Tyres: Bridgestone S02 or S03?
Discussion
peter,
the car is handling so badly that we can't take it for a high speed blast, the guy took it for a drive with my wife but took it for an extra long drive to return it to her work after being expressly told to bring it straight back. It now tramlines like crazy, didn't do this before. The guy was coming out with all sorts of nonsense like wheels out of balance etc and the guys at the tyre shop even started to stick up for her. I just don't expect to have to fight for my rights against a large company like this
the car is handling so badly that we can't take it for a high speed blast, the guy took it for a drive with my wife but took it for an extra long drive to return it to her work after being expressly told to bring it straight back. It now tramlines like crazy, didn't do this before. The guy was coming out with all sorts of nonsense like wheels out of balance etc and the guys at the tyre shop even started to stick up for her. I just don't expect to have to fight for my rights against a large company like this
I heard somewhere that TVR had dropped the S03. If this is true, can we find out what they intend to use on the Chimaera since this is the nearest equivalent to the Griff (Assuming the remaining new Griffs still have S02's). Presumably the main dealers will be switching to something as well. Anyone know what this is?
As I have said before, S02s have not been discontinued according to two major UK tyre distributors. Supply may be a bit discontinued but not impossible.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve, I spoke to Neill Anderson at TVR, they are still getting them in dribs and drabs from wherever they can find them. Also have been in discourse with Bridgestone who tell me production has ceased and they know of no plans to ressurrect them
Jeff, TVR say Toyo's are the closest they have come to the SO 2
Edited by apache on Friday 23 November 21:21
Jeff, TVR say Toyo's are the closest they have come to the SO 2
Edited by apache on Friday 23 November 21:21
I have had the S02's on all of my TVR's and always thought them to be pretty good.
My Porsche came with a set of Pirelli P Zero's and my god they grip!
Got my work car, a 330 BMW changed from S02's to P Zeros and can confirm it is definately wiggling its tail less -might be useful on a TVR????
Ben
Had a result from Bridgestone today and am getting a refund. The chap who called me has had a fair bit of racing and development experience with TVR, we had a long and interesting talk about the matter. It seems the SO2 will be available again in about 6 months time in standard TVR sizes which counts me out, the factory will still be getting their supply. It was nice to have a respose from someone so knowledgeable and prepared to listen
Edited by apache on Monday 26th November 21:06
Edited by apache on Monday 26th November 21:06
I began a thread about tyres a couple of days ago on the General TVR board. I was (sensibly) directed to this more established debate. Like Bennno above, I raised the question of the Pirelli P-Zero option. I fitted these to my everyday Impreza recently and have been very impressed with their strong grip in both wet and dry conditions (4-wheel drive aside - they are quite an improvement over the standard fit Bridgestones, albeit not SO2s). A number of high performance car manufacturers also seem to like the P-Zeroes, e.g. the new Lamborghini Murcielago (in Rosso form). And RUF has chosen P-Zeroes for its extreme R Turbo. I'm about to fit 18" Tuscan spider alloys to my R-reg Cerbera 4.2 (currently on standard 16" wheels with SO2s), and hope later this week to receive quotes for a number of different tyres fitted to the new wheels, including Pirelli P-Zeros (at my suggestion) and Toyo Proxes T1-Ss (the dealer's suggestion). The dealer tells me that he is unlikely to be able to source 4 SO2s! The Toyo tyre has turned up on a couple of factory-new Tuscans, supporting the idea that TVR are "toyoing" (sorry) with this brand. At the risk of complicating the debate, has anyone spotted that the Cerbera Red Rose pitted against the Brabus in December's EVO magazine is purported to be wearing 17" Avon ZZ1's (even though they look like 18" SO2s to me)? Where will it all lead...
sorry its long, cut and paste for info...
The influential German magazine SPORT AUTO recently conducted tyre comparison tests involving 18" tyres from nine manufacturers, the results being published in the N°6/2000 issue.
Alongside Pirelli P Zero Rosso, the products chosen for the test were:
BF Goodrich Profiler G
Bridgestone S-02 PP
Continental Sport Contact
Dunlop SP Sport 9000
Fulda Carat Extremo
Michelin Pilot Sport
Toyo Proxes T1-S
Yokohama AVS Sport
The tests, comprising six different performance criteria, were conducted in southern Italy at the Vallelunga racing circuit – reputedly "perfect for testing" – using a 286 bhp BMW 540i equipped with the optional 235/40ZR18 front and 265/35ZR18 rear tyres.
This fitment, +2" on the standard equipment, significantly improved the overall handling characteristics.
The six elements of performance chosen for the tests were:
Dry Handling - lap time
Wet Handling - lap time
Aquaplaning Straight - threshold speed
Wet Braking - stopping distance from 100km/h
Dry Braking - stopping distance from 100 km/h
Rolling Noise - dB(A)
Not unexpectedly, all the tyres tested were comparable in terms of Dry Braking.
In terms of Rolling Noise, whilst appreciating the environmental and passenger comfort implications, the testers felt that, for the UHP category, this criterion was secondary to the performance and "safety" related areas, with the proviso that all tyres realised values below the 76dB(A) limit.
In fact, the highest recorded value was 74 dB(A) with a range of only 3.6 dB(A) covering all nine makes.
Thanks to superior, all round, dry and wet handling, combined with outstanding aquaplaning and wet braking performance, P ZERO ROSSO was unsurpassed.
In terms of Dry Handling in particular, "this Italian high performance product, with asymmetric tread profile design, comes out on top with its excellent steering precision, good grip and soft load change reactions."
P Zero Rosso brings a hitherto unattainable level of comfort to ultra-high performance tyres, responding to the demands of car manufacturers and drivers alike.
The conclusions of the SPORT AUTO test serve to underline Pirelli’s leadership in this prestigious segment of the market.
The influential German magazine SPORT AUTO recently conducted tyre comparison tests involving 18" tyres from nine manufacturers, the results being published in the N°6/2000 issue.
Alongside Pirelli P Zero Rosso, the products chosen for the test were:
BF Goodrich Profiler G
Bridgestone S-02 PP
Continental Sport Contact
Dunlop SP Sport 9000
Fulda Carat Extremo
Michelin Pilot Sport
Toyo Proxes T1-S
Yokohama AVS Sport
The tests, comprising six different performance criteria, were conducted in southern Italy at the Vallelunga racing circuit – reputedly "perfect for testing" – using a 286 bhp BMW 540i equipped with the optional 235/40ZR18 front and 265/35ZR18 rear tyres.
This fitment, +2" on the standard equipment, significantly improved the overall handling characteristics.
The six elements of performance chosen for the tests were:
Dry Handling - lap time
Wet Handling - lap time
Aquaplaning Straight - threshold speed
Wet Braking - stopping distance from 100km/h
Dry Braking - stopping distance from 100 km/h
Rolling Noise - dB(A)
Not unexpectedly, all the tyres tested were comparable in terms of Dry Braking.
In terms of Rolling Noise, whilst appreciating the environmental and passenger comfort implications, the testers felt that, for the UHP category, this criterion was secondary to the performance and "safety" related areas, with the proviso that all tyres realised values below the 76dB(A) limit.
In fact, the highest recorded value was 74 dB(A) with a range of only 3.6 dB(A) covering all nine makes.
Thanks to superior, all round, dry and wet handling, combined with outstanding aquaplaning and wet braking performance, P ZERO ROSSO was unsurpassed.
In terms of Dry Handling in particular, "this Italian high performance product, with asymmetric tread profile design, comes out on top with its excellent steering precision, good grip and soft load change reactions."
P Zero Rosso brings a hitherto unattainable level of comfort to ultra-high performance tyres, responding to the demands of car manufacturers and drivers alike.
The conclusions of the SPORT AUTO test serve to underline Pirelli’s leadership in this prestigious segment of the market.
On topic for the thread as a whole, a bit off for the current direction of discussion.
I might have the chance at a somewhat favourable deal on some Avons, direct from Avon. We're talking around half price or better here I think...
I seem to recall (from discussion somewhere in the Gassing Station) that they're being fitted to the Tamora. Does that give any indication that they'd be OK for a Chimaera or a Griff? Or am I dreaming here...?
I might have the chance at a somewhat favourable deal on some Avons, direct from Avon. We're talking around half price or better here I think...
I seem to recall (from discussion somewhere in the Gassing Station) that they're being fitted to the Tamora. Does that give any indication that they'd be OK for a Chimaera or a Griff? Or am I dreaming here...?
How valid are comparisons between other mainstream performance cars (e.g. BMW's) and TVR's? Most TVR's are extremely light in comparison and have tons of low down torque which causes the rear to break away much quicker than most, particularly in the wet. It would be interesting to hear from people who had tried various other tyres to see which they felt was best. Despite the S02 not winning quite a few tyre tests it seems to be the tyre of choice for 99% of TVR's which would suggest there are specific requirements that may be missed on other cars. Some guidance from TVR would be very welcome although some of the comments suggest that the S02 may be resurrected shortly. If this is true then preumably the problem is solved
I've just fitted Toyo's to my Griff, it has 17" wheels which appear to amplify the sensitivity and tramlining tendencies. I am very pleased, the sidewalls have more give and the tramlining has virtually dissappeared, I can't comment on the grip yet as it's permenantly cold and wet just now but looking good so far. As for comparing tyre performance with other cars, that has got to be a non starter as TVR's are vastly different and a modern tyre may work well with a high performance but heavy saloon but not with a light twitchy sportscar
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