Does anyone have S-03's?

If so, how are they as far as road noise goes? How's the grip in dry? I've got to replace my S-02's and am thinking about going with the S-03's. My only concern is that the S-03 doesn't have the ultimate in dry grip like the S-02's.

Tirerack.com is an excellent resource for tires, tire reviews and survey results. Based on over 1,000 responses, the tire gets high marks for grip in dry (a 9.3 out of 10) and ok marks for road noise (7.9)...Here is the link, hope it works... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....h=true&index=0

Yes I know about Tire Rack but those surveys are typically from dissimilar cars (everything from a Honda to an Audi) and I am looking for specific feedback. Since we all basically drive the same car, I wanted to hear from those (if any) that had these tires and might be able to give me some insight. **UPDATE** I didn't see that I could actually select the make of car...my appologies!

Every comment I read was positive and this seemed to be the common comment..."These replaced SO2's that were extremely noisy. The SO3 is much quieter and seems to have about the same traction and handling. It is rated better in rain, but have not had much opportunity to compare yet. The sidewall seems to flex more, giving a slightly more spongy feel in tight turns, but the grip is excellent."

Have them for 9 month after Conti's and would not look back

I had them on my C2 also after Conti's... no comparison. Word has it they are a bit better in the wet compared to the S02's.

Yes, they are a good tire overall but I wouldn't buy them again. They happen to be one of the heaviest tires on their class. Given a choice, I'd go Michelin Cups or if you need more of a street tire, the GT3 specific Pilots.

Based on my experience you are going to have a hard time getting a very scientific comparison, since just about everyone who puts them on is going to be comparing the new tire against the worn out ones they just replaced. I just put replacement 285 Continentals on the back and can't believe how much smoother, quieter, and better dry traction they seem to have compared to the thread bare 265 Continentals they replaced. But had I put S03s on instead (as I almost did) I'd probaby be certain like everyone else that the improvement was due to the new make of tire.

I replaced S-02's (which I liked) with S-03's and I like them better. They do seem quieter and the wet grip capability is excellent. I plan to stick with them from here on out. Mark

My circumstances are a bit different. I went from S02's to S03's on my 2001 C2 but would not buy them again once my fronts need to be replaced. Beleive it or not, I have just turned 23K miles (have had since new) and am on my 4th set of rear S0X's. The car (C2) came with standard 17" wheels which were within one week replaced with 18" BBS LM's with S02's (225/40/18 f 265/35/18 r). Installed by Fordhal Motorsports here in Seattle at the same time was a set of H&R sport springs to lower the car 1/2". They also realigned all four wheels to a slightly more agressive stance (dialed in a bit of negative camber). The car handles like it's on rails but there is a serious problem with rear tire wear that no one from Porsche to Bridgestone themselves can figure out. The first set of S02's became "cupped" and were replaced at big discount (slight charge for normal wear) by Bridgestone for S03's. Again, PERFECTLY EVEN but way fast wear within only a few thousand miles. Replaced (on my dime) and again same problem. Now on 4th set (2K miles in) and I see the same problem happening again. I've never lit the rears up, never tracked or autocrossed and at least 18-19K of the 23K miles are highway as the car is used to commute between Vancouver, BC and Seattle office (I live one mile from the latter). What's amazing is the original fronts (see recent pic below **original fronts th set of rears!!!!**) are still in great shape!!!! Although the S03's are really great perfroming tires, quiet as could be and so on, something is clearly wrong. Fordhal is a very respected Porsche shop and even the dealer says there is nothing wrong with my suspension settings (otherwise wear would be uneven). They have said repeatedly that the S03's ARE NOT "N1" rated or "factory approved" by Porsche. As it stands, when this set of rears wears out (4th), it will be nearly time to replace the fronts and I will be going 100% with Yokohama AVS Sport-S which ARE "N1" rated and factory approved. I had them on my 1999 C2 (before they were even approved) and they were fantastic. Also, I will be going with 285's for the rear as my 4th set of S03's are 275's perhaps another 10mm will help. Could it be possible that with all the highway driving (rear spoiler deployed), the constant added downforce on the rear is the main cause??? I can't stomach having to spend alomst a thousand $$ every 4-5 thousand miles!!!!! Someone please help!

sorry.......here is the pic of the fronts as described above.

Westcoast there is definitely something wrong with your setup. I have SO3's on 18 Sport Classics and there is minor wear after 6K and nothing close to what you describing... I am all stock

Replaced my worned Continentals with the SO3s and I really enjoy them. I use my C2 on weekends and autocross events (mostly on auto-x events). The sidewalls on the SO3s are very, very stiff! Handling on the SO3s are "crisper" and more predictable. The comparison between the Continentals and the SO3s are night and day. The handling characteristics are much more predictable, the ride is quieter, and so far the wear seems more even.

Westcoast996 is that slate grey?

yes......my car is Slate Grey Metallic. Worth every penny. I love the color. I'm very interested to see what the new "atlas grey" looks like in person as I've always felt "seal grey" was too light. Hopefully Atlas is as or nearly as dark as Slate which would mean big savings when and if I go 997 somewhere down the road.

So even here we have people either quoting or originally saying that the So3s are stiff, or more mushy. People have also said that they are heavy. In other instances, I have read that they are heavy and a bit soft on the sidewall as well. I think I need a very good relationship with a tire guy so I can try them or my other idea, the BFG KDs, and if I don;t like them, get them prorated to the other tire.

I went from Contis to SO3s. Very quiet, even when the tread was down to 2/32". Autocrossed these tires extensively with -.5deg camber front, -1.5deg camber rear. There is very little sidewall flex under cornering. I can't compare them with SO2s but I'd have to believe the SO2 had better dry grip just by looking at the tread: The SO3 has huge grooves compared to the SO2 so the SO2 just has more rubber on the ground.

Westcoast: What are the symptoms you experience w/cupped tires? Noise? Vibration? I'm tracking down a vibration at 5k miles that's progressively getting worse. I think it's cupping, but am curious to hear how yours felt. Thanks.

It was the increasingly intrusive (I mean loud/droning) road noise that first made me realize something was definitely wrong with the S02's. I wasn't sure what it was until Greg Fordhal (Fordhal Motorsports) actually ran his hand around the tires and showed me they were "cupped". It's very subtle and as a relative layman, I would not have noticed otherwise. Greg really knows his stuff and of course all things Porsche, and his wife Jodi (President of Porsche Club Northwest Region) actually works for Bridgestone. If you are having issues, I very highly recommend Fordhal. They are located behind US Bank on NE 20th near 140th Ave NE in Bellevue. Right next to Park Place, Ltd's facilities. Close by for you if you are in Sammamish.

I'm familiar w/Fordahl, but haven't used them for years, since I was autox'ing a GTI. My rear wheels/tires are at Barrier (local Porsche dealer) for a balance. Hopefully this will take care of the problem. Who have you had do your mounting/balancing locally? Fordahl? It sounds like I have a balance problem, rather than cupping. It's more vibration than noise. THanks.

Barrier is my dealer as well as I actually live in Redmond and work less than a block from Fordhal. They've had my service from 1999 C2 (Monday Morning After Oktoberfest Build Which PCNA Bought Back), and sold and serviced my current 2001 C2 (Barrier that is). Very good service. Yes, Fordhal has had my tire business for 1999 and now 2001 cars. They have my suspension business too (installed H&R on 01 C2). With the rear wear problems I've been having Barrier (Jeff/Justin) wanted to help diagonose, but my car is too low for their allignment machine (which isn't an actual Porsche alignment machine beleive it or not). My current settings from Fordhal are more agressive than pure street (more negative camber I think) and I love it....still doesn't explain wear, but either way, Fordhal is best for tire/suspension too. Get them to give you a 4 wheel alignment and it will transform your car.

Westcoast, you say they changed the springs, did the rates change much? cupping or feathering can be caused by bounce in the suspension, if the springs are too stiff for the shock the tire contact patch changes a lot especially on the highway.

The H&R Sport Springs installed are specifically designed for the model 996. I had the same setup (for two + years) on my 1999 C2, and never had any problems like this. It's a good point though and I will be having my suspension reevaluated, and documented (settings). I intend to post the results for general feedback. Thanks,

Nick, After breaking in my S03s on a few spirited runs this weekend, I can give them a preliminary thumbs up. Definitely better than the Conti's I had on the 17" rims. Part of that might be the wider tires on 18s, but they just keep getting better. -Dave