For Those Who Have Bridgestone S-03's - Honda Prelude Forum

beaty · 12-02-2002, 12:45 AM

Please honestly and objectively compare these tires with the OEM RE-92 on the following three (3) catagories... The survey results available on tirerack.com are most likely the comparison among the similar types of tires, which are not quite useful for comparing an ultra high performance tire with an all season's here.

1. Road noise: louder, quieter, or not much difference?

2. Ride comfort: stiffer, softer, or not much difference?

3. Straight-line trackability: The Prelude is well known for its being sensitive to the road crown due to its suspension settings. In my opinion the RE-92's do pretty well on keeping the car on the track (i.e. they don't react to the imperfections of the road, such as grooves, and drift very much). How is S-03's compared to RE-92's? Do they hold up as well, or better, or more sensitive to the road and drift like crazy?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

crashandburn · 12-02-2002, 01:33 AM

I had Potenze RE730s before I got my S03s so the RE92s were already just a fading bad memory for me and I'd have a hard time comparing the S03s to the RE92s. What I can tell you is that if I get any sort of decent tread life out of my S03s, then I don't plan to do any more shopping around. I have been very happy with the comfort and especially the quietness of the S03s and they stick at least as well as the 730s. The 730s were great tires but very loud -- I noticed a distinct reduction in noise complaints from my wife when I switched to S03s.

Again, I can't give you a direct comparison with the RE92s but I can say that I've been very happy with the S03s in each of the three categories you listed. If they are behind the RE92s at all in one of those categories (and I'd be mildly surprised if they were), then it ain't by much. The only thing I can't say something good about (yet) is the treadlife since mine are still fairly new.

BoYgUaN · 12-02-2002, 01:36 AM

the s03's walls are alil stiffer and the noise is very hard to tell but there is none almost

i do admit the follow groves in road easier

but y even look at s03's?

Lonely Driver · 12-02-2002, 01:39 AM

Cons: They make the ride a lot bumpier, it makes the car a lot noiser and they stick out a bit further than the rim (like .5~1 inch) which has given me problems scraping (once or twice).

Pros: Excellent traction... I've only got them to squeal a couple of times. The limit of your car becomes really high. I also heard that the tread life is excellent, but I can't personally vouch for that.

aklucsarits · 12-02-2002, 06:43 AM

1. Road noise: louder, quieter, or not much difference?

Not much difference. They are by far the quietest performance tires I have ever driven on.

2. Ride comfort: stiffer, softer, or not much difference?

They have much stiffer sidwalls, so the ride is stiffer - which is good IMO. Steering response and feel is much more direct.

3. Straight-line trackability: Do they hold up as well, or better, or more sensitive to the road and drift like crazy?

Again, they have much stiffer sidwalls, so they will tend to follow ruts in the road due to that design.

I have about 15,000 mi on my set so far of highway, backroads, and autoX driving. They are by far, the best tires I have ever driven on. They grip as well as the legendary Falken Azenis in the dry. And they have wet traction that is far superior to any type of tire I have ever used.

Andrew

obrigado · 12-02-2002, 06:59 AM

1. Road noise: louder, quieter, or not much difference?

Noticable, but i have dynamat in the doors and a stock exhaust system, so road noise is one of the few things i hear.

2. Ride comfort: stiffer, softer, or not much difference?

I went from 16" on RE92 to 17" on S03s, and while a bit firmer, the ride composure actually improved. A good test is riding the dots between lanes, the S03s just breeze over them.

3. Straight-line trackability: Do they hold up as well, or better, or more sensitive to the road and drift like crazy?

They are pretty sensitive, especially at 90+ on the freeway. They do like to stick to grooves as well, but if you are an attentive driver you will be fine. I need an alignment pretty badly, so this could be a factor.

bottom line.. you won't regret it. I can't chirp 2nd any more

obrigado

mugenbb6 · 12-02-2002, 07:34 AM

But they wear out pretty quick?

Keith · 12-02-2002, 07:47 AM

http://www.hondaprelude.to/product_s03.html

I have them... but they are toast now (after 2 seasons).

bb6flier · 12-02-2002, 07:54 AM

I didn't have the stock tires when I bought my SH but they are not a loud tire, they seem to track very well IMO for as stiff as the side walls are. As far a tread wear I would put them DOA around 25-30k of hard driving (my tires hate me), and I driven them really hard for the last 25k and I still have about 4-5k left.

Cruxader · 12-02-2002, 08:11 AM

i replaced my RE92s with S0-3s...
Best tires I have ever used, and I've tried quite a bit being able to test quite a few tires even before they come out onto the market.

A bit louder than the REs but the traction makes them all worth it. Ride comfort seems the same, but then again I have Tein HAs haha

...No problems with tracking a straight line...my car follows the curve perfectly, as it should

aklucsarits · 12-02-2002, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mugenbb6
But they wear out pretty quick?

Not really. Mine have at least 7/32s left (70%+) after 15,000mi and like 11 autoXs.

Andrew

doe · 12-02-2002, 12:27 PM

Where is the best place to buy these?

Lonely Driver · 12-02-2002, 01:20 PM

tirerack.com