Well after 1,000miles and a month of driving, I turned in my S-03's for a set of S-02's. The smile is back on my face already. They just have more grip, period. Gonna be bummed when they stop making the S-02's and I have to find another tire to replace them.

AA

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by UCrazyKid
[B]Well after 1,000miles and a month of driving, I turned in my S-03's for a set of S-02's.

 

Don't write off S-03PPs entirely. They do not have the dry grip of the OEM S-02s, but they're not nearly as bad as UCrazyKid seems to think they are.

1. The first 250-500 miles on them are a total loss. The top layer is oily and the tires like to slide. After that the grip is probably 98% of what an OEM S-02 can offer.
2. UCrazyKid's mismatched S-02/S-03PP situation aggravated the S2000's oversteer tendancy.
3. As for the squeeling, I'm not entirely sure. The tire mismatch certainly wouldn't help, possibly improper inflation, or possibly unrealistic expections. Every tire squeels at the limit, the limits just vary. Or maybe you are just a maniac (You are aware that you don't have to take every turn at the limit, right?).
4. For those of us not blessed with 360 days of sunshine per year, the S-03PP offers something the S-02 will never achieve - good wet grip. While the S-03PP is in the range of 98% of the S-02's dry grip, I'd rate it at about 200% of the S-02s wet grip. Something to consider!

 

I don't know why you guys are complaining about the S03's.

You guys should know that the stock S02's are the stickiest dry weather street tire application for the s2000. This trait is due to:

1. Oversized tread width
2. Reduced water channels (good for dry, bad for wet)
3. Sticky compound (good for grip, bad for longevity)

I wore out my first set of S02's in 4,500 miles! You can't compare a all season performance tire like the S03 to the hyper S02 s2000 spec.!

 

Because, like you said, "You guys should know that the stock S02's are the stickiest dry weather street tire application for the s2000."

I had no other choice when I got my 17's, since the S02's were not made in any other size than OEM and the S03's were supposed to be the next best thing...as far as Tire Rack was concerned. I really wanted the S02's or a similar handling tire in 17". And that's my gripe about the S03's.

 

R compound (Toyo RA-1, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, or Yokohama A032R) for the summer, Bridgestone SO-3 for the winter. That's my plan now that I'm on 17" wheels. I've got 7000+ miles and 6 track days so far on the RA-1s, and I love 'em.

Ted

 

After 1,000 miles on the S-03's they did not even compare to the grip I get with the new S-02's after 100 miles, Period. The S-03's are NOT 98% of the S-03's in the dry, maybe 88-90%. Wet might be another story, but I never had a single issue with the S-02's in the wet either. I knew I had 30 days to try them out, so I drove them hard. Realistically I only get in a long spirited drive once a month, but I wanted to have that grip when I do it. Perhaps the S-03's perform better in 17" applications, I wouldn't know as I am running the stock wheels. My comparison is between the stockers and S-03's in 245/45/16. So the tread with should be the same. I was disappointed as Bridgestone markets the S-03's as "all that the S-02's are PLUS, better ride, wet weather grip and longer wear" through better material. This, they are not.

Your mileage may very...

As for returning the tires, I didn't even have to go through Bridgestone, the tire shop "Wheel Works" has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee with there tires. They handled it all.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WestSideBilly
[B]1.

 

Still very happy with my AVS Sports. Wouldn't trade them for S-02s (or S-03s) any day. That said, one of the faster drivers in our region does it on S-03s.

 

I was happy with the AVS Sports too. I just recieved new SO3s, and I'm still breaking them in.