You must be talking about the original Pilot Sport which is an inferior tire in most respects. Then again, I thought the S-03 wasn't that much better either. At any rate, the Pilot Sport Rib, the Pilot Sport PS2 or the Bridgestone S-02A will all make your S-03's feel like an all-season tire.

 

As much as I disliked the original S-02, it was the S-03 that I don't think belongs in the maximum performance tire category.

 

Assuming you're talking of the S-02A, that's also been my experience. I've had them on my other car down to the wear bars with no noticeable degradation in comfort and noise. They are excellent tires for just about any sports car.

 

Mmmm...so much for the week-old SO3s I now have. Dang! I shied away from the S02A because of experiences from others regarding the S02. Looks like the SO2As are far superior then, eh? Thanks for the info.

And yes, I had the Pilot Sports, not the Pilot Sport Rib. Maybe I should have clarified.

 

I took just went through the same decision and deceided if the PS2 were available in my size I would get them, but they were not so I went with the so2a's and so far I like them very much.

 

My car had brand new S03s when I bought it, if not I would have bought Pilot Sport Cups. A lot of guys use them on the track with great success. Last more than a season. I don't dislike the S03s for any know reason at this point, but I think there are better performance tires available.
I suggest your choice be based only on performance not tire life. A few thousand miles more out of a lesser performing tire makes no sense for a pleasure car. I'm assuming this is not your daily driver.

BTW. Have you done the suspension yet?

 

Don't you hate when that happens? I have continentals on mine that came with the car. I don't hear ANYBODY talk about these tires. I guess when they wear I'll get some S02As.

 

Have any of you guys with the SO3s experienced the awful tread squirm that the tire has during the first few several (700- 1000 miles). I love the SO3 after the first 1000 miles...but the squirm is just terrible to start with....just my opinion. Oh yeah...'97 Coupe with 225/40x18 and 285/30x18, hollow spoke turbo twist wheels, spirited street driving.

 

Ahh-yup! Well, it's just as well. I only replaced the rear and had to match rear to front anyhow. But come this time next year, it's looking like SO2As for me.

 

I can attest that the PS2s ride better and stick a LOT better that the SO2s. Even going up one size to 235/295s, the ride is much better. And the quietness! No more road rumble at speeds under 20 mph. Maybe the S02As don't have the rumble problem, as their tread pattern is different. The PS2s are darned expensive as well.

 

Allen- I had the same problem as well but it went away after about 500 miles. After that I've been quite happy with the S03's, but my car is more of a daily driver as opposed to a track weapon.

 

I recently had the PS2 235/295 installed on my widebody. Cost a pretty penny but so far have been very happy with them. They seem to stick very well in dry and wet and have very little road noise compared to my worn P-zeros. I don't know how often you change tires but consider that Bridestone and Mich will likely stop making SO-2A and Pilot Ribs soon so what happens if you need to replace one or two tires that are no longer made????

 

I have had really good like with the Kumho Ecsta MX. Relatively inexpensive and they seem to wear well. They are a little noisy...but not too bad.

 

well that sucks....

I have really narrowed my choices down to the pilot ribs or the SO2As.... the SO2As are standard original equipment on the 996 turbo and Ferrari 360 Modena... so I figure they got to be pretty good... but then MIchelin is Michelin...they (in my experience) make good high performance tires... I had the PS2s on my E46 M3, and loved them. However, i do like the idea of going with Porsche OE... wish there was some kind of review on the pilot ribs and SO2As...other than what I saw on tire rack, cant find much comparing the two...

 

I'll add some fuel to the fire and say my next set of tires will be BF Goodrich G-Force TA/KD. I believe it was Greg Fishman (a driver whose opinion I value when it comes to tires) that said he was very impressed with these tires. It sounds like a good tire for track/street use without going to R-compounds too soon.