non-pole position SO2 vs. Pilot Sport (archive)

Its time for new tires (235/40/18) for my 18x8.5 BBS RCs. I've narrowed the choice down between the SO2 (non pole position) and Pilot Sports. I currently have SO2 Pole Positions but they have been discontinued in this size. Previously I had MXX3s on the RCs. The MMX3s had more grip than any other non R compound tire I have driven however they wore out more quickly than the Pole Positions and were not very good in the rain. I was very happy with the SO2 pole positions. They were almost as grippy as the MXX3s and more predictable. Since I haven't had room to keep a second set of track wheels around my street tires have served double duty with at least 8-10 track days a year. They SO2s performed me admirably on track days and I was even able to lap ButtonWillow faster on the SO2s than on a set of borrowed Toyo RA1s. Even now with almost no tread the SO2s give decent traction in the rain. I've heard the regular SO2s don't last as long and have a more pronounced decrease in wet traction as they wear. If the Pilot Sports are better than the non-Pole position SO2s I�ll try them.

I would like to here from people who have tried the SO2 and the Pilot Sport or both the Pole Position SO2 and non-Pole Position SO2. How do they compare in terms of:

Dry traction
Predictability
Wet Traction
Longevity
Wet traction when worn

Thanks,

Juan Bruce
BMW CCA GGC
'95 M3 H&R Coilovers, -2.5deg camber front, -1.8deg camber rear, 18x8.5 BBS RC with worn SO2 Pole Positions

Follow Ups:

Re: non-pole position SO2 vs. Pilot Sport Jim@tirerack.com 07:33 1/11/2001 (0)

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