Bridgestone Potenza S-02A N3 (Porsche OE)

After reading everyone's comments here and on the tire rack site, I decided to order the Potenza S-02a tires. I'll report back after I have them installed this weekend. Thanks for much input I decided to get Porsche OE models.

make sure you get about 100 miles on em before you start to evaluate.... I currently have those tires and just love em! - will be buying another set soon.

I'd love to hear your comments. I'm about a month away from ordering these and it would be nice to hear more positive (hopefully) feedback about them...

I made an appointment for installation on Monday at my local german car repair shop. I let you know next week.

my previous set was pirelli - not a very good tire... sticky but slides a lot... the SO2-A has a great sidewall which provides excellent steering feedback and precision around the corners... and talk about stick... wooooaaaaa the pirelli's use to flatspot but the S02-A do not... they did once when I let the car sit for 3 weeks and within 10 min of driving they went back to round... Pirelli's permanently stayed out of round leading to vibrations above 100 mph when I changed to S02-A I experienced what the 996 was capable of.

Pete, what year/model do you have? I have pirellis now and haven't been impressed - you're getting me excited about the s02's....

99C2 6-speed with 17" rims... if you have the 18" rims on the car it will be a little better in terms of handling and response... all I can say is even with the 17" rims the car handles amazing... they are THAT good. I'd never touch Pirelli again. I've had them for 10,000 miles so far and I think I can squeeze out another 1,500-3,000 miles - I drive aggressively. Maybe about 15% tread left - this is where you have the most fun in the corners Lots of people also like the Pilot Sport RIB - but the only complaint from many is the soft sidewall... I think you'll be quite happy with the S02-A.

I just put a set of S02As on - see my post about X74. Can't tell you much yet about tires - too new,etc. and I'm also on a new suspension. Anyway, they look great!

Best tire I have ever had on my Porsche. Mine are designated N4 however.

I believe the 17" are N3 and the 18" are n4... and yes they are a fantastic tire..!

Just put a DE weekend and about 500 miles on my new set of S02A's. Very nice on steet and track (for me, a track novice). They look good, too.

Hi Pete... I just double checked. My tires are 17's and they are designated N4. The porsche bulletin also shows 17's SO-2A's as N4. They are absolutely great tires like you say!!... Thx... Jim

Hey Jim, yes your right... I was mistaken they are N4; glad you like them...! for me it was a breath of fresh air after the pirelli experience. Pete

Just got them put on last saturday. Initially feel a lot better and quiter then the Pirellis that came off.

I'm about ready to get a new set. How do the S-02 A's compare with the SO-3 Pole Position. Did you look at that tire. Thanks, Dave

Night and day difference. Just get the S-02A.

OK-thanks

S02a's, one of the best improvements I ever made to my car. I cannot say enough about the tires, they have transformed the car ( the coil overs and sways helped as well). I thought I had reached tire nirvana with my BFG KDW2's on the S4, but the S02A's are just better. Wet weather traction is very good, and dry weather is superb. I have heard some negative things on the s03's, especially if you track your car. The negative comments focus on the tire weight, side walls cracking and ok performance on the dry, when compared to other high performance tires. They do apparently work well in the rain. I put the S02A's on the car about three weeks ago and have already put 2,000 miles on them, doing NY to SC round trip Easter weekend. The drive included some high speed sections as wells as some torrential rain sections, of course, not at the same time. In all instances, they did very well.

Just got some as well. Too bad Goodyear F1 GS D3s aren't available yet. Another advantage over S03s is the unsprung weight savings from going S02A. For 18"s, I think it is 6 lbs per tire up front at 22 lbs vs. 28 for S03s and 1 lb in back. Thanks for the advisory thread.

Run them for about 200 miles to brake them in a bit...then retorque to 96# all wheel bolts. You'll love these babies...

You know the funny thing about it is that when I got then I was expecting the N3...I didn't know of the jump to N4!

I got the Bridgestone S-O2A's mounted and drove about 150 miles today. Huge improvement over the Conti's. They are quiet, smooth and feel a little firmer than the Continentals. I haven't pushed it around corners yet since they are too new. I did cruise at 80+ and I was very happy with the overall performance. So far so good!

I'm about to order another set for the rears.... good to the last drop!

Just got them on and the difference between out of round P Zero Rossos with 26K on them is marked even without the S02'A's broken in. Thanks for the great advice. Got to love the collective knowledge base that Rennlist gives to Porschephiles.