18" S02 Potenzas - VERY noisy - HELP!
 

Just bought a 2001 Boxster S - tires have been replaced a while ago with Bridgestone Potenza S02s (265-35 18 rear, 225 - 40 18 Front) and they sound like I have knobby 4 x 4 tires! I had an '84 911 Carrera previously with S02s on 16 inch Fuchs with no real noise but these things have a very distibctive whine - and loud. I had the car into Porsche under warranty and complained (I originally thought I may have a bad wheel bearing) but they say it's the tires.

Must be the width of the rears (they seem to be nearly a foot across on the road) but I am open to suggestions and comments. I may have to replace them.

Any ideas folks?

Take them to your local Firestone/Bridgestone dealer and have the tires checked. They may be out-of-round or have some other defect. Having said that, I would imagine that the noise level is from the wide footprint, small sidewall, and tall wheel combination. You may have to live with it or trade someone for a smaller tire/wheel combination.

are the tires balanced?

I now know the problem with these tires. I went to some tire guys.

Seems the high camber setting on Boxsters can cause a feathering on the inside of the front tires that then gives off this noise I find so irritating. Not much to be done except live with it or replace (temporary fix). Because the S02 has a softer compound, it is more susceptible to this phenomenon, I am told.

Anyone gotten rid of this feathering?

Had SO2's on my 97 Carrera S. They were noisy on that car too. I am now running SO3's and they are much quieter. The SO3 pattern has a continuous center tread that makes the tire stay in continuous contact with the road. Which I believe makes the SO3 a quieter sound.

Craigg,

I previously had S-02's on my 993, and noticed that the grip dropped off and noise levels increased signficantly as the tires aged - maybe due to hardening of the rubber compound?

I ended up replacing all four tires after only about 6,000 miles of use (including three track weekends), even though there was still 50% tread remaining.

I have had better subsequent experience with both S-03's and R-compound Pirelli P-Zero C's.