (michelin's) motorcycle tires with very good results (handling and longevity). They were pricier than some others, but the handling didn't deteriorate as bad as the tire wore. I just took off a set of pirelli sport touring tires that had a bit over 8K miles on them. The front still has ~30% left, but i'm practically at the cords on the rear. My riding style hasn't changed and with the similar class michelin's i'd get 10-11K. I did save ~$40 when I bought them.

If your driving style is not aggressive, then another factor to consider is road surface. Some are more abrasive than others.

rpm&my_G35

Are we going to start comparing Concrete, HL3, HL4 and HL8 asphalts now
I've driven the same roads, to and from work at my firm, for 20 years. Not much has changed there.

Anyway, we are so off-topic.

Any more 6MT drivers?

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

^^We can, but we better start another oil thread first

rpm&my_G35

or fuel economy, lol

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

Here's an on-topic question to Sedan 6MT owners...

The S-package for RWD-only Sedans comes with thicker front and rear sway bars, correct? In that context, is it worth it to upgrade the sway bars? I've tentatively put Hotchkis sway bars on my list for future mods, but "tentative" because I've already got the improved suspension by virtue of the 6MT model.

rks

iTrader: (6)

I believe the "S" have different sways but there is a significant difference between the OEM "S" sways and Hotchkis/Eibachs/Whitelines, etc.

Tsugumo

Another 6MT Sedan here, hailing from Ann Arbor, MI.

Hotchkis sways definitely made a difference for me. Rear is on the middle setting. Right away I noticed a little less body roll and less understeer.

I'd like to get coilovers and lower it slightly but I'm afraid to since a lot of the roads here are aweful.