mqandil

Hi All
I just wanted to give you my take on my new tires. 800 Miles ago I replaced my original Potenza tires @ 17000 miles with 245-40-18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires at all corners.
Well let me start by saying WOW, WOW, WOW.
They are the best tires I ever had. I have tried on my BMW's in the past Bridgestone SO3, Pirelli Nero, and Continental. By far this is the best tire. I live in the Portland Metro area where it rains a lot. The old Potenza's were not up to the task in wet, or cold wheather, but did good job when it was warm.

The new tires felt a little funny for the first 200 miles as they were broken in, and some of the that feeling came from the wider tire up front. The fatter tires upfront required a little adjustment as you are taking the corner in a good way. No more understeer. The limits are much higher now, and you start taking corners at insain speeds with no drama.
Gone is the tramline, and the tire noise. Surprisingly these tires ride much better then the Potenza's. As for driving in the rain, again what can I say...WOW, WOW. The limits in the wet almost exceeds the Potenza's limit in the dry. After the break in period I can apply power through out the corner in the wet without the DSC kicking in. You really have to try hard to get the tire to slide in the wet. Amazing performance. With the sway bars, and strut bar installed, the new tires, and stage 1 working, this is one hell of a mean machine. Honestly this car tracks and handles so well now. I occasionally I drive my friend stock RX8, and I can assure it is a difference between day and night. I just thought to share my experience with all of you. Please feel free to ask questions.

Mark

RXE16T

I surely hope they would be a better tire.............the Bridgestones aren't that great to start with.

mqandil

I can assure you, they are much better tire. The potenza's suck

Mark

jsh1120

Can't comment on the automotive Pilot Sports but I've had several pairs of the motorcycle version on various bikes. It's a wonderful tire in that application, the only downside being that they typically wear out within 6000-8000 miles with relatively conservative riding.

For those not familiar with the lifespan of motorcycle tires, this is not unusual for high performance, "sticky," tires. Still P/S's are not great for longevity, even in that category.

I'd be interested in the lifespan you experience with the automotive version of the tire. From your description it sounds like the driving experience is very similar to the motorcycle riding experience with the tires.

Spin9k

Can you give brief details on these other mods? Thanks.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Sounds good. I suspect these will be one of the top, if not the top, street tire for the RX-8 on 18" rims. Did you get the 93 or 97 service rating?

mqandil

Hi Spin & George
The other mods include. Ms front, and Rear sway bar. Ms Front upper strut bar. CZ Stage 1 running on stage 2 maps yielding +17HP.
As for the tires indeed they are one of the best, and I got the 93y rating.

Hope this helps

Mark

philodox

Hey now.. the S-03 is a damn good tire. I use it exclusively for autocrossing when it's wet out and I cannot put on slicks. Also use it as a daily driver tire. Considering the extra $75 or so per tire for the Pilot Sports, I'll pass and stick wtih the S-03's.. Nice review though.

Relentless

The Michelin PS2s aren't $75 more per tire. They're $225 each at Tire Rack for the 245/40/18; the Bridgestone S-03s are $224 each.

Jeff

philodox

oh, not for my sizes 245/35-19 and 275/30-19

as per Tire Rack:
S-03
245/35-19 $253
275/30-19 $274


Pilot Sport
245/35-19 $301
275/30-19 $326

So I was off by $25, but I still don't think they are worth the extra money Just my humble opinion.

Spin9k

I like what you are doing with your 8. You appear to be after meat not garnish with your changes, the tires being a nice crowning touch! It must be sweeet! I do have questions for you about how you came up with your specific mods. How come no lowering springs/coilovers? How's the high speed handing changed by stiffening only the sways?

So you've elected to shorten the life of you cat? :D Are you are using Stage 2 (hot) maps with a stock cat and stock exhaust? Do the S2 maps just work on a S1 - is there actually no difference? Just got a S1, but haven't installed so I'm learning. Anyway I think that setup seems a viable option. You can always buy a cat. And if you don't mind making stock sounds, why not stay stock exhaust? Ok, weight maybe - still with barely a little (RB latest results http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm) to be gained, why bother, save $ for a cat. CANZoomer has the Random High Flow cat to handle S2 maps more efficiently.