Review of Michelin Sport vs Cup tyres
Discussion
Just fitted new Cup tyres to my 996 C2 having savaged my previous set of Pilot Sports. Thought I would give you lot an opinion from a relative novice on track.
First impressions on the road: it grips, then it grips more, then more, then.... well, I didn't really get any further, I just didn't have the guts. (BTW All my driving is on hot dry roads.)
Turn in to medium and low speed bends is sharper (although I wonder whether that's a function of my last set being semi-slick at the back and partially worn at the front, which might naturally have produced more understeer) but understeer does seem virtually non-existent (hurray!). Note that I have lower Eibach springs and a front strut brace which also contribute to reduced understeer.
Stability in high speed bends is impressive and I certainly haven't come close to the limit on a public road yet. My nerve gives out well before (at least I hope it's well before).
Downsides? Well, I know this sounds odd but frankly the previous Pilot Sports were more fun on the road - you could feel the chassis working with you, especially at the rear, and the limit should be accessible to mere mortals like me. Showboating and gratuitous behaviour was safer given the lower speeds. However that said, if you take the car by the scruff of its neck on the new Cups, it gives you the same satisfaction, albeit at higher speeds - I imagine a Mitsu Evo 6/7/8 demands the same intensity to get the best out of it.
My first trackday/driver training on the new tyres was promising - all low speed technical stuff (no more than 60mph), but understeer was very much reduced, much less squealing, car got twitchy exiting low speed corners, but still controllable. Powersliding when truly determined was outrageously satisfying and very controllable, but horribly expensive (I won't be doing much of that!).
Only worry is how soon I might have to replace the new set. To sum up - if you are a really serious track day enthusiast and have deep pockets, the Cups make a lot of sense. Since I am competing in the local autocross races, it makes sense for me (I will update next week after my first race on the new tyres). However, road users would be better off on the original Sports - they would have more fun more of the time and save money, plus be a lot safer in the wet.
First impressions on the road: it grips, then it grips more, then more, then.... well, I didn't really get any further, I just didn't have the guts. (BTW All my driving is on hot dry roads.)
Turn in to medium and low speed bends is sharper (although I wonder whether that's a function of my last set being semi-slick at the back and partially worn at the front, which might naturally have produced more understeer) but understeer does seem virtually non-existent (hurray!). Note that I have lower Eibach springs and a front strut brace which also contribute to reduced understeer.
Stability in high speed bends is impressive and I certainly haven't come close to the limit on a public road yet. My nerve gives out well before (at least I hope it's well before).
Downsides? Well, I know this sounds odd but frankly the previous Pilot Sports were more fun on the road - you could feel the chassis working with you, especially at the rear, and the limit should be accessible to mere mortals like me. Showboating and gratuitous behaviour was safer given the lower speeds. However that said, if you take the car by the scruff of its neck on the new Cups, it gives you the same satisfaction, albeit at higher speeds - I imagine a Mitsu Evo 6/7/8 demands the same intensity to get the best out of it.
My first trackday/driver training on the new tyres was promising - all low speed technical stuff (no more than 60mph), but understeer was very much reduced, much less squealing, car got twitchy exiting low speed corners, but still controllable. Powersliding when truly determined was outrageously satisfying and very controllable, but horribly expensive (I won't be doing much of that!).
Only worry is how soon I might have to replace the new set. To sum up - if you are a really serious track day enthusiast and have deep pockets, the Cups make a lot of sense. Since I am competing in the local autocross races, it makes sense for me (I will update next week after my first race on the new tyres). However, road users would be better off on the original Sports - they would have more fun more of the time and save money, plus be a lot safer in the wet.
Interesting stuff. Evo mag say that the Michelin Cup tyres on the M3 CSL provide loads and loads of grip, but once they start letting go, they are less progressive than non cup tyres (they snap into oversteer and dont let you hold it comfortably)
Suppose its all down to what you want from a set of tyres really, and the Cups should allow you to shave quite a bit off of your lap times on a track day!
BTW, how much did you pay per tyre?
Cheers,
Marv
Suppose its all down to what you want from a set of tyres really, and the Cups should allow you to shave quite a bit off of your lap times on a track day!
BTW, how much did you pay per tyre?
Cheers,
Marv
I'm on my second set of Cup tyres on my 993RS. In the dry they're the best! In the wet, they are still ok - it is only standing water where they are very poor.
I had to pull off track at Brands GP circuit last October because they were lethal in a downpour. Other than that, though, they are ok in wet weather conditions. Over the last year, I ran the Cups during the summer, P-Zero Corsas over the autumn-spring and am now back on the Cups. The Michelins are more sticky than the Pirellis, which means they can wear VERY quickly (I got c.500 miles on track out of my rears!). I can recommend them highly.
Price is c.£800-900 for a set of 4 depending on your tyre sizes. Therefore much more expensive than normal tyres (half the tread, double the stickyness, twice the price = 8x more expensive!)
I suppose all this nonsense is only worth it if you take your car on track pretty regularly. Whilst they are fine on the road, I wouldn't bother with them if I only drove on the road.
Zubin
I had to pull off track at Brands GP circuit last October because they were lethal in a downpour. Other than that, though, they are ok in wet weather conditions. Over the last year, I ran the Cups during the summer, P-Zero Corsas over the autumn-spring and am now back on the Cups. The Michelins are more sticky than the Pirellis, which means they can wear VERY quickly (I got c.500 miles on track out of my rears!). I can recommend them highly.
Price is c.£800-900 for a set of 4 depending on your tyre sizes. Therefore much more expensive than normal tyres (half the tread, double the stickyness, twice the price = 8x more expensive!)
I suppose all this nonsense is only worth it if you take your car on track pretty regularly. Whilst they are fine on the road, I wouldn't bother with them if I only drove on the road.
Zubin
Great reviews, chaps. Thanks. I'm considering the Cups for next years track/summer season..planning on wearing them out and going back to Sports for the following winter. Am I mad?
Of course...I could just buy a set of second hand wheels and put slicks on 'em - although getting them to the track days might be difficult...
Of course...I could just buy a set of second hand wheels and put slicks on 'em - although getting them to the track days might be difficult...
Just an update for those contemplating new tyres: came third in class in my first race with the new boots, 0.1 sec behind the championship leader, so am very chuffed.
I'd like to think it was the one-on-one instruction I had last week, but really there's no denying the extra "cheat". Everyone not already on track day tyres has vowed to switch.
If you are serious about trackdays, accept no substitute!
I'd like to think it was the one-on-one instruction I had last week, but really there's no denying the extra "cheat". Everyone not already on track day tyres has vowed to switch.
If you are serious about trackdays, accept no substitute!
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