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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S *

The OE BMW spec Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S * was initially developed for the G80 BMW M3 & G82 BMW M4 in 275/35 R19 front and 285/30 R20 rear sizes. It builds on the already excellent base of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, and adds 2.5 years of development work by BMW to work with the new M3 & M4.

9.0
Tyre Reviews Score Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews
Limited Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
100%
Wet Grip
83%
Road Feedback
96%
Handling
98%
Wear
73%
Comfort
80%
Buy again
90%
5 Reviews
88% Average
68,500 miles driven
1 Tests (avg: 1st)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S *

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S *

Summer Premium
BETA
9 / 10
Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews · Limited Confidence · Updated 23 Feb 2026

The Tyre Reviews Score is the most comprehensive tyre scoring system available. It aggregates professional test data from multiple independent publications, user reviews, and consistency analysis using Bayesian statistical methods, weighted normalisation, and recency-adjusted scoring to produce a single, reliable performance rating.

Learn more about our methodology
Dry
100
1.8x / 1 test
Wet
40
2x / 1 test

Cross-category scores are derived metrics that combine data from multiple test disciplines to evaluate real-world performance characteristics.

Handling
67.8
2 tests
Score Components
Professional Tests
Weight: 80%
Tests: 1
Publications: 1
Period: 2021
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 5
Avg Rating: 88.4%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 0.92
History Points: 10
Methodology & Configuration
Scoring Process
  1. Collect Test Data: Gather results from professional tyre tests across multiple publications. Minimum 1 test(s) required.
  2. Normalize Positions: Convert test positions to percentile scores using exponential weighting (factor: 1.2).
  3. Apply Recency Weighting: More recent tests are weighted higher with a decay rate of 0.95.
  4. Incorporate User Reviews: Factor in user review data (minimum 5 reviews). Weight: 15%.
  5. Bayesian Smoothing: Apply Bayesian prior (score: 7, weight: 1.5) to prevent extreme scores with limited data.
  6. Calculate Final Score: Combine all components using normalization factor of 1.1. Max score with limited data: 9.5.
Component Weights
Test Data
80%
User Reviews
15%
Consistency
5%
All Configuration Parameters
ParameterValueDescription
safety_weight 0.7 Weight multiplier for safety-related metrics
performance_weight 0.55 Weight multiplier for performance metrics
comfort_weight 0.4 Weight multiplier for comfort metrics
value_weight 0.45 Weight multiplier for value-for-money metrics
user_reviews_weight 0.15 How much user reviews contribute to the final score
test_data_weight 0.8 How much professional test data contributes to the final score
consistency_weight 0.05 How much score consistency contributes to the final score
recency_decay_rate 0.95 Rate at which older test results lose influence (higher = slower decay)
min_test_count 1 Minimum number of professional tests required
min_review_count 5 Minimum number of user reviews required
score_version 1.9 Current version of the scoring algorithm
score_normalization_factor 1.1 Factor used to normalize raw scores to the 0-10 scale
confidence_factor_weight 0.2 How much data confidence affects the final score
position_penalty_weight 0.2 Penalty applied for poor test positions
gap_penalty_threshold 12 Score gap (%) that triggers additional penalties
min_metrics_count 2 Minimum number of test metrics needed per test
limited_data_threshold 2 Number of tests below which data is considered limited
single_test_penalty 0.75 Score multiplier when only one test is available
critical_metric_penalty 0.7 Penalty for poor performance on critical safety metrics
critical_metric_threshold 70 Score below which a critical metric penalty applies
position_exponential_factor 1.2 Exponent used to amplify position-based scoring
position_exponential_threshold 0.9 Position percentile below which exponential scoring applies
gap_multiplier_critical 3 Multiplier for critical gap penalties
max_category_weight 2 Maximum weight any single category can have
max_score_limited_data 9.5 Score cap when data is limited
bayesian_prior_weight 1.5 Weight of the Bayesian prior in smoothing
bayesian_prior_score 7 Prior score used for Bayesian smoothing
evidence_test_multiplier 1.9 Multiplier for test evidence in confidence calculation
evidence_metric_divisor 3 Divisor for metric count in evidence calculation
evidence_review_divisor 10 Divisor for review count in evidence calculation
combined_penalty_floor 0.2
Data Sources
TestPublicationDateSizePositionMetrics
Should You Fit OE Tyres? Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs 4S * (BMW) Tyre Reviews 2021 275/35 R19 1/2 2 metrics
1
Tests
1st
Average
1st
Best
1st
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
Size Fuel Wet Noise
18 inch
245/45R18 100 Y XL D B 71
255/45R18 103 Y XL C A 71
19 inch
275/35ZR19 (100Y) XL D B 71
245/35ZR19 (93Y) XL D A 71
255/35ZR19 (96Y) XL D B 71
235/35R19 91 Y XL D A 71
225/40R19 93 Y XL D B 71
245/45R19 102 Y XL C B 71
255/35R19 96 Y XL D B 71
20 inch
285/30ZR20 (99Y) XL D B 73
275/35ZR20 (102Y) XL D B 71
285/35ZR20 (104Y) XL D B 73
21 inch
255/40ZR21 (102Y) XL D B 71
265/40ZR21 (105Y) XL D B 71
295/35ZR21 (107Y) XL D C 73
295/25ZR21 (96Y) XL D B 73
22 inch
315/30ZR22 (107Y) XL D C 73
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S * >>

Questions and Answers for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S *

Ask a question
November 4, 2021

Hey there, is or will this tyre be available in sizes for BMW M2Comp? That‘s 245/35 R19 and 265/35 R19.

I believe there is now a star marked PS4S for the M2 Comp, it was released with the M2 CS.
August 5, 2023

hi.. I did order 4x PS4s* for my bmw m340 but ran into an unexpected situation. My retailer was sent by michelin - 2x PS 4s* 225/40 R19 for the front axle - 2x pilot super sport * 255/35 R19 for the rear axle. i am a bit skeptical about the setup i was given. it is not what i ordered. but the retailer keeps insisting pss* is essentially the same as ps4s* .. i did ask them to write it down but they wouldnt.. shall i insist for them to provide the ps4s*...?

The PSS is definitely a different tyre to the PS4S, even in * marking. I would expect quite a different level of grip in the wet, meaning your car would be more likely to oversteer in the winter. I would try and get the correct rear tyres.
August 20, 2025

I have a 2019 M2 Competition and looking to replace the summer tires - the original factory tires that came with the vehicle were Michelin Pilot Super Sports (245/35/19 fronts, 265/35/19 rears, both *spec BMW versions). <br> I was hoping to upgrade in my replacement summer tire to Pilot Sport 4S, however I saw your crazy May2021 video about 'why you should fit OE tires to your car' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COA630Juf_U&t=9s, which is specifically about the Pilot Sport 4S vs 4S* for the M3) - the problem is, for my size tires, Michelin only makes the PS4S front size 245's in a BMW version (PS4S*) - they do NOT make the rear size 265's in a BMW version. Note they DO make both front & rear PS4S sizes in Mercedes (MO) versions, as well of course as non-OE versions. <br> Thus because of your video I'm really unsure which tires & versions to get...I do NOT track my car, but obviously want the best overall street package I can get - so am I better off getting the PS4S, and then in which front & rear combination (245 * front and 265 non-OE rears, or * front and MO rears, or fronts and rears both non-OE, or fronts and rears both MO - any idea which version combo of the PS4S would work best on my M2 Comp?) - OR, am I simply better off going with the 'old' Pilot Super Sport original tires, which I can still get in a full * package (PSS* 245 and 265)? <br> Sorry, this is an incredibly detailed question...but given the incredible, informative detail in your video, there's probably nobody better to answer it...many thanks!

If you're not tracking, the wet grip, comfort and potential rolling resistance advantages of the non-oe tyres would be my preference. I actually have a video comparing this too, on an M2. It might be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JLvNj3z3oY">an interesting watch for you</a>.
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Review Summary

Based on 4 user reviews

Drivers largely praise the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S * for outstanding dry grip, steering precision, handling, and improved comfort/noise on BMW applications, often noting it outperforms Pirelli P Zero. Wet performance is reported as confident by those who tested it. A minority cite high price and faster outer-shoulder wear (size-dependent) leading to increased noise over time. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for performance-focused driving on BMWs.

Strengths
  • Dry grip
  • Steering feel/precision
  • Handling/cornering
  • Comfort
  • Low noise (when new)
  • Wet grip (reported)
Areas for Improvement
  • High price
  • Outer shoulder wear (size-dependent)
  • Noise increase as wear progresses

Top 3 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S * Reviews

Given 100% while driving a BMW 230i (255/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 500 miles
Previously my BMW 220i Coupe (G42) with M-Sport Pro Pack (19” upgraded alloys) was on OE Pirelli P Zero (*) from factory and were very good in all respects. Decided to go Michelin this time and very pleased with the decision as these OE PS4S are in another league. Dry grip, steering feel, cornering and overall driving experience is at another level and surpasses the P Zeros in every respect.

I cannot comment for wet handling yet as we are having some great sunshine in the UK and neither for wear, as only been on my car for x3 weeks. Overall, these tyres have significantly improved the driving experience of my BMW and they are much more comfortable than the P Zeros on both motorways and local roads, especially over rougher roads. These tyres are standard fitment on the M240i and they definitely provide a massive improvement on the 220i and same if you have the 230i, so would highly recommend getting these when you’re ready for replacement. 100% from me so far!
May 2, 2025
Given 80% while driving a BMW 420d M Sport X Drive (255/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 20,000 average miles
OEM tyre for BMW, looks good, drives great, great on wet too. Almost no rim protection on the fronts 225 40 19, decent rim protection on the rear pair 255 35 19 so I guess it depends on the size. Very fun to drive, you can feel what is happening on the road, it is a great sporty tyre. Apart from all the praise and pluses, it has two minuses: the price, and the fact that the outer parts of the tyre are almost dead while the rest of the tyre has decent depth - so they went out really fast, in 1,5 dry season. They developed a harsh noise on lower speeds because of this also (just found out that BMW was working closely with Michelin and demanded that the outer parts of the tyre are made from another softer compound and that explains the high wear and great handling too. Would probably go for Pirelli for the next set.
August 26, 2022
Given 94% while driving a BMW 335i SE (235/35 R19) on mostly motorways for 8,000 spirited miles
I drive an Alpina B3S Allrad which is based upon the E92 BMW 335ix. I bought the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S* tyres from my local BMW Alpina dealer; 235/35/19 on the front and 265/35/19 on the rear. The difference between the star * designated version of the tyres and the regular Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is quite noticeable on my car and it’s clear that BMW really worked hard with Michelin to optimise the tyres’ capabilities when paired with their vehicles. I am not a person to exaggerate and I will not embellish the difference that the tyres made by saying that they transformed my car and I will stick to differences I felt between how the tyres felt as new on my car, compared to how previous tyres felt new on my car. The first thing I noticed with the star* tyres fitted was that it made my car feel like it had a tighter steering rack. The new tyres, at any speed, felt like they were mind-reading where I wanted to go, steady, progressive and immediate but also reassuring. The comfort levels felt to be slightly improved and the road noise seemed to be dampened. I recently drove 5000 motorway miles through continental Europe on them and I was really impressed by just how comforting and quiet the car became after I fitted these tyres. The grip is fabulous for accelerating, braking, turn in and progression. The tyres have to my mind, given me a tighter rein on my car and it feels as though a dial or a knob has been turned up a notch, even though I know it’s an analogue change. Wet handling is fine and the tyres don’t give me any cause for concern during any downpours or when there’s any standing surface water to drive through. I would definitely buy them again and in future stick to any tyre that’s specifically designated for any particular brand or model. So until a Michelin Pilot Sport 5S* is brought to market, I will stick with these 4S* tyres for as long as I drive my Alpina.
February 18, 2023

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Latest Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S * Reviews

Given 86% while driving a BMW 840ci (285/35 R20) on a combination of roads for 20,000 spirited miles
275/35/20
285/35/20
M performance wheels
Perfect for everything just too wide for dry
December 1, 2025
Rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S *