Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's on F80 M3 (19" Wheels)?

[M3Driver]

I've driven a few F80 M3's and one thing that makes me unsure of whether I could live with one or not is the fact that they're so traction-limited. On anything except a bone dry, warm, flat surface, the traction control light is flashing constantly and it gets frustrating that you can't use all the power.

I notice that MPSC2's are available in the stock sizes for the 19" wheel size, albeit the rear ones are designated 'MO' which means "approved for Mercedes-Benz". Neither size is offered in *BMW Star-marked guise.

I got to thinking that since the M4 GTS will be using this tyre, the Porsche GT3 RS uses this tyre, various Ferraris etc. use it also, would fitting a set of these be a huge improvement to the F80 M3?

Be interested to hear from anyone else who has taken the plunge, or anyone considering such a thing.

[JMBMWM5]

I have the new LCI M3 with MPSS 19", no traction issues at all in the dry, I don't blast it out of corners in the wet so can't comment.

[JMBMWM5]

JMBMWM5 said:

I have the new LCI M3 with MPSS 19", no traction issues at all in the dry, I don't blast it out of corners in the wet so can't comment.

However the M5 and my M6 GC CP both have traction issues all the time.

[W8PMC]

JMBMWM5 said:

However the M5 and my M6 GC CP both have traction issues all the time.

Mine doesn't. Am annoyed i can't get MPSC2's in stock sizes for my M5 as want to try them out on track.

Worth noting the tread difference between MPSS & MPSC2's is fairly minimal however over about 70% of the tread, in fact i think it's the same tread layout/pattern on both other than the outer 30% which has considerably less tread on the Cups.

A few cars at Spa last week were running MPSC2's & none had any issues even in the sleet/rain. They also take a little longer to get up to decent operating temps for the track so that could be an even bigger issue on the road.

[DT398]

W8PMC said:

A few cars at Spa last week were running MPSC2's & none had any issues even in the sleet/rain. They also take a little longer to get up to decent operating temps for the track so that could be an even bigger issue on the road.

I agree. I was there on Cup2s and they were fine, even in the really heavy rain/sleet on Thursday pm. I saw you on track, the M5 is impressive given its a big saloon car! Had one for a couple of years but never brave enough to track it.

[W8PMC]

DT398 said:

I agree. I was there on Cup2s and they were fine, even in the really heavy rain/sleet on Thursday pm. I saw you on track, the M5 is impressive given its a big saloon car! Had one for a couple of years but never brave enough to track it.

What were you on track in? Thursday was a challenging day given the weather. I daren't push on as was a real problem getting the power down almost everywhere. Friday however was a peach of a day once the track dried out, had a great time & got some fairly decent laps in. Also took some instruction as i do every year.

[DT398]

991 GT3. I was in traffic with you on the way into Blanchimont (sp?) at one point. You are right that Friday was a brilliant day, especially compared to what was expected.

[bennyboysvuk]

M3Driver said:

I've driven a few F80 M3's and one thing that makes me unsure of whether I could live with one or not is the fact that they're so traction-limited. On anything except a bone dry, warm, flat surface, the traction control light is flashing constantly and it gets frustrating that you can't use all the power.

I notice that MPSC2's are available in the stock sizes for the 19" wheel size, albeit the rear ones are designated 'MO' which means "approved for Mercedes-Benz". Neither size is offered in *BMW Star-marked guise.

I got to thinking that since the M4 GTS will be using this tyre, the Porsche GT3 RS uses this tyre, various Ferraris etc. use it also, would fitting a set of these be a huge improvement to the F80 M3?

Be interested to hear from anyone else who has taken the plunge, or anyone considering such a thing.

I have a mere M135i and if I just want uninterrupted acceleration just press the DSC off button once, which leaves DSC on, but doesn't flash the DSC light when a wheel spins a little. With as much power and torque as the M135i, M3, M4 and M5 have, they're always going to be testing the traction on uneven or damp roads and it's actually one of the more fun things to come out of the new turbocharged, hi-torque M-cars.

[W8PMC]

DT398 said:

991 GT3. I was in traffic with you on the way into Blanchimont (sp?) at one point. You are right that Friday was a brilliant day, especially compared to what was expected.

Nice. Were you in one of the other White ones? We had a white 991 GT3 in our group too.

Any lap times? Was tricky on the Friday as the track took a while to dry & then when it did it was very busy (no shock really). With a touch more commitment i'm convinced i could have broken a 3min lap being only 1 second off that, but with traffic & the knowledge we lost a car on the Thursday, i didn't have the balls to try & grab that illusive second.

[DT398]

The blue one. No lap times for me but there was someone in our group with a 991 Turbo S (also on Cup2s) and he was in the 2:40s even with a bit of occasional traffic, which is rapid.

Slightly back on topic, the Cup2s made a big difference to the 991 Turbo S and I would imagine they would be the same for the M3. It was a wet couple of days including a lot of driving on really wet motorways with standing water and the Cup2s did well. They are a great tyre.

[W8PMC]

DT398 said:

The blue one. No lap times for me but there was someone in our group with a 991 Turbo S (also on Cup2s) and he was in the 2:40s even with a bit of occasional traffic, which is rapid.

Slightly back on topic, the Cup2s made a big difference to the 991 Turbo S and I would imagine they would be the same for the M3. It was a wet couple of days including a lot of driving on really wet motorways with standing water and the Cup2s did well. They are a great tyre.

Excellent feedback. I spotted the Turbo S (it had Turbo S livery on the sides?) Didn't encounter it on track though. We had a 991 GT3 in our group who says he did a 2:57 & other friends also in a 991 GT3, although they didn't travel with us who managed a 2:55.

Decision made that i'm going to work out the most relevant sizes in the Cup 2's & fit them next Spring. Can't get stock rear sizes so will need to work out the best compromise.

[M3Driver]

I think the Pirelli Trofeo R's are meant to be even better than the MPSC2's, but it's probably even less likely that you'll get them in BMW sizes unfortunately.

[PHOENIXUK]

W8PMC said:

Excellent feedback. I spotted the Turbo S (it had Turbo S livery on the sides?) Didn't encounter it on track though. We had a 991 GT3 in our group who says he did a 2:57 & other friends also in a 991 GT3, although they didn't travel with us who managed a 2:55.

Decision made that i'm going to work out the most relevant sizes in the Cup 2's & fit them next Spring. Can't get stock rear sizes so will need to work out the best compromise.

Will be interested to see your impressions when you get them.. Getting rather fed up of that bloody light flashing at me..

[W8PMC]

M3Driver said:

I think the Pirelli Trofeo R's are meant to be even better than the MPSC2's, but it's probably even less likely that you'll get them in BMW sizes unfortunately.

A little too track focussed for a car like the F10 M5. Very similar to 888's so i'd likely poo my pants at the slightest hint of moisture (rain variety).

As above, many on Cup 2's even with sleet falling, temps of only a couple of degrees & what can best be described as a 'sopping wet' track (see below) & they all survived.