I was looking at the stock tires on my car and it was written "W" rated on them. Now here is the question....

Why a "W" rated S-02, if Bridgestone also offers a "Z" rated one of the same size!

And is there any improvement if I switch my "W" rated one to the "Z"? Have anyone noticed this before?

 

Don't switch to "Z".

Our 225/50/16 "W" rated tires were specifically made for the S2000, and they run wider than the 225/50/16 "Z" rated S02.

 

This is something I never really understood. What is the meaning of "run wider" if both W and Z rated ones are S-02s? I would understand for different models of tires, but the same one? Is there any advantages, if I get a "wider" Z rated S-02s?

 

225/50/16 W rated S02 has a tread width of 8.5 inches.
225/50/16 Z rated S02 has a tread width of 8.1 inches.

Honda requested that Bridgestone make a specific tire for our S2000. And it runs wider than most other tires in it's size (225/50/16). Check it out:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?mak...el=Potenza+S-02

 

Read this post if you still are not sure.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=48572

 

so is this to say that the W rated S-02's are better than the Z rated one?

have anyone tested the Z rated 16's on their S2k?

 

They are better for the S2000, because they are wider. The sidewalls are marked as a 225 width tire, but they are actually a 245 width tire. The way to tell the difference is to look at the sidewall and just in front of the size is a marking that says S02JZ on the OEM tires. The Z rated tires will be marked differently.

People that have mistakenly purchased the Z rated tires were disappointed in them because they have less traction than the OEM tires.

What we are trying to say is: don't get the Z rated tires.