Topless2000

What is a tire that is as good or better than the stock S02's, and not costing more than replacing them with S02's again...? I've heard from other S2000 owners that have S03's...and don't like them. Topless2000

tom717

S03's on rear; S02's on front for about a month; no problem noted.

TommyAmrani

anyone got a pic of the s03's... i'm dying to see what they look like and i can't find ONE PIC!
i wanna see what makes them LESS GRIPY

Siper2

Courtesy of the TireRack...

The S-03



...and the old faithful S-02...


It DOES look like the tread pattern on the S-03 is designed more for rain, similar to the way the Dunlop SP9000 is (and a lot of people had the same argument, in that the 9000s weren't as grippy in the dry as the old 8000 series were).

TommyAmrani

hey siper, thanks a lot buddy...
man, those tires are UGLY...
i heard rumors that the 02 s2000's are equipped with those nasty 03's... any truth to that?
I SURE HOPE NOT.
maybe it's just me, but i hate ugly tires

2kturkey

That rumour is sheer nonsense. The S02 for the S2000 is not really an S02. What it is, is a special S2000 only tyre that just happens to be badged as an S02. This is what most people don't seem to realise - the S02 on the S2000 is not comparable to the generic S02s, it has a completely different tread pattern, size (the true widths are not 205 (front) and 225 (rear) but closer to 195 front and 245 rear; and probably a different compound as well.

Given this, why would Honda then have Bridgestone go out and design another S2000 unique tyre and call it an S03?

The S03 is not even a replacement for the generic S02 - it is a replacement for the S02 PP (Pole Position) which is Bridgestone's ultimate high performance wet weather tyre. Again the S02 and S02 PP are completely different in terms of tread pattern and compound. The S02 PP does not offer the same dry weather performance as the S02 but does offer superior wet weather handling.

Let's face it guys, Honda had Bridgestone design a special tyre specifically for the S2000, why would you go out and put different tyres on it? The only reasons I can think of are

1. you don't drive the S2000 as a true sports car, have never reached the tyres limits and therefore don't need a high performance tyre (nor a high performance car for that matter)

2. there are unique climatic conditions in your neighbourhood, i.e. it rains most of the time you are driving or it is very cold, and you want a tyre that is more suited to these conditions.

In either of the above cases though you would want to swap all 4 tyres and not mix and match front and rear. In adverse conditions, believe me, mismatched tyres can be lethal

Mack

S02 front S03 rear........everything is fine and dandy!

jschmidt

or 3. The OEM rears have poor design choices.

I'll bet you'll have no trouble mixing the S-02 fronts and S-03 rears. Only trying it will tell, though. Keep in mind that much of what you are hearing is (correct) conventional theory and (most) cautious advice. The only way to know for sure is to try it.

airgate

The S-03's will not and do not "lose" grip. . .

True, the handling characteristics are different between the S-02's and S-03's, but I assure you that you will not lose grip!

I had two sets of S-02's, a set of Michelin Pilot's and now the S-03's. Although at first I felt a little uneasy about my S-03's, I quickly regained confidence in them during the DragonBall Run!

These S-03's perform nearly as well as the S-02's! No squeling! Just lots of grip. Sure there's a little "give" but that is to be expected when you are looking at the tread designs and rubber types. Keep in mind the S-02's are softer and have more tread contact with the pavement. All in all, I am satisfied with the S-03's and I really don't believe you would have any problems with S-02's in the front and S-03's in the rear.

Besides, the rear tires are the ones that need optimal grip as they are directly handling the power to the road.

lvs2k

Let the flames begin. When my OEM rears were gone at 15 K miles, I put Michelin Pilot Sports on the rear because of the better wear factor and superior wet weather traction. Since I don't track or autocross the car the supposed superior dry grip of the S02 is not that critical.

In addition, I have noticed no adverse handling problems with the Pilots, and after 7K miles, the Michelin are wearing well. When my front OEMs need replacing, I won't hesitate to opt for the Pilot Sports.