RE-11 vs PS2 ?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
RE-11 vs PS2 ?
Ok, so I have heard some really good things about the RE-11 tires on other forums but most of the E55, E63 and C63 guys swear but the PS2 tires. Why? 
RE-11's get the better reviews from the BMW kids but I always question their judgment.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=380565
RE-11's $1004 for 18's
PS2's $1018 for 18's
RE-11's get the better reviews from the BMW kids but I always question their judgment. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=380565
RE-11's $1004 for 18's
PS2's $1018 for 18's
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
just by tread size, the re-11 should have an advantage when dry. ps2 is an older design. these two tires aren't really in the same category, what exactly do you want from your tires?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 323
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Hi Austin,
My guess is that the first one is a more "racey" looking tyre, so that caters for the Beemer type crowds, while the SP2 is a high performance tyre for top level vehicles (and the type of tyre I drive on). Just my 2ct
My guess is that the first one is a more "racey" looking tyre, so that caters for the Beemer type crowds, while the SP2 is a high performance tyre for top level vehicles (and the type of tyre I drive on). Just my 2ct
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
Not rough over bumps in the city but lots of grip... I also don't want to replace all four tires every year and would like something with much better grip than the tires I have now. These two tires are in the exact same category on www.tirerack.com
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 29
From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
As good as the PS2s are, I believe that the RE11 is a step up in terms of a no compromise, track oriented tire. Guys who autocross swear by the RE11 (and before that, its predecessor the RE01R, or the Falken Azeni). I have RE01Rs on my S2000, but the rears are due for replacement so I will get RE11s. For longevity's sake, I won't put them on my C43. My S2000 eats up a pair of rear tires in a couple summer's worth of driving. And I rotate them after one summer because of the camber wear. The wear may be a bit more even if I tracked the car more, but the past couple of summers have been too busy!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
I just want something that still sticks to the ground and its so dam hard on my back. I can hear and feel every freaking crack in the road with my current setup. The RE11's look much softer but I do drive very spiritedly and I don't want to replace tires once a year.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill, NC/Montreal, QC
1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
Not sure how you drive Austin, and I don't have any experience with the PS2s, but With the RE11s you will have to change almost every year. I have Yokohama ADVAN on right now which I think is a great mid-ground between an RE-11 tread type (super soft, mad grippy, pretty fast wear the way I drive) and the Michelin Pilot all seasons I had last year. I wear out the corners on mine fastest, so with the way I drive (it's the damn gorgeous engine sound of the c36, I swear officer) I go through one a year. I would go with the Toyo's or check out the Advan Neova. But I can't talk about back problems, I'm still young 
Also this could be totally different from you, as I'm on 17s and stock height (for now)
Also jayrasheed has the re11s I think, you could ask him his opinion
Also this could be totally different from you, as I'm on 17s and stock height (for now)
Also jayrasheed has the re11s I think, you could ask him his opinion
Last edited by nd4spd13; Jan 11, 2011 at 12:32 PM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
^ Yeah I too am pretty young I think, only 25 years old but I got into a very bad wreck in October, that how I lost my w210 and my back hasn't been the same since. I drive my car pretty hard, I can't help loving the way it sounds at 5000rpms, I try not to do jack rabbit take offs because I don't want to replace engine mounts every 30k miles but at some lights, I just cant control myself. Thanks for the recommendations, ill take a look at them now. 
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
'99 C43
A good alternative to the PS2 is the less expensive PE2 Exalto. Another amazing bargain is the General UHP. Look at the ratings for Ultra High performance summer tires at Tire Rack to confirm my experience with both of these tires.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
In Dallas eh? What color is your car and what part of the city do you live in? I have only ever seen one other C43 in Texas and it was silver. I was also reading about these tires on tire rack. Great reviews and as long as you keep at 45psi for autoX days, they seems to perform great too. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....3&autoModClar=
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
'99 C43
PM reply sent.
I have a Silver C43 with the two-toned interior. I lowered it with the Euro OEM springs and #1 pads in front. It's pretty low with a significant rake. All else is totally stock. And, it's only got 46K miles on it!!!
I've seen very few C43's on the streets, and none here in years.
I sometimes say a kind word or wave to a fellow AMG owner - who's driving some new AMG model. They never respond or seem to have a clue about my C43. I did have a guy with an AMG jacket come up to me as I approached my car the other day. He was going to leave a note inquiring if I wanted to sell it. Answer is NO!!
I have a Silver C43 with the two-toned interior. I lowered it with the Euro OEM springs and #1 pads in front. It's pretty low with a significant rake. All else is totally stock. And, it's only got 46K miles on it!!!
I've seen very few C43's on the streets, and none here in years.
I sometimes say a kind word or wave to a fellow AMG owner - who's driving some new AMG model. They never respond or seem to have a clue about my C43. I did have a guy with an AMG jacket come up to me as I approached my car the other day. He was going to leave a note inquiring if I wanted to sell it. Answer is NO!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
PS or PS2's? And what happens when you try the same stuff in the rain? I've heard PS2's aren't as good in the rain as these. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....3&autoModClar=
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 620
Likes: 35
From: north jersey
99 c43,90 mustang gt supercharged convertible,07 acura tl type s, Hummer H3t pickup
Austin the reason your car rides rougher and you feel every imperfection can be blamed on the 19''s. Much too large for a w202 chassis.Though those rims look great on your car....guess its a tradeoff.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
My wheels are 18's... I'd never run anything larger than an 18, too heavy and harsh.
mean duh they are not 19's!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
per ur tirerack link, re11 is grouped as a extreme summer tire while ps2 is grouped a max performance tire. (not an attack, just wanted to point that out)
these max or extreme tires generally are gonna be pretty hard, and don't last very long. it's gonna be pretty tough to find the proper tradeoff between soft walls and great grip.
even the stock 17" expedia s-01 on the rears only lasted about 20k miles. and on my fwd front heavy 280hp+ 1995 wagon, s-03 only lasted about 10k without rotating to back (which don't wear at all)... might want to try some ultra performance summer tires like the aforementioned exalto pe2. have always been partial to bridgestone, never liked pirelli. michelin always seem to have good reviews, but the way the euro skyrocketed (or dollar tanked), it was always quite a bit more expensive. but that's really just a personal preference. i've actually been looking at the michelin pilot 3 (a low rolling resistance max performance tire!!) for my new '10 wagon; but man, those are expensive.
not sure if u'd want to (aesthetic or handling wise), but u could get a thicker spring pad if it is still too hard for your back.
one other note, are the sizes for ur front and rear the same? couldn't tell from ur sig, just that the rims appear to be the same. cuz the front tires almost never wears out. shoot, at 30k miles on the stock 1996 expedia s-01, there is still plenty of tread left. the rubber compound probably isn't as good as it should be new, but it's a 16 year old tire! rotating certainly will help with the wear in the rear if u'r able to rotate front to back.
these max or extreme tires generally are gonna be pretty hard, and don't last very long. it's gonna be pretty tough to find the proper tradeoff between soft walls and great grip.
even the stock 17" expedia s-01 on the rears only lasted about 20k miles. and on my fwd front heavy 280hp+ 1995 wagon, s-03 only lasted about 10k without rotating to back (which don't wear at all)... might want to try some ultra performance summer tires like the aforementioned exalto pe2. have always been partial to bridgestone, never liked pirelli. michelin always seem to have good reviews, but the way the euro skyrocketed (or dollar tanked), it was always quite a bit more expensive. but that's really just a personal preference. i've actually been looking at the michelin pilot 3 (a low rolling resistance max performance tire!!) for my new '10 wagon; but man, those are expensive.
not sure if u'd want to (aesthetic or handling wise), but u could get a thicker spring pad if it is still too hard for your back.
one other note, are the sizes for ur front and rear the same? couldn't tell from ur sig, just that the rims appear to be the same. cuz the front tires almost never wears out. shoot, at 30k miles on the stock 1996 expedia s-01, there is still plenty of tread left. the rubber compound probably isn't as good as it should be new, but it's a 16 year old tire! rotating certainly will help with the wear in the rear if u'r able to rotate front to back.
Last edited by steve s; Jan 18, 2011 at 04:03 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
No the tires are different per spec. Even if you move to 18x8.5's the front and rears and different thickness but no longer width. If you change thickness you will loose the cruise control on this car. The prev owner went with out of spec tires for some reason and the front and back are different but they aren't to spec. So as of right now, I not only have the wrong size tires but no cruise control either. Thats why I am shopping.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
So I finally went and checked the tire size I have on right now from the prev owner. They are 225/40 up front and 235/40 rears. I should have 235/35 on the rears right??? I have 18x8.5's all the way around. I am almost certain this is why my cruise control doesn't work right.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
PS2 is an antiquated tire with mediocre performance at best. To even mention it in the same sentence as either the RE-11 or Dunlap Z1 SS is blasphemy.
Also, PS2s cheat you on size, they run very narrow compared to the extreme dry category tires like Z1 and RE-11. A PS2 255 tire is only as wide as a Z1 225mm tire (yes you read that correctly), its 3 sizes smaller by contact patch width.
Michelin PS2s are like Gucci tires, its all brand name showing off ... nothing more. Anytime I buy a car with PS2s the first thing I do is rip them off the car and either throw them away or sell for quick cash.
Go with the RE-11s if you have 19s, Z1s if you have 18s ....
end of story.
Also, PS2s cheat you on size, they run very narrow compared to the extreme dry category tires like Z1 and RE-11. A PS2 255 tire is only as wide as a Z1 225mm tire (yes you read that correctly), its 3 sizes smaller by contact patch width.
Michelin PS2s are like Gucci tires, its all brand name showing off ... nothing more. Anytime I buy a car with PS2s the first thing I do is rip them off the car and either throw them away or sell for quick cash.
Go with the RE-11s if you have 19s, Z1s if you have 18s ....
end of story.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
yes, i realize the front and rear are supposed to be different sized, u should have at least 245 in the rear. proper size for 18 should 225-40-18 and 255-35-18. but with the same sized rims front and rear at 8.5, u'd have some really stretched front tires and some really fat rear tires.
to illustrate what ams is talking about, at 245-35-18, a pilot ps2 only has 8.0" of tread width, while a bridgestone re050a has 8.7" of tread width.
to illustrate what ams is talking about, at 245-35-18, a pilot ps2 only has 8.0" of tread width, while a bridgestone re050a has 8.7" of tread width.
