I didn't want to flare up that S03PP vs S02OE debate so I thought I'd start a new thread.

I'm using the OE 16" wheels and have my original S-02OE's on the front (26K miles) and a set of S0-2PP on the rear (14K miles). I'm really only looking to replace the rear tires right now since I have no money but when I get some I'll replace the fronts with whatever I've got on the rear. I want a good general purpose tire. In their lifetime, these tires will:

1. Autocross 4 or 5 times
2. Drive to and from and on the track 4 or 5 times
3. Get groceries
4. Attend 3 or 4 spirited drives through the twisties

at least that's what general purpose is for me

They will also:

5. Never see snow
6. Hardly see any rain
7. Run at temps from the high 40's to low 100's but mostly in-between (SoCal)

So I want an extreme performance tire that rides nice while cruising as much as 500 miles on the freeway without tracking or noise problems and they should last 15K miles or about a year.

Which tire would you recommend to replace my rears with?

I've considered going to a DOT comp tire like the Toyo PROXIES RA-1 or Yoko A032R. This kind of blows the tracking/noise issue out the window and since I will often drive home after track events (as much as 10 hours) AFTER being on the track all day I really don't want to have to fight the car home. I've not tried either of these so I'm not sure how bad it is. They won't last me a year which is a problem. I don't know how they would mix with the S02OE fronts I have.

Can anyone think of a better alternative to the S02OE for my driving pattern?

 

I don't have a specific tire suggestion, but I can give you an opinion on the Toyo RA1s, which I currently have on the wheels. I did one hard track event on them and wore off a lot of the tread. I started with the full tread (no shaving). I also drove on them for over 1000 miles going to and from work. Awesome tires, but I think they will need to be replaced before I hit 5K miles. I will probably be able to do one or two more good track days on those tires. I wouldn't recommend wasting the tread driving to and from work like I do

Have you considered keeping two sets of wheels/tires, one for track events and one for daily driving? I worked out the math and figured that I would end up saving money in the long run if I spent some up front to get a second set of wheels and tires.

 

I'm no expert, and I sure didn't try all these tires, but the following statement from Jim in the S02 vs. S03 thread sums it up for me:

"It is true that the S02 OE tire will handle better in the dry. While the S03 will be better in the wet traction for the life of the tire."

I don't think having two different tires (front vs. rear) is a good idea as differences in structure and rubber compound may not yield optimal performance out of the different tires and overall altering the performance and balance of the car.

I would stick with the OE S-02.

 

Call me a broken record but consider Yoko AVS Sports 245/45-16. I'm pretty sure you won't be dissappointed (and you are one of the last people I'd want to steer wrong because of my affection for S2000online. )

 

with 26K miles on the fronts all i can say is that you need 4 new tires not 2. I just replaced a set of RA1s that lived through the life you discribe(june to november 8K miles). They were corded when i replaced them For the first half of there life they were far better then stock SO2s and for the next 1/4 of there life they werent as good as before but still better then stock. For the last 1/4 of thier life they really gave up the ghost ending up at a level below stock performance.

I replaced the RA1s with AO32Rs. They should be better in the wet(NorCal) but i dont expect them to last as long as the RA1s so i wouldnt recomend them.

My recomendation would be to get the stock SO2s. with the new lower tirerack price its a hard to beat value. However, if performance is something your willing to pay a little extra for then i'd recomend the RA1s. Either way get 4 new tires not 2.

 

stock works great, why change.

 

The stock SO2's were designed specifically for the car, to give the best grip and performance in the dry where it's meant to be enjoyed. That seems to be your main area of fun so why compromise it?