Recommended tires...

I currently have the PZero System on my car... assymetrico on the back and directionale on the front... I hear the Bridgestone S02 an S02PP are really good as well as the Michelin Pilot Sport... I need an every day tire that I can drive hard... what is everybody here running... what would you recommend? any bad experiences? regards, Pete

I liked the S02's on my 996. They tracked very well and lasted about 15k miles -- including tracking. Much better than the PZeros's. I never had S03's, but they don't get good reviews. I have Pilot Sport Cups on my Turbo. These are much better on the track, but wear and wet/cold weather are issues.

I have had good luck with Dunlop 9090's. I have heard that the S03's can have some issues and the S02's are still a good tire. I have S03's on my BMW and they are great but heard the aforementioned rumor from a tire store. Philip.

Yes, I've heard good things about the SO2 tires.. .they say the SO2 is a better value cause you get more life out of it vs the S02PP which is shaved closer .. thanks for your feedback guys... Pete

Pete, what's wrong with the Pirellis? I run the assyemtricos all around and love the performance. However, they are not the longest lasting tire.

About the S03PP's, performance wise, they are the best tires, after the S02's which are not sold here anymore. Here is the TireRack's comparison also (same driver, same car, same place, same conditions...): <a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/bs_s03_rd.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/bs_s03_rd.jsp</a>

Carlos, you've got to be kidding me about the S03PP's... I know what tire rack said THATS WHY I BOUGHT THEM!! LOL and they flat out stink! they are greasy wably tire and everybody I know who has tried them has said the same thing... lots of dissapointment with the S03PP... people have taken them off their car after 2000 miles.. most of the porsche guys I know run S02 or S02PP, some even Michelin Pilot Sport... as for the PZeros... there fine no complaints here; just posing a question to see what everybody else likes... as far as tire rack reviews go... well they are a business!! I would put more faith into the independent reviews as posted by owners who drive similar performance cars (also available on tirerack)... but S03PP the best tire?? far from it.. you've wasted your money if you bought these babies... Pete

I have SO3PP's and I love them, have them on my Mercedes too......It is all personal preference and for me, not a waste of money. I do not care for the Michelin's or the Pirelli's

I've heard nothing but good things about the S03s and am planning on replacing my P-Zeros w/them.

c70Pete, Why don't we do a search on tires on this forum and you see what other people really say about the S03's and the others. So I don't know were all those Porsche guys you know are hidding, even in this thread you are the only one who has tried them and didn't like them, strange. I'm personally very picky with my tires since I drive the car very hard. I literally threw away the OEM Conti's just afetr a couple of thousand miles because of this and used the S0'2. Now I use the S03's, since the S02's are not available here anymore. <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=003517#000000" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=003517#000000</a> <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001374" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001374 </a> <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001260" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001260 </a> <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001055" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001055 </a> <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000458" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000458 </a> And to think all these P-car fellows wasted their money like you say... seriously, if your car is not performing with S03's or S02's then the problem is elsewere because most of us do great with them as you can see.

Carlos, I think you are taking this personally... I hate to say it but you are DEAD WRONG about the S03 being a good tire... it's crap... all the guys up here in Toronto Porsche club despise the S03... all of them go with S02PP or Michelin Pilot Sport that's the reason I ask the started this topic to begin with... to see what other people round the world are using... as for me the s03 on my car sucked big time... poor braking... weak sidewalls, steering feel was not as crisp as well as turn in and a greasy unsteady feel at high speed... excellent rain performance however...! the guys I buy my tires from also mention the same thing about many S03 buyers being very dissapointed... I'm just sharing what I heard with you .. I'm not here to argue with you bud... if you like them by all means it's your money use them... BUT SURVEY SAYS = S03's suck! I've taken the time to look at your links above and everybody you reference uses the TIRERACK opinion as gospel... well I made the same mistake because TIRERACK will have you believe the S03's are the best tire... there not!.. everybody in your link who has upgraded to S03 has so based on TIRERACK advice and most have upgraded from CONTIS which are nowhere near S02 and PZero... even you stated in your post that you preferred the S02 over the S03! <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> did these P-car fellows waste their money... from the information I have gathered.. YES <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> S02 and PZero seem to be top contenders Cheers <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" /> Pete

My reading says the consensus is that the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup is the best performance tire for the money. I had the P-Zeros and found them to be mediorce.

And for street tires the Michelin Pilot Sport, on one car I have the N0 and on another car I have the N1. The N0 is better but noisier for street driving. THe N1 is standard on 03 models (if supplied with Michelin) FWIW, I wouldn't take delivery of a Porsche currently if it didn't have the Michelins

c70Pete, I know you are new here but you are talking about some knowledgeable people there in those links... So far I have offered a comparison and refferences to other Porsche owners who preffer the S03's, and by the way, the SURVEYS on tirerack actually also favor the S03's over the Pirellis and Michelins... you just offer what you "heard", I rest my case. Also if you look at my first post you will see that already there I mention that I preffered the S02's over the S03's (by a small marging though). Anyway its no big deal, you seem to be the only one for whatever reason and you can put any tire you want on your car, I just wanted to set the record straight to what was being said so it doesn't mislead others who are thinking of changing tires. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

I had S02 on my old 964, they were very good tires during raining days. But I was very disappointed by the loudness. Too Too loud. I've now the Pirelli PZero Rosso on my 4S, they are very good tires. They also protect very well the wheels. People said the Pirelli are not so good on raining days, but until now I've not noticed any problem. TS 9934S

Hey Carlos, The fact that I'm new hear doesn't mean the S03 is a good tire cause you own it! And again.. those people who preferred S03 whom you called knowledgeable listened to tirerack... and not the surveys... read the surveys.. I seem to be the only one? really? ok whatever you say bud. You've been here longer than I so I guess you know best. To all in this topic... do your own research by calling an outfitter that supplies Porsche owners and ask them for feedback on various tires... these guys hear all the complaints... too often I hear people bragging about their tires when they are new... wait until 9000 miles and then ask them.. that's why I say listen to the tire outfitters.. they hear it all! The only reason why I speak out to the S03PP is that cause I've owned them and I know others who've owned them (many others) and they all give it a dumbs down! I don't recommend what I hear as Mr. Carlos ( <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> ) says above... and I certainly am not implying that P-Cars owners here are not knowledgeable as Mr. Carlos ( <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> ) says above as well... happy motoring <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" /> Peter

Hey TS, thanks for your feedback on the rossos... I've heard good things about them as well... I think all tires get a little loud when they approach the end of their life no? cheers Pete

My friend just put the Rosso's on his 01 C4 last week and loves them. Don't know what he will think of them in 9,000 miles but why spoil the fun speculating between now and then! Also, the red Rosso logo looks great on the car

Colm - I have an '03 with the 18" N1 Pilot Sport. They are very loud - so noisy I debate whether I will even be able to hear the benefits of the PSE! Personally I think Porsche should have added sound insulation around the wheel wells and removed some from around the engine...

I have had pretty much every type of performance tire on my vehicles. I switched my 1000 mile Dunlop 8080's from my M5 and switched to the S03's. They were and still are the best tires in my opinion. I cannot speak of their performance on Porsche's as I have never used them on a P-car, but on other cars, I love them. Excellent grip and traction wet or dry. Compared to the Pilot Sports, they are a much better tire. As far as the Pirelli's, they are ok, no complaints but, they are not great either. If I had a choice of any tire I would gladly put the S03's on any car. Pete- As far as Tire Rack's test results, I obviously agree they are in the business of selling the same tires they review, however, they are an extremely reputable company and I feel they have always given me honest and helpful information. If what you say is true and their test results are skewed wouldn't it make sense that their test results would favor the MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE Pilot sport. As it stands, the much cheaper, S03 wins their comparison test. You argument doesn't seem to have much backing. -Lou

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by TS: <strong>People said the Pirelli are not so good on raining days, but until now I've not noticed any problem. TS 9934S</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Driving in the rain? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

at the risk of exciting Carlos from Spain, the Porsche race preparation shop I use in England also say that S03's are not nearly as good as the S02's were. Most of their customers have gone to other brands for road legal track tyres....Dunlop , Michelin or Pirelli.

Peter, Appalling evindence you show there again. As I showed you, most members of this forum (and other Porsche forums I frequent) agree that the S03's are great tires and they are knowlegeable people as I have come know them through their posts, they don't just repeat what tirerack says like sheep as you say, they have owned S03's and speak of their personal experience as I do. So we got the "knowlegeable" forum member's opinions from "personal experience", TireRack's tests AND their surveys against "ask this" and "I hear that". Even in this thread everyone who has tried the S03's says they liked them except you and two others who haven't even tried them. You had a bad experience with the S03's and I respect that Pete, but all I'm saying is that in general, the S03's are generally regarded (tests, other forum members, personal experience and people and shops I talk too) as excellent tires performance wise. So Pete, its really no big deal, there is no use argueing over and over about it, we both reflected our views, let move on Just one word of advice if you'll accept it, having tried the S02's also (which like I said, I personally liked them a bit better than the S03's), I suggest you go for the Pirelli's which are also great tires, because if you didn't like the S03's, you may not like the S02's either.

With regard to the SO3's, I was just talking to my car tuner yesterday about tires. He said there were so many problems with them that people were asking Bridgestone for replacements and were getting them. Apparently, there have been problems with the SO3's. The SO2's were great. Maybe Bridgestone will work out the bugs on the new model. Mike

I've driven about 80 autocross runs on SO3's as well as a 4000 highway miles. Great tire; excellent combination of traction and wear for a 'street' tire.

Well Carlos, I've stated many times that I 've tried to s03's and don't like them... why you choose to refute this is beyond me! listen to slodrivingmike's comments... he knows.. apalling evidentce.. I don't think so... do your research... The S02's from what I hear are good and now there is an S02A = (best of S03 & S02).... this is still new and I don't have any word on it... I currently have Assymetrico and directionalle PZero system and I like them a lot .. only problem with Pzero's is some of them flatspot which doesn't make them that practical..... one tire I will probably try is the Michelin Pilot Sport "RIB" which utilizes MXX3 technology (a phenomenal tire) and pilot sport tire technology.. we'll see... Pete

Looks like we can't agree at all in tires, I hated the MXX3's. They were excellent on dry but in wet they were the most aquaplanning tire I ever tried. Not so with the Mich Sports. Well, in the end you asked your question and you got your answers: of the replies to your thread who talk from personal experience, the S03's got the most votes and only one person who tried them did not like them... fair enough.

Carlos, This topic certainly isn't the "end-all" for determining what the most supreme tire is.. LOL I hope people who read this are aware of the problem with the S03 like so many I've spoken to (yes, unfortunately they won't be posting here) as far as "getting your answer" with respect to the S03.. I got my answer a long time ago and the few opinions in this post will not change my mind cause I've owned them and they suck and ditto from my friends and other P-car drivers... I was simply trying to find an alternative to the PZero Assymetrico/Directionalle system I have on my car right now... (which I can't complain about.. but I always look for better if it exists...) as for the MXX3's they defintely are an excellent tire.. in the dry only.. in the wet weather it's time to do the speed limit and nothing more... but dry performance is truly phenomenal... better than any tire I have tried including PZero and Pilot Sport (these I have tried).. I also know people who prefer MXX3 over S02 & S02PP.. but I have to qualify this by saying these individuals don't care about rain performance... drive fast in the rain in the MXX3 and your a dead man.. I'll also say this... my friend Steve is a Porsche instructor and he swears by Pzero only!! (go figure that one out) he wouldn't put S03 on his car if his life depended on it... ANYBODY TRIED PZERO NEROS YET? Cheers <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" /> Pete

In my case I found the S02PP better than the MXX3's in the sense that dry grip was similar but as the tires started to wear, the S02PP's still maintained their grip almost until the end more than any other tire, while the MXX3's when half way through were gone in terms of grip. In wet of course the best tires I ever tried were the S02's and S03's by far, especially in terms of getting less aquaplanning. One thing I noticed is that they both took a long time to break-in and start really gripping though more than other tires, and until then, they would sway around at high speeds giving the sensation of floating and slidding under hard braking, especially the S03's, but only until broken in. The S02PP's wear very fast too, they would last me with my style of driving only 6,000miles (S03's last me 3,000miles more), but its a small price to pay for the overall performance you get. And also, the S02's and S03's worked best for me 2-3 bellow Porsche recommended tires pressures, but that also depends on the wheels and suspension setup, I have 18" wheels and the RoWM030.

Just to add another point of view, I think Yokohamas are terrific tires. The AVS Sports have fantastic grip wet or dry. I prefer them to Pilot Sports (had both on my M3, and have Pilot Sports on my 986S atm, but plan to go to AVS-s when I get some 18" wheels). -Paul

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by c70Pete: <strong>ANYBODY TRIED PZERO NEROS YET? Pete</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I know you just love TireRack <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> but its got great reviews on the latest max perf comparison: <a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/max_max_perf.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/max_max_perf.jsp</a>

yah I saw that one! but after the review they gave the S03.. <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" /> I want to hear the guys selling the tires as to what customer feedback is...oh well maybe we'll have some valid info next year.. cheers Pete <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

I have tried Michelin Pilot Sports, Pirelli P7000 in my old E36 M3. The vote goes to the Michelins. My Boxster S came with Pirelli PZero. During auto-x I have seen the Contis don't get close to the PZeros. However the grip on my old Michelins MXX3 was better. After researching a lot about tires, because my PZeros were done, I finally got the BFGoodrich G-force T/A KD. They are not good in the rain, but in dry pavement they are the best. They are the fastest not R compound street tires available.

BTW: S02 are better than S03 S03 are better than S02PP. thousands of reviews on these three tires in vette,S2000,Porsche,BMW forums.

I am reluctant to stir this up anymore than it is, but I tried the Comp T/A kd and threw them away after 4000 miles due to the excessive and horrible noise. They howl due to the very large tread blocks at all speeds, but at low speeds this is in the form of wuh-wuh-wuh which was so bad that I had the dealer tech completely remove, re-torque, and align the entire suspension under warranty, which had a positive overall effect but obviously did not cure the issue. Bad enough I really looked for reasons not to drive the car. Switched to Pilot Sport, which is way, way, quieter and has 99.5% of the grip plus superior turn-in. Goodrich is Michelin's discount brand, do not kid yourself that Goodrich tires could ever have superior technology to a Michelin-branded tire of like intent. Something of a tire freak, I have also had S-02, S-03, P-Zero, Yokohama A008RS, some unmemorable Goodyear and the Conti Sport among Z-rated tires. The Yokos were the highest performing bar none period, gravel and gum wrappers actually stuck to them once warm. Had to drive slow in hard rain (big huge hairy deal), but they were not unsafe at all and lasted 8000 miles. About six or seven years ago, but I would still buy that exact same tire if I could, and they were cheap to boot. The OE Contis were the worst, cupped after 5000 miles which made all kinds of noise. P-Zero's (never had the Rosso) were squirrelly under braking, jiggly, kind of average otherwise. The S-03 and Pilot Sport are simply more durable evolutions of the tires that preceded them, they are not higher-performing dry. Not obvious that they are intended to be.