I'm looking for a nice set of tires for my new Teg. It's a 97 RS with an H22 swap, with Progress H swap springs and Tokico Illuminas.

I want something that has excellent dry traction but wont leave you stranded in the rain. I've read alot of reviews on Tire Rack and other sites and the S03's seem to be awesome tires. I searched on this site and there was a bunch of threads in the Type R forum about how awesome they were. The threads were all from 02 and 03 though, so I'm wondering if you guys are still in love with them or if something better has come out since?

I have a set of fat fives or Konig Heliums to put them on. Both are 15" but the Heliums are 6.5" wide vs. 6". I figure that 195/50/15 would well on either wheel? Could I get away with 205/50/15 on the 6.5" wheels or would I need a 7" wide wheel?
Thanks!

 

7" will be better. as for traction.. it found kumho mx to have better dry traction than s03's.. and lower price.

 

I loved my S03's. They are pretty expensive these days, there might be some better/cheaper alternatives.

 

How does that Kuhmo do in the wet? It rains a lot in upstate NY. What is a comparable tire to the Bridgestone but cheaper?

 

i just got another set of the yokohoma avs ES100's. they are very similar to the stock tires in handling/traction, and they are cheaper. They also weigh 1 lb less than the bridgestones. They are very good on wet roads if you drive reasonably and after all my research, i think they are great tires.

SO3's are better tires, but they cost more. the choice is yours.

 

You can put the 205/50 S-03's on the 6" wide wheel if you want. I'm running that on stock rims, and they are probably the best all around tire I've ever had on my car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SoCal ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can put the 205/50 S-03's on the 6" wide wheel if you want. I'm running that on stock rims, and they are probably the best all around tire I've ever had on my car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You don't find that the sidewalls are too soft with that narrow of a rim?
Tire Rack has em for $85 which isn't bad. But if I do that I have to pay someone local to mount and balance them and they rape you if you don't get the tires from them.

 

You might check that price again. You are probably thinking about the 195/50/15. The lowest Ive seen for S03's in 205/50/15 is about 120 or so. I've got the S03's in 205/50/15 on my stock R wheels and they have been great so far. I would say for daily driving the S03's have about the same or a little better traction than the Kumho's but the S03's are awesome in the rain. Just my .02

 

The S03 doesn't like cold temps. If that's a factor for you you may want to consider a different tire.

The ES100 has one thing going for it -- cost. If you drive your car hard at all it leaves something to be desired.

Cheers.
-Chris

 

I have the S03's @ 195/50 and their great. Best performance tires I've used so far and their quiet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxhybrid85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You don't find that the sidewalls are too soft with that narrow of a rim?
Tire Rack has em for $85 which isn't bad. But if I do that I have to pay someone local to mount and balance them and they rape you if you don't get the tires from them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Better response than the azenis in my opinion, the sidewall is very stiff.

 

S03's in 195/50 are the best all around tire I've had on my car.

I've been the fastest street tire car of the day on them at one event and 3rd fastest time of the day in a massive downpour with a half dozen WRX's at another. Needless to say they do pretty decent in the wet and dry.

There are better tires out there but S03's are awesome for the money in 195/50 size. You can also get them for cheap when tirerack puts them up for sale. I've bought 195/50's for as low as $76 a pop.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">S03's in 195/50 are the best all around tire I've had on my car.

I've been the fastest street tire car of the day on them at one event and 3rd fastest time of the day in a massive downpour with a half dozen WRX's at another. Needless to say they do pretty decent in the wet and dry.

There are better tires out there but S03's are awesome for the money in 195/50 size. You can also get them for cheap when tirerack puts them up for sale. I've bought 195/50's for as low as $76 a pop.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have to agree with you. S03 is best for the cost and realiblity.
I have it on my AP2, DC2 except for Toyota Camry run on Michelin Pilot tires.