Michelin Plilot Sport Cups
Discussion
Personally, I've purchased my last set of Michelin tires in this life time.
If it's made in France, or owned by a company located in France, I'm heading the opposite direction. I would suggest Bridgestone or Firestone alternatives, both of which are generally at or near the top of just about any tire test.
Check out this link, the Michelins are good, but not the best choice. www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/max.jsp
Dogsharks
>> Edited by Dogsharks on Thursday 8th April 03:57
If it's made in France, or owned by a company located in France, I'm heading the opposite direction. I would suggest Bridgestone or Firestone alternatives, both of which are generally at or near the top of just about any tire test.
Check out this link, the Michelins are good, but not the best choice. www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/max.jsp
Dogsharks
>> Edited by Dogsharks on Thursday 8th April 03:57
Now as much as i hate boosting the coffers of the wine drinking,cheese gobbling surrender monkeys economy.....when it comes to sticky tyres our galic chums have got it right...the sport cups are awesome...when you get them warm they feel like they'll pull up lumps of tarmac when you pull away!
Try www.hutchisonmotorsport.co.uk/
Mark is a really top bloke..really helpful...won't sell you tyres that arn't right for your car...and is a mine of information on pressures and stuff.
Try www.hutchisonmotorsport.co.uk/
Mark is a really top bloke..really helpful...won't sell you tyres that arn't right for your car...and is a mine of information on pressures and stuff.
Here is a tire test that provides good info. Be sure to click on the "graph" section at the end of the write up.
Even in the write up available by clicking on the Michelin tire, in the first link I posted, you will note the caution about using it in the wet.
The Michelin is not all that good in the wet, despite a design that suggests it's a rain tire.
Since I believe my "peak danger event" could be driving a high performance car in wet weather, I always go for tires that have a superior rating in the wet. As a result, I have tried the Bridgestone RE-730 and Firestone SZ50 EP and both have performed very well. Both of those tires are Ultra High Performance rated, and not the Max Performance Rating of the ones in the test report I show below in the link. You will note, the Michelin is "the worst tire" for wet weather, and would therefore automatically be deleted from consideration where I drive (in other words, it rains here).
Happy reading, this might be of interest. Be sure to look at the graph section.
www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/gy_f1_gs_d3.jsp
Even in the write up available by clicking on the Michelin tire, in the first link I posted, you will note the caution about using it in the wet.
The Michelin is not all that good in the wet, despite a design that suggests it's a rain tire.
Since I believe my "peak danger event" could be driving a high performance car in wet weather, I always go for tires that have a superior rating in the wet. As a result, I have tried the Bridgestone RE-730 and Firestone SZ50 EP and both have performed very well. Both of those tires are Ultra High Performance rated, and not the Max Performance Rating of the ones in the test report I show below in the link. You will note, the Michelin is "the worst tire" for wet weather, and would therefore automatically be deleted from consideration where I drive (in other words, it rains here).
Happy reading, this might be of interest. Be sure to look at the graph section.
www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/gy_f1_gs_d3.jsp
But the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres are road-legal track day tyres - and uttely unlike their road going cousin the Michelin Pilot Sport.
Circuit Driver recently rated them highest out of a number of track day tyres.
Expect big grip in the dry...
Chaps in the PCGB I know simply don't take their Cup-shod cars out in the wet...
Circuit Driver recently rated them highest out of a number of track day tyres.
Expect big grip in the dry...
Chaps in the PCGB I know simply don't take their Cup-shod cars out in the wet...
all of the test data I've posted shows the Michelin is very good in the dry, and in some area it ranks on top, as you've noted. They would be a good choice for tweaking out the very best grip in dry weather.
For public highways, and certainly in the wet, there are tires that provide dry performance close enough to the Michelin not be noticed without instrumentation, but those tires provide superior wet performance and longevity.
The only reason I would buy the Michelin would be if I only intended to run in the dry, and was able to overlook other issues about the country of origin, all of which don't work for me. My contributions to the French economy, in any way, are over for this lifetime, and the Michelin product isn't good enough to change that objectively or subjectively, because very good alternatives exist. Sorry for the political twist to this, but that's the reality where I live, as my fellow countrymen are dying and it means more to me than perhaps some others who may not live in the US.
As for the tire, even without the politics, due to the way I drive (on public roads where it rains, as it is at this very moment) I always default to the best performing tire that also has the best safety factor in the rain, and I've been quite happy with the way they drive in the wet and dry.
Regards, DS
For public highways, and certainly in the wet, there are tires that provide dry performance close enough to the Michelin not be noticed without instrumentation, but those tires provide superior wet performance and longevity.
The only reason I would buy the Michelin would be if I only intended to run in the dry, and was able to overlook other issues about the country of origin, all of which don't work for me. My contributions to the French economy, in any way, are over for this lifetime, and the Michelin product isn't good enough to change that objectively or subjectively, because very good alternatives exist. Sorry for the political twist to this, but that's the reality where I live, as my fellow countrymen are dying and it means more to me than perhaps some others who may not live in the US.
As for the tire, even without the politics, due to the way I drive (on public roads where it rains, as it is at this very moment) I always default to the best performing tire that also has the best safety factor in the rain, and I've been quite happy with the way they drive in the wet and dry.
Regards, DS
Thanks for the link for Hutchinsons. I now remember the tyre truck at Track-Action recommending them as well.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are not the same as " ordinary" Pilot Sport tyres being road legal track tyres. I run Bridgestone SO2's on the road which, IMHO ,are the best road tyres for 911's. If it's wet I avoid driving on the Cups.
>> Edited by tony.t on Thursday 8th April 11:50
Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are not the same as " ordinary" Pilot Sport tyres being road legal track tyres. I run Bridgestone SO2's on the road which, IMHO ,are the best road tyres for 911's. If it's wet I avoid driving on the Cups.
>> Edited by tony.t on Thursday 8th April 11:50
Dogsharks -you really do get your knickers in a twist, don't you. There is a place for you on Rennlist!! 
The original question was about Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, not about the weather, and it has been answered, admirably. Having ridden in cars shod with these, I can vouch for them, in the dry.........
AS you know, they are standard fit on the BMW CSL, providing you sign a disclaimer that you realize their shortcomings in the wet.
With very best wishes,
Have a Happy Easter...
Melv
The original question was about Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, not about the weather, and it has been answered, admirably. Having ridden in cars shod with these, I can vouch for them, in the dry......... AS you know, they are standard fit on the BMW CSL, providing you sign a disclaimer that you realize their shortcomings in the wet.
With very best wishes,
Have a Happy Easter...
Melv
Fortunatly living in the UK we have the right to choose whare we buy tyres from and do not feel that we need to be presurised by govenment spin or the great unwashed who think the M6 ends in Bagdad. Long live the French Fry,unpasturised brie and dam this chatau laffite .IF you feel strongly about your fellow countryman dying in Iraq Vote for Kerry it will have more effect than a boycote of a tyre company
PS Morden Tyres in surrey are top.
>> Edited by lightweight on Thursday 8th April 18:08
PS Morden Tyres in surrey are top.
>> Edited by lightweight on Thursday 8th April 18:08
I think you`ll find the only person in the UK who can supply you with Mich Pilot Sport cups is Mark Hutchinson 07980 840 717, he`s a lovely chap - if a little busy at times ! Tell him Henry sent you and he`ll treat you like a king.
For what it`s worth I don`t think the pilot sport cup is the best tyre out there for the job. Porsche use them because they signed a sponsorship deal to use them and get paid for it. They give PCGB £50k and in return 60 competitors give them between £5k and £10k for their rubber, do the maths!!
My money would be spent on a set on Dunlop D01`s. An excellent tyre that not only lasts well and performs consistently throughout it`s life but also gives good driver feedback, particularly under braking. Th pilot has a habit of braking traction without letting you know it`s done it, they also flat spot very easily. The Dunlop gives a really good feel and you know when they`ve broken traction or are about to do so. Mark should also be able to supply them.
Henry
For what it`s worth I don`t think the pilot sport cup is the best tyre out there for the job. Porsche use them because they signed a sponsorship deal to use them and get paid for it. They give PCGB £50k and in return 60 competitors give them between £5k and £10k for their rubber, do the maths!!
My money would be spent on a set on Dunlop D01`s. An excellent tyre that not only lasts well and performs consistently throughout it`s life but also gives good driver feedback, particularly under braking. Th pilot has a habit of braking traction without letting you know it`s done it, they also flat spot very easily. The Dunlop gives a really good feel and you know when they`ve broken traction or are about to do so. Mark should also be able to supply them.
Henry
On the subject of slicks I suspect those tyres are probably over 5 years old. They will have been at the end of their life a long time ago. Slicks don`t like too many heat cycles, especially if you leave them too long between use. Even trackday tyres like the pilot Sport cups "go off" after a while.
knowing how tight you are I would recommend the Dunlop D01`s for your 964, they are designed to be used for longer periods of time and have a longer "shelf life" on the car.
You will find it easier to buy Michelin rubber as Mark will usually have something on board with him to fit there and then.
Henry
knowing how tight you are I would recommend the Dunlop D01`s for your 964, they are designed to be used for longer periods of time and have a longer "shelf life" on the car.
You will find it easier to buy Michelin rubber as Mark will usually have something on board with him to fit there and then.
Henry
'D01's are the Dunlop Formula R , D01J tread pattern , road legal semi slicks , they start life with more 'tread' than either MPSCs or Pirelli P Zero Corsa , not very pretty ( look agricultural). Limited size choice in 17 inch , 215x45 or 235x40 or 265x40 . You can buy direct from Dunlop Motorsport , example price £130 for a 215 front, £155 for a 265 rear. As Henry says they work well on a 911
henry-F said:
knowing how tight you are I would recommend the Dunlop D01`s for your 964, they are designed to be used for longer periods of time and have a longer "shelf life" on the car.
Henry
Why thank you Henry!! Bought my first new road tyre for the car a few weeks ago -donations still gladly welcome (part worn Bridegstone S02's -great in the wet!!)
So looks as though the kids are gonna starve while I save up for another set of slicks.
Mel
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