Safet

I had Michelin Pilot Sports on my CLK and changed them yesterday to Bridgestone Potenza SO-3's. SIMPLY AMAZING. The tires look great, the ride is quiet (compared to the Pilot Sports), and the ride is softer (IMHO.)

Anyone else had experience with these tires? I assume these tires can be pushed pretty hard (I heard be careful on turns with these tires though, any experiences from anyone?)

steve s

got 245-40-17 s-03 on the rear...i have to say a lot stickier than the stock expedia s-01 (which the front still are). i think the expedia feels cushier, more solid, more plush, but not as sticky. i have s-02 on my wagon, and they were a step up from the pzero assym... wet traction is awesome... haven't had a chance to put new s-03 on my wagon, so donno diff between s-02 and s-03

JamE55

What else can i say about these tires? Well you already said it...SIMPLY AWSOME!!!!!!!!! When i make hard turs this is what i look like...

Safet

JamE55,

I had the tires brand new less than an hour after I put them on me and a 2003 E500 are going into a turn, I had to slowdown because they were brand new and not broken in yet...can't wait till they're broken in.

tommy

Great choice. That's the set that I put on my ccoupe; was like night and day, especially considering that I had the stock crappy, awful, disgusting-that-they-would-be-put-on-a-Benz Continetals.

Break-in was pretty quick. Easiest way is to do many corners at high speeds. Enjoy!

JamE55

This is you before breaking in the tire... after breaking in the tire...

Safet

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right after they were done putting the tires on the car, the first time I started the car up, I rolled it onto the street, and smoked them up, left about 30 ft. of BLACK on the asphalt.

Then I met my cousin who has a 2003 E500, we both gunned it, but I had to slow down as we approached a turn. Gotta be careful with new tires.

Wreck

S0-3 are great. I'm just worried about tire wear. Every week I look at the treads and it seem like it is going down quickly. But I think it is only my imagination.

JamE55

It's only your imagination!

Fanatic

"... it's about grip, grip and more grip!"
-Tiff Needell - BBC 'Top Gear'

:p :p

JamE55

Is one lucky b**tard!! That guy pretty much gets to drive high end cars!

Fanatic

No doubt. 996tt, Vanquish, M5, M3, RS4. Where do I sign up? :p

Except what happens if he crashes a car?

steve s

he prob doesn't ever have that prob ... hands are so quick. and think about, he was good enough (or not good enough) for one formula 1 race. he was in btcc too... does he have the best job or what...hehe, crazy guy...wouldn't wanna be pulling down the tailgate of a moving car from the cargo area...even if it is the s6 avant...

JamE55

Yes i'm curious too what will happen if he does crash one of those expensive cars like the McLaren F1?

Fanatic

Steve,
No doubt. Tiff's an excellent driver but look as some of the stunts he does: goes airborne in a 996TT; does donuts in the same car around a collection of past gererations of 911; pulls full throtle power slides in an M5. Accidents can happen regardless of how good the driver is.

Jam,
That's why you have insurance :p
How would you like to pay for those premiums? And you thought your insurance was expensive. :p

JamE55

I can't even imagine how much the premiums are on those high end cars especially the McLaren F1? :faint:

AJChenMPH

You call that being careful with new tires? :p

These days, S-03's are the standard by which all other tires are compared. Seriously contemplating getting these as my track/autocross tires -- but they're on the heavy side.

CHATMANR

I really want the SO-3's but they don't make it in 265/30/19 [tirerack]? Can I use a 255 on a 9.5 inch wheel...safely?

Mach430

Check with HRE, but it's possible that you MAY be able to run 275s. I think it would probably need modification though.

I just switched to Toyo Proxes T1-S today, and I love them! They are a thousand times more comfortable and quiet than the Pirelli's I was using. The grip feels better even though I went down a size (275 to 265, 245 to 235).

CHATMANR

Ben,
What about a 255 on a 9.5? Safe, or too stretched?

byip25

S03s are great gripping tires... however, i have recently had a problem with them. i put the S03s on in march/april. then in oct, i was driving home and i noticed black smoke coming from the rear of the car and a slight vibration. i pulled over and my passenger side rear tire was flat and shredded on the inside tire well!! CR*P! i replaced the tire with dunlop sp. this past weekend, i was drivning again on the 101 and the exact same thing happened with the driver side rear tire. now i have changed both rear tires to dunlops.... coincidence?

imo , the S03s were the stickiest and best gripping tires ive had on my car (and i have tried many brands already), however, i am seriously doubting their endurance..... just my two cents worth.


b

tango

how do they do oin the snow?

Fanatic

Haven't had snow yet, however they do lose traction on icy mornings. I've been setting the ABS off on most morning trying to come to a stop on some of the less busier streets. Our parking lot a work is always frosty in the mornings as well. Allows me to practice some slide maneuvers before work. :p

A lot tougher to handle IMO in the rain as well [than OEM]. This could be that I've gone wider. Hydroplaning is a real concern when I'm on the freeways.

But still a great performance tire.

GuestFromTampa

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