Just got into a snitch with NTB and Bridgestone/Firestone over tires for my MY2001. Bought S03PPs at 205/55/R16 and 225/50/R16 to replace my half-worn OE S02s. Knew I had screwed up by the time I got home. You can feel it. It's just not right. Read all these threads on width and whatnot, called NTB and called Bridgestone. Bridgestone says "Those are the wrong tires for that car. Honda gave us specific specs for the S2000/S02, and it is reflected in a very specific part number in a particular and unique build of the S02. Using the S03PP will cause adverse handling issues. You are covered under Bridgestone's Ride and Try warranty for 30 days, we recommend that you take them back to where you bought them and get the correct tire for your car. " They they faxed me the technical bulletin from Bridgestone/Firestone verifying the specific markings on the correct tire, as well as the Article numbers that a dealer should use to order them. These S03s are going back fast. I have already ordered the correct tires and NTB is switching them out free of charge. I have talked to other owners with S03s who wished they had not bought them. Just passing on the info as I have it. If anyone wants, I can send a copy of the technical bulletin from Bridgestone/Firestone.

 

If you could post the bulletin I would like to see it, and possibly get it added to the library.

 

They faxed it to me so it's a really crappy copy, but I will scan it and post it. Its very specific and enlightening:

Bridgestone/Firestone Technical Bulletin
August 2000
Ref. No. P-00-17

HONDA S2000 OE Fitment

"The Honda S2000 is fitted with a version of the Bridgestone Potenza S02 specifically designed to enhance the vehicle's chassis dynamics and to optimize the ride and handling characteristics. The tires fitted to this vehicle are listed below with an example photo of the specification marking location.

Front tire: 205/55R16 89W Potenza S02 JZ - Article #081-612
Rear tire: 225/50R16 92W Potenza S02 JZ - Article #081-620"

Below that is a photo where they have circled the specific mark, ES02JZ, just before the sizing. This indicates that it is the correct S2000 build. If you don't see it, you got the wrong tire. DO NOT be confused by the other OE on certain websites!! Order it by the specific article numbers listed above!!!

 

Is it possible for you to expand on this?

I am just about to change to SO-3s, I would like to know why you think they felt bad....

Thanks

 

One, the car was slipping and sliding on a hot dry road. Sure you can attribute that to the newness of the tire. So I put a couple hundred miles on them. No better.
Second the car is ass over teakettles with 'mushing and swishing' when you throw the Gs in from side to side. If you try to do a fast serpentine like you are trying to warm up the tire, it gives you the feeling of driving an Accord. Sidewalls are WAAAY too soft. Does not instill any confidence in the handling of the car in an emergency.

 

Isn't it enough to go by whether they say 89W/92W (front/rear)?

 

Nah, there is a Porsche build of the S02 that says that... you have to look for the markings or use the article numbers. Jim knows which tires they are.

 

Damn, so the Porsche ones are different then? I'm off to go check... thanks for posting this!

 

Not quite true Silver.
Your description of the S02s below is correct
Front tire: 205/55R16 89W Potenza S02
Rear tire: 225/50R16 92W Potenza S02

By comparison, the Porsche numbers are:

Front tire: 205/55ZR16 89 Potenza S02
Rear tire: 225/50ZR16 92 Potenza S02

i.e. the Porsche tyre is Z rated whereas the S2000 tyre is W rated.

Note the rating does not say everything about the tyres characteristiics (i.e. the S2000 S02s are wider, different tread pattern, compound etc.) but it does give you the ordering information to distinguish between the two.

 

Cool. It still remains that he would have to use the JZ designation or one of the article numbers above to verify that they are the right tire of the 3 or 4 available S02s....