John McM

I bought 2 Bridgestone PP N1 S02 265/35-18 tyres last year, because I was worried that they would no longer be available when the existing rears on my Turbo 3.6 wore out.

One year later, the rears really need to be replaced, and the fronts aren't far off either.

I went in to the local tyre shop and gave him the full story [no-one is too keen to fit tyres they didn't sell, in fact the best shop in town told me flat out he didn't want my business].

Anyway, the response from the local tyre shop was rather interesting, and not what I expected at all; he said, "your fronts will be impossible to replace with S02's in a few months time so buy two new S03's for the front and I'll fit two new S03's to the rear in a no-cash exchange for your new S02's.

I know you shouldn't mix tyres, but I'm seriously thinking about taking the deal, buying the front S03's and only fitting them when the fronts wear out. It seems a good deal for me as it relieves me of having worry about mixing tyres long term, or throwing away good tyres in the future i.e. I move fully to S03s now.

What I can't work out is why I'm being offered the deal. It does leave this guy with a full set of front and rear S02's but are they in such demand that he would want to do this? I know the S03's aren't Porsche rated, but otherwise they seem a direct equal.

Your thoughts would be appreciated?

Jeff Curtis

I say go for it, it's up to you though.

The S03s are supposed to be a great tire, and yes, the S02s are becoming quite rare. If you are worried about being shut out on the S02 deal, why not find a set of S02s for the front NOW?

John McM

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Jeff Curtis:
<strong> If you are worried about being shut out on the S02 deal, why not find a set of S02s for the front NOW?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">They have one [supposedly last] set of S02 fronts on the shelf. The problem is that Turbos are known for chewing up rears two times faster than fronts so I could buy the S02 fronts, but get only half life out of them because there are no more rear S02's available when the rears are used again.

I think the deal makes good sense, because I basically get to move to the new tyres without having to sacrifice half used old ones, but am suspicious because no-one's ever offered me a deal that seems to be good for both sides.

JonSeigel

Somewhere, I think Pelican, there was a lengthy thread that was basically a bitch session about S03s. But Jeff C. likes 'em and that means something because he knows far more about this stuff than me. So my answer is that I don't know the answer!

Bill Gregory

John,

I have S03's on my C2, and for street usage they're fine. I have also used them at the track in the rain, and they didn't stick as well as the tread design would suggest.

eion

I'm mixing S-03s and S-02s at the moment (I needed to replace one tyre in a hurry and couldn't get hold of any S-02s), and it's not that bad. Not as good as it was with just S-02s, but I was still happy with them (and it probably wasn't a fair test, let's just say a few other things were changed at the same time).

Ruairidh

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Jeff Curtis:
<strong>I say go for it, it's up to you though.

The S03s are supposed to be a great tire, and yes, the S02s are becoming quite rare. If you are worried about being shut out on the S02 deal, why not find a set of S02s for the front NOW?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Yep, I agree with Jeff. But if you have any lingering reservations follow his second tip. ALthough you are going to have to make a choice sooner or later given the increasing unavailablity of S02's

Jeff Curtis

Quote: "But Jeff C. likes 'em"

<img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

Hey there! ...glad to hear someone holds me in high regards. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I use RE 730s and LOVE 'em, will replace them with the like once I wear the current ones out. I use them for Autocross too, they stick like a champ once I disconnect the front swaybar! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Actually, I just know that the S03 is the S02 replacement, it can't be all that bad to mix them, especially if you're just street driving. I used to have RE-71s...and when the rears went I put RE-730s on the rear and still had the 71s up front...now understand that I drive quite "spirited", quite often.

Let me tell you...while the 730 was the 71s replacement...what a GOOFY combination! Talk about oversteer! <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />

SO, I fully understand the concern for mixing tires (or is it tyres??) - I say go with whatever your heart says, either way you're gonna be okay...but it's time to accept the fact that tire manufacturers often replace what's "good" with "okay" tires, just like the R-1s to the "G-Force" track tires controversy, and the Dunlop D40 M-2s to the 8000s.

It's all a game to have the "newest" thing out there, and it stinks!