Tyres - Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S on V8V
Discussion
I've wanted to replace my tyres since before Christmas - the Bridgestones on the car were comfortably legal, but 6 years old. The main reason to change being tramliniing which was shocking - I'd be lying if I said it was my decision where the car was positioned on the road.
Two weeks ago, Michelin still hadn't made these new tyres in the correct sizes (19" wheels) - this week they became available and I had a set fitted on Friday. One point of interest - when I initially gave the size for two fronts, I was told : Michelin say these must be fitted as a set of 4. I always do fit the same kind of tyre on all wheels, but never been told that before.
Anyway - how are they?
Decided to give them a bit of a run today - went out purely for a drive. Only about 30 miles, so really just enough to scrub them in - and the roads were wet, and it's February. So this is just first impressions for now and I'll update in a few weeks.
So far - very impressive. Tramliniing has disappeared, but obviously would with any new tyres.
Wet grip though is very impressive. Moderately hard acceleration - which definitely would have had traction control kicking in with the Bridgestone - didn't even give a hint of wheel spin. Braking was also a big surprise - I braked pretty hard at one point, definitely hard enough that I expected the ABS to kick in as the car slowed down. It didn't - I came to a very quick stop with no ABS and if I didn't know better I'd say I'd just braked on a perfectly dry road.
Weather is supposed to dry up this weekend I think, so I may yet have a dry run in the car. It was actually very nice to give it a decent run out of town although the opportunities to open it up were few (seriously, if you are too scared to take your mini over 37mph on a 60mph road - and you don't have L plates - you really need to give serious thought to using public transport....).
Overall, first impressions very positive.
(Not too expensive either - 4 tyres fitted were about £875).
Two weeks ago, Michelin still hadn't made these new tyres in the correct sizes (19" wheels) - this week they became available and I had a set fitted on Friday. One point of interest - when I initially gave the size for two fronts, I was told : Michelin say these must be fitted as a set of 4. I always do fit the same kind of tyre on all wheels, but never been told that before.
Anyway - how are they?
Decided to give them a bit of a run today - went out purely for a drive. Only about 30 miles, so really just enough to scrub them in - and the roads were wet, and it's February. So this is just first impressions for now and I'll update in a few weeks.
So far - very impressive. Tramliniing has disappeared, but obviously would with any new tyres.
Wet grip though is very impressive. Moderately hard acceleration - which definitely would have had traction control kicking in with the Bridgestone - didn't even give a hint of wheel spin. Braking was also a big surprise - I braked pretty hard at one point, definitely hard enough that I expected the ABS to kick in as the car slowed down. It didn't - I came to a very quick stop with no ABS and if I didn't know better I'd say I'd just braked on a perfectly dry road.
Weather is supposed to dry up this weekend I think, so I may yet have a dry run in the car. It was actually very nice to give it a decent run out of town although the opportunities to open it up were few (seriously, if you are too scared to take your mini over 37mph on a 60mph road - and you don't have L plates - you really need to give serious thought to using public transport....).
Overall, first impressions very positive.
(Not too expensive either - 4 tyres fitted were about £875).
Thanks for posting that up, will definitely consider some of those at renewal time (assuming I can get them in V12V sizes)
As for the same tyres from to back, I think a lot "recommend" that but unless you're racing in Touring Cars or similar it won't have any detrimental effect. You should have similar type / brand front to back. Across the axle you should definitely have the same tyre. Although according to the AA when they come out to assist us on the A1 with a blow out, wouldn't tow us insisting a tyre van come out to replace the tyre even though they didn't have a matching one, matching tyres across the axle it is ok, even after I questioned the effects of different braking performance, particularly when hard braking. Apparently your ABS will sort that out
As for the same tyres from to back, I think a lot "recommend" that but unless you're racing in Touring Cars or similar it won't have any detrimental effect. You should have similar type / brand front to back. Across the axle you should definitely have the same tyre. Although according to the AA when they come out to assist us on the A1 with a blow out, wouldn't tow us insisting a tyre van come out to replace the tyre even though they didn't have a matching one, matching tyres across the axle it is ok, even after I questioned the effects of different braking performance, particularly when hard braking. Apparently your ABS will sort that out
Quick update since I've had them a few weeks now.
Generally, they've made a huge difference to the car - the Bridgestones clearly needed replacing more than I'd realised. No more tramliniing, and the steering feels like it has sharpened up noticeably.
I don't usually treat the Vantage as if it's a sports car, but it's a dry mild day so I figured I'd see how the new tyres did down my local twisty road.
Very well in fact. I've never felt it was perfectly suited to that type of driving and that is still the case - it just feels like it lacks any urgency as you come out of a bend and accelerate. However, at the end of the drive, the one conclusion I came to was that I simply wasn't cornering hard enough - lots of grip and definitely far more than I was using.
Overall, very happy with my choice. Don't know how non worn Bridgestone compare but they are in a different league to my old ones.
Generally, they've made a huge difference to the car - the Bridgestones clearly needed replacing more than I'd realised. No more tramliniing, and the steering feels like it has sharpened up noticeably.
I don't usually treat the Vantage as if it's a sports car, but it's a dry mild day so I figured I'd see how the new tyres did down my local twisty road.
Very well in fact. I've never felt it was perfectly suited to that type of driving and that is still the case - it just feels like it lacks any urgency as you come out of a bend and accelerate. However, at the end of the drive, the one conclusion I came to was that I simply wasn't cornering hard enough - lots of grip and definitely far more than I was using.
Overall, very happy with my choice. Don't know how non worn Bridgestone compare but they are in a different league to my old ones.
Brilliant, cheers for the bump. I was looking for this thread in the morning, and the search function (as always was proving totally fruitless).
Anyway, I've decided to do the same rather than just replacing my rear Potenzas. I've always been a fan of the higher end Michelins on my other cars.
Where did you get them from for that price?
Anyway, I've decided to do the same rather than just replacing my rear Potenzas. I've always been a fan of the higher end Michelins on my other cars.
Where did you get them from for that price?
davek_964 said:
steveatesh said:
Anybody know what the letters "XL" mean in Michelin labelling?
I've found two options, one XL which is more expensive and one without.
Just doing my homework before buying......
Extra load I believe. I think it means stiffer sidewalls?I've found two options, one XL which is more expensive and one without.
Just doing my homework before buying......
Bumping this as I need to replace my tyres now due to age, although still lots of tread.
I'm just a little confused between the variants available by Michelin - Pilot Super Sport, PS4 etc.
What is the variant I need for a V8 Vantage 4.7 MY 2010 coupe? I only use it on roads, never tracks.
Is it the latest PS4 or the Pilot Super Sport or something else?
Do I get the ones with the XL feature?
Anybody used Costco, can they do diamond cut wheels without damage?
Thanks in advance!
I'm just a little confused between the variants available by Michelin - Pilot Super Sport, PS4 etc.
What is the variant I need for a V8 Vantage 4.7 MY 2010 coupe? I only use it on roads, never tracks.
Is it the latest PS4 or the Pilot Super Sport or something else?
Do I get the ones with the XL feature?
Anybody used Costco, can they do diamond cut wheels without damage?
Thanks in advance!
steveatesh said:
Bumping this as I need to replace my tyres now due to age, although still lots of tread.
I'm just a little confused between the variants available by Michelin - Pilot Super Sport, PS4 etc.
What is the variant I need for a V8 Vantage 4.7 MY 2010 coupe? I only use it on roads, never tracks.
Is it the latest PS4 or the Pilot Super Sport or something else?
Do I get the ones with the XL feature?
Anybody used Costco, can they do diamond cut wheels without damage?
Thanks in advance!
Just to make sure there isnt any confusion... I'm just a little confused between the variants available by Michelin - Pilot Super Sport, PS4 etc.
What is the variant I need for a V8 Vantage 4.7 MY 2010 coupe? I only use it on roads, never tracks.
Is it the latest PS4 or the Pilot Super Sport or something else?
Do I get the ones with the XL feature?
Anybody used Costco, can they do diamond cut wheels without damage?
Thanks in advance!
The tyres discussed are the Michelin Pilot Super Sport and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. The S on the end is important.
If you can get the PS4S then thats the new kid on the block. Marginally better than the PSS apparently.
Of course there is the new Conti 6.....
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