Bridgestone Potenza S-03 : My Review
10-16-2002, 01:29 PM
#1
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Bridgestone Potenza S-03 : My Review
Yup, just got a set of 235/40/ZR18's from Tire Rack that replaced my Pirelli P7000 Supersport. Here is what I think:
Initial reacation was QUIET. The P7000 were hella noisy, but I didn't realize how noisy until I put the S-03's on. Honeslty, they might be as quite, if not more, than the stock Eagle RSA's. Even with that wide of a tread and aggresive pattern, it is silent!
Dry Handling has been superb to say the least. They don't squeel and they grip better than any other tire I've had. Seriously, they stick like glue. The only concern is the rubber compound. It's soft. Very soft. After they heat up, gravel actually sticks to the rubber on the tire. So I'm not sure how that will affect longevity. But the reviews on TireRack.com seemed very positive about tread life.
Wet handling: Not sure, sorry, but it hasn't rained yet.
Overall, this tire is outstanding and I recommend anyone to purchase it. It might be pricey (i paid $180 for each) but i my opinion and culmination of research, this quite honesty the best road tire out there.
Hope this helps some people!
Initial reacation was QUIET. The P7000 were hella noisy, but I didn't realize how noisy until I put the S-03's on. Honeslty, they might be as quite, if not more, than the stock Eagle RSA's. Even with that wide of a tread and aggresive pattern, it is silent!
Dry Handling has been superb to say the least. They don't squeel and they grip better than any other tire I've had. Seriously, they stick like glue. The only concern is the rubber compound. It's soft. Very soft. After they heat up, gravel actually sticks to the rubber on the tire. So I'm not sure how that will affect longevity. But the reviews on TireRack.com seemed very positive about tread life.
Wet handling: Not sure, sorry, but it hasn't rained yet.
Overall, this tire is outstanding and I recommend anyone to purchase it. It might be pricey (i paid $180 for each) but i my opinion and culmination of research, this quite honesty the best road tire out there.
Hope this helps some people!
10-16-2002, 01:39 PM
#2
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Posts: 1,015
Thanks for the review. I have P7000 Super sports also and you are right, they are noisy, but the noise didn't start for about 10,000 miles. I hope the s-03's stay quiet. I'm thinking about getting Brigestones's 03 cheaper cousin the ES100 and take the money I save and buy an exhaust of something, or maybe a nice gift for the wife. 
How many miles did you get out of the p7k, I'm at about 22k or so and i can probably squeeze another 2k. Aside from the noise, they have been good, especially in the wet.
How many miles did you get out of the p7k, I'm at about 22k or so and i can probably squeeze another 2k. Aside from the noise, they have been good, especially in the wet.
10-16-2002, 01:43 PM
#3
I'd be curious to hear how you like them in the rain. I have the Potenza RE730's and they are GREAT in the rain. They are not the quietest thing in the world however. I don't think they have the dry grip that the S-03's do. Good info bro.
10-16-2002, 01:44 PM
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Originally posted by Tai Mai Shu
Thanks for the review. I have P7000 Super sports also and you are right, they are noisy, but the noise didn't start for about 10,000 miles. I hope the s-03's stay quiet. I'm thinking about getting Brigestones's 03 cheaper cousin the ES100 and take the money I save and buy an exhaust of something, or maybe a nice gift for the wife. How many miles did you get out of the p7k, I'm at about 22k or so and i can probably squeeze another 2k. Aside from the noise, they have been good, especially in the wet.
Thanks for the review. I have P7000 Super sports also and you are right, they are noisy, but the noise didn't start for about 10,000 miles. I hope the s-03's stay quiet. I'm thinking about getting Brigestones's 03 cheaper cousin the ES100 and take the money I save and buy an exhaust of something, or maybe a nice gift for the wife.
How many miles did you get out of the p7k, I'm at about 22k or so and i can probably squeeze another 2k. Aside from the noise, they have been good, especially in the wet.
Believe it or not, I was able to squeeze out 45K miles on my P7000 Supersports. More highway driving I guess. Now, from the reviews I've read on TireRack.com about the S-03's, the low noise has stayed consistent with wear. maxmizd27 No prob...I'll try to update when I drive in the rain.
10-16-2002, 01:48 PM
#5
It's hard to compare noise levels between tires because new tires with lots of tread are always significantly quieter then older, balder tires. You'd need to compare two tires back to back.
The S03 does have great road noise ratings for an ultra-performance tires though.
The S03 does have great road noise ratings for an ultra-performance tires though.
10-16-2002, 01:56 PM
#6
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Originally posted by BrianV
It's hard to compare noise levels between tires because new tires with lots of tread are always significantly quieter then older, balder tires. You'd need to compare two tires back to back.
The S03 does have great road noise ratings for an ultra-performance tires though.
It's hard to compare noise levels between tires because new tires with lots of tread are always significantly quieter then older, balder tires. You'd need to compare two tires back to back.
The S03 does have great road noise ratings for an ultra-performance tires though.
But, in any case, between the P7000 and the S0-3's new, the BP's take 'em without a contest.
10-16-2002, 07:25 PM
#16
Originally posted by craaaazzy
the s03's are an excellent wet handling tire also! u'll be very satisfied w/ them in the rain.
the s03's are an excellent wet handling tire also! u'll be very satisfied w/ them in the rain.
good to see you come around every now and again
10-16-2002, 11:00 PM
#18
I can't say enough about the SO-3s. I've taken them unknowningly (till the last minute) thorugh an inch and a half to two inch deep puddle of water (about 10-8 ft in diameter)at about 45-50 mph and I never lost traction on the road. The dry traction is great too, but sometimes I think the wet traction is better. The handling has greatly improved and they are really grippy on the road. The only drawback is the treadlife...but hey, you can't have your cake and eat it too right.
10-17-2002, 07:04 AM
#19
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Originally posted by ohboiya
Wouldn't the Toyo T1-S's be better than the S-03's? Tread wear is 220 on the S-03's and 280 on the T1-S's. I have the T1-S's and they are absolutely phenomenal in dry and unbelievable in wet!
Wouldn't the Toyo T1-S's be better than the S-03's? Tread wear is 220 on the S-03's and 280 on the T1-S's. I have the T1-S's and they are absolutely phenomenal in dry and unbelievable in wet!
10-17-2002, 07:05 AM
#20
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Originally posted by Maximum Velocity
The only drawback is the treadlife...but hey, you can't have your cake and eat it too right.
The only drawback is the treadlife...but hey, you can't have your cake and eat it too right.
Sure you can....Michellin Pilot Sport A/S will allow you to have your cake and eat it too!
10-17-2002, 07:15 AM
#21
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Originally posted by srbarnes4ever
Sure you can....Michellin Pilot Sport A/S will allow you to have your cake and eat it too!
Sure you can....Michellin Pilot Sport A/S will allow you to have your cake and eat it too!
with a 235/40/Z18 tire, you're looking at a ^$60 difference per tire.
10-17-2002, 07:23 AM
#22
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Originally posted by Str8ridin
If you can afford that cake!
with a 235/40/Z18 tire, you're looking at a ^$60 difference per tire.
If you can afford that cake!
with a 235/40/Z18 tire, you're looking at a ^$60 difference per tire.
This I know, my damn cake cost more per tire than the ****** rims did! Buut, and I mean a BIG BUTTTT, these are the best year round/all weather tire you can buy..hands down. Might be worth $60 per for that.
10-17-2002, 07:28 AM
#23
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Posts: 217
Re: Bridgestone Potenza S-03 : My Review
Originally posted by Str8ridin
Dry Handling has been superb to say the least. They don't squeel and they grip better than any other tire I've had. Seriously, they stick like glue. The only concern is the rubber compound. It's soft. Very soft. After they heat up, gravel actually sticks to the rubber on the tire. So I'm not sure how that will affect longevity. But the reviews on TireRack.com seemed very positive about tread life.
Dry Handling has been superb to say the least. They don't squeel and they grip better than any other tire I've had. Seriously, they stick like glue. The only concern is the rubber compound. It's soft. Very soft. After they heat up, gravel actually sticks to the rubber on the tire. So I'm not sure how that will affect longevity. But the reviews on TireRack.com seemed very positive about tread life.
I had SP8K's on my 97SE, and although Tire Rack rates them as an Ultra Performance tire, I don't think they're half what the S03's are. The S03's are much better than the Pilot Sports when pushed to the limit. You pretty much have to balance tire life versus performance. If you can afford to replace tires every 5K miles, go out and get some DOT R-compound tires. If you're a broke college student, then you'll have to sacrifice some performance for tire life (SP9K, AVS Sports, RE730, etc.)
Oh BTW, the S03's absolutely rock in the wet.
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