S-03 Pole Postion Reveiw
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Stuttgart Germany
I just returned from the Deal's Gap weekend with new S-03s and just wanted to write a short review for dandp and any others that are looking to replace their stock tires.
Specs of my car- MC with the following mods Sport Suspension + springs and rear sway, R Speed exhaust and Magnecore wires. New S-03s with 600 miles on them on the first dragon run mounted on SSR Comps 16x7 42 offset.
Specs of the nut behind the wheel- Avid autocrosser 4 events a month. I attended the Evolution School (Phase I & II) in April and consistently finish in the top ten in PAX at VMSC, TSCC and ODR-SCCA events. Not quite a national caliber driver.
The S-03s are a very confidence inspiring tire, as they get heat into them the grip goes up just like any good tire should. The grip level from cold to heated is very linear and the grip does not deteriorat after 40+ minutes of hard runs on the dragon. When the tires start to give up grip, they give it up in a predictable catchable manner. On my MC the tires gave audible warning of impending loss of traction and transition from grip to a mild drift which can be corrected to by a small lift of the throttle or rolling out of the steering ever so slightly. Smooth through the corners with the steering imputs is the ticket to fast runs with these tires, as if you ham-fist the steering wheel the tires will give up grip and wash out quickly. Just think small slip angles to the limit and then modulate the wheel or throttle to tuck the line. These tires are not going to bite you with no warning of loss of grip or unpredictable grip in high speed sweepers. As good as these are in the dry, these tires are even more confidence inspiring in the wet. They are stable and flush gallons of water out of the way, I have never felt more confident in the wet than with these tires on the Cooper.
I have driven aggressively on the following tires, all of which are below the performance of the S-03s-
Yoko AVS Intermediates, ES-100s, A520s; Toyo T-1S, Goodyear stock runflats, Michelin SX GTs, and MXV4s.
The two tires I would have liked to test in comparison are the BF Goodrich GForce TA KDs and Falken Azenis as I have no experience with either of these tires, and both are the class of the SCCA STS and STX autocross fields.
In conclusion the S-03s are grippy and predicatable near the limit and great in the wet, and I highly recommend them.
Specs of my car- MC with the following mods Sport Suspension + springs and rear sway, R Speed exhaust and Magnecore wires. New S-03s with 600 miles on them on the first dragon run mounted on SSR Comps 16x7 42 offset.
Specs of the nut behind the wheel- Avid autocrosser 4 events a month. I attended the Evolution School (Phase I & II) in April and consistently finish in the top ten in PAX at VMSC, TSCC and ODR-SCCA events. Not quite a national caliber driver.
The S-03s are a very confidence inspiring tire, as they get heat into them the grip goes up just like any good tire should. The grip level from cold to heated is very linear and the grip does not deteriorat after 40+ minutes of hard runs on the dragon. When the tires start to give up grip, they give it up in a predictable catchable manner. On my MC the tires gave audible warning of impending loss of traction and transition from grip to a mild drift which can be corrected to by a small lift of the throttle or rolling out of the steering ever so slightly. Smooth through the corners with the steering imputs is the ticket to fast runs with these tires, as if you ham-fist the steering wheel the tires will give up grip and wash out quickly. Just think small slip angles to the limit and then modulate the wheel or throttle to tuck the line. These tires are not going to bite you with no warning of loss of grip or unpredictable grip in high speed sweepers. As good as these are in the dry, these tires are even more confidence inspiring in the wet. They are stable and flush gallons of water out of the way, I have never felt more confident in the wet than with these tires on the Cooper.
I have driven aggressively on the following tires, all of which are below the performance of the S-03s-
Yoko AVS Intermediates, ES-100s, A520s; Toyo T-1S, Goodyear stock runflats, Michelin SX GTs, and MXV4s.
The two tires I would have liked to test in comparison are the BF Goodrich GForce TA KDs and Falken Azenis as I have no experience with either of these tires, and both are the class of the SCCA STS and STX autocross fields.
In conclusion the S-03s are grippy and predicatable near the limit and great in the wet, and I highly recommend them.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 4
From: South Bend Indiana
20-25 k. Chunking doesnt tend to be a concern, unless your doing lapping days in a powerful car.
Alex
>>Wow, you liked them over the Toyo Proxies T-1S huh...
>>
>>I guess I will have to try the S-03.
>>
>>
>>What kind of tread life can you expect out of them for regular street use? Any chunking on the Auto-X?
Alex
>>Wow, you liked them over the Toyo Proxies T-1S huh...
>>
>>I guess I will have to try the S-03.
>>
>>
>>What kind of tread life can you expect out of them for regular street use? Any chunking on the Auto-X?
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Stuttgart Germany
The T1S are very light but have a squirmy turn-in. You have to give them a big slip angle and let the weight transfer and hope that you did not overload the tires, not very confidence inspiring with my skills.
I autocross on Kuhmo Ecsta V700s and am trying Hoosiers on Sunday.
I autocross on Kuhmo Ecsta V700s and am trying Hoosiers on Sunday.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 263
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From: Phila, PA
While the SO-3 is a wonderful tyre,but it's not the best tyre for the Mini.The SO-3 is designed for a more balanced automobile.Put the SO-3 on a BMW M3,or a Honda S2000 and it feels like the hand of God is keeping you on the road.A better tyre for a car like the Mini,or any other car with the usual crummy weight distribution you get with front wheel drive car,would be the Goodyear F1 GS-D3.This is the tyre for front wheel drive cars that does what the SO-3 does for rear wheel drive cars.Goodyear hit one out of the park with this tyre.A fluke for Goodyear.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
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From: South Bend Indiana
Personally from my head to head testing experience, the Goodyear is the 1st tire to even shake the ground the S-03 sits on.
I would still prefer S-03 on the slalom, as I felt the transitional cornering of the Goodyear, less precise feeling than the S-03. 1st non Bridgestone tire to even hold a candle to S-03 in water.
I would have to agree with Oilman, that this tire is one of the best things to come out of Goodyear is the recent past. the other being the Fortera HL. Our test results on this have yet to be puiblished.
Alex
I would still prefer S-03 on the slalom, as I felt the transitional cornering of the Goodyear, less precise feeling than the S-03. 1st non Bridgestone tire to even hold a candle to S-03 in water.
I would have to agree with Oilman, that this tire is one of the best things to come out of Goodyear is the recent past. the other being the Fortera HL. Our test results on this have yet to be puiblished.
Alex
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Stuttgart Germany
...it feels like the hand of God is keeping you on the road.
God runs Hoosiers.
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<IMG SRC="http://www.teambodega.com/autoxgalle....jpg"> MC IB/W Sport, Premium, SSR Comps, Bridgestone S-03 Pole Positions
God runs Hoosiers.
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<IMG SRC="http://www.teambodega.com/autoxgalle....jpg"> MC IB/W Sport, Premium, SSR Comps, Bridgestone S-03 Pole Positions
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 529
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From: Sarasota, FL
I was happy to see the positive review of the S-03 in the wet. I drive in Northern Virginia where the bad driving gets even worse in the rain. People get scared and a drive even more erratically if you can imagine that. (It really is something to see. Best experienced in a car you don't like.) As a result, the ability to take evasive maneuvers in the wet is critical and I am generally suspect of high performance tires ever since the A008.
I can understand Oilman's comment that the S-03 might be better balanced for more traditionally distributed sports cars. I was having the same thought when I read the discussion of the Toyo. The Toyo is by far the tire of choice among Miataphiles and while the Miata and Mini are both excellent handling cars I imagine they handle completely differently. (I have a Miata and get my Mini hopefully by August).
Alex. How does the Goodyear stack up with the S-03 in the wet?
Great discussion though. Thanks for the report.
I can understand Oilman's comment that the S-03 might be better balanced for more traditionally distributed sports cars. I was having the same thought when I read the discussion of the Toyo. The Toyo is by far the tire of choice among Miataphiles and while the Miata and Mini are both excellent handling cars I imagine they handle completely differently. (I have a Miata and get my Mini hopefully by August).
Alex. How does the Goodyear stack up with the S-03 in the wet?
Great discussion though. Thanks for the report.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
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From: South Bend Indiana
In out tests it was on fairly new tires. The Goodyear apprears to have equally high wet grip at full tread depth. The part to remember is that Unity AQII gives wet traction that maintains for the life of the tire. While they were very close in brand new condition, I would venture the S-03 to maintian a higher degree of water traction in the last 1/2 of the tire.
Alex
Alex
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Charleston SC
I have to agree for I run the so3's as well, and at tyhe dragon as well, Well i ran hard enough to make my girlfriend puke through the dragon, and she has never gotten motion sickness, quite a task i must say, the first two guys (in the two yellow "s"
were amazed that i stayed up with them, for the leading car was full prep auto-x car, as well as the fact i am running 18" rims, not supposed to hang with the 16" or 17" rim and tire combo, but i could have easily passed them both several times, but didnt know where our regrouping points were... 
They also gave me a hard time for my brakes smoking, at the end of the dragon, but what do you expexct from hard driving on stock brakes
were amazed that i stayed up with them, for the leading car was full prep auto-x car, as well as the fact i am running 18" rims, not supposed to hang with the 16" or 17" rim and tire combo, but i could have easily passed them both several times, but didnt know where our regrouping points were... They also gave me a hard time for my brakes smoking, at the end of the dragon, but what do you expexct from hard driving on stock brakes
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
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From: South Bend Indiana
My personal track times reflecting my opinion on the tires are as follows.
I picked up .17 seconds on the slalom in water, with the S-03. Skidpad, in water was nearly identical (remeber these were brand new tires). Lap times reflected this small margin.
I attribute these changes to the fact the s-03 felt more comfortable, and grounded in my hands in the slalom. They Goodyear felt to me like it never settled down. D3 had a ton of grip, and performed really well, but it didnt breed the confidence the s03 did for me.
Your asking me to split hairs to enumerate the diffrences, and the "transitional stability feel" was the most noticeable diffrence in my eyes.
I have not tested the Toyo, I can't offer the same perspective for you on that one.
Alex
>>So Alex, you'd say that the S-03 are essentially superior all around for the MINI (for non competition application), even compared to the GS-D3 and perhaps T1-S (if you've ever driven those)...?
I picked up .17 seconds on the slalom in water, with the S-03. Skidpad, in water was nearly identical (remeber these were brand new tires). Lap times reflected this small margin.
I attribute these changes to the fact the s-03 felt more comfortable, and grounded in my hands in the slalom. They Goodyear felt to me like it never settled down. D3 had a ton of grip, and performed really well, but it didnt breed the confidence the s03 did for me.
Your asking me to split hairs to enumerate the diffrences, and the "transitional stability feel" was the most noticeable diffrence in my eyes.
I have not tested the Toyo, I can't offer the same perspective for you on that one.
Alex
>>So Alex, you'd say that the S-03 are essentially superior all around for the MINI (for non competition application), even compared to the GS-D3 and perhaps T1-S (if you've ever driven those)...?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
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From: South Bend Indiana
Its Bridgestone's flagship maximum performance tire. Check it out here. S-03
Alex
>>Help!
>>Sorry, I have been watching this post for a couple days. What is an S-03?
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Alex
>>Help!
>>Sorry, I have been watching this post for a couple days. What is an S-03?
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Alex ext 294
800 522 8473
Tire & Wheel forum moderator
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I have about 11K miles on my S-03s and the last 1K was as good as the first. I commute on them from So MD to-and-from DC daily and even though I've not tested other tires, you'd be hard pressed to convince me to switch.
The dynamics are perfect for me. I switched from stock 16s w/ Goodyear runflats to 17s with the S-03s and the ride is less harsh after the switch. In everday traffic the only time I have reason to even think of the tires is when they've done something very well like helping the MINI to keep me out of trouble in some sort of crash-avoidance situation (all too common in DC commuting). When I push hard on So MD backroads I'm simply amazed at what seems to me like an almost symbiotic match between these wheels/tires and my MC.
Wet performance is outstanding - can't remember how many times I've seen SUVs and big, heavy land yachts get twitchy in my rearview mirror running through standing water I've just cut through like a knife!
Gee, any doubt about whether I like these tires? Until something changes my mind the only thing I'm planning to change when these wear down is to switch to 215/40s rather than the 215/45s I started with.
The dynamics are perfect for me. I switched from stock 16s w/ Goodyear runflats to 17s with the S-03s and the ride is less harsh after the switch. In everday traffic the only time I have reason to even think of the tires is when they've done something very well like helping the MINI to keep me out of trouble in some sort of crash-avoidance situation (all too common in DC commuting). When I push hard on So MD backroads I'm simply amazed at what seems to me like an almost symbiotic match between these wheels/tires and my MC.
Wet performance is outstanding - can't remember how many times I've seen SUVs and big, heavy land yachts get twitchy in my rearview mirror running through standing water I've just cut through like a knife!
Gee, any doubt about whether I like these tires? Until something changes my mind the only thing I'm planning to change when these wear down is to switch to 215/40s rather than the 215/45s I started with.
Why switch? Time to visit "The Wheel and Tyre Bible" again.
Lower rolling radius (almost 11mm) = less rubbing. The combination of the SSRs' 7.5" width plus their 42mm offset brings the outer edge of the tire into close (too close) proximity to the outer edge of the fender liners. I get occasional rubbing on both rears.
Lower sidewall height (same amount of course, nearly 11mm) = less sidewall flex/roll.
Lower overall diameter (21.5mm) = lower circumference (67.5mm, about 3.6%) = less torque required to accellerate....face it, on an MC every little bit helps. The numbers show a slight increase in circumference moving from 195-55-16s (stock) to the 215-45-17s - 215-40s would turn that back and then some.
Lower rolling radius (almost 11mm) = less rubbing. The combination of the SSRs' 7.5" width plus their 42mm offset brings the outer edge of the tire into close (too close) proximity to the outer edge of the fender liners. I get occasional rubbing on both rears.
Lower sidewall height (same amount of course, nearly 11mm) = less sidewall flex/roll.
Lower overall diameter (21.5mm) = lower circumference (67.5mm, about 3.6%) = less torque required to accellerate....face it, on an MC every little bit helps. The numbers show a slight increase in circumference moving from 195-55-16s (stock) to the 215-45-17s - 215-40s would turn that back and then some.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 4
From: South Bend Indiana
My concern with 215/40 is that its low in load capacity.
The 03 Bennet tire and wheel guide states 215/40 bears 963 lbs a tire at 35 PSI. Most of the 215/40's I sell say they Max out at 1074 LBS.
OE 215/45 Per Bennet's bears 1201 lbs ea. If you index that you'll find, the OE tire volume at 33 PSI (OE MCS cold pressure) bears 1133 lbs, leaving us underloaded by 59 lbs a tire. This last figure based on 36 PSI to achev the full 1074 of the 215/40.
Thats why Tirerack does not recomed that size.
The 03 Bennet tire and wheel guide states 215/40 bears 963 lbs a tire at 35 PSI. Most of the 215/40's I sell say they Max out at 1074 LBS.
OE 215/45 Per Bennet's bears 1201 lbs ea. If you index that you'll find, the OE tire volume at 33 PSI (OE MCS cold pressure) bears 1133 lbs, leaving us underloaded by 59 lbs a tire. This last figure based on 36 PSI to achev the full 1074 of the 215/40.
Thats why Tirerack does not recomed that size.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 4
From: South Bend Indiana
Grinder,
215/45/17 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position
on
17x7.5 Kosei K1 racing.
as I remeber almost .9 G's on the skidpad, here at Tirerack's skidpad challenge.
Alex
>>Any idea what size wheel/tire?
_________________
Alex ext 294
800 522 8473
Tire & Wheel forum moderator
www.tirerack.com
alex@tirerack.com
215/45/17 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position
on
17x7.5 Kosei K1 racing.
as I remeber almost .9 G's on the skidpad, here at Tirerack's skidpad challenge.
Alex
>>Any idea what size wheel/tire?
_________________
Alex ext 294
800 522 8473
Tire & Wheel forum moderator
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Cramerton, NC
Alex,
I noticed in several comments on the S-03 that tread wear goes at a fast clip.
How does the tread wear of the S-03 compare to the Goodyear, and also to something like the Yoko ES-100?
Do you have any idea what kind of mileage one would get out of the S-03 for street-use only, daily driver with 40 mile round-trip commute 5 days a week, with a small amount of spirited driving on the weekends?
Thanks,
JS
I noticed in several comments on the S-03 that tread wear goes at a fast clip.
How does the tread wear of the S-03 compare to the Goodyear, and also to something like the Yoko ES-100?
Do you have any idea what kind of mileage one would get out of the S-03 for street-use only, daily driver with 40 mile round-trip commute 5 days a week, with a small amount of spirited driving on the weekends?
Thanks,
JS
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
>>Grinder,
>>
>>215/45/17 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position
>>on
>>17x7.5 Kosei K1 racing.
>>
>>as I remeber almost .9 G's on the skidpad, here at Tirerack's skidpad challenge.
>>
>>Alex
Don't the stock Euphori@s get .86? I'd think moving up to a significnatly grippier tire would make more of a difference! Or does the road holding have more to do with the suspension?
>>
>>215/45/17 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position
>>on
>>17x7.5 Kosei K1 racing.
>>
>>as I remeber almost .9 G's on the skidpad, here at Tirerack's skidpad challenge.
>>
>>Alex
Don't the stock Euphori@s get .86? I'd think moving up to a significnatly grippier tire would make more of a difference! Or does the road holding have more to do with the suspension?
