HELP!!! Choosing Tyre Size

[AdrianG]

Hi,

just bout a year 2000 S2000!!! Silver with Red leather. I am in Ireland....and ...reading an S2000 forum about tyres as am chaning the "Bridgestone Potenza S-02" 225/50/16's that Honda recommend on the back of my car. But some S2000 owners are saying:

If changing to another tire then the Bridgestone, you will need to get 245/50/16. The S2000-specific Bridgestone S02 is a special tire supplied for this model. The contact patch of this tire is approximately the same as 'normal' 245 width tires. So, if you move from the special S02 to any other tire, get a 245 or you'll significantly reduce the rear grip. Also there is a secret that S2000 owners have found. The rear says 225 but when measure with other 225 it's actually more like 245.

Does that make sense? I don't wanna stick with the Bridgestones as they are mainly designed for dry use.

Thanks,

Adrian

[stingerbtry]

It all depends on the tire. I just replaced mine with Yokohama AVS ES100's (which are great by the way IMO) and I stuck with 225 because the 245's were special order and the difference was 1/10 of an inch which isn't enough for me to worry about. Just check the contact patch of the S02 against the contact patch of whatever tire you are considering and if the difference if more than a half in or so go with 245/45-16's. I talked to Jim at tire rack about this and this is what he said as well. Hope that helps.

[Benjamin Choi]

I think the OEM S-02s are great in the wet, but horrible in the cold and understandably so.

What you quoted is correct. I'd go with 245s. Go with S-03s.

[Rowland]

Adrain,
:hi: Welcome to the forum!:hi2:

In addition to the post here I would do a search on "tire" and you should come up with some very good information. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

We look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Cheers,

Rowland

[WestSideBilly]

Originally posted by Benjamin Choi
I think the OEM S-02s are great in the wet...

In the context of being a tire primarily for summer (dry) driving, I'd agree. They do not stand up well against the S03PP or F1 GS-D3 as an inclimate weather tire, though.

My 2 cents..

[stingerbtry]

I actually chose the Yok's because they claimed to have "superior wet weather traction". Personally the S02's were the worst tires I have ever experienced while driving in the rain and the reason I switched after too many close calls for no reason.

[Benjamin Choi]

I'll drive slower and replace a bit quicker than usual to stay with Honda/Bridgestone co-engineered, specifc for the S2000 application OEM S-02s over anything else any day of the week if I'm rolling on stock wheels.

I'd buy an extra set wrapped with your appropriate winter/inclimate weather tires if the S2000 is your only ride.

ES-100s suck in the dry.

[AdrianG]

Thanks guys!