Tyre irritation

[Ginger2003]

Ok, this may make me sound like a noob, but I'm hacked off, so I will say it anyway.

I drive a 320Cd M-Sport coupe, mainly up and down the motorway. (Don't tell me, should have bought an SE ) The car was supplied with Michelin Pilot Sports on it; the rear set wore out at 34,000 miles and the fronts are still going at 39000. I was very pleased with 34,000 from the rears, so went for Pilot Sports again.

The other day I took it in for a service, and the inspection report came back saying that there is 5mm of tread left on the rear tyres. After 5000 miles?? New tyres have 9mm of tread as I understood it!

Upon closer inspection, there is a TINY little sign saying that the new tyres are in fact Pilot Sport PS2's. A quick search on the internet, and I learn that the PS2 is a completely different tyre, not known for good tread life - completely the opposite of the regular Pilot Sport. At this rate, I'll be lucky to get 14,000 miles out of the PS2's.

When I went to the tyre shop, I asked for Michelin Pilot Sports, not Michelin Pilot Sports PS2's. At £390 for 2, I can't really be doing with tyres that last 20,000 miles less than expected. Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you think that I have any recourse with the shop that sold them, or is this just going to have to be an expensive lesson learned the hard way?

[parksie]

This probably not what you wanted to read,but here goes.

I'm always amazed when Motorists given the choice opt for big brand name tyres& the high cost, I fully understand your situation but now you have expirenced the poor wear factor of your new tyres why not consider something like Falken452's I imagine they'd be half the cost of your Michelins & would last just as long as the ps2!.

I have these Falkens on 3 of my vehicles & have no regrets just a bit more money in the Bank

[Neil.D]

The origional Pilot sports are no longer available. You might be able to get hold of some abroad somewhere but here you would have a bit of a mission. The tyre fitter was doing as asked by fitting the only available PS tyre.
I have never experienced wear speed on the origional PS tyre but got about 10k from PS'2 on my M3.
It would not be economicaly viable to switch the tyres now, next time look into the middle of the range tyres such as Eagle F1's or Falken's as described.
Also check to see that the tyre wear is even accross the whole tread. If its not then a 4 wheel lazer alignment would help the wear speed.

Neil

[Ginger2003]

Both good points, thank you. However, if the PS2s last say 14,000 miles, that is still less than half what I got from the original set!

[Dunk76]

PS2s are standard fitment on the M3 and Alpina B3 on the E46.

They don't come with 9mm tread new, probably closer to 6mm truth be told.

As a result, you'll be lucky to get more than 15k from a set.

[Ginger2003]

DOH! Well useful info, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear! Better luck next time hey?

[stefan1]

It's obviously hard to compare wear rates from car to car, but I have run PS2s on two cars and found they last very well. In fact, I just changed the rear tyres on my Alpina B5 at 20,000 miles, and they still had about 3mm left (which I when I choose to change). The car has done a mixture of trips to Europe, some B-road run driving, some London commmuting and a bit of work at the Nurburgring, so not an entirely easy life.

The fronts will probably last 35,000 miles at the present wear rate.

Overall, I have been impressed with longevity, as well as tyre performance.

Kind regards

Steve

[Methane Bloke]

I have also had PS2s on three cars and experienced good wear rates (and excellent wet and dry grip). I currently have one car with 11000 on the set with 5mm left all round. They certainley don't have 9mm tread depth to start with. I would have no hesitation buying them again.

Regards

Chris