Re: 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
I would say to stay with the S02. In the test that we have done it is the better all around tire. It is true that the wet traction will decrease after 1/2 tread life but the first 1/2 of the tire will be the same. Porsche still uses the non Pole Position tire as the OE tire on the Turbo. The tread life is going to be a little better with the Pole Position with a 180 treadware rating and the S02 would be a 140 rating. I would still say the S02 will be a better combination wet and dry traction tire than the Pilot Sport. In testing we had from Europe The S02 was rated the number 1 performance tire. If I can help let me know. Thank you
Jim 800-428-8355-364

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