The OEM tire is hard to beat (in stock sizes) for ultimate dry grip. The wet traction is very good for the first 5-8K miles then it begins to hydroplane in standing water.
I tried Yokohama A-520's and enjoyed 12,000 miles of great wet/dry use at half the price of the OEM S-02. Since then I opted for the 02's again and yes they're pricey but I love the no-compromise dry performance. More often than not I tend to drive my truck on the wet days since you can never tell when you will be struck by hail or some out of control driver.

 

I put on Kuhmo 712's after the rear SO2s were worn out at 9000.

I run competition tires for autocross so I picked a street tire for more than dry grip, but in fact these turned out to be great all around.

Not only are they relatively inexpensive, but also very quite on the highway and in recent rain demonstrated excellent wet grip. I don't feel any loss of dry grip from SO2's in street driving, and they are much more predictable. I happen to like the tread look as well.

Since I have a heavy front swaybar, I run 225 front 245 rear, matching my autocross tire sizes.

I have not yet run them in an autocross to compare back to back to V700's. It has just been too hot lately to do two extra tire changes. I do want to do this soon to see if they are reasonable rain tires for autocross.

 

I've got a bit over 10k miles on my original tires. They show some wear but not all that much. Looks like I'll get maybe another 5k to 8k out of them. HOWEVER, no question that the wet performance is bad.

I'm leaning towards the new SO-3s or the KDWs in orig. equip. sizes. Plan to get the Spoon 16" wheels sooner or later for reduced weight, so will stay with 16" tires.

 

Well....I took the plunge. I ordered my new rear S-03's from Tire Rack on Thursday night and they were delivered today. I'm waiting to hear from Goodyear to let me know when to pick up my baby.

I got a great deal from Tire Rack. Total cost was $395. Goodyear will charge me $38 to install and balance both tires. The best deal I could get from NTB was $541 which included tax, install and balancing.

I'll keep everyone posted on how they do in the rain on the way home!

 

Give me about 1 month and I should have new AVS Intermediates AND a day at the track to compare them against S02's.

I have AVS Intermediates on my Integra, and love them. And for $79 per corner for the S2K, well that's a whole lotta track days

I'll post a review when I have one.

Clark

 

I'm surprised that no one commented on the Dunlop Sport 9000's. I think they are a great tire. They don't have quite the same grip as the OEM S02's but are better in the wet. They also communicate better when they are breaking traction.

 

Does anyone have any experience with Pirelli tires either on the s2k or another car? Just feeling out all tires available to us.

By the way on a side note to Stefan, thanks for the car your left under my wiper blade.

 

Had to replace my rear S02s at about 11,400. Seemed to have several thousand more miles in them from a tread standpoint, but right rear had bad looking bulges along the inside about where the tread joins the tire body. About five of them and all 1/2 to 3/4 inch out from body of tire.

Bought BFG g-Force KDWs. Clearly they don't have the traction of the SO2s. Way too easy to chirp from 1st to 2nd and even 2nd to 3rd. I'd suppose (w/o really knowing) that they will last a lot longer than the SO2's, given the tread wear rating. Drove with them in the rain and cannot say that I noticed any hydroplaning. But, I'll need to re-evaluate them after 8 or 10 thousand miles.

 

I am looking at the new Goodyear F1 GS D3. Tire rack rates them really good. Lots of good feedback. My only concern is that even putting a 245 on the rear the tread patch is .6 of an inch less than the stock O2. And they do not make a wider tire for a 16 inch rim. Plus it is an inch larger in diameter. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about if this tire will live up to the O2 performance?

 

The GForce KDs are extremely hard to chirp. So far have had great wet traction also, but then again I have only had them for amonth.

As quiet as the O2s and the top rated tire in every magazine test this year and there have been 4 that I have seen with every tire but the 02 represented in the tests.