Bridgestone Potenza S-03
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Bridgestone Potenza S-03
I went to my local tire shop the other day asking about tires for my 04 STi. My dealer had recommended the Pirelli P Zero Nero MS. The guy at the tire shop said I would be disapointed with the performance of the P Zero Nero and recommended that I pick up the Potenza S-03. He said I would lose almost no dry performance over the stock tires and that the wet handling would be significantly better. Additionally, he guaranteed them for 30,000 miles. His first price to me was $179 a tire plus about $20 per tire for the roadhazard warranty and the lifetime rotation. The only downside would be the need to have snow tires I wanted my car to be a snow handler--this is something I don't mind.
Any thoughts?
Luke
Any thoughts?
Luke
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From: California
Car Info: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
How does the gurantee work because I can safely say a S-03 will not last that long, though he is right about the performance with wet and dry traction. The Potenza S-03 is one of the best tires to get for our cars.
I have so3's on my car (225/45/17) and they are way better than stockers on dry and wet pavement (no comparison). I can honestly say that I will be buying another set of them when mine wear out, unless something better comes out. I doubt they will last 30k even if you only do hwy driveing, but whats the fun in that.
Oops, I was compareing so3s to RE92s not RE070s.
Oops, I was compareing so3s to RE92s not RE070s.
Last edited by MO REX; Jul 9, 2004 at 05:59 PM.
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I love running S03s, but I wouldn't say they are better than the RE070s in the dry once you get some heat in them. The OE tires are outstanding for occasional track use. However, the abysmal rain handling would make me replace them with S03s too. And if somebody told me they'd guarantee my Potenza S-03s (even pro rata) 30k miles, they'd have a customer for life!
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Stock Tires
So, should I buy the SO-3s now and save the stock tires for the occasional track days or use the stock tires til they're gone and then just buy the SO-3s? Meaning are the SO-3s just as good at the track as the stock tires or even better? Also, how many miles are you guys getting outta your original stock tires?
Luke
Luke
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Santa Cruz Mtns
Car Info: WRB '02 WRX
If you drive at ALL enthusiasticly, you WON'T get 30,000 miles on a set. Say that straight out to the guy, and if he insists they're still guaranteed, get it in writing...
I do moderately agressive driving on windy roads, and I get 10 to 15 thousand miles on a set of stockers.
AWD eats tires.
I do moderately agressive driving on windy roads, and I get 10 to 15 thousand miles on a set of stockers.
AWD eats tires.
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Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by BluBuru
If you drive at ALL enthusiasticly, you WON'T get 30,000 miles on a set. Say that straight out to the guy, and if he insists they're still guaranteed, get it in writing...
I do moderately agressive driving on windy roads, and I get 10 to 15 thousand miles on a set of stockers.
AWD eats tires.
I do moderately agressive driving on windy roads, and I get 10 to 15 thousand miles on a set of stockers.
AWD eats tires.
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke
So, should I buy the SO-3s now and save the stock tires for the occasional track days or use the stock tires til they're gone and then just buy the SO-3s? Meaning are the SO-3s just as good at the track as the stock tires or even better? Also, how many miles are you guys getting outta your original stock tires?
Luke
Luke
I got 22k out of one set, but that was mostly freeway commuting. Got 12k out of my last set including 2 trackdays and 3 autocrosses.
Are these tires worth $163.99 here in Hawaii?
We basically have stock suspension and wanna run the quarter mile, do we need to worry about the S-03 tearing out the axles or any other suspension parts?
or are there any other tires you would recommend? Thanks
We basically have stock suspension and wanna run the quarter mile, do we need to worry about the S-03 tearing out the axles or any other suspension parts?
or are there any other tires you would recommend? Thanks