Michelin PSS backordered to 7/18 ... Help me choose alternative!

[donoman]

I had my heart set on some Michelin PSS but I'm not waiting a month for them. I have some super noisy Kumho's on the front right now. No more Korean tires for me. I'd like to hit the track a few times this summer. Have some new wheels coming and want 255/35-18 and 275/35-18.

My priorities:
1) Quiet
2) Ride quality
3) Predictable breakaway

What would y'all suggest? I am looking at the Bridgestone S-04 but have never used this tire. Traction isn't really a priority because I'm just out there for fun.

[Cybmx]

I was looking for a new set of tires not long ago. Ended up getting a set of Hankook RS-3, and loving it so far.

[dorifto88]

i have a set of 245's at performance technic (michelin pss) if you want them

[donoman]

Dorifto88, thanks but I think I'll be going 255 in the front!

[Beedub]

id go for rs-3 all day long or the BF rivals.... the PSS is imo WAY WAY overhyped...

[acceleration]

The S04 is fantastic. I ditched my PSS for these tires due to road noise and balance issues on the front (defective front tires; my previous set of PSS had no balance issues, but were still somewhat noisy).

The S04 rides significantly quieter than the PSS and exhibits no perceptible loss in steering response or grip compared to the Michelins. The only advantage of the Michelins is supposedly longer tread life, but that's not a big consideration for me since I don't daily drive the Z4MC.

I think the S04s have been overshadowed by the heaps of praise the PSS has been (perhaps undeservingly so) receiving. I have been very happy with my S04s and would not hesitate to recommend them over the Michelins.

[donoman]

Originally Posted by acceleration

The S04 is fantastic. I ditched my PSS for these tires due to road noise and balance issues on the front (defective front tires; my previous set of PSS had no balance issues, but were still somewhat noisy).

The S04 rides significantly quieter than the PSS and exhibits no perceptible loss in steering response or grip compared to the Michelins. The only advantage of the Michelins is supposedly longer tread life, but that's not a big consideration for me since I don't daily drive the Z4MC.

I think the S04s have been overshadowed by the heaps of praise the PSS has been (perhaps undeservingly so) receiving. I have been very happy with my S04s and would not hesitate to recommend them over the Michelins.

Thank you, just ordered up my S04's they are coming tomorrow. Total bill is going to be 766+tax+mounting. And they come with a $70 rebate from Americas Tire. Thanks for the inputs.

[acceleration]

Originally Posted by donoman

Thank you, just ordered up my S04's they are coming tomorrow. Total bill is going to be 766+tax+mounting. And they come with a $70 rebate from Americas Tire. Thanks for the inputs.

Glad to be able to help. I think you will like these tires.

[seank]

Im in line too. Ordered but not here till the 22nd. Btw, can you not wait 10 days?

[donoman]

Where did you order from and what sizes SeanK?

I'm looking for 255/35-18 and 275/35-18.
TireRack website says 7/18 dude!!! I'm not waiting a month for tires.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by donoman

I had my heart set on some Michelin PSS but I'm not waiting a month for them. I have some super noisy Kumho's on the front right now. No more Korean tires for me. I'd like to hit the track a few times this summer. Have some new wheels coming and want 255/35-18 and 275/35-18.

My priorities:
1) Quiet
2) Ride quality
3) Predictable breakaway

Originally Posted by Cybmx

I was looking for a new set of tires not long ago. Ended up getting a set of Hankook RS-3, and loving it so far.

RS-3's are not quiet lol

which leads to my next point/question for OP, you want a track tire where the first priority is quiet? That's going to be tough IMO. Best tire that comes to mind is Conti DW and I'd use that as a backup rain tire. Could definitely be used on dry but I don't see it lasting long if driven hard on track. I would just go with Star Specs, can handle almost anything you throw at it and wasn't as loud as my RS-3's.

[donoman]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

RS-3's are not quiet lol

which leads to my next point/question for OP, you want a track tire where the first priority is quiet? That's going to be tough IMO.

I want a GT tire that I can take to the track a couple times without shredding. I'm not too concerned about track times, mostly about longevity and street manners.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by donoman

I want a GT tire that I can take to the track a couple times without shredding. I'm not too concerned about track times, mostly about longevity and street manners.

I have to agree with Sean re: the Star Specs. I have the newer version, Direzza II, on my E36 M3 which primarily sees track time. The tires are reasonably quiet (I'd expect them to get louder as they age), wonderful grip, predictable in terms of break-away, and very responsive and confidence inspiring.

I think you have to prioritize goals. Rain capability comes largely at the loss of track capability (tread block size and pattern, as well as compound). Noise seems to go somewhat hand in hand with higher performance, grip, stiff sidewalls, and other performance-based construction.

The PSS is a fairly good compromise tire, but it is a compromise. It's very good in the rain, and the sets I've been exposed to are pretty quiet. Pretty good grip, but not extreme summer tire (Star Spec or equivalent) grip. It's got a softer sidewall (ride comfort, noise reduction, harshness reduction, at expense of reaction time), does heat up and get a bit greasy on track under heavy use (but I haven't heard of "shredding"), and it's pricey.

Bottom line all three things you want may not be available in the same tire. They may be there to some degree, but you'll have to give on something IMO.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by donoman

I want a GT tire that I can take to the track a couple times without shredding. I'm not too concerned about track times, mostly about longevity and street manners.

As long as you're not pushing it hard and not running in advanced groups then PSS/DW/S04 shoudl be fine. But drive at the limit, extended runs and etc, and I'm almost certain you'll see tire degradation accelerating.

Also, I will provide one other random fact regarding Conti DW. I was surfing through HBO and saw FnF 6. It was the scene where Dom was going to street race Letty and she had her Jenson Interceptor. She was running Conti ExtremeContacts... HMMMM, makes you wonder NO!?





I think Dom was running Star Spec Z2's here... IIRC the race was in semi-wet conditions too. Explains so much...

[donoman]

Thanks guys. I got the S04's mounted today and boy, what a difference. The ride quality is so much better. It absorbs bumps better than the Kumho's I had before. I feel like I gained an inch of travel in my suspension.

I have a Porsche 964 Carrera 2 that is more "hardcore" than the M Coupe. I'm gonna strip out the seats and carpeting and probably the rear speakers in an attempt to lose some weight in that car. I'll go for a less "GT" tire and more of an all-out performance tire for that car. (Have CCW's, coil overs, on that car and she rips!)

Kinda setting up my stable with a daily driver (Z4 2.5i), a fun GT car that I don't drive often (Z4MC) and a fun car that has all the goodies but I never drive (911) hahaha

[seank]

Originally Posted by donoman

Where did you order from and what sizes SeanK?

I'm looking for 255/35-18 and 275/35-18.
TireRack website says 7/18 dude!!! I'm not waiting a month for tires.

Onlinetires.com Josh said that Michelin says they will arrive late June at onlinetires

That is all I know. BTW, at the time, the 275/35-18 was the only size on back order.