Initial impressions of Yokohama S. Drive tires.

Dukenole · 11-07-2008, 03:03 PM

Replaced the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RFTs with the Yokohama S. Drive (by the way I got 30K miles on the Potenzas before replacing them). Perhaps some of you are considering these tires as well, so I thought I'd give my initial impressions. In short, I am very happy with these tires. They are quieter, more comfortable, and sticker than the Potenzas. The out-the-door price was a little over $800, which is $400+ less than the Potenzas or the Michelin PS2. Plus, with a wear rating of 300, I expect to get a good bit more use out of these tires. Bottom line, unless you want uncompromising performance and cost and treadwear don't matter, and unwilling to take the risk of going with non-RFTs, the Yoko S. Drives are a great replacement tire.

Blue Streak · 11-07-2008, 03:29 PM

I also have S-Drive, but only on the rears for now. I agree with your review so far. I've put about 1100 miles on these tires so far. I do notice that the tire is a little wider than the stock RE050 of the same size. Did you notice that too?

Dukenole · 11-10-2008, 10:36 AM

which I think lead to the perception of a wider tire. The car definitely looks "meaner" with the S Drives.

One question about having different tires on the front and rears. Does that lead to more noise? I considered putting Michelin Exaltos on the front and PS2s on the rear since they don't make Exaltos in the rear tire size but I thought having tires with different tread designs on the front and back might lead to excessive road noice.

Sniz · 11-10-2008, 10:39 AM

please post some pics of the tire, rim protector if it has one, and rear stance w/ tread showing.

thanks!

willie55912 · 11-10-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukenole

which I think lead to the perception of a wider tire. The car definitely looks "meaner" with the S Drives.

One question about having different tires on the front and rears. Does that lead to more noise? I considered putting Michelin Exaltos on the front and PS2s on the rear since they don't make Exaltos in the rear tire size but I thought having tires with different tread designs on the front and back might lead to excessive road noice.

Tire noise will make no difference if they are of different makes....each tire make will maybe make a different sound pitch, but that is it. I run 2 different makes on my car..and no problems.

11-07-2008, 03:03 PM	#1
Dukenole Private First Class 8 Rep 107 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA iTrader: (0)	Initial impressions of Yokohama S. Drive tires. Replaced the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RFTs with the Yokohama S. Drive (by the way I got 30K miles on the Potenzas before replacing them). Perhaps some of you are considering these tires as well, so I thought I'd give my initial impressions. In short, I am very happy with these tires. They are quieter, more comfortable, and sticker than the Potenzas. The out-the-door price was a little over $800, which is $400+ less than the Potenzas or the Michelin PS2. Plus, with a wear rating of 300, I expect to get a good bit more use out of these tires. Bottom line, unless you want uncompromising performance and cost and treadwear don't matter, and unwilling to take the risk of going with non-RFTs, the Yoko S. Drives are a great replacement tire.
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11-07-2008, 03:29 PM	#2
Blue Streak Gunny 31 Rep 623 Posts Drives: '07 E90 335i 6MT, 2016 F10 535 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [9.00]	I also have S-Drive, but only on the rears for now. I agree with your review so far. I've put about 1100 miles on these tires so far. I do notice that the tire is a little wider than the stock RE050 of the same size. Did you notice that too? __________________ 2007 E90 335i 6MT, ZSP, Nav, PDC, CA, Montego Blue, Terra Dakota leather, CDV, clutch-stop, E46 M Shift Knob, Logic HVI, JB4 PnP, MS 3" downpipes, Koni Yellow adjustable sport shocks, RE 12mm(f)/BMS 15mm(r) spacers, Blacklines, LUX 5.0 LED halo ring lights, DAEOS (Vista) harness, GP Thunder 7500k fogs, 35% sides-20% rear tint, matt black kidney grill, matt black 335i trunk badge
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11-10-2008, 10:36 AM	#3
Dukenole Private First Class 8 Rep 107 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA iTrader: (0)	The tread design is more aggressive which I think lead to the perception of a wider tire. The car definitely looks "meaner" with the S Drives. One question about having different tires on the front and rears. Does that lead to more noise? I considered putting Michelin Exaltos on the front and PS2s on the rear since they don't make Exaltos in the rear tire size but I thought having tires with different tread designs on the front and back might lead to excessive road noice.
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11-10-2008, 10:39 AM	#4
Sniz Lieutenant General 679 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	please post some pics of the tire, rim protector if it has one, and rear stance w/ tread showing. thanks! __________________
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