i have read threads of folks running so3s on the gt-3s...
will s02s fit (i have been told that so3s are a good 2nd choice to the s02s)?
other favorite tires for that rim? (if so, why?)
thx

 

Jim... your thoughts?

 

I'm running a set of 18'' GT-3's with S-03's from the Tire Rack. This is an excellent combination! Better steering response and improved grip over the S-02's. I highly reccommend them. A couple weeks ago I ran over something on the hwy at 90 and the Left Rear blew out. The sidewalls on these are so stiff I was able to drive home about 5 miles on the blown tire! (at a much slower speed) The ride is slightly rougher than stock, but well worth the trade off.

 

mark- i have heard that s03s are not as sticky as s02s, but that s03s are better on wet surfaces-
sounds like this is not your experience?
i like the stick of the s02s in corners, and dont drive in rain very much at all...

 

Sanity check: take a look at the amount of rubber on the road. You will see that the S03's have a lot wider grooves to evacuate the water, but that also leaves a lot less rubber on the road.

 

Sanity check? hmmmm

There are so many variables to consider here, and grooves are but one. How about the tire composition, wear, width, rim width, rim offset, aspect ratio, and temperature to name a few. The only way to accurately compare two tire types is to compare exact size tires on identical rims, the same day, under controled conditions, on the same car driven by one driver.

Jim, how would you rate the S-02 vs the S-03 considering these variables?

My personal SUBJECTIVE opinion is that the S-03's have more grip, with both 10% tread and 100% tread than the stock size S-02's. I've yet to drive with the S-03's in the wet so I can't comment on their wet performance. Remember we are comparing apples to oranges here. My S-03's are mounted on rims an inch wider than stock with shorter sidewalls, and the actual contact patch is 3/4 to 1 inch greater at each corner.

As for wet performance of the S-02's: I was pleased with them and would expect the S-03's to be even better. It's funny, many people in this forum have commented about how "dangerous" the S2000 is through the twisties in the wet. I find it to be completely controlable and forgiving in ALL conditions. I've owned/own, and driven several high performance/modified cars/trucks in all conditions (including snow) and the S2K communicates exactly when the rear is about to get loose. Just my personal observations.

BTW- The Tire Rack Rocks! I've currently got 4 sets of tires from you guys on my vehicles. Thanks for always providing EXCELLENT SERVICE.

 

thanks mark- boiler is just giving me a hard time... he has known me way too long.

so i guess so2s dont fit the gt3s?
if not, then they arent a choice-

i wish jim would answer this thread!

 

wanabe, you're a long time member like I am and here's what I've learned and maybe it'll help you:

Why I wouldn't go with the SSR GT3s-
1) they're heavy (easily pushing 20+ pounds) which affects everything: acceleration, braking, handling --> feel of our nimble car
2) incorrect offsets so you will run the risk of rubbing and if you're the type to not mind the 4x4 gap with upsized rims, someone in heaven help u
3) whatever that guy above is recommending, he needs to get his head checked. the s03s, while they're awesome, are not as sticky as the stock S0-2s and i highly doubt he's running any wider than the stock S0-2s. why? the stock S0-2 rims are specific to the S2000... and they have a very flat contact patch that doesn't curve up like the s0-3s do which means it's putting a lot more rubber down than its width measurement suggests. with that said, however, u can't get the stock s0-2s in anything else but stock sizes... so so-3s will do you fine.. they're awesome tires... u just need to put miles on 'em to get rid of all that excess goo off.

what i would go with instead:
1) i'm sure you're a well-to-do guy. if you're going to spend big bucks, go all the way and get some custom fitments through fikse, HRE, Iforged, whatever. i personally would pick fikse as they are generally lighter and more "durable" than the HREs or anything else out there. that way, you can go wide like RT and ccarnel on this board with the offsets that'll allow you keep the stock stagger while still widening that contact patch and lowering for that clean, sporty look.

good luck (jim is the last person u want to go to for fitment questions..)

 

wrs2k- maybe these are the wheels you are thinking about?:
http://www.fikse.com/yourcar/street21.html

which tires?
anyone with photos of these on a black car?

(btw- these are not bad either!:
http://www.fikse.com/yourcar/street18.html )

 

Need my head checked? WTF is your problem? Just sharing my experience with a fellow owner. Never claimed to "know it all" like some here.

Yes - the SSR's are heavier. Didn't compare weights with a scale though.

4x4 fender gaps? The overall diameter is the same as stock so there is no change in fender gap.

I've experienced no rubbing.

What could possibly be my motive for lying about an increased contact patch? The new combination is definately wider with a larger contact patch. Measured side by side the S-03's are 1 inch wider. Account for the rounded tread pattern and you end up with about 3/4 more rubber on the ground.

Good luck with your choice! I'm happy with mine and will post some photo's one of these days....if they let me out of the assylum after getting my head checked.