You all know that I recently wrecked my car and now have ordered a new one. This time I want to be prepared, so I'm investigating my options on tyres for the cold season (oktober-may). I know there have been a lot of threads about this, but I think I have some different points.

1) Is it best to use extra set of rims? I believe that changing the tyres can give some damage. On the other hand the S02's don't live that long (I drive 30.000 KM per year).
2) Which tyres are best as all-wheather? There's a lot of praise for the Bridgestone Blizzak MZ01. But I have the feeling they're more a snowtyre than an all-wheather tyre. Does anyone use any other type on the S2000? Is the Blizzak MZ02 a successor like the S03?

 

Me again!

This has been an obsession of mine for reasons I have read about and you have experience of.

I have read that LM-22s are more of an Autobahn winter tyre. I am seriously thinking about getting some on a second set of OE wheels.

The reasoning is:

1, the car is so much cheaper then a Boxster, the cost, given the extra safety, is fully justified.

2, The weather is so unpredictable recently, a wheel swap at any time of the year should only take about half an hour.

I don't think I am Michael Schumacher, but I don't want to lose the advantages of the SO-2s, neither do I want to have a bad experience in what will be my everyday car. I also feel I may have been lured into a false sense of security after driving MX-5s for the last eight years.

 

I put a set of RE-730s on for the rainy season. I'll switch back to SO2s toward the end of May. Excellent results so far, although the performance suffers somewhat with this harder tire it is well worth it to me to gain the wet weather stability.

 

I agree with Nick.

I have a second set of factory wheels whith LM 22s (Original sizes all around).

The winter in Boston is generally cold with 6 to 8 snow days.

With this set up I get around fine when the roads are a mess and can blast around just fine (including high speed highway fun) when the roads are clear.

Next month when the potholes are filled I change back to the S 02s.

The biggest pain is toting the second set of wheels back and forth to the tire dealer. But that is what the Volvo wagon is for.

Glad to hear you are OK after the accident and that where you live (insurance capital of the world, go Aegon!) you were able to resolve things.

Good luck with the replacement car.

 

Hi Ronald,

I did read an article in the Dutch car magazine "AutoVisie" about the new S-03s. Evidently this S-02 successor was developed with much better performance on the wet in mind... (Number 7 of 31 March page 34-35) The magazine talks of an Olymic swimming tire(!)

I remember some threads about the S-03s, but I can't remember if anything confirming this was discussed.

I am as interested as you concerning some decent, but all weather tires! Hopefully somebody has some other good suggestions...

Regards,


Siepel

 

The Blizzak MZ-01 tires are for cold, snow and ice. They are not speed rated. Therefore, they are great for driving on U.S. roads October to April.

The Blizzak LM-22 tires are "H" speed rated and are a much better "all season" winter tire. They are not as good on ice or snow, but are better on dry roads. They are more of a performance tire.

I don't think any "all season" tire will get you through the winter if you have snow and ice to contend with.

Rick Hesel bought Dunlap SP9000s for summer and Michelin Alpins for winter. I think that is a good compromise.

I bought a second set of rims (JDM 16" BBS forged wheels) so my winter tires will stay on the stock rims and the SO2s will live on the new rims. I will go several years on each set of tires because I won't put that many miles on. In your situation, you could just wear out a set over a season and buy the winter tires or summer tires as needed.

 

Barry,

thanks. My cardealer is also looking into it. I'll wait till end of oktober for the rain/winter tyres. I have settled my mind on getting extra rims. I don't really like 17" of even bigger rims, so I'll settle for 16".

Siepel, sent you a PM.

 

Ronald, if you are only dealing with rain, as opposed to snow and Ice, I think Rick Hesel's choice would work well for you. The Dunlop SP9000's are great performance tires that have fantastic wet weather characteristics. You do compromise a but on dry as compared to the S02's, but you can drive them through all sorts of wet stuff w/o much problem. I have 9000's on my acura and cannot say enough good things about its wet weather traction. good luck!

 

Does anyone have an opinion on the "feel" of these different tyres?

Differing sidewall rigidity can effect steering turn in, balance, stability etc, especially on cars with finely tuned suspension. It would be great to find some cold weather or alternative tyres that match the car and feel like the S-02s.