I've got S02 (N-2) all around (225/285 30-18) and they're in good shape - maybe 4-5k miles on them. I blew out my right rear tire and I can not find a single SO2 N-2 to replace it. TireRack is out until October and no one seems to have anything.

I know it's generally not suggested to mix the front and rear tires... but, what if I kept the S02s on the front and just replaced the rears with SO2As? Tirerack doesn't like the idea - and nether do I really - but what are my choices at this point... I can't be without a car for the last 6 weeks of the summer and it seems criminal to pop for 4 new tires when 3 of the current tires are perfect..

Any suggestions?

 

buy 4 new ones!

 

I have S-02's on the front and S-02A's on the rear. It wasn't supposed to be that way but Tirerack took my order for replacement S-02's and sent the S-02A's. I run through 2 sets of rear tires for every set of fronts so I didn't want to buy new fronts at the time.

Aside from the fact that the tires have a different tread pattern, they have worked very well. The S-02A's seem to wear much more quickly than the S-02's did. The S-02A's are also approximately 10mm wider even though they are the same 285/30-18 size as the S-02's.

I'll probably go with S-03's all the way around when these are worn out.

MC

 

MC, do you think the wear might be related to a slightly different rolling diameter? Also, my car is AWD so it makes me a little nervous.

 

Interesting and valid question. Some fron-rear and right-left speed differential is expected but too much, especially front-rear could cause problems for the center differential and/or confuse the electronics.

Fortunately, the TireRack website lists manufacturer's specs for many of the tires they sell. Here is what they show:

Tire Size Diameter Rotations Per Mile(RPM)
S02 225/40/18 25.2" 827
S02A 225/40/18 N/A N/A

S02 285/30/18 24.9" 837
S02A 285/30/18 24.9" 837

It's interesting they don't list the diameter or RPM for the S02A front. I have no idea why since they list all the other sizes and specs. But, for your purposes, it appears the rear tires have exactly the same diameter.

With that said, I'll point out that my S02A's appeared to be a full 10mm wider tread than the S02's they replaced. Some of that may have been the obvious visual difference between a new tire and a well-worn tire but I wasn't the only one who noticed... Fikse USA mounted them and actually placed a call to me because they were concerned about fender clearance. Thankfully, it's very close but has not been a problem.

The Tire Rack indicates the treadwidth for both tires is the same at 11.1".

Bottom line... It appears they are close enough to the original not to cause you any problems. In fact, there is a 1% difference between the OEM front and rear S02's that evidently falls within Porsche's acceptable limits.

MC

 

PS - My car is 2WD so the wear is actually related to my unfortunate ability to control my right foot. In reality, the S02A grips better than the S02 and wears more quickly, leading me to believe it's a softer compound.

MC

 

Great info! Unless I can find a single S02 N-2 then it looks like I'll be buying 2 new S02a rears.

 

I run s02's on front because they seem to last very well even on the track. they are 2 years old and in great sahpe but I have s03's on rear. Despite wht many think I dont notice evne a difference except in the rain. S-03's really channel water well and on the rear that is critical in a 993. I will go to 03's on front when they wear out.

It's a dailly driver and I DE it 4 times per year. You will not get the same on 03's at track, except when rain hits (heheheehe).

 

I always take a lot of flack on this subject because I believe you can safely mix front and rear tires. Right now, I have Yokohama AVS Sport (295x30x18) on the rear and S03s (225x40x18) on the front. Yes, different BRANDS of tires. It doesn't really matter. The front and rear suspensions, weights, pressures, loads, etc are way different, and we all seem to compensate for that when driving. There is probably MORE of a difference with a full to empty fuel load than the difference in slip angles for any of the top-rated tires. The only thing that strikes me with the mix is that the fronts are way too skinny, and I'm getting a little more understeer with my new, larger rears. When these wear out, I'm going to try to jam 315x30x18 on the rear, along with 245x40x18 on the front. Brands of tire yet to be determined (but I sure like the Yoks).

 

Will 245/40-18 fit on the front of a widebody? I thought you'd have to lower the aspect ratio to 35% or something comparable?