Tyre choices - down to 451 vs S03

[slayer]

Hiya, I have been researching tyres for the months while waiting for my import to arrive... the day has finally come and it will get some new rubber and a compliance badge this week (yay!) so I have got down to two tyre choices...

Bridgestone S03 or Falken 451.

In WA tyre costs stupid amounts, and the 451s in 235/45/17 and 255/40/17 are about $1400 which is about the same as the S03's, so cost is not a real deciding factor.

Whats the pick?

I like the 451's for looks, curb guard (I dont think the S03 has one) to protect my new mags, and seem to get good reviews, and supposed good tread life and wet weather grip, quiet.

The S03's sound like a technically superior tyre, but I hear they need regular rotation to avoid tramlining (a problem with differing tyre sizes front to rear) and have short tread life, although are awesome in the wet.

I have also had a few people tell me they let go pretty abrubtly whereas the 451 gives you plenty of warning.

Anyone got any comments on any of this? Without trying them myself its hard to find out which is a better tyre, but I would like to try and make the right decision

Conrad

[skyzerr33]

Did you look into the Kumho 712's?

there new and have won a comparison in 'Choice' magazine

and there only $234 each for 235x45x17

[Guest GTR98]

I had SO-2's on my GTR and they were awesome. Now i need new tyres and looking at SO-3's. The tyre guy tells me they are better than SO-2's but i too want to know if anyone else has had experiences.

And they cost $500.00 each

My tyre sizes are 265/35/18 all round.

Cheers

[Guest Rhino]

I have the FK451's on my GTR and they are great wet or dry, and as you said they let you know when they start to loose it.

I got 245/40/17's all round for ~$1000.

[slayer]

Thanks guys, I have gone with the Falken 451's - lets see how they shape up.

I think GTR's would be awesome no matter what tyre you run, just vary how quick you get from A to B I guess )

Thanks

Conrad

[Guest Rhino]

I dont doubt SO3's are the better tyre, but for the saving in not only wear but initial purchase price I'm happy with the FK451's

[Guest GTR98]

Im all for saving money, but to save money on Tyres and brakes is the worst thing you can do in a car. I hope you have never been or will be in a comprising situation with your car and another where the difference between good tyres and bloody good tyres is your damage.

I think everyone has had shite tyres on their cars at one time or another, but i have been in a situation where my tyres let me down and if i had a good set on then i would have been ok.

Cheers

[Ender]

I believe that it is not the saving of money which is the issue but your choice of tyres and brakes which is important, if you can get the same quality for cheaper then hey ... Im all for saving money ...and all for having good brakes and tyres...

I have been running a set of Falken Azenis tyres (they are a semi slick bottom range race tyre...too crap to race but too soft for the road type of thing) 225-50-16's for $190 ea.

They have lasted about 10,000kms... not bad really. They are about as grippy as a normal tyre when cold, if you really go for a blast and get them warmed up they perform quite well. One of the main benefits is the stiffer sidewall, very predictable etc.

Cheers

Russ