Michelin Pilot Super Sport

[txz4]

I have PSS tires. Amazing tires, you have to really work to break them loose compared to my stock contis. If i could do it again, i would go with larger sizes (i went stock size) or i would go with Dunlop Star specs. Ive heard nothing but praises for the star specs but the wet performance and tread life on the PSS should be significantly better.

[jophish17]

I'm not sure I'd ever try another tire, save for maybe something cheaper on dedicated track wheels if I start AX'ing or whatever. I love my PSS set

[Finnegan]

Guys, I'd go 235/265 on stock wheels. You can stuff 245/275s on them, but IMO it looks a bit overstuffed, and in winter/wet, going very wide means more hydroplaning.

If you're looking for a pure track set up, I'd got with NT05s or Star Specs. For a good all around tire, for a few track days or AutoX/year, PSS are the way to go.

Keep the tire within 3% of the diameter of stock, otherwise DSC and ABS won't be happy. (I'll post more later on the recommended sizes if I have a chance, busy this weekend.) Plenty here on that if you search.

[antennahead]

Do you guys running 235/40 & 265/35 notice a difference in ability to handle/absorb rough roads, versus stock aspect ratio/sidewall height? The overall diameter is a half inch smaller on the front and .7" smaller in the rear compared to stock, making the sidewall about a 1/4" lower in the front and a 1/3" less in the rear................. too small a difference to notice? The roads here on the coast are not so good. They re-pave and the earth settles and the bumps and dips return. As far as the front goes, I guess the shorter sidewall aids steering response. Conti DW comes in a 235/45 & 265/40 size, increasing the sidewall about a 1/3" compared to OEM sizes. I want to go with the PSS though when I replace my originals, so it's either 225/45 & 265/40 (assuming just one size larger in the rear will have minimal affect on understeer), or 235/40 & 265/35.

John

[Finnegan]

Yes, the shorter sidewall on the Star Specs I'm running makes for a harsher ride compared to stock sizes in a Sumitomo HTR III. Star Specs I'm running are 235/40/18 in the front and 265/35/18. (Note: Stock Contis with 15K miles were worse than the Star Specs though in terms of harshness, noise, and soaking up bumps).

A 245/275 setup will let you get a lot closer to stock. As with anything car related, there are compromises. I like the shorter sidewall, it's like a slightly higher final drive w/o paying for the diff. Turn in is sharper, more hydroplaning resistance (but PSS is a better wet tire than Star Specs, so that might be offset). Bumps are not soaked up as well. Folks 'round here have had little trouble running the 245/275 set-up on a stock suspension with the Star Specs, which run wide, and you can get really close to stock diameter that way. (Not sure if anyone has done this with stock setup and PSS--too tired to read through a bunch more threads.) Might be best for your neck of the woods.

[antennahead]

245 in front might lessen the steering response and lead to a little more tramling, but most likely splitting hairs where the PSS is concerned, although the tramling could be a concern. An interesting thing I noticed in the spec section on the various sizes of the PSS, the section width on the 275/35 is 10.9", while the 265/35 is 10.7" ..... just 2/10 of an inch .............. but the tread width on the 275/35 is 10", while the 265/35 is 10.1" ............ they basically have the same foorprint, but the 275 lists a taller sidewall. I like the benefits of a slightly higher final drive and sharper turn-in................ decisions decisions

John

[Finnegan]

Yeah, I debated it a good 5 days before pulling the trigger. Never an easy answer, and always a compromise between this and that with anything auto tuning related.

[Z4-VILLA]

245/285 oem wheels anyone? does this even work?

[MHeavNC]

Anyone have any pics of stock size PS2's or PSS's on their M? I agree with Finnegan that the 235/265 is the way to go if I went wider... So I am down to stock and what Finnegan suggested.. I know this is a bit of overkill considering just how good these tires will be compared to my Contis.. I just wanted to gather as much info as I could considering they will probably be on my car for around 15 to 20k miles.. Thanks to everyone for their opinions.. This forum rocks!

[kklin]

Originally Posted by MHeavNC

Anyone have any pics of stock size PS2's or PSS's on their M? I agree with Finnegan that the 235/265 is the way to go if I went wider... So I am down to stock and what Finnegan suggested.. I know this is a bit of overkill considering just how good these tires will be compared to my Contis.. I just wanted to gather as much info as I could considering they will probably be on my car for around 15 to 20k miles.. Thanks to everyone for their opinions.. This forum rocks!

FYI ...

265 StarSpecs with 9.5" wheels on the rear of my M Coupe causes slight rubbing on both rear liners. Nothing to really worry about. Details with photos at kklin's Z4 M Coupe for SCCA BSP (road tire).

Also, reminder that the last day for the Michelin rebate is less than 2 weeks away. If you find this info useful, please consider using my TireRack click through at http://p1gear.com to make your purchase. Thanks!

[kklin]

Originally Posted by antennahead

Do you guys running 235/40 & 265/35 notice a difference in ability to handle/absorb rough roads, versus stock aspect ratio/sidewall height? The overall diameter is a half inch smaller on the front and .7" smaller in the rear compared to stock, making the sidewall about a 1/4" lower in the front and a 1/3" less in the rear................. too small a difference to notice? The roads here on the coast are not so good. They re-pave and the earth settles and the bumps and dips return. As far as the front goes, I guess the shorter sidewall aids steering response. Conti DW comes in a 235/45 & 265/40 size, increasing the sidewall about a 1/3" compared to OEM sizes. I want to go with the PSS though when I replace my originals, so it's either 225/45 & 265/40 (assuming just one size larger in the rear will have minimal affect on understeer), or 235/40 & 265/35.

John

John, see my post above about slight liner rubbing I had with my 265 Star Spec rear tires.

I had not driven more than half a year on factory-sized tires so I can't really give you any feedback on bump absorption - I doubt if I noticed much difference. If you went to >18" wheels I would get concerned.

[kklin]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

(but PSS is a better wet tire than Star Specs, so that might be offset).

Probably due to the PSS being asymmetric while the Star Specs are not (both are directional). The PSS asymmetric pattern pumps water to the outside.

FYI - Not being asymmetric is desirable for budget street-tire class autocrossers who run with more negative in the front and are either wearing the outside edges on course, or the insides on the street. The tires can be unmounted and "flipped" so the worn edge is on the "other" side (and on a wheel on the opposite side). This photo shows outside edge wear on the two tires on the right - http://www.kenlin.com/forsale/m3/yokoad07.jpg

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by kklin

FYI - Not being asymmetric is desirable for budget street-tire class autocrossers who run with more negative in the front and are either wearing the outside edges on course, or the insides on the street. The tires can be unmounted and "flipped" so the worn edge is on the "other" side (and on a wheel on the opposite side). This photo shows outside edge wear on the two tires on the right - http://www.kenlin.com/forsale/m3/yokoad07.jpg

Very useful to think about if one is thinking of starting aut-x-ing
I am glad I have a spare set of OEM wheels... could see mounting a set of tires solely for auto-x on the wheels that are more beat up, and keep the PSSs solely for street use on the nicer set of wheels. hmmm.

[kklin]

Originally Posted by gtMc

Very useful to think about if one is thinking of starting aut-x-ing
I am glad I have a spare set of OEM wheels... could see mounting a set of tires solely for auto-x on the wheels that are more beat up, and keep the PSSs solely for street use on the nicer set of wheels. hmmm.

If you're just starting, just run with what you have. Great especially if your tires are on their last hurrah.

For venues near us, see Perry's website - http://www.autox4u.com/clubs/

As for wheels, you kind of can't ever have enough. My wife once remarked that we had more tires that were *not* on our 3 cars, than on.

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by kklin

If you're just starting, just run with what you have. Great especially if your tires are on their last hurrah.

For venues near us, see Perry's website - http://www.autox4u.com/clubs/

As for wheels, you kind of can't ever have enough. My wife once remarked that we had more tires that were *not* on our 3 cars, than on.

yeah agree on all of this. Its great fun (only done it once) and great skill building, and a great way to kill a set of tires on the last leg.

Glad to hear it on the extra sets. I have 8 extra tires in the garage, and the wife hates it....

[kklin]

Originally Posted by gtMc

yeah agree on all of this. Its great fun (only done it once) and great skill building, and a great way to kill a set of tires on the last leg.

Glad to hear it on the extra sets. I have 8 extra tires in the garage, and the wife hates it....

My wife counted 23 or 24 tires not on cars at one time (she included spares in her count). We are currently down to 13 (an Apex wheel met an autocross curb this weekend otherwise it would be 14).

My tires are stacked out of the way in the two corners of the garage's back walls. During the summer mornings when the doors open, wayward birds will occasionally fly in and most of the time fly out. A few times they've hit the back wall, flutter along until they hit the side wall and then fall. Guess where? Right in the corner behind 8 beefy mounted tires.

The first time this occurred, I was home and saw what happened and unstacked tires until the bird could fly out. Well this happened two more times (even after my young son at the time had hung hawk silouhettes in our garage) when I wasn't around, so my wife was compelled to unstack tires.

I now put a piece of cardboard on top of the stacks so no birds fall behind or into the tire stacks.

[gtMc]

^ thats a good solution. and a good amount of tires!

[BIMMERGUY91]

haha i thought i had alot of spare tires!

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by kklin

Also, reminder that the last day for the Michelin rebate is less than 2 weeks away.

fyi I think this rebate end date is the 23rd....

Just ordered the PSSs in stock sizes. great price. Thanks for everyones input and advice!

[beta]

You will really notice the improved grip over stock. Grats!

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by beta

You will really notice the improved grip over stock. Grats!

very excited. funny, this forum is the only place I know that people share in ones excitement over tires. everyone @ home here thinks i'm nuts. "If you need be i'll be in the garage enjoying the 'new tire' smell." nothing beats it!

[beta]

lol so true. We also get excited about aero sides and deleted reflectors. Things that the normal person wouldn't even notice, even if you pointed them out