Bridgestone S03 $161 -vs- Yokohama ES 100 $105??

stone43 · 05-06-2004, 09:23 AM

I was doing a tire search for my 911 and have it narrowed it down to two:

85 Carerra, 7/8X15
205-50-15 front
225-50-15 rear

Not much to choose from, but:

Bridgestone S03, (COSTCO) $160.99 ea (for the 225)

--vs--

Yokohama ES100 (DISCOUNT TIRE) $103.99 ea (for the 225)

I am a hardcore loyalist to Costco. I also like the fact that they don't stick you with all of the installation mark ups like many others do.

But are the Bridgestone's worth the extra $60 bucks each? Yes, I know there is also the issue of the Z rated vs V rated, but this car rarely gets driven in a way that I would notice a significant difference. I am looking for as much meat as possible on the car. Wider is better.

Does anyone have experience with both and can tell me which ones look "meatier?"

RickM · RickM's Garage

For opinions aside from this forum you may want to visit www.Tirerack.com and read the customer reviews for the tires you mention. They can really help.

FWIW, On my "regular" cars I typically buy from Tire Rack and have tehm installed at Costco. (Or sometimes at a friends shop).

Danskman · 05-06-2004, 09:50 AM

Were you really able to find 205/50x15 for the S03's? Sizes in 15 inch tires are a challenge. I went with the S03's, and love them. My fronts, however, are 205/55x15.

I don't think there's a any perfomance comparison between the S03's and the ES100's. I thought the ES100's are more of a touring sedan type tire, whereas the S03's are a high performance, z-rated tire. I got mine last summer at my local Big O Tire store. $599 installed.

David · David's Garage

I've run both and the S03's definently a better tire. Much better turn in, a little better ultimate traction, and a little better in the rain. The difference in turn in feel is worth the difference to me.

Randy Webb · 05-06-2004, 09:54 AM

I'd really like to know which one performs better, "feels" better, and is better in rain.

It will be interesting to read posts here (I've surfed tirerack already). Can people please say if their experience is on new tires of each -- or comparing new vs. old.

S03 does have a design that is claimed to maintain performance as the tire wears. A Bridgestone rep at the Boise PCA meeting told me privately that no one else has that, tho he wouldn't say anything bad at the tire panel discussion. None of the reps would say anything bad about the other guys: Mich, Bridgestoned, Pirelli, Yoko were there.

GrindingGears · 05-06-2004, 09:57 AM

You get what you pay for, I got my SO3s at Costco. Ended up being like $8 more than tirerack.com. I love them so far, lots of stick. ADIVCE: Make sure you hang around when they mount the tires: 1) they didn't know how to jack up my car and 2) almost used a impact wrench.

MotoSook · 05-06-2004, 10:04 AM

I had Kumho 712s on my car all last year, (yes, I know, different catagories, but it's another sampling right?) but this year I got some SO3's and what a leap! I ran the 712s in the rain and dry on the track and they suck when dry, compared to the SO3. That was expected. The Kumhos were good on the track in the rain...

I ran in relatively cold air temps on the track with the SO3 last month and they were just great. Good feel. I actually felt like they were sticking, not sliding.

A friend who sold me the SO3's said they were only a couple of seconds slower than his Victoracers...and he has been driving for a while, and instructs for our PCA.

Dantilla · 05-06-2004, 10:13 AM

I have ES-100's, but I switch to Hoosiers for track events. They are used competetively only in the rain.

For street driving, ES-100's are fine.

stone43 · 05-06-2004, 10:14 AM

Well, rain is not much of an issue, but hot roads and tire wear are.

So far, you guys are telling me that the extra $200 might be worth it.

Danksman, go to Costco.com and punch in the tire size. You will actually see 5 choices of tires in that size.

Anyone have an opinion on aesthetics? I love the tread design of the SO3, but am wondering which tire looks meatier or even if a difference can be noticed...........

MotoSook · 05-06-2004, 10:23 AM

I've got 245's on 8" rims in the rear (SC/Carrera flares) and the tire fills in the wheel well very nicely...and it looks meaty enough without rubbing concerns. I also measured/compared the cross section width of the un-mounted 225's I have to the mounted 245, and it's hardly noticeable (maybe 1/2 inch).

stone43 · 05-06-2004, 10:25 AM

Souk,

I would be all over 245's ----if I could find the damn things!!!

MotoSook · 05-06-2004, 10:26 AM

ahhh..15's!

Does Tirerack have a spec sheet for the SO3's? I recall doing it for Kumho MX'x and 712s ...there you will find the numbers for section width.

Randy Webb · 05-06-2004, 10:30 AM

125 -- Can you post more about the comparison? Was it back to back? Or where you had driven with one tire for a while then switched to the S03?

BTW, somebody posted on an older thread that the ES100s were very unhappy with "cold" weather -- < 65 oF.

JackT · 05-06-2004, 10:33 AM

SO3's are the best tires I have had on my 911SC.

PeteBrown · 05-06-2004, 10:35 AM

I put SO3's on my 7&9's with 225/45 (yes 45) and 245/45 sizes and am very pleased with them. I had them at Nelson Ledges and Mid-Ohio last summer and they performed very well. They do get a little greasy when they got hot though, so be careful if you are planning a lot of track events this summer.

speeder · speeder's Garage

First of all, those are not killer prices, have you checked Tirerack? I paid less than that for my ES100s in a 245/45x16. And I would use Costco for other things, don't let them near your 911. How much would a set of crushed oil lines or a dented pan run you? Not smart.

As for the ES100s, they lack the sidewall stiffness that would make them an ultimate performance dual purpose (track/street) tire, in that sense you "get what you pay for" w/ the SO3s. If you drive your car like 99% of 911 owners, you will never be aware of this difference. They stick really well, are fantastic in the wet, and quiet at high speeds on the freeway. I think that they rock for the price, unless you are the type that likes to scare yourself at the track and only are buying one tire, the extra $$ and value of the SO3s might not be worth it. IMHO.

DanTheCat · 05-06-2004, 11:03 AM

I haven't tried the S03's, but I can say I am not too happy with my new ES100's. They are much more squirrely and squirmy than my last pair (can never remember the brand). Granted I went from 205-50/16 to 225-50/16, but still. It's like a whole new car. I can feel the rear end just a fraction behind the front when I turn in, and it's really unpleasant.

Dan

speeder · speeder's Garage

Dan, How new are they? You need to get them heat cycled, a track day did wonders for my ES100s. It is normal for brand new tires to have "tread squirm".

Dantilla · 05-06-2004, 12:20 PM

Another thing to think about-

More grip = More wear. SO-3's won't last as long. The SO-3 is a better tire, but it will cost more, both in purchase price and replacing them more often.

Looks like you've got a decision to make....

DanTheCat · 05-06-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by speeder
Dan, How new are they? You need to get them heat cycled, a track day did wonders for my ES100s. It is normal for brand new tires to have "tread squirm".

Well, I put plenty of highway miles on them but not a lot of agressive driving yet. Only had them for around a month so far. How much heat do you think I need to put in them? Would highway driving be enough? I wouldn't think so.

Dan