edgarg4

Just want to know anyone tried the new Bridgestone Potenza S-03 tires???
Is it good?

ChuH

I had my Bridgestone S0-3 for about 3 weeks now. I have 245/40R18 on 18"x8.5" Lowenhart BR5 in the front and 275/35R18 on 18"x9.5" in the rear. At the same time I installed the new rims I also had my Lexus dealer install the L-Tuned shocks/springs and steering ECU. Before the upgrade I had 17" stock rims with stock RE030 tires. Therefore my review may not be good than if I were to gradually upgrade each component by themselve.


WET PERFORMANCE:
For the past two weeks Guam was hit with several thunderstorms with heavy rain and causing flooding in some areas. My impression with the S03 is that it tracks better than the S02 that I had on my 1995 SC400 with 17"x8" w/235/45R17 and 17"x9" w/265/40R17. Water channels to the back rather than the side of the tires. There is no open gap for water to evacuate from the sides. I did not get a strong pulling effect when one side of the car drives over deep pool of water (about 1" or deeper) at 45 mph and the other side on drier road that I did with RE030. Traction is very very good even though the rubber compound is harder than the S02. The S03 is rated at Y speed rating (I think Y rating is up to 189mph). A softer rubber compound will be expose as the tread wears down (hopefully will reduce the noise too).

DRY PERFORMANCE:
Drove up to about 125 mph on a short burst (1 to 2 miles straight way). Very secure feeling. Still playing with the air pressure to find the proper setting. Can someone with similar tire size post what air pressure they usually set their tires?

NOISE:
Initially I set the tires to 33 psi (Lexus recommendation for 235/45R17 stock tires). Big mistake. Very annoying howling sound between 25 to 30 mph from the front tires. Never notice any noise from the rear tires at driver's seat. Rear passenger did not report any tire noise from rear except for the front noise only. Increase pressure to 36 psi and noise is reduced. At high cruising speed 45 and up road noise is a bit higher than RE030. As you drive faster the engine and wind noise drown out the tire noise. Be expect to hear more noise than the RE030. Either I have gotten used to the sound of the tires or the tires have gotten quieter due to flatter wearing down of the initial treads. Don't know. Definitely more noise than RE030. But not too bad with higher air pressure.

COMFORT:
Because at the same time I install the L-Tuned Shocks/Springs. I can not give a good review of my impress of the S03 by itself. Overall the ride is firm but not any harsher than my 1995 SC400 with stock shock/spring on aftermarket 17" rims and S02 tires.

CORNERING:
With the recent rain storm haven't had the chance to take high speed turns yet. Should be sunny weather this weekend.

LOOKS:
The side wall curves in toward the tread the same for the front and rear. The 245/40R18 and 275/35R18 fits perfectly on 18"x8.5" and 9.5" rims.

Overall I highly recommend these tires for performance minded person. There are other better touring tires if owner wants quiet and comfort.

Chu...

D-MAN63

Chuh, I had no idea it was released already ! If you don't mind , how much did those tires run you? How much of a price difference from the S02's?

thanks

ChuH

The S03 were available at TireRack since Mid-May. I paid $255 for 245/40R18 and $314 for 275/35R18 excluding shipping.

Chu...

ChuH

The S03 were available at TireRack since Mid-May. I paid $255 for 245/40R18 and $314 for 275/35R18 excluding shipping.

Chu...

D-MAN63

CHUH, I am surprised that there is that much noise, especially at 18's. Usually the noise would be unbearable at 19's or 20's??

I am thinking about getting these once my Toyo's are no longer good. It'll be a while though, but thanks alot for the review !

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

I'm thinking about Toyo's like you have - why wouldn't you get them again? Thanks!

D-MAN63

Yeah bit, the toyo's are FANTASTIC ! Nothing wrong with them !! Just wanted to do some research with the S03's to see if they are better than the Toyo's, if its not then I'm sticking with Toyo's again !

enginyr

Anyone Try out the Pirellies....My mechanic says they're way better than the S03's and the T1's.

LXOGOOD

Enginyr- From what I've heard, performance wise, they are very good. I wouldn't say better than the above, but very good. However, my friend has them on his Lexus and he has 20's. Very loud. it was so loud on the freeway, that I noticed they we were raising our voice just to have a normal conversation. By the way, he has 255/35 up front and 285/30 in the rear. To loud for me.

gsnav

I've had them on my car for 5 months already and they work great. In wet they work well and are stable. In dry they are awesome. I actually got them from tire rack at unbelieveable prices during early november. The rears were around 260 and the fronts were somewhere like 240. They are the best bet out there and they are not the priciest too.

ming 2.7T

Only know the 235/40-18 series.
Between S-03's, Rosso's, Toyo's

The Rosso's are the best riding/quiet tire for street driving of these three. Good grip. less aggressive tread pattern.

The S-03 have great grip, a little louder than the Rosso's, less noisier than the S-02 . I feel that the S-02 had more grip than the S03. Aggressive tread pattern. have heard that after 5k miles they start to get a little louder. havent reached 5k yet.

The Toyo's are louder than the S-03's. Great grip, good at the track. Aggressive tread. Used to be a good value, but they are increasing in price now.

If I was to make a choice it would be the Rosso's, but damn the S-03 looks good on the car!.
Oh and we have found out that the S-03's are a little bit wider than the Rosso's, so if your at the edge of the wheel well with Rosso's you may peek past a ittle with the same size s-03's. Could rub if your not careful.

i have had the S-02's, Rosso's and S-03's. Rode in cars with the Toyo T1-s's.

As the size gets larger 19' or real wide 18's I cant say how they ride. Sorry.

enginyr

Rosso's???

0260n5.7

I have them on 19s on the GS - 243/35 and 275/30. I also have Michelin Pilot Sports in the same sizes on the SC. IMO, maybe because the Pilot Sports are older, the SO3s are much quieter than the Pilots. As Chu stated, they also perform very well in wet conditions. Also like Chu, i got them form the tire rack. Dry handling, as with all these Ultra High Perfomrance tires, is excellent. Hope this helps.

MAC

xsuperjoex

Hey Dieselman me and you should meet up I have the S03's in 245/35/19's I got them for an amazing $180 a piece (thanks Tirerack ) They are awesome in the rain and on dry ground!!! and for me the noise really isn't that much.