Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Reviews - Page 23

Coming from Dunlop SportMaxx RT, decided to give a try to the latest Michelin Pilot Sport (4). The Dunlop's only lasted for about 20000km. Confortable tyre, but not that sporty feeling, and it doesn't last... at all...

So, as I wanted a sports tyre, with a decent mileage, I went to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (treadwear 320), as per advise on my tyres garage.

As the tyres where bedding in, I starded to feel increase in vibration. Re-calibrated wheels quite a few times, until we started noticing the tyres wheres deforming, and had to take them off...

90% of my driving is on motorway at legal speed (120km/h).

The tyres actually seem to be very confortable, with high levels of grip, bot wet and dry, but I was not expecting the deforming, from a Michelin Tyre. I think that the wear would be fine also, but could not rate for sure, because they where only used in cold/rainy weather.

I have had these tyres for only three weeks max. Running on a Mercedese E220 diesel saloon car, automatic and back wheel drive. After a lot of research I choose these. There is not much difference between this tyre and other premium tyres. I took the leap of faith and had these installed at the rear of the car. It was a immediate difference and noticed a quick acceleration. A good brake response in the dry. In the wet once took a right turn from stationary position and it skidded a bit. It is big heavy car so difficult to judge on local roads. Then the real test came on the motor way, stable fast acceleration, put the car in sport mode and it went past other cars, had to slow down. On the front I have bridge stone and soon they will be coming off. I have only done about 250 miles yet, so cannot comment on wear. Otherwise so far happy with them. The real test will come when the front two gets installed as how the car then behaves. I can clearly feel the difference between bridgestone and PS4. PS4 are quite, handles well and gives quick response when required. The other are not. Very happy with these so far. Will post again when done a few thousand miles.

This is an initial review after enough mileage to be able to comment.

The MPS4 replaced MPSS which had replace the MPS2 prior some years back. The MPS2 had replaced a set of Pirelli tyres that lasted or of 8k miles and the MPS2 lasted over 20k miles and had served me well. MPS4 also lasted over 20k miles and I was going for another MPSS however the shop only had two in stock though plenty of MPS4 in the 255/35/19 96Y that I needed. Price was 'OK', sure....I could have got them 'cheaper' if I had shopped around however I was in need so was happy to pay.
First impression walking up to the car is the smell of these new MPS4...very pleasant and more so than I remember new tyres smelling...grabbed my attention for sure. Glad the thread pattern looked like they could go to work...if you know what I mean ;). These may be minor details however that is the sort of things I look out for on new changes. OS before I even got in to the car he tires had already impressed.

I had driven the 50 miles on a wet dull looking British morning to the shop using the motorway so was looking forward to the journey back on B-roads. The car felt good as always on the way there...planted; sure-footed though as the tyres were getting close to end of life the ride had got firmer - which is to be expected.

2nd impression of MPS4 after driving all of 500 meters to a set of light is the comfort...gone were the sharp edges...replaced with a softened thud. So noise level was down and comfort was apparent - again new tyres so that was expected. What I did not expect however was wet road grip on new tyres. I usually take it easy for the best part of 50 miles and past tyre changeover had been nice dry days...however today it was wet on the roads and the confidence form the car made it easier to be a little bit more liberal with the throttle. Grip in the wet was immediately impressive...sure, MPSS was great in the wet however I do not recall them being this good when new. That was the journey home and I was very pleased with the change.

Next day I checked cod tyre pressures and reset these to what I prefer - they had been set 4PSI higher at the shop. The change in PSI helped with comfort further and wet or dry tarmac handling was still surefooted.

Few days later i decided to really test these tyres out and in the wet you can safely move along with confidence. On a dry day the tyres get sticky...judging by the debris pricked up and grip is great...only criticism is that the softer riding now means I either increase rear tyre pressures to get a firmer ride which I like for spirited driving or engage the firmer suspension mode. In fact , I will be upgrading my springs to a firmer set that I usually keep for track days however with MPS4 riding this comfortable, I suspect a stiffer set of rear springs would be just fine.

I will report back after track session and a few more miles. I also note that the MPS4 S is due next year...would wait on feedback before looking in to those if indeed there is much of a benefit but for now the MPS4 are great change to form MPSS.

I live in Scotland where the weather quite often is wet but I found these tyres to cope very well on my car, a hint more understeer when pushed hard than I found on the standard fit Continental Sport contact 5 MO tires when the car was new, thw continentals last 16000miles!!
Campare with the pilot sport 3 I had fitted in 2014/2015 they are about equal.
My car being RWD and producing 170hp and 400nm of torque, 225/40/18 on the front and 255/35/18 on the rear.

The only time i find a rear tire lossing grip yet only briefly is when turning out of a junction quick with a good push on the throttle but this ia juat doqn to the weight coming of a rear wheel when the car leans, straight line acceleration in the wet with my foot flat from a standing start is excellent though with only a smalles flicker of the traction control yet no severe power reduction to the rear wheels.

These are the best tyre ive had yet for Aquaplaning resistance even on a soaked motorway with lots of surface water at 70mph, and on british roads this is a bonus, they work very well here.
Dry breaking is excellent to say the least.
They are comfortable if a little more noisy on the move than I'd have hoped, the continentals fairing alittle quieter I think but being on a par with my previous Pilot Sport 3's.
Wear rate on these is MUCH superior to the orginal continentals I had originally.
16000miles vs 25000+ miles on the mitchelins 3's.
But I think the pilot sport 3's lasted longer than I will get out of the pilot sport 4's.

Winter weather = forget it, winter tires are a MUST!!

They might cost a bomb compare to economy/bueget tires but the extra safety and comfort of premium branded tyres well outways the cheap coast of in other words, crap economy tires.

Go for mitchelins and your on one of the best handling, safest and overall value for wear rate that money can buy.