Mixing S03s and S02s?

[marco]

Hi

Well, after 6 months of looking I finally found a Griff 500 @ Adrian Blyth and am picking it up this weekend. (1998 model)

One question I have is, the car needs a pair of front tyres and this will mean S03s on the front with S02s on the back. I know they're meant to be compatible but does anybody have any comments on this?

Should I immediately start saving for a set of rears to match?

Thanks


Marco

[PetrolTed]

I've had S03's on the rear and S02's on the front for a while with no ill effect. Didn't affect the handling adversely despite my best efforts to get it out of shape on a track day.

[.mark]

Like Ted, I have 3's on the back and 2's on the front. Micheldever say this is ok but the other way around is wrong - thing is others have been told the complete reverse!
Perhaps a call to Bridgestone would clear it up.

[Twit]

Could you not get Adrian Blythe to replace the fronts as part of your purchase deal, then you just replace the rears to match. That way you end with a full, no grief and no extra outlay.

[PetrolTed]

Sounds a bit of an urban myth to me. I can't see why mixing them across axles would make any difference. Both tyres are excellent on Tivs.

[gerjo]

I heard that the SO-3's were not so good as the SO-2's? Is that correct?

Marco, congrats with your 500. I made the same swap and the Griff 500 is just awesome! Get a M Adams chip.

[dougal]

I just got (delivered yesterday) two SO2 pp fronts for the Griff from XpediaTyres, £80 each inc vat & del.

[marco]

quote:
Could you not get Adrian Blythe to replace the fronts as part of your purchase deal, then you just replace the rears to match. That way you end with a full, no grief and no extra outlay.

Thats exactly what Adrian is doing - the rears are v. good S02s but the new fronts will have to be 03s.

I just called Bridgestone (01926 488500) and their tech department told me that the S03 should feature lower noise and slightly improved grip, particularly in the wet. I told him the car they were going on and his advice was to make sure they were fitted in axel pairs but otherwise no problems.

Incidentally he also checked and confirmed that the 225x50x15 size is no longer manufacturered in an S02 pattern.


Answered me own question!


Marco



>> Edited by marco on Wednesday 24th April 13:07

[davidd]

I've gos so2 rear and new so3 on the front and they are fine, the so3 makes the front feel more planted on turn in, although that could just be the difference in old and new tyres.

[beano1197]

quote:
I've gos so2 rear and new so3 on the front and they are fine, the so3 makes the front feel more planted on turn in, although that could just be the difference in old and new tyres.

Likewise - been running this combination for the last couple of thousand miles. About to get new SO3s on the back - noticed that the fronts were getting up to a nice temperature for the first several hundred miles while they cured and have since been confidence inspiring and looking forward to doing the same on the rear.

[beano1197]

PS Not getting the red "Pimpmobile" Griff are you?

[marco]

quote:
PS Not getting the red "Pimpmobile" Griff are you?

Nope, nearly as bad - pearlecent yellow!

[beano1197]

Ah!

I assume that's the "Halcyon Midas" which isn't on the pictures section yet. (Wondered what that might mean!) So, make sure you don't park up and leave it near any oilseed rape fields, you wouldn't find it till they stopped flowering!!!!!

Actually I'm glad to hear it wasn't one that had only done 7,000 miles - imagine, just being run in and shredded the tyres in the first 7!!!!

By the way, £290 got me Bridgestone's finest rubberwear at Roadwheel Bagshot - fifteen minutes between driving in, parting with dosh and driving off again - didn't even miss the rush hour traffic!!! Excellent service, chaps!!