Tyre pressure debate 38psi front 35psi rear

[alastairg]

With standard wheels, springs and koni dampers I have become sick of Edinburgh roads trying to knock my teeth out !
The final straw came when the rear plastic luggage cover retaining lug broke off at speed over a nasty local road.
So I have taken a leaf out of the RS4 B7 forum and experimented with lower rear pressures.
Ride better, turn in retained and much more grounded at the rear...............................lets open this for views on RS2 owners experience on tyre pressures.

And I know 'we' have concerns re too low on narrow rim

[rs2315]

I was on 39 all round, but after reading on forum dropped to 38 all round.
Noticed a big change, less bang over bumps.
It just felt right.
We no it's a heavy car with springs and dampers to handle the weight and power, even with 38 in it's still going to feel a bit harsh over the rough stuff.
Just try to find a personal compromise between handling at speed and bouncing over pot holes at 30mph
I'm happy enough with 38 all round, but most of my driving is done on good A roads, motorways.
Stuck in traffic at 30mph in these cars is a crime.
rs2315.

[scillyisles]

Tyre pressures for the RS2 in particular very much depend on the specific tyres you are using. I think all of us on standard wheels are now running 225/45/ZR17 tyres of some make or other but the differences in ride quality and roadholding/handling are apparent due to the different tyre characteristics of the various brands. My experience is as follows
- Michelin PS2 in 225/45/ZR17 gives very good roadholding and handlign but not much in terms of comfort therefore you are best running these tyres at lower tyre pressures (within manufacturers guidance of course)
- Bridgestone Potenza RE040 same size as above. Truly shocking ride quality at standard pressures - ran them at lower pressures but would never use again.
- Pirelli Neros - run them at 38 psi all round,The Neros despite being 94Y rated seem to have very compliant sidewalls which work well on the RS2. I also have Koni front shocks. I've not tried running unequal pressures front and rear as I don't have to deal with Edinburghs road quality.

[alastairg]

I agree with 38psi all round. What is interesting is the handling seems better at speed on uneven surfaces with the lower rear pressure. I shall continue the experiment and report back.

[afhgus]

Hi

I know what you mean about ride quality, I get pretty fed up with the whole car reverbarating to the rhythm of the locally pot marked tarmac, and its mainly what I drive on too. More fool me I tuned up the pressures! The shoulders od the tyres seem to be wearing too quickly so to preserve some more life out of my PS2 I have them at around 41psi....

[alastairg]

Well time to report back. Just reset them to 38F 36R which seems the best. My rear konis are set firmer than the front (not a lot about 1 turn) which may explain why the car feels less nervous and planted at the rear with the differential pressures.

[Lloyd]

I'm running 36 front and rear and personally find this the best compromise all round. Riding over the frankly badly repaired crap roads we have in the UK is not a pleasant experience in an RS2 with 39 psi F&R.

I've also found my fave tire for the car which is Bridgestone Potenza RE050 with extra load 94Y rating. This has completely dialled out sidewall wear even at the lower pressures. I've tested this recently at Snetterton where I learnt to drift the car - pressures would have been up a bit due to heat, but no sidewall wear!!!

Can't recommend the 94Y rating enough.

[Lloyd]

Update:

Switched to Goodyear Eagle F1 at the front and whoa - big difference in noise and comfort! Much improved over the Bridgestones. Yet to try out on track but so far no going back.

Also now running 35 PSI F&R. very happy with the ride!

[Lloyd]

Update:

Switched to Goodyear Eagle F1 94Y at the front and whoa - big difference in noise and comfort! Much improved over the Bridgestones. Yet to try out on track but so far no going back.

Also now running 34 PSI F&R. very happy with the ride!

[VaudiGR]

im always running no more than 33-35psi on either 17inch that i had and now 19inch that i use (falken 452) i must say that i never bothered with anything more than that except when the car was fully loaded with stuff or people.car runs fine and no problems.

[darkhorse1210]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I picked up my Polar Silver RS2 last month and just ironing out a few issues that the previous owner strangely seemed happy with.

First big issue with the tyres - he had fitted Goodyear Eagle F1s...but in the size originally specified for the car 245/40/17 (for the Dumlop SP8000s). Big mistake. These rub like hell and the handling is awful, thankfully they are really worn and needed replacing anyhow.

So, thanks to advice on here and elsewhere, I've just ordered 225/45/17s and gone for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmettrics, I've read the reviews and they are supposed to be excellent.

Thanks to all on this thread, I'll be adjusting pressured as recommended to see how much better the handling is when I get the new tyres fitted.

[simon44]

Good choice re the F1s. I've been running these for a year now and am really pleased with them. I've been running mine at 36 all around, although recently I've been trying 38 all round. For me, and the rounds around us 38 seems good, although as outside temps rise I'm likely to drop down to 36 again as running temps means they gain a few psi anyway.

All my wheels are off at the moment for a refurb and on close inspection the wear rate is better than expected too.

When I picked mine up it also had 245s on which were quickly replaced, as was a suspension refresh to include many of the rubber mounts which will also tighten up the handling and driving experience.

Call Roger at Andover Car Service and he'll give you a free healthcheck and estimate.

Welcome to the RS2 club - an expensive but exclusive club!