road noise: RE-92's vs. S-03's
11-25-2002, 06:49 PM
#1
road noise: RE-92's vs. S-03's
I'm thinking about picking up a set of 215/45/17 S-03's to replace my RE-92's (at long last). How do these two compare, based on road noise?
I'm looking for a good-performing street tire that'll handle the rainy season pretty well. I'd prefer to have something that's kinda quiet on the highway.
What other tires should I be looking at?
I'm looking for a good-performing street tire that'll handle the rainy season pretty well. I'd prefer to have something that's kinda quiet on the highway.
What other tires should I be looking at?
11-25-2002, 07:58 PM
#2
Well if I had to say you want a really quite tire, go with the Pirelli PZero Rossos. I would have to say that the S03's are a somewhat noisier but not all that bad. If you can I would say try and get the S02's if you can. I miss those tires. I have tried both on my RS and WRX and I would definitely have to say that the Pirellis are much more comfortable while the Bridgestones perform much better. I have also tried Michelin Pilot Sports also. They are okay, but noiser than the two mentioned above.
11-26-2002, 05:51 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Going from memory, the RE-92's and the S-03's were about equally quiet on the road/highway. I do have an aftermarket exhaust, however, so any small differences might have been masked.
As mentioned, the S-03's will pick up little pebbles and such when they are heated up, and kick them into the wheel well. Not a factor on the highway, as I only noticed it when I went from dirt to pavement around town.
The RE's did quite a bit more squealing on the autocross course, of course. The S-03's do squeal as well, but not as much. It's their way of saying "hey, limit's coming up..."
I just changed over to snows, so all I can say is: road noise is secondary to traction!
KR
As mentioned, the S-03's will pick up little pebbles and such when they are heated up, and kick them into the wheel well. Not a factor on the highway, as I only noticed it when I went from dirt to pavement around town.
The RE's did quite a bit more squealing on the autocross course, of course. The S-03's do squeal as well, but not as much. It's their way of saying "hey, limit's coming up..."
I just changed over to snows, so all I can say is: road noise is secondary to traction!
KR
11-26-2002, 07:11 PM
#8
My plan is to keep my stock 16" wheels with the RE-92's for rallycross/snow duty, and to use my 17" wheels for daily duty (commuting, twisty mountain road driving).
I'm not autocrossing the car, so I don't need super-grippy tires. I'd rather have a tire that has decent wet and dry traction, is not noticably noisier than stock, and is reasonably priced.
Actually, I think I'm going to get Sumitomo HTR Z II's.
I'm not autocrossing the car, so I don't need super-grippy tires. I'd rather have a tire that has decent wet and dry traction, is not noticably noisier than stock, and is reasonably priced.
Actually, I think I'm going to get Sumitomo HTR Z II's.
11-27-2002, 03:26 AM
#11
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Little Osaka
Posts: 577
Car Info: 2007 Legacy GT Spec B
S-03s have a fair bit of road noise. I can't really compare my 17" S-03s to my stock RE-92s 16" because the 17" tires were much stiffer. Rolling over the freeway they are louder, and i figure its as much a function of the stiffer lower profile tires and the larger rims. When i switched back to my 16" rims and Dunlop SP5000s, much softer ride, almost like going into a luxury car 
Ed
Ed
12-02-2002, 10:25 AM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Gold Country
Posts: 79
Car Info: '02 WRX Wagon, it's blue!
Originally posted by scoop
Not real snow.. California snow.
Not real snow.. California snow.
California snow is the worst, wet and slick! I don't think anything less than a tractor tire would actually be good.