Bridgestone Potenza S03 vs Michelin Pilot Sport

raymondw · 31st March 2002, 23:17

I am sorry if this post is off topic and does not really concern the E39 ///M5, but since this is a high traffic forum with more people who may have first hand experience, I'll post my question here.

Three months ago, I ordered four new Michelin Pilot Sport's for my E28 ///M5 (front 205/55ZR16, rear 225/50ZR16). Apparently Michelin has troubles with supplying these and even a phonecall to Michelin Netherlands kept me in the dark.

During the weekend, I read the April issue of Sport Auto magazine and in a comparison of high performance tires, they where raving the Bridgestone potenza S03.

Since Michelin stays in the dark about the supply of my tires, I am concidering to cancel my order for the four Michelins and order the Bridgestone Potenza S03 instead. I know that with the Michelin Pilot Sport, i cannot go wrong on a rear wheel driven car, but with the Bridgestones, I am not sure.

Does anyone of you have first hand experiences with comparing both types. For me, rain performance is not high priority as the E28 ///M5 is my garage queen and will be driven in the dry only.

Thanks in advance,

Raymond Woertman

1990 E34 ///M5 3.6
1985 E28 ///M5 M88/3

brutus · 1st April 2002, 03:45

I have S03's now for 2,000mi+ and had Pilots for 30,000mi+ on my '00 M5.

The S03 has more overall traction but the Pilot stick better off the line, haven't had a chance to get any accelerometer numbers for 0-60 but the S03 may be as fast but do require more modulation off the line.

I've taken the S03's faster through several of my regular hiway ramps, part of this is due to better traction at the limit and also due to the S03's giving a bit of audio feedback before you enter into over steer while the sports are quite right up to the point of over steer.

In the rain I thought the Pilot was good to great but the S03 is awesome !!!

Since most of my spirited driving is 0-60 the verdict is still out for me until I get a chance to do the 0-60 times.

More later, Brutus.

atomic80 · 1st April 2002, 06:46

Thanks for the comprehensive writeup, Brutus. I had been considering going with those S03's as my next tires once my Pilots wore off. You just clinched my decisionmaking process.

dwasifar · 1st April 2002, 16:35

Friend of mine just took a perfectly good set of S-03s off her S2000 and replaced them with Pilot Sports. The car is noticeably better-handling now.

Diamond Dave · 1st April 2002, 17:03

Raymond,

I give a lot of business to The Tire Rack and think highly of them and their web site. Punch it up at:

http://www.tirerack.com/

From there enter in your year and type of vehicle and then click on "View Best Sellers". You can then click the little box on both tire brands and then select "Compare". You can also read the reviews about both tires from not only the staff at The Tire Rack but actual testimonials from guys like us with the same cars.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

Hope this helps somewhat,

DWP

raymondw · 1st April 2002, 21:31

That is indeed what I am afraid of. I also know someone who did that with an E30 320is, but then with Pilot Exalto's for the exactly the same reason.

I think I will give Michelin another call next week. Three months waiting time is too long.

Thanks,

Raymond

Quote:

Originally posted by dwasifar
Friend of mine just took a perfectly good set of S-03s off her S2000 and replaced them with Pilot Sports. The car is noticeably better-handling now.

LSM · 1st April 2002, 21:32

Quote:

Originally posted by Diamond Dave
Raymond,

I give a lot of business to The Tire Rack and think highly of them and their web site. Punch it up at:

http://www.tirerack.com/

From there enter in your year and type of vehicle and then click on "View Best Sellers". You can then click the little box on both tire brands and then select "Compare". You can also read the reviews about both tires from not only the staff at The Tire Rack but actual testimonials from guys like us with the same cars.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

Hope this helps somewhat,

DWP

I just called tire rack and spoke to two different people who boith said the S03's were the best max performance tire they sell. I also looked at the test results which also should the S03's performing better in the dry, wet, cornering, etc than the pilot sports. Hope that helps, good luck.

steveB · 1st April 2002, 21:42

I have had both Pilot Sports and S03s on my beast. I got a couple thousand miles out of the Sports than the S03s, but I also tracked with the SO3s so that makes sense. I ordered/have new SO3s for new 19s. The reason I chose the S03s was because they are less expensive (about 200 less for 19s). Throw in the fact that I think it's a toss-up between the Sports and the S03s and I think its a relatively easy decision to go with the SO3s. Also, the S03s are definitely grippier in the rain than the Pilot Sports.

Danish · 1st April 2002, 21:50

The S02 and S03 are noticeably better in the wet than Pilot SPort, but IMHO the Pilot SPort are better in the dry.

alpywhite · 1st April 2002, 22:17

I concur that Tire Rack rates S03 #1.