15 replies to this topic

[ollster]

Having only just recovered from the nightmare of ordering the correct tyres for my NA a few years ago I was pleased to see my new turbo had been fitted with fresh Bridgestones before I bought it. I have had it for a few months now and have only just got round to seeing if the previous owner jumped through the same hoops I did when ordering fresh boots to make sure it was clad with the correct rubber and surprise surprise the backs are the wrong tyres, here is what is fitted:

Correct Front - Bridgestone Potenza RE040BZ 175/55 R17 81W check the DOT code for the letters CAD
I Have ..........- Bridgestone Potenza RE040BZ 175/55 R17 81W dot ejrt cad1807

Correct Rear - Bridgestone Potenza RE040BZ 225/45 R17 90W check the DOT code and for the letters CFE
I Have .........- Bridgestone Potenza RE040JZ 225/45 R17 90W dot ejh8 jdf2307

According to this site the back tyres I have fitted are for an Impreza WRX STi and although I realise that I am not going to be instantly spat into a hedge backwards with these tyres I wondered if anyone knew what differences I would see if I swapped to the correct spec tyre and exactly what the difference is between the manufacturer specific codes that Bridgestone supply tacking into account the impreza tyres currently fitted have the same load index and speed rating?

Edited by ollster, 19 September 2008 - 09:01 PM.

[mandarinvx]

Do they feel different I wouldn't worry too much tbh

[Slippery]

You'd see quite a large impact to your finances!

[MaDFreeBiRD]

i think i ended up with the "wrong" tyres but TBH i dont think all this hoo har really means anything, i have not had a problem with mine. I just need fronts now anyone have any knocking about?

Edited by MaDFreeBiRD, 19 September 2008 - 11:35 PM.

[ukgulf]

Here we go again.... lights blue touchpaper and stands back

The following was posted by an employee of Bridgestone UK.

"You should have no problem getting the correct spec tyre for the front on the VX220, as this is the only tyre we make in that size. In the rear size however, we make different spec tyres for different cars as OE.

For example, we make the RE040BZ for the VX220 and the Lotus Elise. While both have the same load/speed rating, the actual spec of the tyres are different, to suit the handling characteristics of each car. fitting the incorrect spec of tyre may affect the handling characteristics of the car.

To identify the spec of the VX220 fitment, the easiest way is to check the DOT code.

Front – 175/55 R17 RE040 BZ 81W (to identify this tyre check the DOT code for the CAD)
Rear - 225/45R17 RE040 BZ 90W (to identify this tyre check the DOT code and ensure the letters CFE are present)

for example EJ H8 CFE 2004

The Lotus spec tyres will be marked with DCK."

[ollster]

Yeh i have already seen the above through searching i know its been covered a million times i was more seeing if anyone had run the correct bridgestones back to back with differing spec ones especially these particular RE040JZ

I have adapted a very different driving style with the turbo to what i had with the NA so i couldnt say how these stack up in the handling stakes against the correct tyres. I find the turbo allows you to enter a corner a bit slower and punch out where the NA required going in hot and feeling for the amount of grip.

I am guessing the stiffness of the sidewalls and maybe compound would be the main difference as the tread pattern looks identical?

Here we go again.... lights blue touchpaper and stands back

The following was posted by an employee of Bridgestone UK.

"You should have no problem getting the correct spec tyre for the front on the VX220, as this is the only tyre we make in that size. In the rear size however, we make different spec tyres for different cars as OE.

For example, we make the RE040BZ for the VX220 and the Lotus Elise. While both have the same load/speed rating, the actual spec of the tyres are different, to suit the handling characteristics of each car. fitting the incorrect spec of tyre may affect the handling characteristics of the car.

To identify the spec of the VX220 fitment, the easiest way is to check the DOT code.

Front – 175/55 R17 RE040 BZ 81W (to identify this tyre check the DOT code for the CAD)
Rear - 225/45R17 RE040 BZ 90W (to identify this tyre check the DOT code and ensure the letters CFE are present)

for example EJ H8 CFE 2004

The Lotus spec tyres will be marked with DCK."

[p4cks]

You do not need to worry about the dot codes, the only difference is the price. I have RE050's on my Turbo and I can feel no difference whatsoever. People need to stop getting so anal about tyres.

[VXJON]

People need to stop getting so anal about tyres.

The elise and the vx weigh the same, with the same running gear so do you really think the tyres are different?

Edited by VXJON, 20 September 2008 - 02:09 PM.

[ollster]

I agree with the lotus and vx spec tyres but what I have fitted are specified for a wrx sti impreza which will be a dam site heavier and are re040jz rather than re040bz. They look identical and im fairly sure will be practically the same I was just interested in what the differences are as they are the same speed rating, load index and tread pattern as the correct VX tyres.

I am going to run them until they are dead anyway I just wondered if anyone knew exactly what magic dust bridgestone sprinkled over each OEM they make as if its nothing then why even bother to differentiate between them in the tyre code.

People need to stop getting so anal about tyres.

The elise and the vx weigh the same, with the same running gear so do you really think the tyres are different?

[Joe-Turbo]

Would have thought that as the load rating will be for a much heavier car (the subaru) it would make some type of difference to the feel etc.

I also have an issue with my rears, im running on 225/45 R17 RE040 91Y (I think these are Audi TT tyres but could be wrong) Ill have to check the tyres better the next time i order

[ollster]

Yeh thats the thing that confuses me as the load rating is 90 on these re040jz which is exactly the same as the correct VX tyres (re040bz DOT CFE) but i would have expected this to be different on a subaru spec tyre .

I guess the only possibe differences are the compound or sidewall strength... or bridgestone are having a laugh and charging manufacturers a fortune for the development of these OEM's and just knocking out the same tyre for each.

Would have thought that as the load rating will be for a much heavier car (the subaru) it would make some type of difference to the feel etc.

I also have an issue with my rears, im running on 225/45 R17 RE040 91Y (I think these are Audi TT tyres but could be wrong) Ill have to check the tyres better the next time i order

[ukgulf]

You do not need to worry about the dot codes, the only difference is the price. I have RE050's on my Turbo and I can feel no difference whatsoever.

People need to stop getting so anal about tyres.

That's that then... fit these..

[attachment=20233:cheap.JPG]

[theotherjonnymac]

I have the right dot codes but suspect in reality it makes naff all difference. They only last 5 minutes anyway

[Anarchy]

Well until discovering this site and owning a VX I thought very little about tyres, I am sure my previous cars at some point probably had different tyres on each corner. I think unless your a track day star or racing driver you wont notice TBH.

[salopian]

Well until discovering this site and owning a VX I thought very little about tyres, I am sure my previous cars at some point probably had different tyres on each corner. I think unless your a track day star or racing driver you wont notice TBH.

I would have said this until I had Audi code tyres on for a day. Thought I'd got the code right but they felt so different. Stiffer sidewalls.

Checked when I got home. & changed the next day.
If I can tell the difference driving like a granny , anyone can.

[Add954]

Well until discovering this site and owning a VX I thought very little about tyres, I am sure my previous cars at some point probably had different tyres on each corner. I think unless your a track day star or racing driver you wont notice TBH.

I would have said this until I had Audi code tyres on for a day. Thought I'd got the code right but they felt so different. Stiffer sidewalls.

Checked when I got home. & changed the next day.
If I can tell the difference driving like a granny , anyone can.

Someone ordered me michelin rears instead of the bridgestones claiming they "were a far superiour tyre" Anyway, drove them for a about a week and the difference was unbelievable. That cars handling went from amazing to sh!t. no joke, just changing lanes on the moterway created a wobble factor, so yeah, got them changed back and all was good again!