winovin

Which is the better tire?

Bridgestone Potenza S03 or Continental Contisport Contact 2?

Thanks

Viken

It all depends on what you are expecting from them. What are you priorities? Dry grip, wet performance, high mileage, comfort, steering response, etc.?

winovin

Good point Viken.

I want a tire which is good in both dry and wet, but since I am unlikely to approach the dry limits, I woud rank wet performance 1st. Steering performance and dry grip would be =2nd. Mileage 4th and comfort 5th.

I have heard good things about the Potenza S03 wet performance, but not much about the Contis.

SPR

neither get some sp2's or pirelli asimetricos.

safetywork

I had the Continentals, now I have the SO3s, I personally prefer the SO3s. On the road the SO3s are quieter and generally rode nicer. The Continentals felt "choppy" on the freeways around LA. On the track, the SO3s were more predictable. The Continentals, blistered and volcanized (outer two ribs) on me. The SO3s performed great. No blistering, some volcanization (on the outer two ribs) but overall the SO3s held up much better.

NickS

Hands down... S-03's!

Gery NJ

DITTO for SO3's. Had both and will stay with SO3's

Viken

OK, given the above, here's what I suggest for the 996:

1- PZero *Rosso* Asimmetrico: Excellent dry and wet performance. Close to excellent steering response. Very good comfort and mileage.

2- Potenza S-03: Excellent wet performance. Above average dry performance. Above average steering response. Excellent comfort and mileage.

3- Sport Contact 2: Above average to very good everything.

jsonnen

I've ran pilot sports, S-03s and pirellis and by far the S-03s were the best in the wet and at the limit. But they wear alot quicker than the pilot sports! Go for the S-03s you will love them.

Carlos from Spain

With those priorities...SO3's!

Tbred911

Go for the Bridgestone S02-A... it is Bridgestone new and improved S02 with wet weather technology from the S03. They have a harder sidewall and much better steering response and feedback as well as being performers in the rain.

I have these on my 996 and absolute love them.

I have had bad experiences with S03 and know others who also have as well... will never buy these tires again.

As for P-Zeros.... I've talked to too many people who say they flatspot (including my own Pzeros that I removed) and that really sucks.



Peter
1999 996
Silver/Boxter Red 6spd

phil996cab99

Hmm... How long did your car sit when the pzeros flatspotted? I just took my car out of storage (14 months, not on jacks, never moved car). Granted, I am both lazy and an idiot for not jacking during storage, but my pzeros were smooth as silk on new freeway. I was concerned that they would flatspot, but it appears they didn't.

Rob in WA

I'm curious, what bad experiences?

jsonnen

I as well am curious as to C70petes bad experiences with the S03's?

Tbred911

Here is a list of S03 -ves:

Bad experiences with S03... weak sidewalls... car is squirmy in corners and steering response sucks. i.e - doesnt promote confidence for high speed cornering and maneuving...

Also, noisy when they are worn down (not a big problem as most tires get this way anyway)

Have heard from many others who don't like the S03 as well... but hey some people love em...

as for the PZero (Gialo NOT Rosso)... I've heard from too many people about the flat spots as well as experiencing the problem myself... if they didn't have the flat spot they are a great tire case closed. It appears to be a quality control issue at Pirelli...

a local tire dealer here in Toronto will recommend either Michelin Pilot Sport or Bridgestone S02-A for your porsche and they do a lot of work for Pfaff porsche - he steered me away from the Pirelli's and concurred with my remarks regarding the flatspoting of the PZeros and the squirm and steering response of the S03. but heck... maybe I got some bad tires...

I would be tempted to try the PZero Rosso if I hear the flat-spoting issue has been solved.


cheers
Peter