Chris W. - '96 Targa

I like the Bridgestone SO-3 Pole Positions (were they replaced by the RE050As?), but am currently running a set of P-Zero Rossos that were on a second set of wheels I bought. They seem pretty good too, but I've only put a thousand miles or so on them.

A good friend of mine runs PS2s on his Dinan M3 and really likes them, although they're pricey.



-Chris

tj90

I checked the tire rack price on the tires Damon recommends - the Bridgestones are $50 cheaper for the tire size I need versus the PS2. Does anyone feel that the Bridgestones are a "step down" in quality? I dont think they are N rated but I could be wrong...

TargaTango

Had PS2s on my Targa. They performed well. I then switched to Michelin Pilot Sport Cups - excellent in the dry, gave little warning to me if they were about to break away, very sensitive of too high a tire pressure when not warm, very poor in the wet and therefore not recommended for such conditions. Interestingly they gave a noticeably suppler ride compared to the PS2s on my M030 suspension.

Martin S.

I committed heresy in the minds of some. For street tires on my 993 C2, I went with stock sizes, and with BFGoodrich G-Force. Why?

I wanted the highest performance tire with the lowest road noise, and I wanted a good ride as well. I went to Tire Rack for their Porsche 993 available tire summary. I was looking for tires in stock sizes for the best possible ride. I don't need monster tires for cruising the streets...205s in the front and 255s in the rear.

I got what I paid for and more. Not only were the BFGoodrich G-Force quiet as specified on Tire Rack, they were very inexpensive, around $500 a set as I recall. This was last year...don't know current prices, ask Damon at Tire Rack! In addition the noise was very low as delineated on Tire Rack and the ride greatly improved. Let's see now, if I can get sets of tires for the price of one spendy set...I will go for 2 every time. Most drivers won't know the difference on the street, I suspect, IMHO, of course!

CAHRERA

I had set of Sumitomo HTR Z II. I don't track the car and don't drive in the Rain so for the price they're great so I thought. I wore the rear down to the core luckily I was given a set of PS2 Rib 70% front 225/40/18 and 50% rear 295/30/18 from a fellow Rennlister. I just mounted them and Wow what a difference! Definitely Smoother than the HTR Z II. I'll definitely go with the PS2 in the rear at least one more time. By then the Fronts should be ready to be replaced.

Has anyone tried the Kumho ECSTA SPT?

brucec59

Hmmm... No mention of S-02A? That seemed like THE street tire to get when I got mine about 18 months ago.

Terry Adams

I tried a set because they were half the price of the PS2 in my size.

Dry, the SPT handled about the same at 6/10, but only half as good at 8/10.

Wet, fuhgeddaboutit!

Noise about the same on each, but my hearing is so-so anyway. The PS2 are much more comfortable down at the wear bars.

I was in a hurry to wear them out so I could go back to the PS2. But if all I did was a leisurely commute and boulevard cruising, I would have the SPT.

Svaha

I wanted a good tire for daily driving my 993 C4S, the Pilot Sports I've been using were bare again (and then some). The last 2 sets of rears went 18k and 15k miles respectively. I bought 4 BFGoodrich g-force KDW's (285/30 and 225/40) at Costco for $862 installed. I'm hoping these last longer, at least they were cheaper. The tread pattern is pleasing, and so far they seem great for the price. I don't know how they might fare on the track. I am putting almost 10,000 miles a year and the Michelins wore out pretty quickly. I'm hoping I get more than 15,000 miles before the rears are totally shot on these. Costco's service was excellent.

Wilder

I've done some research on tires lately. I posted a thread here that some of you might find interesting. Tomorrow, I'm buying a set of CCW wheels in 18 x 9/11 with Falken Azenis in 245/40/18 and 315/30/18. Tires are $900 but less in 225/275.

If I were buying tires strictly for street, I'd stick with PS2s. If you need more performance and would like to spend a lot less $$$, look at the Azenis. The downside is that they are about 3lbs heavier per side than PS2s and the walls are stiffer so the ride will be harsher on the street.

Amfab

In the last 2 months I have had Yoko AVSs, Sumitomo HRIIs, and Bridgestone Pole Position SO2s on the car. Yokos were pretty good, Sumis are pretty good, the SO2s are probably best performing out of the bunch. The car seems much more nimble on the Bridgestones, and stickier. The Sumis seem a little sluggish and the car feels heavier. But - I am on the LA freeways a lot and the Sumis tend to not get knocked around so much and the car tracks straighter and they absorb the little rattley vibrations better than the Bridgestones. Up in the hills though the Bridgestones are much more lively and the car feels lighter on its feet. The Yokos fell somewhere in between.
The Sumis though, 4 tires mounted and balanced for $385?! Crazy cheap for the performance.

I had used BF Goodrich on my 3.2 for years, starting with the original comp TAs. I always liked them for performance/comfort. Its good to hear their newer tires are holding up that tradition.

Peter R.

I changed from Conti Sportcontact 2 to Pirelli Asymmetricos recently and I must say the Pirelli's are a lot harsher. Can't comment on durability or handling.

Peter R.

Don Magee

The Bridgestone S-02As are superb on a 993. They are Porsche approved, and they offer outstanding dry grip. I have tried a number of different tires on my 993, and the S-02As are my favorites so far.

Amfab

I thought they stopped making the S-02s, anybody compare the 03s to them?

delanobe

What about the Yokohama AVS sport with N1 porsche approved?

tj90

I went with Martins recommendation and got the BF goodrich g-force sports. They seem very stable and quiet on the street. They have plenty of traction, 340AA/A rating so hopefully its a good blend of durability and performance. My tires were manufactured in USA for those that care. $115 each with I think 94W load rating.

I personally will not buy Hankooks due to China origin. Im sure they are great tires, but Ive had it with antibiotic fish, antifeeze cookies, blownside walls and oh, I almost forgot - Communism!