chowder

damnit.
i was on the cusp of buying the toyos until the new s03 release drove down the prices of the s02 to a competitive level ($160ish for 234/45R17).
anyone happen to have a first hand comparo of these two tires?
my stock re030's are driving me bonkers.

GS4Will

the S03s are too new to have any comparo info. my feeling is that if you want the ultimate in performance handling, go S03s.

but if you want longer tyre life(but still have veryGOOD handling), get toyoT1S.

how much are they differ?

chowder

i am not interested in the S03 at this time. they are priced where the S02's used to be.
now the S02's are priced like T1-S's. i was looking for some real-world analysis of these two tires to help me decide. my impression is that the S02's have unmatched performance and the T1-S's are a good balance of handling/treadlife/noiselevel. one specific question i was wondering: will the S02's wear out faster than the stock RE030's?

Percy

Chowder,

The stock 030's, IMO, were absolute JUNK. Traction questionable when dry, even worse in the wet. Got rid of them realy fast. My Dad just loaded up some Pole Position S02's on his IS3 and they're incredible. They're a bit softer of a tire but in the dry and wet, excellent grip. I've tried the SP9000's on my GS4 but there is always this annoying road noise that starts around 50mph and gets worse from there on due to the aggressive tread pattern. The pattern is enough to cause some pretty good steering wheel vibrations (you can see it shaking quite a bit) at 55mph. The S02's don't do this.

Haven't tried the Toyos but I'm pretty sure you'll be more than happy with the PPSO2's.

Percy

mindflux

I have a 1995 SC400 which I recently installed 235/45/17 Toyo Proxes T1-S on all four. The tires are very good. So far handling has improved greatly on dry roads and wet handling is much improved also. I managed to burn them up a couple of days ago by power braking and noticed that they are not so easy to melt, they are not too soft. Don't ask me why I did this but I did. Treadwear is excellent with a nice compromise in noise, ride quality, treadwear and traction. They have a very aggressive tread pattern for the rain. I personally think these tires are awesome for their price.

Mind

1995 SC400 with some stuff!

GS4Will

based on members reactions, the So2 will last may be a few thousand miles longer than the 030, not much diff though.
if the price is the same between the toyo and bridge, i would take the toyos for reasons chowder listed.

D-MAN63

Get the Toyo's man, you won't regret it. No vibration what so ever, even going 100 mph. Good driving conditions in dry and wet. Minimal road noise, and awesome tread pattern. Cost a little more than the Yokohamas AVS when I had em, but I think they are better than the AVS.

ted920

the bridgestone potenza S-02 Pole Position Tires are:

AWESOME. I just got them in 245/35/19 size and they ride great, are really sticky to the road and handle incredibly well in both dry and wet conditions.

I go them @ an outstanding price (i'm sponsored by Tire Rack) but anyone can now get them at a great price also: $226 for 245/35/19. These tires ain't no cheesy toyo's or nitto's etc. The bridgestones are the TOPS.

easy choice in my opinion.

Peace-Out.

Ted

gs4power

I don't agree. In Europe, the Toyos T1-S are actually considered better than the Bridgestone S-02. Also, the Toyos have higher tread wear rating (280) in spite of having the same traction rating (AA). And last but not least, the Toyos in 234/40 size weigh 3 pounds less.

Percy

There are 2 different types. Did they compare it to the SO2's or the SO2 Pole Positions? There is a difference between them.

Percy

chowder

you guys are killing me. gotta love a healthy debate though.
like percy, i have half a mind to "punish" bridgestone for making these hideous OE RE030.
sounds like i should throw darts.
tirerack has PPS02 at 169 per, +36 shipping, +60ish mount/balance elsewhere. get this, i'm one town over from one of their warehouses, and i am "not allowed" to buy/pickup there!
T1-S i am getting quoted at 170ish per installed (mount/bal).

ps - my research turned me on to a cheaper alternative: Sumitomo HTR Z II. intruiging, but i don't think i'll bite.

GS4Will

Chowder,

you CANNOT go wrong with either. but for the price and longevity, get the TOYOS. i am almost certain it would last 75% longer. you save $96 for other mods in the future, and still as good of a tyre

the sumitomos are actually not bad. they are made by dunlops, adn prices... well you know, cheap. the co.just have less advertising in US.

KenJack

Chowder, you said that the RE030's are driving you bonkers, but you didn't specify as to why... They are driving me nuts, but my only real complaint is the @#$%@&@ road noise. I want Quiet,Quiet, Quiet !!! To you and all others who can help me, my points are:
1. Chowder, is road noise you're biggest complaint?

2. When I hit smooth asphalt, the car drives quiet as a Cadillac, but rough texture road make a hell of a racket, which makes me think it"s the sidwalls transmitting noise, not the tread pattern causing it. Any Clues?

3. I just talked to the Goodyear Engineer at Goodyear Corporate that designs a lot of their tires, who has given me great advice in the past. He recommended the Eagle HP Ultra Plus 234/45/17 as a good replacement. They/re W rated (up to 168 mph) and under $120 per tire. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks everyone.

chowder

i've posted on that in the past.
https://www.clublexus.com/vb/showthr...=&threadid=350

As for your questions:
1) no. uneven wear unrelated to alignment is.
2) nature of the beast
3) if you key on roadnoise, then go for a touring tire. if you must stay with performance, maybe the Yoko AVSdb.

GS4Will

Ken,

i just checked the specs and tread design on the good years. for $120, and 340 tread wear rating, i would give it a try. the only concern is that 235/45/17 is HR rated. i would suggest go for 245/45/17 ZR rated. but then the price goes to $150.

IMO, for $150, i would get re730, toyot1s, or yoko avsdb