Your non-oem wheel&tire experiences?

[hartstoc]

Given the small number of s2000's in existance, there is a confusing myriad of aftermarket wheel and tire choices. I bought my own 2001 used with a new set of Fulda "extremo's" on stock rims. I'm not too happy with these tires, as they seem to let go way too easily during hard turns, but I'm still experimenting with tire pressures.

My fantasy is 17" wheels all around- perhaps 1" wider than stock. Has anyone out there had any greta experiences with aftermarket wheels? Tirs recommendations?

Finally, thanks, rick for this valuable new forum.:clap:

[Greg Stevens]

Well, I have never heard of the Fulda's you have! I have the Mugen 17 inch MF-10's, mounted with So-2 Pole Positions. The one thing that I was nervous about going to a 17 incher was not having the OEM S0-2's any longer. I think the OEM tires are absolutely excellent tires. That said, I have been very pleased with the PP's. I am just about through with the rears and I haven't really decided what I want next, but they are a good choice...even if your S2000 only sees rain by accident, like mine does.

If your car steps out too easily, good call on checking your tire pressures. But you should also look into getting a more aggressive alignment in the rear. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but a little negative camber goes a long way. I'll dig around for the setting that I used and my car sticks like glue...I love tossing it around corners, but doing so requires that I power through it harder now. Very controllable and predictable.

:thumbsup:

[rstark]

Greg, how would the S03's compare with the ones you are using?

[WestSideBilly]

I'm running S03PPs on stock rims, and I compared to Greg's setup and they are definately different. The S03 has more substantial water channels, and a much different feel to them when driving. I've never done an A/B comparison on fresh tires, but my evaluation of the S03PPs vs S02s in the dry is that the S03PP starts giving slightly sooner, but is a more gradual fall off, while the S02 hangs on for dear life and then lets go rather quickly (accentuated by our car's handling). In the rain there is no comparison - I've done some crazy things in the wet on my S03PPs that probably would have killed me on the OEM tires.

I feel the S03PPs are excellent tires, and as Greg said he has nothing but praise for the S02PPs. If you never drive in the rain (quite possible in CA, virtually impossible in the midwest), the OEM S02s are probably your best bet. If you want to go 17s, and/or forsee rain in your future, S03PPs are excellent. There are obviously a lot of other choices, but I give the Potenza S02/S03 line a :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[desmo4]

I have a small problem, SO2 PPs with the rears completely gone. I am considering S03 pp on the rear since the fronts have more than half their tread left. Or S02 which will certainly wear at a rate at least twice that of the fronts. But it might induce understeer. Any ideas are welcome

Jonathan

[ru2kredy]

desmo4, I was in the same boat when I tore through my rears (and nearly the enitre inside of each of the fronts) in just over 8000 miles. There is no way I could keep the OEMs on the car - it was costing more per mile in Tires than in GAS!! :yikes:

I opted to take the OEMs off all the way around and went with Dunlop SP8000's which I just replaced the rears at 32k miles. That's 3 times the tread life. Now, OF COURSE they don't perform like the OEMs but I had an absolute blast on the Dragon last year and also the other "spirited" driving I did on the way down with Greg and Aquatic. They are also about 1/3 - 1/2 the cost of OEMs. That might be an option. I was happy enough with them that I put another set on the back without considering anything else.

[hartstoc]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hartstoc
I bought my own 2001 used with a new set of Fulda "extremo's" on stock rims. I'm not too happy with these tires, as they seem to let go way too easily during hard turns, but I'm still experimenting with tire pressures.

Thanks for the responses so far. Sounds like there is a lot of experimenting do be done. I actually like the Fulda's a lot more now that I've scrubbed them in with a couple thousand miles. Finding that 31 F/ 30 R cold gives a pretty good grip vs feel, especially after things are warmed up a bit. A bit sluggish while cold.

I've read elsewhere that the oem rears are much closer to 245's even though the sidewalls say 225, and that replacements should be 245/45/16 rears in any other brand or even in aftermarket so2's and so3's. Fronts should be 205/50/16. Opinions?

[ru2kredy]

You are correct sir. My last order from tire rack a few weeks ago was for - P245/45ZR-16 Dunlop SP Sport 8000 (2) for the rear. From what I understand they are an absolute bitch to get on the rim - but that's what I'm paying someone for so what do I care?!?

[desmo4]

Well I think I have made a decsision. I will get a set of OZ 17x7 and 17X8 with Potensa SO3's size 245-40 and 225-45. I would love to get Mugen MF10 wheels but parking in SF and every 100th time brushing the curb makes them too costly. Any other suggstions or comments are welcome.

Desmo4

[desmo4]

By the way ru2kredy I would have your alignment checked. My first set of tires wore like yours and my alignmnent shop showed me how out of spec the alignment was from the factory. The right front had 3 degrees positive castor and 2 degrees + camber. The left, to compensate was set with about 3 degrees toe in. This destroyed the inside of the front tires. The rears had about 3 degrees negative camber. After he set it back to spec the tire wear, especially the front is absolutely even. He also commented that the adjustability is very coarse and takes a lot of patience to get right.

Desmo4

[Muz]

Originally posted by desmo4
I have a small problem, SO2 PPs with the rears completely gone. I am considering S03 pp on the rear since the fronts have more than half their tread left. Or S02 which will certainly wear at a rate at least twice that of the fronts. But it might induce understeer. Any ideas are welcome

Jonathan

I think you'll find this is probably illegal. It is here at least.

[WestSideBilly]

Originally posted by Muz
I think you'll find this is probably illegal. It is here at least.

I think that's an AUS thing. It's perfectly legal here as far as I know, although you may upset the handling.

[ru2kredy]

desmo4,

That's the first thing I had them check at the dealer was alignment. It's right on spec for everything. I had them move it out of the "middle" of the spec to the edges that would save my tires the most. I then asked that they mount my tires for me for free, which they did. I would think that it would be easier for them to do a correct alignment than it would be to comp me 4 tires installs they normally charge $50 each for!! But, I may be wrong.

[Muz]

Originally posted by WestSideBilly


I think that's an AUS thing. It's perfectly legal here as far as I know, although you may upset the handling.

I don't know. It could be. The information came from Bridgestone when I was talking to them about new rubber.

[desmo4]

Well I finally ordered tires and wheels and can hardly wait to see how they perform. MIM Alfami (technomagnesio) 17x7 and 17x8 with Toyo proxies T1-S tires.

Also of note: I installed denso iridium spark plugs at 30k miles. The check engine light came on at 38300 mi. The dealer checked the codes and it turns out 3 cylinders are intermittently misfiring. I checked with King Motorsports and they said "we don't use any boutique spark plugs" I ordered a set of original NGKs.

Desmo4

[rstark]

Originally posted by desmo4
I checked with King Motorsports and they said "we don't use any boutique spark plugs" I ordered a set of original NGKs.
Interesting they used that verbage. I thought those plugs were supposed to be good.

[desmo4]

Well every thing which I have asked King about has produced a very knowlegeable and logical answer. And if I had the available coin right now I would put on the headers exhaust system and ECU as they recommend. The ECU maybe soon.

Jonathan

[desmo4]

Well the wheel saga continues. I thought I had all the ducks in a row but only the tires are in flight. The wheels are not available since the distributer to the UK has gone belly up. So no MIM Technomagneseo. However Racing Hart has 4 sets with the same dimensions as the Mugen MF10. And I have quotes coming from 3 or 4 other vendors. I would bite the bullet and get the Mugens but the color in my opinion would look horrible on a silver car. More to follow.

Jonathan

2000 S2000 silver stone
1996 Bimota SB6 ser #001

[Greg Stevens]

Jonathan, I'm looking for the pictures of one of the Mugen S2000's, which is silver, that we saw in Tokyo last year. I'm in the middle of a move, so things are rather chaotic, but I'm looking because I am pretty sure there was a good shot or two there...which obviously had the MF-10's. My opinion of them on a Silverstone car is mixed. Due to rather weird circumstances, the last time back from Gingerman we had to put my MF-10's on my bud's Silverstone (differential blew out, long story) and while I remember liking them a lot more when I saw the Mugen car, I'm not sure that it worked on this car. It may have had something to do with the red interior. Give it a chance before saying no. Also, I know that a user nwk00 at s2ki had a fully Mugen prepped S that was Silverstone. I'll see if I can wrangle my way through that goofy new search engine they have now and see if I can find you some pics...

:)

[Greg Stevens]

OK, got a pic for ya...having a little trouble with that "search" thing on s2ki...ugh. Anyhow, I'll keep looking...!

http://www.fast-autos.net/mugen/mugs2000.jpg

[desmo4]

Last pertabation with wheels

I ordered MIM wheels from Performance alloy and they informed me that their distributer was out of bisiness. So I am having a set made by Super-lite to the same specs as the MF-10's by Mugen only stronger (3 peice and probably lighter} and certainly better looking. I should have them in about 2 more months.

Desmo4

[desmo4]

Well nothing is as it seems. Though I had every thing covered and the impoter went belly up so I once again have to change. I have a set of Toyo Proxies T1-S tires 245 40 and 225 45 17 in my shed. And a set of Superlite wheels being manufactured. They should be here in a few weeks. I will post pictures when I get them mounted.

Desmo4

[Urmil]

Desmo, if you want the quick and easy solution for a very nice wheel. Go with the Bronze MF10's. Then do one of two things...

1). Accentuate the exterior of the car with black accents (cf hood, black hardtop, etc.) I think the silver with black and the MF10's look very aggressive.

2). Get the MF10's powdercoated. So far, to the best of my knowlede, there are three sets out on the street that aren't bronze. One set was powdercoated to an aluminum black finish out in CA. Another is a set that is out in NY that is coated in Silver, owner turbo_pwr, and the last is Nick's polished aluminum set. For your silver, you could get them powder coated a flat black. It would only add another $200 to the total price....which I would assume to be still less than a custom manufactured set.

[wagnerb]

Just put SSR GT1 17" rims with SO 3's - 7.5s & 8's on car yesterday; will let you know how it tracks. Looks fantastic

[cdelena]

Originally posted by desmo4
Also of note: I installed denso iridium spark plugs at 30k miles. The check engine light came on at 38300 mi. The dealer checked the codes and it turns out 3 cylinders are intermittently misfiring. I checked with King Motorsports and they said "we don't use any boutique spark plugs" I ordered a set of original NGKs.


Just browsing around and saw this quote that needs a comment.

Denso is hardly a 'boutique' operation. It is a post WWII spin-off from Toyota and as big as NGK. And neither of these companies have the history of the oldest plug manufacturer, Bosch or the next one, Champion (AC), both of which predate the Jap companies by over thirty years.

I think King is just using the wrong words (and maybe giving the wrong impression) when saying what they do.

BTW, I would guess that misfiring from those plugs was due to an installation problem.. although normally it would surface sooner than 8K miles. Perhaps they were torqued to the correct factory spec (which is wrong) and were backing out.

[sakdpimp]

I was wondering if any one tired out the BF-Goodich G-force T/A KD and how long did they last?

[Grounded]

Went through panic after I put ONE SIZE LARGER tires on my 05 with 17"stock rims. I bought Bridgestone Potenza RE050A P.P. after about 300 miles they started to scrub in & about 500 miles later I realized I was getting out of control driving in the curvey mountains too fast & needed to slow down. They grip so good I might wadd the thing up if I hit something slippery on the curv in the road.
I had a 4 wheel alignment & it improvet the handeling. it is really touchy though above 110 on the freeway I'm wondering about that.

[bimdub]

yeah the handling as far as cornering I get with the 18" Roja's is just plain scary! when the roads are nice and warm you have to push the car way harder than you would expect to break it loose (throttle induced oversteer can be done in the right gear) the only gripes I have so far is the cost of rubber (hard to find sometimes as well) the ride is a bit harsh (got a autocross prepped BMW so I am used to it) and the grip when cold is non-existent....next winter I will have a set of 16's with some Blizzaks mounted on them! I wonder if you could just disconnect the VTEC solenoid during the winter just to reduce the temptation...because I already found out that on a very cold day the car drives well enough on dry roads...till I try to pass someone and get it in VTEC! YIKES!