The Bridgestone S03-PP's are excellent performance tires, but you can get the same technology with the Firestone SX-50EP, since FS is owned by BS and the SX50EP's also made in Japan. Purusing the Tire Rack's site, I was very surprised to see that the prices on the two are now nearly identical. Since both use "Uni-T AQ technology," described on the Tire Rack site, I think the main difference is the compound hardness, the FS being higher (UTQG of 360 vs. 220). This should translate into better overall traction but higher wear rate for the BS. I have no experience with the BS, but I do with the FS.

The performance on the 'Stones is stunning, especially in the wet, and they have made several enthusiastic converts among those conversing on TSN.
I managed 35k out of the set on my '91 9KT and the first set on my '95 Aero around 30k--but these were the older SX50's, not the EP variant that has a higher UTQG (360 vs. 240). Noise is low, ride is good, dry performance is stellar, and wet traction and hydroplaning resistence is nothing short of spectacular. The latter is of a high priority for us who live in the Deep South. Go to http://www.tirerack.com > Tires > Surveys > Ultra-high-performance tires and check out their status among the other tires in this class (#1). In that class, not even #2 comes close. Then check Max-performance-tires for the survey results on the S03-PP (also #1).

The BS/FS people told me that the two tires were nearly identical ("Uni-T technology"), except the BS's used slightly softer rubber compound and a different tread pattern--and of course the name is different. One caveat: I understand neither tire is suitable for snow or ice.

In the bang-for-your-buck dept., check out the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712. They perform very well and are a steal at only about $75/tire (205-55Z-16), achieving #3 status on the Tire Rack survey. Those I've talked with who own them are very happy with their performance.



posted by 68.11.18...

• Performance Summer Tires...what do you recommend?, aeroblues, Mon, 4 Feb 2002 20:37:37
  • Toyo Proxes T1-S, extremely good value as well..., Zip, Wed, 6 Feb 2002 08:06:21
  • Re: Performance Summer Tires...what do you recommend?, Bob Davis, Tue, 5 Feb 2002 09:13:39 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Firestone Correction, Craig C., Tue, 5 Feb 2002 11:53:06
      • Pirelli, Bill Cannastra, Tue, 5 Feb 2002 14:05:01
    • Re: Performance Summer Tires...what do you recommend?, Mark De Giorgio, Tue, 5 Feb 2002 11:31:16
  • Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position...., AdamB , Tue, 5 Feb 2002 04:00:50

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