The SO4's aren't the same sizes as the SO3's.

Do you think the A3SO4 205/45 - 16 is a good substitute for the A3SO3 215/40 - 16?

edit: I guess this would be more appropriate in the tires forum.

This is a good forum becuase it's a motorsports tire.

S03 215/40-16
Tread Width: 8.5"
Section Width: 9"
Diameter: 22.7"

S04 205/45-16
Tread Width: 8.1"
Section Width: 8.6"
Diameter: 22.8"

The only thing you have going for the s04 over the s03 in the two sizes you mentioned is the new compound. You'll have less contact to the ground as the 205/45-16 s04 is a narrower tire, and also just marginally taller, so you lose a smidgen in gearing.

--kC

Originally posted by Scooby Freak
The SO4's aren't the same sizes as the SO3's.

Do you think the A3SO4 205/45 - 16 is a good substitute for the A3SO3 215/40 - 16?

edit: I guess this would be more appropriate in the tires forum.

Considering its the only S04 tire that gives you the great gearing advantages of a 23" tall tire I would say its a much better choice than the wider size that has a larger diameter. Getting the car an inch lower to the ground with less weight and less unsprung weight is a good advantage too. The gearing advantage is the best benefit of all though. (I'm assuming you are running the stock gear ratio's and not the RA gearset)

I'd rather have more tire than gearing. IFyou can have both, all the betterer. :D

--kC

Hoosier lists the P215/40-16 s04 as TBA. It'll come.... just not out yet.

Can you wait?

Mounted on 16x6.5 wheels they are almost exactly the same size.

Originally posted by KC
Hoosier lists the P215/40-16 s04 as TBA. It'll come.... just not out yet.

Can you wait?

I may have to get the s03 in that size, because that's still available.

Anybody know any contacts at Hoosier that I can ask about that tire?

I have often wondered how much difference the width makes if you can't get enough neg camber to fully utilize the tire anyway. I wonder if anyone has g-force numbers for varying tire widths on a camber challenged car.

I spoke to the Hoosier rep at Appalacian Tire and inquired about the S04 205-45-16 vs S03 215-40-16.

He said that Hoosier is actually going to make the S04 205-45-16 be wider and have a lower profile so that it will have close to the same dims as the S03 215-40-16. Now this is just what he said that Hoosier is going to try to do, whether that happens or not will be a totally different deal.

FWIW, I'd go with the S04, they've been tested as stickier and more durable, for about the same price as the S03s.

Originally posted by arubus
...FWIW, I'd go with the S04, they've been tested as stickier and more durable, for about the same price as the S03s.

Per Hoosier the S03 and the S04 both use the same compound. The carcus is the only difference. So, the S04 isn't stickier but it does give better traction due to a better carcus.

The real question is are these tires really as addictive as crack?:D

I'm dying to put a set on my Volks after I get rid of my Azenis.

Originally posted by zoomfactor
The real question is are these tires really as addictive as crack?:D

I'm dying to put a set on my Volks after I get rid of my Azenis.

I really liked the A3S03's in the 215/40/16 size. I decided to go with the 225/50/16 Victoracers this year because they are so much cheaper and will get you within a half second or so of the A3S04's for less than half the price. Half the price because they are about 25% cheaper and they last twice as long as the Hoosiers.

With the A3S04's not coming in the small diameter wide width size it wasn't worth it to me to spend the extra $$.