S-02's or S-02A's?

[captainmark]

Sorry if this has been covered before but what's the difference between the Bridgestone S-02s (N2) and the S-02A's (N3)? I currently have S-02A's and need to replace all four tyres so am cnsidering all options.

Also can any recommend a tyre fitter in the West London area?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Johnny C]

I've got some S-02A N3s on the front. They've got about 15K on, but they don't like the rain anymore and are prone to aquaplaning, which can be a bit hairy on the M6 at the moment. There's no flatspots or flat edges, they've worn evenly. However I wouldn't use them again.

 

[captainmark]

Thanks for this Maurice. Very helpful as usual [] I've got S-02A 225/40 ZR18 N3 on the front and SO2A 285/30 ZR18 N3 on the rear and guess it must have had Bridgestones right from the start.

Further to Johnny's comments (and I know I'm opening a can of personal opinions here) but if I was to change brands is there a recommendation as to what would work best for everyday road use on a C4S? Has anyone compared the pros and cons of Conti's vs Michelin's vs Pirelli's vs Bridgestones?

Cheers
M

 

[911sse]

I had sets of S02's for the 911, never the 'a' variant as I was told it was nowhere near as good.

Took a little hunting at times, because some people said the non 'a's were discontinued. Rubbish.. .. ..

The S02 was a top tyre.

 

[RichardLW]

Pirelli's wear out quickly at the rear - 5K miles seems normal - but do work well.

 

[Sundeep]

ORIGINAL: MoC2S

ORIGINAL: RichardLW

Pirelli's wear out quickly at the rear - 5K miles seems normal - but do work well.

Well, in my experience the (non-Rosso) Asimmetricos run at least 10K on the rear, so I'm unsure what you're up to ... ! [&:][X(][8|][]

IMHO S02s and Asimmetricos are = = , + or - on the circumstances .. standing water is better for S02s, dry tarmac favours the Assys .. I'd like to try PS2s myself !

cheers, Maurice

agree with chops, S02's are softer but exception (better than the others at least) in the wet due to their pro-wet tread pattern.........

Pirelli and Michelin offering seem to be good for 8-12k depending on how much tail sliding you do...

if only they made the PS2 in the correct size for the 17" might do for the 18" otherwise the Porsche special Michelin Pilot Sport N2 is a fine option for a 993 on 17's

 

[38F3E1]

ORIGINAL: 911sse

I had sets of S02's for the 911, never the 'a' variant as I was told it was nowhere near as good.

Took a little hunting at times, because some people said the non 'a's were discontinued. Rubbish.. .. ..

The S02 was a top tyre.

The SO2 was discontinued and replaced by SO2A as it's a newer design. Trouble is people didn't like the SO2A so SO2 was re-introduced.

Ian.

 

[AndyC]

I went through a similar post on the forum in August while contemplating changing my Pirelli Assymetricos. I have a C2S and have always been a little distrurbed by its sensitivity to tramlining and lack of directional stability on bumpy roads. I ended up going for the S02a and have to say I think the car is markedly different. I'd agree that wet grip doesn't appear quite as strong at the front BUT the directional stability is much much improved. So if you have a widebody (albeit at 4S) I'd be a bit cautious of the Pirellis in case you get the same stability issues appearing.

 

[Johnny C]

I used to use conti's when I first got my old 3.2 but they weren't anything special and tended to slip coming out of junctions. I then moved to Pirelli PZero Neros which were the mutt's nut without power steering, but didn't come with N-ratings as far as I could find, and they used to go oval after 10K so it felt like you needed the wheels balancing all the time. I had a brief set of Rossos but they were dangerous in the wet, did a 720degree spin on a wet motorway. I had bridgestone N4's on the 993 when I got it (don't know the name) and they were okay. I replaced them with S02-As but haven't liked them. So I've put the Michelin Pilot Sport's on the rear now which seem okay in that I haven't lost it but apart from that I can't tell much about, I will get the front end done in a few months but that isn't much use for you.

I don't do track days, just motorways, so I can't comment on any of the above

 

[andrewswinson]

ProTyre in Slough are very good if you want a quick blast down the M4.

www.protyre.co.uk

I run the Pirelli's and couldn't get them locally last time apart from protyre; paid £280 for 2 rears. A lot cheaper than black circles and the like!

Mine only last about 6000k on the back, even when driving like a grandma! Fronts seem to last forever with road driving.

 

[Johnny C]

update on the Michelin PIlot Sports... I got some new ones on the rear end in August. Since then I've done about 4-5K. At the time the S02's on the front had 4-5ml tread on the outside. I do about 1500 miles a month.

I just checked them all at lunchtime, thinking maybe the S02's would need replacing by now. There's still 3-4 ml on them, but the Michelin PIlot Sports are completely bald on the outside. Middle of the tyre is fine. I don't slide the back end at all. All my driving is on motorways, usually in rush hour so I don't get the chance to slide it about too much.

I just counted how many turns I make a day, it's literally 8 turns in each direction over 37 miles No way they should be bald, the S02's which almost needed replacing have outlived them! That's £250 I could have spent elsewhere.

So, unless you have a bottomless wallet and particularly like the Michelin's steer well clear! (pun intended)

 

[KEVIN993S]

Oh no not tyres again.....I needed tyres earlier and as Assymetricos were being discontinued (could get one set but probably no replacement .....in Scotland ...cannot comment on availability down south) ....after some deliberation and discussion I decided upon the S02As and ordered them. However garage ordered S02s and having used them before seriously considered fitting them..anorak moment ...abolutely fantastic looking tyre tread pattern....over the boring looking As but went with them. Do not do track days but first impressions over pirellis were good - they were definately quieter but on reflection are not as confidence inspiring as the Pirellis....bring back Assimetricos !!

Cheers
Kevin

 

[RichardLW]

Re Maurice's remarks, its pretty difficult to be a hooligan day to day in a C4S as you can't ever get fast enough to get sideways but I stick by my comment that P-Zero Rossos are shagged after 5000 miles on the rear and this follows my running the tyres at lower pressure to even the wear and having the alignment checked and it (still) being spot on. They are a good tyre, maybe subject to tramlining, HTF you spin the car on the motorway with them (no tread I guess) in the wet, I don't want to know. Would I have them again? No.

 

[Johnny C]

I don't know how I span either. They had plenty of tread. Could have been diesel I guess!

 

[38F3E1]

ORIGINAL: Johnny C

update on the Michelin PIlot Sports...

...but the Michelin PIlot Sports are completely bald on the outside. Middle of the tyre is fine. I don't slide the back end at all. All my driving is on motorways, usually in rush hour so I don't get the chance to slide it about too much.

I just counted how many turns I make a day, it's literally 8 turns in each direction over 37 miles   No way they should be bald...

This would seem to indicate you have an alignment problem, probably too much camber. I know people like to run more aggressive setting to get better feel (ie more like RS/track settings) but this can have a detrimemtal effect on wear. I would also suspect if your kinimatic alignment is out you would have a problem with the rear as the rear wheels will not put pointing parrallel to the car but either pointing in or out too much.

Ian.