New Tyres for 2017 Subaru WRX AWD Premium (245/40 R18 97W)

miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 12:06
Last edited 23/12/2023 - 16:00 by 1 other user

I love cars, but what I know about tyres can be written with a texta inside a matchbox - so seeking a bit of help here.

I need two new rear tyres. Somewhere I've read that it's better to replace all four at once. Is this true?

Secondly I've had a bit of a search, using each tyre place's search via vehicle/ rego and narrowed my choices down, each with pros and cons. Looking for any advice or first hand experience here. Also I don't do a great deal of driving, mostly around town (to my mechanic's disgust) with the occasional run up the motorway thrown in. eg car has 26,000 km only.

Tyres required are 245/40 R18 97W.

JAX or Bob Jane - Dunlop SP Sport FM 800, $279 each, buy three get fourth free (effectively $210 each)

PRO- car came new with Dunlop SP Sport Max so I would consider that to be manufacturer's recommendation.
CON - nothing to do with the tyres themselves, just the store locations which mean taking time out of my workday to get them fitted.

Bridgestone - Bridgestone Potenza Adrenaline RE003 $309ea.
PRO - I put these on a previous car and was happy with them. And I can drop my car off and walk home, not missing any time off work.
CON - could be overkill for the driving that I do?

Bridgestone Supercat $229 ea
PRO well the price obviously. Again, can walk home.
CON will these perform as well as the Potenza? Really on the fence about this choice.

Look forward to replies! Hoping to order today for fitting early next week.

Automotive Car Subaru Tyre

Comments

  • Hybroid on 23/12/2023 - 12:27
    +3

    Dunlop SP Sport FM 800

    Buy 4, Pay $195 each plus $31 for delivered, fully fitted and balanced at your home address with old ones taken away. They come to you. Sorted.

    https://www.tyresales.com.au/buy/tyre/dunlop/sp_sport_fm800/…

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 12:46

      Oh that's terrific, thanks! Are you sure about the home address bit though? Website says you have to select a fitment centre during checkout.

      • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 12:48

        Actually I found the mobile fitment page. That's brilliant.

    • HeWhoKnows on 24/12/2023 - 10:37
      -6

      Sounds like OP has done their reserch already

      Why waste our time now that we are all busy preparing for Christmas

      As for OPs CON for Dunlop SP Sport coming with car

      The manufacturer knows best about EVERYTHING regarding your car!

      However OP could trying looking up a WRX forum.
      Im sure tyres and owners experience would be discussed there.
      Hence best place to look

      • timthetoolman on 24/12/2023 - 11:54
        +6

        I'm sorry you were forced to come here on Christmas eve and reply to posts.
        I hope your day gets better

        • HeWhoKnows on 25/12/2023 - 11:20
          -1

          I get sick of lazy people that expect everyone else to do their research for them

          If they can work a computer and navigate to this web site then they can navigate to a WRX forum or a tyre web site as Op has already done

      • miwahni on 28/12/2023 - 23:56

        The Dunlop SP Sport coming with the car was a PRO not a CON, but thanks for contributing.

  • Nugs on 23/12/2023 - 12:29

    The only one of those three I have limited experience with is the FM800s. Different car and size but seem fine as an everyday non sport tyre
    .

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 12:47

      Good to know, thank you.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/12/2023 - 12:31
    +2

    I need two new rear tyres. Somewhere I've read that it's better to replace all four at once. Is this true?

    Yes

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 12:44

      Thanks!

    • gfjh567gh3 on 24/12/2023 - 09:15

      Not true - you should aim to have 2x of the same tyres on each AXLE

      Try to keep the better tyres on the front wheels, because they need the grip for steering and do most of the braking.

      It's recommended to rotate tyres, but that varies by car and suspension set up, there's no magic formula

      I have an evo, I've had re003 and I'm currently on goodride (cheaper tyre popular with drifters), with a Thinner tyre. I can't really tell the difference when on the road. Tyre technology has come a LONG way. I could feel the limitations of the tyre on the track, but that's hardly your use case here

  • Bignudge on 23/12/2023 - 12:53
    +2

    1. Of course it's better replacing all 4 tyres as they all magically have the maximum tread depth for water diversion once replaced. But if your "good" tyres are at 50% tread, it'll be a waste to throw them out tbh. If I were you I'd just replace the rears. (I'm no mechanic so pls don't downvote if I'm wrong).

    2. Hold your horse. Idk where you live… but I got my 2x FM800's price matched to Tempe Tyres and installed at Bob Janes. They should be $195 each right now (https://www.tempetyres.com.au/tyreproducts?dunlop-2454018-97…) [The stores were both in Sydney area at about 15km from eachother. Goodluck pricematching!]

    3. "Dunlop SP Sport FM800" and "Dunlop FM800" are the same tyre.

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 13:02
      +1

      I'm in Brisbane, but it's still good info, thanks. Front tyres would need replacing soonish, but still have a bit of life left in them.

    • pizzip on 23/12/2023 - 13:20
      +3

      This is wrong for AWD cars, if the tread-wear isn't closely matched between all 4 tyres, it can cause damage to the AWD system (according to Subaru, you can have a tolerance of 1.5mm tread depth difference). For 2wd cars, it doesn't matter but I wouldn't do this on a WRX.

      • Bignudge on 23/12/2023 - 13:30

        Hmmm, I guess it's a must to rotate tyres often enough so they wear down as evenly as possible.

      • JIMB0 on 23/12/2023 - 13:37
        +1

        Put the taller tires on the front since they travel further in a turn. This will minimize heat buildup in the center differential.

        • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 16:08

          As I said, matchbox / texta. By taller tyres, do you mean the newies?

      • Euphemistic on 23/12/2023 - 13:45
        +3

        Some ‘AWD’ cars can get away with it because they only drive the other set of wheels on demand. Many AWD SUVs have front wheel drive with sometimes (very rare) rear assistance.

        If it’s proper full time AWD like Subaru always replace 4 and keep them rotated.

        • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 16:09

          This seems to be the right stuff, thanks.

  • Euphemistic on 23/12/2023 - 13:42
    +3

    Subaru AWD (and other full time AWD) recommend getting 4 tyres at once. It’s not good for the centre diff to be dealing with tyres of different diameter.

    If you’re just replacing because the edges are worn and the rest of the tread is close to new should be OK, but if the front is nearly gone it’s definitely worth getting 4.

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 16:11

      The wear is fairly even from what I've seen. I'll do the four, thanks for your reply.

  • pinchies on 23/12/2023 - 14:48

    Can also very highly recommend Continental MaxContact MC6, but I can't see any specials at the moment.

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 16:12

      Interesting, I'll have a look, thanks.

  • ops on 23/12/2023 - 17:07

    Who said you need two new rear tyres? For WRX you should always replace all four so you don't damage the centre diff, tyres are much cheaper than that. I'd be surprised if you need new tyres after only 26,000km unless they are worn on the edges. How much tread do you have all around, more than a matchstick head? Are the tread wear indicators showing? When they get to say 7-8 years old I'd replace all four regardless of the tread however. I have the Potenza RE003 on an older WRX and they have been a great tyre. Personally I'd wait for those on a 4 for 3 offer, or get the Dunlop SP Sport 4 for 3 if you don't want to wait.

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 18:42
      +1

      TBH I was surprised that I needed them after so few KM too. My mechanic pointed it out to me when I had the car serviced recently and my son, who was equally surprised, confirmed - they're definitely worn. Thanks for the recommendations.

  • evilchups on 23/12/2023 - 18:14

    Its AWD so its best if you replace all at once. I recommend the Michelin pilot sport range for a quality tyre

    • miwahni on 23/12/2023 - 18:42

      I'll have a squizz, thanks.

  • blutek on 23/12/2023 - 22:54
    +1

    I preferred the Michelin too. Longer life and good in the wet. But no good discounts (except maybe grey imports).

  • Gunnar on 24/12/2023 - 00:58
    +1

    Michelin PS5 (or PS4). Get them and don’t look back. They are an excellent tyre.

    On my old rexy, an MY06 that I owned from brand new, 26k km is what I used to get out of a set of tyres

    • miwahni on 24/12/2023 - 22:35

      Well that's good to know, it's not just me being hard on the tyres but is what I could expect.

      • Gunnar on 24/12/2023 - 23:02
        +1

        Just remember that tyres for the rexy are a softer tyre meaning they are made of a softer compound. This will make tyre life shorter

  • Bilby s on 24/12/2023 - 08:38

    Another one for Michelin Ps5. Great tyre, perfect for the subie and now longer lasting than the ps4.

  • jumpypotato53 on 24/12/2023 - 09:28
    +1

    You should be rotating the tyres more often so they wear more evenly.

  • WT on 24/12/2023 - 09:59

    not 100% sure about 17 model but they have used a viscous rear and center diff for the longest time going back to the rs liberty, all 4 at once and rotate often

  • 2esc on 24/12/2023 - 10:05
    +1

    Normally if you have rotated your tyres on a regular basis you would replace all four tyres at once.

    But if you have been too heavy on the accelerator or uneven wear on 2 tyres why would you replace the other 2 tyres if they have plenty of grip.

    Tyres companies are happy for you to buy 4 instead 2.

    Having said that with a awd car you should not drive with mismatched tires because the worn out tires rotate faster than the good ones, which may cause serious mechanical damage.

    I have a mate who race's a Subaru's in hill climbs for years and says as long as the difference is not significant between the new tyres and the others its not a problem.

    If for example you had just one tyre suffer a unrepairable puncture are you going to replace the other 3 as well? What size is your spare? Often the spare is a standard size and people put 4 aftermarket rims (larger) and leave the spare as standard.

    What ever you do rotate tyres regularly and get wheel alignments done.

  • Tomcruise on 24/12/2023 - 12:32

    I use that size tyre on my Audi a6. Always used Continental MC6, good tyre life out of them.

  • miwahni on 24/12/2023 - 22:33

    Thanks everyone for the new info, more food for thought. I thought the tyres were rotated at every service but without digging the manual out of the car to check, I can't be sure of that.

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