Potenza S-03 Pole Position Tires on '05 NSX OEM Wheels

[NSX-Tuner]

I've got about 3500 miles on my original tires, Potenza RE040. I'm guessing that I'll need to replace them before the end of the year. So I've been looking at the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position tires. However, the closest front and rear sizes are a bit larger in the outer diameter, 0.8 inches on the FRONT and 0.2 inches on the REAR. Has anyone run these tires sizes on your '02 NSX or later with OEM wheels and did you have any issues?

Potenza RE040 (OEM)
215/40R17 23.8 OD
255/40R17 24.9 OD

Potenza S-03 Pole Position
215/45R17 24.6 OD
255/40R17 25.1 OD

 

[nsxtasy]

The outer diameter of the 215/45-17 is 3.6 percent larger than stock. That's a significant increase. I don't know whether they will rub - they might, they might not - but you're risking problems with the TCS as the rear tires wear down faster than the front.

 

[NSX-Tuner]

Another option is to go to a different wheel size, like an 18x7.5 front and a 18x9+ rear. The only other sizes for the S-03 that come close to the OEM OD are:

225/35R18 24.3 OD front (0.5 larger OD over EOM)
265/35R18 25.4 OD rear (0.5 larger OD over EOM)

One thing for sure, I don't like the RE040 for handling. I pushed the car a little bit harder last weekend on a drive and noticed that they don't have that much grip. Car was sliding around and didn't have any bite around turns. I'm used to much grippier tires (Michelin PS PS2s) on my Acura CLS 6MT.

Here are some sizes for the Michelin PS PS2s:

225/35ZR18 24.2 OD front (0.4 larger OD over EOM)
265/35ZR18 25.3 OD rear (0.4 larger OD over EOM)

So maybe the PS2s would be a better tire if I went with 18" wheels. I like the OEM wheels on my '05. But I guess I may have to go to different wheels if I want better tires.

 

[nsxtasy]

Another option is to go to a different wheel size, like an 18x7.5 front and a 18x9+ rear.

I think you're better off using staggered sizes (larger diameter rear wheel than front), for the reasons noted in this topic.

Also, if you go with 18" front wheels, I would recommend 215/35-18 rather than 225/35-18. With the 225, some folks have experienced rubbing, while others haven't. 215/35-18 is closer to the stock outer diameter (still larger, but closer, at least) and they won't rub. But again, I think 17"/18" is a better combination than 18"/18".

However, you still have options without spending for a new set of wheels...

I like the OEM wheels on my '05. But I guess I may have to go to different wheels if I want better tires.

No, you don't.

If you're interested in getting some sticky, great handling tires for your stock wheels, in sizes that will fit the '02-05 NSX, I would make a few suggestions. Most of these are street tires that have been recently introduced and offer outstanding performance. First, the two stickiest:

1. Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
215/40-17 front
245/45-17 rear

2. Falken Azenis RT-615
215/40-17 front
255/40-17 rear

Both of these tires are very sticky (even stickier than the S-03) and offer great handling. They are new on the market, so treadlife is an unknown, but I'm guessing both will be so-so when it comes to treadwear. Both are available from Discount Tire.

Two other options, excellent top-of-the-line tires comparable in performance to the Bridgestone S-03, are:

3. Goodyear F1 GS-D3
215/40-17 front
255/40-17 rear

4. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
215/40-17 front
245/45-17 rear

Both of these are available from the Tire Rack and both have special promotions on them right now. The Dunlop is also new to the market, while the Goodyear has been around for a year or two. I'm guessing that both of these will have somewhat higher treadlife than the first two mentioned in this post.

 

[nsxtasy]

1. Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
215/40-17 front
245/45-17 rear

2. Falken Azenis RT-615
215/40-17 front
255/40-17 rear
.
.
.
3. Goodyear F1 GS-D3
215/40-17 front
255/40-17 rear

4. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
215/40-17 front
245/45-17 rear

Incidentally, in case you're wondering... the outer diameter of the 245/45-17 is 2.6 percent larger than the stock 255/40-17 rear size. That's not enough to cause any problems with the TCS or with rubbing. However, it will result in the same percentage error in the speedometer and odometer (they will read low by that percentage) and will also slightly hurt acceleration (it would have the same effect as changing from the stock 4.06 final drive gear to one that is 3.96). To avoid those downsides, I would probably choose the Falken or the Goodyear over the similar Hankook or Dunlop, respectively.

It's also worth noting that the Dunlop is also available in the 255/35-18 and 265/35-18 sizes for those using 18" rear wheels (and the Falken will be, too, within the next few months).