Pilot Super Sport 'I'm loving it'
Discussion
I've had the V8S for just over two and a half years now. Having done around 18k Km's the potenza's still had another 10k left in them until I clipped a kerb at a rapid rate and stuffed the left rear. Didn't scuff or scrape the wheel which was a relief. The tyre damaged consisted of an egg size bulge out of the side wall.
With the V8S sports suspension setup I've always felt the ride was a bit harsh when just tootling around town. My wife (with a more padded derrière than me) never enjoyed the drive when just out and about. I've read a few posts about the Michelin PSS tyres over the years and the constant mention of a more comfortable ride got me interested in them. As any tyres for the V8S are hard to source down-under I ended up getting a set of PSS shipped over from Tirerack in the US. Pricing was cheaper then quoted locally even including the freight. (Local had a 3 month wait and you can't drive an Aston for three months with an egg size bulge out of the rear tyre and look cool).
They arrived Thursday and I had them fitted and balanced yesterday (Friday). Comparing the tyres when off the car you can easily see why the PSS are going to be a softer ride, the side wall can be squeezed up between finger and thumb quite readily whereas with the Potenzas there is no movement or flex of the side wall at all. Change over effected without any marks on the car or wheels, that's always a worry.
On the road the car was totally transformed from a jiggly bumpy ride to something more like a Vanquish on Comfort setting. The difference was amazing, I kept looking for small ruts and road joins to drive over just to make sure I wasn't imagining it. The ride is still firm but the jarring has disappeared. I haven't had the chance yet to test the grip or flex when pushed into a corner hard but I will over the weekend once the new sheen is off them.
Anyway it's Saturday the 14th of February down-under already so I'll be taking the two loves of my life out for a drive this morning and if SWMBO comments on how comfortable the Aston is with the new tyres I'll reply, ' we'll enjoy them babe as they're your Valentine's day present' yours and the V8S.
With the V8S sports suspension setup I've always felt the ride was a bit harsh when just tootling around town. My wife (with a more padded derrière than me) never enjoyed the drive when just out and about. I've read a few posts about the Michelin PSS tyres over the years and the constant mention of a more comfortable ride got me interested in them. As any tyres for the V8S are hard to source down-under I ended up getting a set of PSS shipped over from Tirerack in the US. Pricing was cheaper then quoted locally even including the freight. (Local had a 3 month wait and you can't drive an Aston for three months with an egg size bulge out of the rear tyre and look cool).
They arrived Thursday and I had them fitted and balanced yesterday (Friday). Comparing the tyres when off the car you can easily see why the PSS are going to be a softer ride, the side wall can be squeezed up between finger and thumb quite readily whereas with the Potenzas there is no movement or flex of the side wall at all. Change over effected without any marks on the car or wheels, that's always a worry.
On the road the car was totally transformed from a jiggly bumpy ride to something more like a Vanquish on Comfort setting. The difference was amazing, I kept looking for small ruts and road joins to drive over just to make sure I wasn't imagining it. The ride is still firm but the jarring has disappeared. I haven't had the chance yet to test the grip or flex when pushed into a corner hard but I will over the weekend once the new sheen is off them.
Anyway it's Saturday the 14th of February down-under already so I'll be taking the two loves of my life out for a drive this morning and if SWMBO comments on how comfortable the Aston is with the new tyres I'll reply, ' we'll enjoy them babe as they're your Valentine's day present' yours and the V8S.
They are fantastic tyres!
I put them on the V8S last summer and they transformed the ride quality and grip even in the wet & cold.
I also have them on my M135i, the rears are getting to needing changing after 27k miles! They have not been an issue through the wet, slush and cold.
Only down side it the very edge wears quickly but I suspect this is BMW's poor front suspension geometry
I'll be using them on any other car I need tyres on.
I put them on the V8S last summer and they transformed the ride quality and grip even in the wet & cold.
I also have them on my M135i, the rears are getting to needing changing after 27k miles! They have not been an issue through the wet, slush and cold.
Only down side it the very edge wears quickly but I suspect this is BMW's poor front suspension geometry

I'll be using them on any other car I need tyres on.
Fantastic tyres, and here's a bit of advice when ordering them from t'internet:
Like P-Zero Corsas, Michelin PSS are asymmetrical, but unlike P-Zero Corsas they are not directional. i.e. the tread pattern goes in opposite directions on either side. I bought mine from MyTyres and saved loads of money, and when they were delivered I thought they'd sent me 4 lefts. So I called Michelin who confirmed they are not directional, and that as long as they are mounted with 'outside' as indicated, they work perfectly. And they do!!
Like P-Zero Corsas, Michelin PSS are asymmetrical, but unlike P-Zero Corsas they are not directional. i.e. the tread pattern goes in opposite directions on either side. I bought mine from MyTyres and saved loads of money, and when they were delivered I thought they'd sent me 4 lefts. So I called Michelin who confirmed they are not directional, and that as long as they are mounted with 'outside' as indicated, they work perfectly. And they do!!
steeviegeebies said:
Fantastic tyres, and here's a bit of advice when ordering them from t'internet:
Like P-Zero Corsas, Michelin PSS are asymmetrical, but unlike P-Zero Corsas they are not directional. i.e. the tread pattern goes in opposite directions on either side. I bought mine from MyTyres and saved loads of money, and when they were delivered I thought they'd sent me 4 lefts. So I called Michelin who confirmed they are not directional, and that as long as they are mounted with 'outside' as indicated, they work perfectly. And they do!!
So would it be ok to use these on my V12V?Like P-Zero Corsas, Michelin PSS are asymmetrical, but unlike P-Zero Corsas they are not directional. i.e. the tread pattern goes in opposite directions on either side. I bought mine from MyTyres and saved loads of money, and when they were delivered I thought they'd sent me 4 lefts. So I called Michelin who confirmed they are not directional, and that as long as they are mounted with 'outside' as indicated, they work perfectly. And they do!!
I'm interested in this, as the Potenza are a little stiff in my opinion - to the detriment of on road handling.
Having said that, I did discover my rear tyres were 40 PSI instead of 36 after having been changed a few weeks ago. At 40 they were terrible - and very bouncy under acceleration. 36 is better, but I'm tempted to go lower. Especially since 36 covers 2 humans and luggage - which I never have.
Has anyone else run different pressures on the Potenzas?
Having said that, I did discover my rear tyres were 40 PSI instead of 36 after having been changed a few weeks ago. At 40 they were terrible - and very bouncy under acceleration. 36 is better, but I'm tempted to go lower. Especially since 36 covers 2 humans and luggage - which I never have.
Has anyone else run different pressures on the Potenzas?
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



