Jim,

I've got a little over 17k on my S now. I had to replace the rear SO2s at 12k (virtually no tread left) and went with SO3s per advice (better performance in the wet) from the Bridgestone rep. I have recently noticed some serious wear on the inside edges of my front tires also. The car handles great and I speculate that the Honda people have opted for handling qualities as opposed to optimum tire wear.

I'm going to a driver ed. event at Lowe's Motor Speedway next week and I am going to get my alignment checked when I come back. I've talked to a few S2000 owners and this wear pattern doesn't seem unusual to them. Have you received previous queries concerning this problem and if so what suggestions (camber/toe in) can you make in regard to tire longevity without compromising too much of the Ss handling qualities.

Also, when I replace my fronts, do I stay with the SO2s or go with the 3s? Any real performance issues with either tire? If someone wanted to run two sets of tires for the sake of tire longevity, what would be a street tire I could get by with that would give me 30k and allow me to save the SO2s and/or 3s for the track? Thanks for your help.

Tom

 

First off if you got 17K on the S02 that is good tread life for the rear. As far as the tires wearing on the inside it is from your camber adjustment and it will make the car handle better on the track. The down side is they will wear quicker on the inside of the tire.
The best handling for the car would be the same tire on all four corners. It would not be a good thing to mismatch tires on the track. So I would say match the S03 that you just put on the rear.
You are correct by the way that Honda sacrificed tread wear for performance.
If I can help let me know.
Thank you

Jim 877-522-8473-364

Jim

 

I replaced the rear tires at 12k, not 17k. Thanks.

 

I have the same problem too. More, I also put on my new S-03 on the rear when it was about 12k. the car now is 20k, the S-03 looks also gone. So I am concerning about the tire wear problem with the S-03. My old fronts look much better than the "new" S-03 in the rear.

Jim,
I need to get 4 new tire soon, maybe in a week. I need to mount 4 new tire on, after our central ohio's s2k run this coming Sunday. So can you help me to choose which tire is good for me, the OEM or the S-03?
I know the OEM handles great in dry condition, but the S-03 works great in the wet. My zip. is 45701. Can you PM me the total on the tire you recommended me to buy also?

 

You know, I have 8600 miles on my 2001 and the backs are just about gone, but the fronts still have what looks to be about 50% of their tread left. I don't drive the car hard, and I never smoke or even spin the tires. I assume this is normal. Jim, What is the approximate treadlife expectancy of the Kumho 712's. I think that is what I will buy when the rears are all but gone.

 

Really if you want longer wear you do need to run less toe in in the rear. That is the only way to get significant longer mileage on the rear. The Yoko ES100 and the Kumho 712 would both last longer than stock but if you drive the car aggressively they will not handle better. In the test we did the ES100 did handle better than the Kumho.
If I can help let me know.
Thank you

Jim 877-522-8473-364