If all you do is drag race, you can do better than the S03 for less. The Goodyear GSD3 jumps to mind. Similar stickiness, but lower priced, softer sidewalls, and still excellent in rain. Hankook RS2s also leap to mind as good options for you.

 

lol many people liked the RE92s as drag tires. I know everybody hates them as far as track tires and even as around town tires.

 

Would I have to worry about axles being torn out with any higher performance tires?

 

i think you mean worn out..

no the s03's arent that grippy enough to cause damage to your axels

 

Thanx blitzsti. I was just curious. I will look more into the tires you guys mentioned.

 

My factory UK-17s came with 215/45-17 Potenza S-03 tires on them when I bought them used from an i-Club'er in Minnesota. I rode on them for about 17K miles or so and they performed awesome in the wet and dry. After beefing up my suspension, I found them a bit harsh and wanted a slightly softer sidewall and the added benefit of hitting the show once in awhile without having to change wheels. Once the Bridgestones wore out, I went and bought the same size Pirelli Pzero Nero M+S tires.

The Pirelli's still have good traction for an all-season tire and low-road noise compared to the S-03. The only real drawback from them is that entering into a corner they slightly squeel, but then they hook up and grip good with no noise. The S-03s never did that (but they were a bit more sticky too).

Other than that...I love the PZero Nero M+S tires. They will be seeing snow around Dec/Jan.

Hope this helps...

 

buy the SO3s now for regular use, and save the stockers for when you have to go in the snow - otherwise, the michelin ps2 A.S. M+S is the way to go

 

If you're not looking for snow or dirt use, then skip the S-03s...I love 'em, but then I switched to the Yoko Advan Neova AD07....

I thought that the S-03s were as good as it gets in the dry, or with some rain...wrong...the Advans are better yet.

 

Wait, what? S03s would suck in snow or dirt... it's pavement use in wet and dry that makes them good. They've never been the #1 overall dry tire either for street use, just the best combination of wet and dry performance. RT215s, RE070s, and BFG KDs all have better at-the-limit dry grip, but they aren't as nice for daily use in northern california.