RLandis

What's the difference between S-02's, and S-03's? My needs are street/hwy only. Are the S-03's OK?

gota911

I don't believe that the S-03 are "N" rated, so are not a Porsche approved tire. There have been a lot of discussion threads on tires. The Bridgestone S-02 and S-02A seem to be favored by many and most seem to like the S-02A better. I did some research a few weeks ago and have decided that when my P-Zeros wear out, I will get the S-02A. Do a search on S02 in the "996" and the "tire/wheel" (under "General") forums and read comments from other members.

mundman

SO-3s must be p-approved. I purchased cert. car and the dealer installed a brand new set although there is no "N" on the tire.

Re-animator

Being a veteran of both, S02-As are the way to go. They have the S03 wet/dry tread design with the supior 140 AA S02 rubber. S02-As are the best of the S02 and S03 combined and are now N4.

Res Ips

Porsche's "Tires--Porsche Approved Original Equipment", Fall 2004 Winter 2005 publication does not list the S03's as "N" rated. In fact, it doesn't even list them. What I have read is that the S03's are very noisy and wear quickly but that is relatively subjective.

The S02A is up to a N4 rating for the 996 17 inch wheel and which I have and are excellent. Depending on tire size the rating is either N3 18 inch or N4 17 inch.

The S02 is not "N" rated for the 996. It is rated N3 rated for the Boxter 205/55R-16 Front, the 225/50R-16 Rear and N4 rated for 205/50R 17 Front , the 255/40R-17 Rear.

useridchallenged

I've been known to be a purist, but I had S03s on my former P-car (99 C2) and they were fine for around town and the highway. And I had them up to 160 MPH on several occasions (not sustained speed, just briefly) without any problems. But for the most part, I didn't have many opportunities on the road to go much over 140 MPH - and for that, the S03s were just fine. Of course, ask which tire I would get today if I still had a P-car - my reply would be the S02A (just because). But I still think the S03 is a fine tire for driving under most conditions.

Kevin H. in Atl..

FWIW, when looking over a couple of new Turbos at one of the Atlanta dealers last week, I noticed that both had S-02A's.

TD in DC

FWIW, I just replaced my contis with S-02As. The only real criticism I have heard of them is that they can get noisy, especially if you have an agressive suspension setup like I do, with a few miles.

Viken

Both are junk. The S-02A is what you want.

Viken

Not true. The S-03 is NOT Porsche approved. But, that doesn't mean you cannot use it.

Viken

Any good maximum performance tire is going to get noisy as it wears. This doesn't mean it's not good.

leedav

My car came with Conti's and they were noisy from day 1. Are the S-02A's worse?

TD in DC

Agreed, that's why I bought them!

LVDell

Viken is correct, the SO3 is not and has not been a N-Spec tire. A dealer probably left them on there and figured you wouldn't notice the differnce.

Jim, the SO2 is N-rated for the 996 but has been replaced by the SO2A...but you can still get the N-rated SO2 if your dealer/tire dealer can get a hold of them. I had SO2's on my 996 when they were the approved tire and have a set on my track tires currently till they wear out then I will replace with the SO2A.

Res Ips

Good point and very true!