View Full Version : Is it my imagination or did S03s go way up in price?
Granted I got my first set a while back. But I swear they weren't this expensive.
Tirerack is listing them for $196 each (+ shipping) and Radial Tire (Nick's buds) want $205 with the BMW CCA discount. Thankfully Radial only charges $9.95 per tire to mount and balance so it's only $215 each installed.
Still, that a chunk o' change.
I wish I didn't hate these Kumhos that much.
you know, I thought the same thing. I thought for sure I paid right around $200 each for mine in January, for 245/40/18 and 275/35/18's.
Now they are $250 each.
I'll have to check my receipt to confirm.
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
The HACK
10-28-2003, 02:57 PM
I notice when I first got mine, they were on "special" from TireRack and was about $50 cheaper than the Michelins (which was $225 for my size).
Now it's gone back up to about $196 and the "speical" tag is gone.
Nick M3
10-28-2003, 03:31 PM
You could always switch to Azenis Sports. ;)
ARCHER
10-28-2003, 03:47 PM
They are steep and unfortunately, major overkill on the 330 now that the wife has it back.
The M3 got new Pilots a few weeks ago. They are nice, but it is a lot of cash to drop on rubber.
Roadstergal
10-28-2003, 03:49 PM
You could always switch to Azenis Sports. ;)
Unfortunately, not a lot of sizes available for you BMW big-rim types. 225/45/17 or 245/45/17 are the only 17".
You could always switch to Azenis Sports. ;)
Unfortunately, not a lot of sizes available for you BMW big-rim types. 225/45/17 or 245/45/17 are the only 17".
245 is available?
Roadstergal
10-28-2003, 03:56 PM
245 is available?
http://www.ec-securehost.com/OnlineTires.com/Falken_AZENIS.html#FalkenAZENIS
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
That's weird. I looked last night in response to TD's other thread, and they were $196/205 or something like that for the E46.
245 is available?
http://www.ec-securehost.com/OnlineTires.com/Falken_AZENIS.html#FalkenAZENIS
:worship
Thanks! I'll have to look at these. The one thing I am concerned about it hydroplaning.
Nick M3
10-28-2003, 04:10 PM
195/60-14
205/50-15
205/55-16
215/45-16
225/45-17
245/45-17
I don't think I'm forgetting any sizes, although there *might* be a 13" size. And who needs staggered tires, anyway. ;)
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
That's weird. I looked last night in response to TD's other thread, and they were $196/205 or something like that for the E46.
Tirerack currently lists them at $196 for 245/40/17. Are you sure you looked up the correct size?
195/60-14
205/50-15
205/55-16
215/45-16
225/45-17
245/45-17
I don't think I'm forgetting any sizes, although there *might* be a 13" size. And who needs staggered tires, anyway. ;)
I think I'll keep them staggered for now.
Nick M3
10-28-2003, 04:15 PM
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
That's weird. I looked last night in response to TD's other thread, and they were $196/205 or something like that for the E46.
Tirerack currently lists them at $196 for 245/40/17. Are you sure you looked up the correct size?
Yes, for their cars. :p
ARCHER
10-28-2003, 04:22 PM
The one thing I am concerned about it hydroplaning.
I have wondered the same thing. Anyone?
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
That's weird. I looked last night in response to TD's other thread, and they were $196/205 or something like that for the E46.
Plus-1 sizes?
Mathew
10-28-2003, 04:26 PM
I sure hope not, I'm due for some new ones soon. . .
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
That's weird. I looked last night in response to TD's other thread, and they were $196/205 or something like that for the E46.
Plus-1 sizes?
No; were you looking at 19s?
Here are the prices for 18s in OEM sizes.
Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (Max Performance Summer)
Specs | Warranty | Reviews | Test Results | Survey Results
Sidewall: Blackwall
Front: 225/45-18
YR Speed Rated Price: $193 Best Seller
Estimated Availability: In Stock Front:
012345678
Rear: 255/40-18
YR Speed Rated Price: $209 Best Seller
Estimated Availability: In Stock Rear:
012345678
Road Hazard Program $96.48 total with four tire purchase
hmmm---now I just checked at tirerack again and the fronts are at $200, but the rears are $250.
hmmm...
That's weird. I looked last night in response to TD's other thread, and they were $196/205 or something like that for the E46.
Tirerack currently lists them at $196 for 245/40/17. Are you sure you looked up the correct size?
Right, I was responding to bonoboy's comment; I looked them up for the E46, since I was thinking in response to your thread about how thrashed my Contis are.
I think I will use Radial Tire when the time comes; the value of a competent installation can't be measured.
lemming
10-28-2003, 04:30 PM
having had the S03s at the track.....they're MUCH better than pilot sports (not sure why that is, compound?), but they're still not the best dry grip tire (ever).
aren't there a bunch of slighly cheaper alternatives just as sticky/more sticky these days? the other thing i don't like about the bridgerocks is how much they weigh.
it's interesting to see how committed the BMW community and Subie community, in general, is to the S03 whereas the Porkchop community, in general, hates the S03s and bemoans the loss of the S02A and the S01 and in general, prefer pirellis or mich. sport cups (diff. demographics?).
just checked my receipt.
Purchased in January, $197 fronts and $237 rears.
I guess not much difference after all :oops:
No; were you looking at 19s?
Here are the prices for 18s in OEM sizes.
no, I meant the wider sizes in 18. 245/275
I would have probably tried the Toyo's next, but I really will probably only have to change my rears befor the M3 goes bye-bye, so I'm sticking with the S-03's.
Don't wanna trade/sell a car with a mismatched set.
lemming
10-28-2003, 04:39 PM
I would have probably tried the Toyo's next, but I really will probably only have to change my rears befor the M3 goes bye-bye, so I'm sticking with the S-03's.
Don't wanna trade/sell a car with a mismatched set.
ah.
good logic.
(wait a minute. what are you movin' into next? --did i miss this nobel peace prize boy?)
ah.
good logic.
(wait a minute. what are you movin' into next? --did i miss this nobel peace prize boy?)
the aforementioned Elise :undwech:
lip277
10-28-2003, 04:46 PM
245 is available?
http://www.ec-securehost.com/OnlineTires.com/Falken_AZENIS.html#FalkenAZENIS
Interesting site.... I'm going to be needing tires soon for the Mercedes.
RG, any experience with them or just something you knew about...??
Thanks
Roadstergal
10-28-2003, 04:52 PM
Thanks! I'll have to look at these. The one thing I am concerned about it hydroplaning.
They've been fine in the wet. And it does get wet in these parts. ;)
They don't have the channeling to take deep, deep puddles, such as collect at the bottom of steep grades on a freeway. I can plow through 'em OK.
In weather like this, though, they're quite good. :)
<img src=http://members.roadfly.org/cargogal/auto74.jpg>
Roadstergal
10-28-2003, 04:53 PM
RG, any experience with them or just something you knew about...??
Thanks
I have them on both cars. I like them muchly.
Thanks! I'll have to look at these. The one thing I am concerned about it hydroplaning.
They've been fine in the wet. And it does get wet in these parts. ;)
They don't have the channeling to take deep, deep puddles, such as collect at the bottom of steep grades on a freeway. I can plow through 'em OK.
In weather like this, though, they're quite good. :)
<img src=http://members.roadfly.org/cargogal/auto74.jpg>
Good to know.
I need to find out if the 245/45s will rub on my car (rear). Stock I am 245/40.
lip277
10-28-2003, 05:02 PM
RG, any experience with them or just something you knew about...??
Thanks
I have them on both cars. I like them muchly.
I meant the folks selling them... Just seeing if there are opinions on them vs TireRack or Discount...
lemming
10-28-2003, 05:09 PM
BONOBOY: WOW. of all of the cars in all of the ginjoints on earth.........was it that we never stopped teasing you about how heavy the E46m3 is? :shock:
ZCSAVANT: um, did you see the comparison tirerack did mounting directional tires (rain V-treads) on the correct way as well as backwards?
they basically found that unless you did more than 75% of your driving on the highway, the benefits of directional treads were more show than go. i was fascinated by this.
Roadstergal
10-28-2003, 05:12 PM
I meant the folks selling them... Just seeing if there are opinions on them vs TireRack or Discount...
Ah, gotcha. I had Discount in Bellevue match their price and bought through them. They've been decent to me.
ZCSAVANT: um, did you see the comparison tirerack did mounting directional tires (rain V-treads) on the correct way as well as backwards?
they basically found that unless you did more than 75% of your driving on the highway, the benefits of directional treads were more show than go. i was fascinated by this.
Actually, at this point I do about 80% of my driving on the highway. I commute back and forth to Providence every day for work. :(
Hopefully I will find a new job in the Boston area and the M3 can rest a bit.
I had not read the study though. Still, I am curious to see if the Azenis actually fit my rears.
lemming
10-28-2003, 05:23 PM
ZCSAVANT: um, did you see the comparison tirerack did mounting directional tires (rain V-treads) on the correct way as well as backwards?
they basically found that unless you did more than 75% of your driving on the highway, the benefits of directional treads were more show than go. i was fascinated by this.
Actually, at this point I do about 80% of my driving on the highway. I commute back and forth to Providence every day for work. :(
Hopefully I will find a new job in the Boston area and the M3 can rest a bit.
I had not read the study though. Still, I am curious to see if the Azenis actually fit my rears.
Z:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/hydroplaning.jsp
here is the link. my memory is worse than a sieve, so i'm sure i screwed up some of their findings. too much other junk in the head.
lip277
10-28-2003, 05:28 PM
I meant the folks selling them... Just seeing if there are opinions on them vs TireRack or Discount...
Ah, gotcha. I had Discount in Bellevue match their price and bought through them. They've been decent to me.
Thanks.
Terri Kennedy
10-28-2003, 05:40 PM
having had the S03s at the track.....they're MUCH better than pilot sports (not sure why that is, compound?), but they're still not the best dry grip tire (ever).
aren't there a bunch of slighly cheaper alternatives just as sticky/more sticky these days? the other thing i don't like about the bridgerocks is how much they weigh.What do people think about the Potenza RE750's (in 205/50/17)? I have a 325xi wagon w/ automatic, and I'm not looking for something in the class of the S03's, just something better than the ContiTouringContacts I have now :smile:
The HACK
10-28-2003, 05:56 PM
having had the S03s at the track.....they're MUCH better than pilot sports (not sure why that is, compound?), but they're still not the best dry grip tire (ever).
aren't there a bunch of slighly cheaper alternatives just as sticky/more sticky these days? the other thing i don't like about the bridgerocks is how much they weigh.What do people think about the Potenza RE750's (in 205/50/17)? I have a 325xi wagon w/ automatic, and I'm not looking for something in the class of the S03's, just something better than the ContiTouringContacts I have now :smile:
Do a search on 'Fest. :D
If you do not need the performance of an S-03 but want something better than the tourings you've got, your choices are wide open...
ContiSportContact IIs are really good. Yokohama AVS ES100s are really good. And both are cheaper than the Bridgestones.
clyde
10-28-2003, 05:57 PM
What do people think about the Potenza RE750's (in 205/50/17)? I have a 325xi wagon w/ automatic, and I'm not looking for something in the class of the S03's, just something better than the ContiTouringContacts I have now :smile:
I think Nick had these...maybe another Potenza model...i can't remember.
I was just about to ask if I was the only E46 owner that hasn't ever used S-03s and doesn't plan on ever trying them either. :D
Looking for all seasons for the winter...
Nick M3
10-28-2003, 07:54 PM
I had RE950s. I'm still very fond of them, although they just don't offer enough grip to keep me happy. They have very near summer tire levels of response, with excellent cold handling.
I hear good things abotu the RE750s, but haven't got any actual experience with them.
lemming
10-28-2003, 08:53 PM
I had RE950s. I'm still very fond of them, although they just don't offer enough grip to keep me happy. They have very near summer tire levels of response, with excellent cold handling.
I hear good things abotu the RE750s, but haven't got any actual experience with them.
i had re730s. those were great.
on a gti-vr6.
so many good choices for decent tires.
the trick is to just not pay retail for tires. you know what i mean?
you know what i mean?
I don't know what you mean. :dunno:
Nick M3
10-28-2003, 08:55 PM
I hear theft is a great way to cut costs. ;)
Anyone think of trying the new Pilot Sport 2s? I am interested in these, but they are also very expensive :(
SpaceMonk
10-28-2003, 10:28 PM
Anyone think of trying the new Pilot Sport 2s? I am interested in these, but they are also very expensive :(
If you decide to go with the Azenis, keep in mind if the SCCA finally decides to class them in the R compound class, you'd be running in a higher autox class when you start next year.
Highly unlikely, but it was mentioned to me. :dunno:
I think I paid just under $190 per tire for my s-03's in 235/40/17. I may go 245's all the way around next time, with a 5mm or 10mm spacer for the fronts.
RKT BMR
10-29-2003, 10:46 AM
it's interesting to see how committed the BMW community and Subie community, in general, is to the S03 whereas the Porkchop community, in general, hates the S03sPorkchop?!?? :dunno:
BTW, pdz, blower's got 21k miles on it now and still running like a swiss (or is that norwegian?) watch!
Porkchop?!?? :dunno:
http://wunschauto24.com/auto/porsche-911.jpg
lemming
10-29-2003, 11:59 AM
it's interesting to see how committed the BMW community and Subie community, in general, is to the S03 whereas the Porkchop community, in general, hates the S03sPorkchop?!?? :dunno:
BTW, pdz, blower's got 21k miles on it now and still running like a swiss (or is that norwegian?) watch!
excellent. do you ever get curious about the head gasket or anything like that?
or mounting an intercooler?
i've noticed that the kit paddle-shifter-boy has as well as the activeautowerke kit (not only do they use a hybrid blower with higher rpms) but they all employ intercoolers now. --i know you mix gas to get max power, but it would give you even more power or a greater margin between safety and detonation?
just curious. getting very tempting to boost the car (boost compression, not steal). still easier to buy a new one.
lemming
10-29-2003, 12:00 PM
you know what i mean?
I don't know what you mean. :dunno:
i mean that in general, you get what you pay for as long as you don't buy 'em at retail prices. markups by local installers are HUGE.
oh yeah: RKT BMR --> it would be norwegian, wouldn't it? :smile:
RKT BMR
10-30-2003, 09:22 AM
BTW, pdz, blower's got 21k miles on it now and still running like a swiss (or is that norwegian?) watch!
excellent. do you ever get curious about the head gasket or anything like that?
or mounting an intercooler?Both. I think about the head from time to time, but don't really worry about it, certainly not enough to pull it and check. Quite a hassle... I've check cylinder compression a few times over the last two years to keep an eye on it, and everything's checked out.
An intercooler is tempting. I've thought quite a bit more about that. The pain of the installation is keeping me from persuing it though. I'm pretty happy with the power I've got from the ESS system stock.
As for fuel mixing, yup, that's my exclusive gas these days. I fill up every 5-6 days at the same Union 76, and mix 60%/40% 91/100 octane. I'm thinking these days that's a bit rich (on the 100), but don't want to titrate it back until I can hook up to the diag connection and collect some knock sensor data which driving under load.
RKT BMR
10-30-2003, 09:26 AM
oh yeah: RKT BMR --> it would be norwegian, wouldn't it? :smile:That's it!
Unfortunately, they're not know for watches... Perhaps the correct line is, "It's running as well as a can of Norwegian sardines?" :lol:
lemming
10-30-2003, 11:21 AM
oh yeah: RKT BMR --> it would be norwegian, wouldn't it? :smile:That's it!
Unfortunately, they're not know for watches... Perhaps the correct line is, "It's running as well as a can of Norwegian sardines?" :lol:
what is your tire du jour, RKT BMR?
didn't know if you were on OEM tires or not.
RKT BMR
10-30-2003, 07:17 PM
what is your tire du jour, RKT BMR?S03's, as of last April. Love 'em to death. Combined with the UUC sways, my cabrio runs around the curves on Hwy 17 over the Santa Cruz Mountains like it's on rails.
I get to take this heart-pounding amusement park ride twice EVERY DAY!!!!
Hence, my keen interest in this thread. :(
lemming
10-30-2003, 11:35 PM
do S03's come on any car as OEM tires?
i cannot think of any that come with S03's.
i keep wondering why they come with RE050s and RE070s and so forth (run flat or "regular) --> why wouldn't S03s come as OEM tires?
Nick M3
10-31-2003, 12:08 AM
do S03's come on any car as OEM tires?
i cannot think of any that come with S03's.
i keep wondering why they come with RE050s and RE070s and so forth (run flat or "regular) --> why wouldn't S03s come as OEM tires?
Because they suck? :dunno:
do S03's come on any car as OEM tires?
i cannot think of any that come with S03's.
i keep wondering why they come with RE050s and RE070s and so forth (run flat or "regular) --> why wouldn't S03s come as OEM tires?
Because they suck? :dunno:S03s suck? :?
lemming
10-31-2003, 12:49 PM
do S03's come on any car as OEM tires?
i cannot think of any that come with S03's.
i keep wondering why they come with RE050s and RE070s and so forth (run flat or "regular) --> why wouldn't S03s come as OEM tires?
Because they suck? :dunno:S03s suck? :?
you know nick and his funny humor. i think he was being funny!??!?!?
but i still don't know why S03s dont come standard on cars as they are widely embraced in the aftermarket.
Nick M3
10-31-2003, 01:53 PM
No, really... I hate S-03s. I don't like the way they drive or grip.
lemming
10-31-2003, 02:01 PM
No, really... I hate S-03s. I don't like the way they drive or grip.
yeah....i finally understood that reading TD's comments on anotehr thread about how you offered him your S03s.......i'm right there with you.
i wouldn't turn 'em down, but if it were my money, i'd get a more focused tire.
Nick M3
10-31-2003, 02:46 PM
No, really... I hate S-03s. I don't like the way they drive or grip.
yeah....i finally understood that reading TD's comments on anotehr thread about how you offered him your S03s.......i'm right there with you.
i wouldn't turn 'em down, but if it were my money, i'd get a more focused tire.
Yep. I'm going to drive daily on a set of Falken Azenis Sports. More grip both in the dry and the wet (although somewhat restricted hydroplaning resistance). As a HUGE bonus, they actually heat up enough to grip well and feel good in the winter. :thumbup:
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