Any updates now that its been 6 months??
my 2018 FiST just hit 19,200 miles and I'm getting the Indy 500's put on tomorrow from Evans Tires here in San Diego.. .They come to $358 OTD including install, road hazard for life of tires etc including the current $60 rebate... I couldn't justify spending more when I drive 80% HIGHWAY and 20% canyon runs!
I've been meaning to do this, thanks for the reminder. You got a great deal.
1- Turn in, handling precision- there is a small, but noticeable loss of the quick precise feel on turn in, and in the precise feel of the steering in general. It's still good, but not as good as the stock Potenzas. My driving includes some cruising around town and some aggressive driving on back roads, and this aspect of the car is really important to me.
Mine are fully broken in now, with about 1,500 miles on them, but I'm hoping some of this is attributable to the taller tread blocks which can squirm a bit, as opposed to my Potenzas which were basically slicks. More time will tell.
2- Ride- the Firestones are much better here, being more forgiving over bumps which the Potenzas would hit pretty hard over. It's a performance car so this is obviously not the main goal, but it's still nice to be hitting less hard here.
3- Grip in rain- I've only driven them in the rain a couple times, but they seem solid and confidence-inspiring here.
4- Longevity- obviously I don't know yet, but I only got 8800 miles out of the Potenzas. I'd be surprised if I don't get considerably more out of the Firestones.
5- Accelerative traction- they handle the power that my moderately (Mountune MP215) tuned car produces with no problem.
Summary- the Firestones are a really good tire, and a great deal for the money. I'm glad I got them so that I could try them out. I got them for $97 each, the Potenzas were about $250 each at that time. Last time I looked they were down closer to $175. Given how quickly they wear out and how hard they ride, it's hard to justify the extra price. However, I will seriously consider buying them anyway when the Firestones wear out just to get that last bit of steering precision and quick turn in, which to me is one of the best things about the car. I can see why Ford Performance chose the Potenzas for this car, and I'm glad to have another good choice in the stock size in the Firestones.
By the way,I called Ford Performance to see if they had any other tires they recommended besides the Potenzas, and they recommended the Firestones as an alternative. One of the guys there had them and liked them a lot.