A Bridgestone Question

What's the difference between S-02's, and S-03's? My needs are street/hwy only. Are the S-03's OK?

I don't believe that the S-03 are "N" rated, so are not a Porsche approved tire. There have been a lot of discussion threads on tires. The Bridgestone S-02 and S-02A seem to be favored by many and most seem to like the S-02A better. I did some research a few weeks ago and have decided that when my P-Zeros wear out, I will get the S-02A. Do a search on S02 in the "996" and the "tire/wheel" (under "General") forums and read comments from other members.

SO-3s must be p-approved. I purchased cert. car and the dealer installed a brand new set although there is no "N" on the tire.

Being a veteran of both, S02-As are the way to go. They have the S03 wet/dry tread design with the supior 140 AA S02 rubber. S02-As are the best of the S02 and S03 combined and are now N4.

Porsche's "Tires--Porsche Approved Original Equipment", Fall 2004 Winter 2005 publication does not list the S03's as "N" rated. In fact, it doesn't even list them. What I have read is that the S03's are very noisy and wear quickly but that is relatively subjective. The S02A is up to a N4 rating for the 996 17 inch wheel and which I have and are excellent. Depending on tire size the rating is either N3 18 inch or N4 17 inch. The S02 is not "N" rated for the 996. It is rated N3 rated for the Boxter 205/55R-16 Front, the 225/50R-16 Rear and N4 rated for 205/50R 17 Front , the 255/40R-17 Rear.

I've been known to be a purist, but I had S03s on my former P-car (99 C2) and they were fine for around town and the highway. And I had them up to 160 MPH on several occasions (not sustained speed, just briefly) without any problems. But for the most part, I didn't have many opportunities on the road to go much over 140 MPH - and for that, the S03s were just fine. Of course, ask which tire I would get today if I still had a P-car - my reply would be the S02A (just because). But I still think the S03 is a fine tire for driving under most conditions.

FWIW, when looking over a couple of new Turbos at one of the Atlanta dealers last week, I noticed that both had S-02A's.

FWIW, I just replaced my contis with S-02As. The only real criticism I have heard of them is that they can get noisy, especially if you have an agressive suspension setup like I do, with a few miles.

Both are junk. The S-02A is what you want.

Not true. The S-03 is NOT Porsche approved. But, that doesn't mean you cannot use it.

Any good maximum performance tire is going to get noisy as it wears. This doesn't mean it's not good.

My car came with Conti's and they were noisy from day 1. Are the S-02A's worse?

Agreed, that's why I bought them!

Viken is correct, the SO3 is not and has not been a N-Spec tire. A dealer probably left them on there and figured you wouldn't notice the differnce. Jim, the SO2 is N-rated for the 996 but has been replaced by the SO2A...but you can still get the N-rated SO2 if your dealer/tire dealer can get a hold of them. I had SO2's on my 996 when they were the approved tire and have a set on my track tires currently till they wear out then I will replace with the SO2A.

Good point and very true!

Thx Dell for the info. I absolutely love the S02A's. Knowing that you are very particular about your car and what goes into it or on it, I'd wager you'd be very happy with S02A's.

Thx Jim, I'm looking forward to getting into the SO2A's just as soon as I can for my next set of tires (unfortunately I have only 500 miles on my Conti's). I am thinking that I will probably replace the Conti's with the SO2A's for my street wheels and then when my SO2's go on my track wheels I will get a more specific track tire.

I liked the Contis, a lot actually, it is just that they only lasted 2,000 miles

WOW!!! Only 2K? What in the world caused that? Did you use them at the track as well?

Yup. I don't want to switch to r compounds or slicks yet because I like the progressive failure and the way that street tires "talk" to you when you do something stupid, not that I would ever do such a thing. Also, I like having tires that are capable in the rain since I drive back and forth to the track without hauling extra wheels and tires. When I installed the S02As, I adjusted the camber from -2.5 to -2. We will see if that helps a little. By the way, I think that is the reason I hydroplaned at VIR. Both of my rear tires were worn to the bars, but only on the insides. You really couldn't see it unless you were looking for it.

Scared me for a second there! I think you got only 2K as street tires. I totally agree with the progressive failure of a street tire at the track. Which is why I like my SO2's on my track tires. Their grip is incredible but I can still feel that point where there are moving into grip failure mode.

The S03 are a fine tire if your looking only as a replacement tire. Porsche Approved N tire are not to say they are better, but that the tires meet the criteria of the factory. Bridgestone probably choose to certify the S02A rather than the S03 because the S03 is more of a wet/dry tire as the S02 is more of a dry performance tire. Is the S03 a worse tire? I would say no for your purpose and may even be better due to the fact it last longer and may be better in the rain. One of the negative of the S03 is that it weighs more, and it might not have the ultimate grip as other tire, but if your not tracking the car who cares. The S03 is a quality, long lasting, DOT safe tire at a reasonable cost. Is there better yes it can be debated, but make your decission based on your needs, safety, longevity, and cost.

The S03s blow away the P-zeros that my car came with, excellent in the rain and better wear. I only got 9k miles out the P-zeros. That being said, my next tires will be S02As (they weren't available yet when I got the S03s).

You'll love the S02A's...

I unfortunately replaced my well worn P-Z's with S02's. There are unbelievably noisy on the freeway. The tire drone even makes my 3 y/o son complain. I should have gone with the S02A or any other brand for that matter.