Overall - The Michelin ruled the dry testing, both in outright performance and subjective steering feel, but it struggled in the wet running, one of the slowest on test. Excellent if you prioritise dry running and steering feel.
Questions and Answers for the Michelin Pilot Super Sport
2016-04-25 - I'm looking for a bit of advice on some tyres for my Megane RS250. Currently I am running Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/40 ZR18 92Y XL. The correct size tyre for the car is 235. I've managed to find PSS's in 235/40 ZR18 95Y but not XL and have a DOT of 2012. With the 235 being a larger load rating (95Y), will the performance of the tyre be the same as that of the 92Y XL? And were the PSS made in 2012 different to those made now?
The performance of the two tyres will be very similar, the 235 might be a little stronger on the sidewall, but as it has a little more sidewall it will balance out. There's every chance the PSS will have gone through minor updates since 2012, and has now been discontinued in 235/40 R18. Michelin would recommend you try the Pilot Sport 4 instead.
2018-04-05 - Do you out think there is an appreciable improvement in noise if going from 19" Pirelli P Zero RSC (run-flat) to 18" Pilot Super Sport?
(I'd like to consider the 18" PS4 or 19" PS4S, but they are not available in BMW star version. As I run a 1-series xDrive, I am cautious about fitting non-endorsed tires in case of warranty issues with the AWD transfer case / drivetrain.....)
Moving from any runflat tyre to non-runflat will give a big improvement in noise and comfort levels. Regarding * marking and warranty, you do not need to worry about this, legally they can't refuse any work based on tyres as long as you fit the OE size and load rating.
2018-08-07 - I have an E92 M3 that needs new rears (265/35/19). Does it matter if the tyre is not * rated? The prices vary by up to £30 per tyre depending on which of the following you get:
98Y, 98Y*, 98Y TPC, 98Y MO1, 98Y N0, 98Y MO.
I believe the * marked Pilot Super Sport was developed for the M2 not the M3, so it's not something I'd be concerned about having. My own E92 M3 tyres are not star marked.
2018-08-28 - I have a BMW M135i which is currently fitted with run flats. When I come to change them my two options are the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I have read a vast array of information on both and am still no closer to deciding which one. The PSS is the OEM tyre for the car so I was inclined to choose those, however I have read multiple reviews saying they are very temperature dependent and not the best in the wet? The PS4 would does not appear not have this problem, however other people have complained that the turn in is quite vague on the PS4 and they feel very soft, something which it certainly isn't at the moment on the run flats. Having said that I believe either will be a major improvement over the run flats.
Any advice you can give would be much appreciated.
You have the two tyres qualities understood correctly, so the choice needs to be your choice between comfort and wet grip, or sport handling. As you say both tyres will be a huge improvement.
2019-03-18 - I had understood that the Michelin pilot super sport was being phased out and replaced by the 4s.
However I see that some new car models are being fitted with tbr super sports as standard when they could have chosen other rubber.
Please can you advise.
I have a C63 on 19” wheels. Love the super sports When they are warm but less keen in the wet.
There are existing OE fitments in place which take years to replace. All new OE fitments will be with the 4S.
2019-06-14 - Our 2008 46k XKR is currently fitted with Dunlop Sport 255/35 R20 on the front and 285/30 ZR20 on the rear.
Just back from a 1.5k touring holiday when we found the road noise very intrusive over all road surfaces. Want to replace all four tyres with something much quieter. Good fuel economy, and dry and wet grip also essential.
Car is not used for track days.
What would you suggest, please?
Falken FK510 or Pilot Sport 4S
2020-05-06 - could you please tell me,if the Michelin pilot supersport is a good choice of tyre for my Mercedes sl 55amg ,could you advise me on the best tyre for my car 285/35 18
The replacement for the SuperSport, the Pilot Sport 4S is the better tyre.
Given 70%
while driving a
Nissan 370Z
(275/35 R19 W) on
a combination of roads
for 9,500
spirited miles
Assuming this tyre to be the pinnacle for grip, I am disappointed. The dealer placed the 'star rated' (BMW) tyres on my 370z &there is little grip when cold and or mildly warm. When only properly hot do I start to get grip but that means a lot of wheel spin &sliding prior. Not ideal in public on the street. No issues normal driving or rain. Recently at CONSTANT throttle on a reasonable curving road the rear stepped out and was saved by the electronics. Unacceptable when I can drive that corner faster in a standard NA Ford Focus with no drama, in any other car either? Seems the Star rated is very different from the standard version, more a track tyre &terrible on the street
153 - tyre reviewed on September 10, 2016
Given 60%
while driving a
Mazda MX5
(225/45 R17) on
mostly country roads
for 3,000
spirited miles
Having used these for several months over a warm UK summer and then wet and cold autumn and winter I can honestly say they are really good when warm but when cold and wet tend to run out of grip with not that much warning.
This tyre seems to need heat, so it makes me wonder what Pilot Cup 2 need to get them working ok.
Not sure how this tyre got 89% in wet conditions, it's a 70% tyre in wet, more than 90% in dry for general road spirited driving ( not track work).
17 - tyre reviewed on January 2, 2017
Given 95%
while driving a
SEAT Leon Cupra ST 290 (FWD)
(225/40 R18 W) on
a combination of roads
for 200
spirited miles
Initial review of an 'old' tyre. Originally discounted the PSS as they don't win any tests anymore.
But with 18" downsized rims, which on the hot hatch MQB format is a great size on real roads, unfortunately there is no PilotSport 4S available. Which could be a reason to stay at 19". But I'm more of a back road handling driving enthusiast, and want the sidewall and the light weight of an 18". Anyhow, in 18" I have been using Pilot Sport 4 tyres for two years, and objectively they are the best tyres. They justs work in all conditions. But when I set out to make my hot hatch a bit more focused in the handling department, I realised the PS4 don't give that much feedback, and I was left wanting for more. With the TR youtube videos of the PPS vs SC6 and vs PS4, I started to realise I don't need to go all mental with a Cup2 or semi slick on a daily driven car, and that perhaps the PSS could be the solution. It is still delivered on quite a few good hot hatches: the 308 GTI, the new Fiesta ST, Mini JCW and I30N (18") amongst others. I got the HN spec for the latter on my car, and I have not regretted the change. This tyre has loads of feedback and is a lot more dynamic in it's behavior than the otherwise excellent PS4. Dynamic in the sense that the whole car is just more eager to change direction. This is with running quite aggressive toe settings and more camber front than rear. Really makes the handling that much more enjoyable and that is the very reason to run this kind of car.
The catch is.. not the comfort, I don't notice a, well, noticeable reduction in road manners which I feared for. I've yet to have some rain, but I'm pretty sure they will be worse than the PS4 which are hard to beat for grip in the rain, they stick as good as the average tyre on dry tarmac. Still, I think I'm sticking with the PSS anyhow, I can drive a bit more carefully in the rain, or make hard progress so they heat and grip there too, a bit of a challenge.
So initially, I'm happily surprised by this tyre, and it is probably still the go to daily road driving enthusiast tyre under 19". I understand now why the above hot hatches still use this 'old' tyre...
12 - tyre reviewed on May 24, 2018
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Given 84%
while driving a
BMW M3
(225/45 R17) on
a combination of roads
for 6,000
spirited miles
just great.
0 - tyre reviewed on January 22, 2021
Given 87%
while driving a
Porsche Cayman
(265/35 R19 W) on
mostly country roads
for 3,000
spirited miles
These are the tyres thaty were fitted when I have bought my 2009 Cayman, so they were just about half worn. I was very, very surprised by their exceptional handling and grip. Comfort is good, considering the low sidewall and road feedback is very good. The wear seems quite high, expecially considering that the car is quite light (1300kg) and not a lot of power (265hp).
Overall, I think these are the best road tyres that I ever had, but considering their price, I would not buy them, as there are very similar performing tyres for a third less (Hankook S1 evo 2).
1 - tyre reviewed on December 11, 2020
Want the best tyre for real world driving? Watch this!
Overall the best tyre I've ever had fitted to a car. Use to have a set of PS4's which are the new version of the PSS but the PSS is far better than at wearing and in wet conditions then the PS4's. Shame that they do not make this tyre again as I now only need 2 tyres (front) and they will have to be PS4's not PSS
1 - tyre reviewed on September 18, 2020
Given 74%
while driving a
Opel Astra H OPC
(245/40 R19) on
mostly motorways
for 60,000
spirited miles
Michelin Pilot Super Sport, below 3mm tread depth left
My point is to agree with Michelin about no need to rush to change tyres with the tread depth of 3mm and less.
I have not noticed any dramatic changes in wet grip when caught by a torrential downpour on the highway (repeatedly). Dropping the speed to 80-90 km/hour is always enough, no metter how heavy it rains. As the rain exhausts its energy, I go up to 120-130 km/hour. After the rain stops but the highway is still wet you can go back to your 150 km/h.
My wife and me are recreational drivers, sometimes having to cover 600 km a day. Safety is a concern for us.
The car is Astra OPC (VXR).
Cheers,
YK
1 - tyre reviewed on August 5, 2020
Given 66%
while driving a
BMW M240i
(245/35 R18 W) on
mostly country roads
for 18,000
spirited miles
The tires came factory fitted to my M240i, which I use as a daily driver. The dry grip and dry handling was the best part of the tires, but they needed some temperature to grip properly. Wear wasn't bad considering I often drove spirited on twisty roads. Once you experienced the Michelin PS4 you soon realize the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has very weak wet grip. Aquaplaning was very bad. Comfort wise the tires were quite hard, but not runflat hard. Overall an excellent tire for dry conditions, but weak in dry conditions.
6 - tyre reviewed on April 9, 2020
Given 69%
while driving a
BMW M140i
(245/35 R18 W) on
a combination of roads
for 15,000
spirited miles
This review has been prompted since putting the PSSs back on the car from running a set of winter tyres. Coming back to these after running a set of Continental WinterContact TS 850P (over a mild winter) has clarified my initial impressions. To properly understand the scores I have given the Michelins, I need to give some background to the car they are fitted to and its dynamic traits. The M-lite cars suffer on bumpy, broken UK roads in a similar way to their full M Division bigger brothers. Overly stiff springs, no LSD and 370ft-lbs delivered from 1500rpm taxes rear traction at the very best of times. The suspension is designed for smooth German autobahns when fully loaded. So this car (on standard suspension) is particularly sensitive to the correct tyre match and the pressure they are set to.
On a warm (15deg+) dry day, these tyres are magical. Immense grip, fast steering reactions and great stability. I love them on these days. On 'most' northern UK days i.e. cooler and damp, these tyres seem to stiffen up with the net effect of giving traction problems, having noisy tread-block movement on full lock and a fidgety unsettled ride that lowers confidence because I feel the car is skimming the surface of the road. Interestingly with full heavy rain, they seem to find more traction than just damp conditions, so maybe the tread design clears water better than the rubber compound seems to deal with lower temperatures?
In contrast, the Conti winter tyres lost all the dynamic sporty benefits of the PSS (they are winter tyres after all) but replaced them with a far better ride and greater confidence in wet/cold weather. They are winter tyres!
Back to the Michelins. Set to 34psi all-round and with the temperature hovering around 10degrees, all the negatives have come to the fore again. On the first day of fitting them back on the car, the steering precision, stability and dynamic behaviour where amplified directly after removing the softer Contis. The car felt dynamically amazing.....However since then I have adjusted back to how they behave on a daily basis.
My conclusion is this; On the right car in a warmer climate, these are fantastic. If you do track days in warmer climates - amazing. I think they work well in a narrow window provided they suit the dynamics and power delivery of the car. In the UK on an M140i, I find them disappointing on more days than I love them. So the scores I have given them actually reflect the car/tyre match and not necessarily the tyres on their own. For what I want my car to behave like, I'll probably try a set of Goodyear Asymmetric 5s next. Hopefully these will give most of the plus points of both the Michelins and the Contis combined. I also need to set aside some funds for a suspension upgrade.
1 - tyre reviewed on March 22, 2020
Given 74%
while driving a
BMW na
(275/35 R19) on
a combination of roads
for 15,000
spirited miles
well
i have had around 4 trackdays including couple of laps on the wet rainy Nurburgring day, it was indeed tricky and almost got me with the wet/standing water oversteering but dry performance is what you would expect: stable and you get what you paid for . probably ps4s / cup 2 would be better for the dry
2 - tyre reviewed on February 13, 2020
Given 87%
while driving a
BMW M140i
(225/40 R18 W) on
mostly country roads
for 13
spirited miles
Excellent in the dry although I could break traction in my 140i took a few cycles on launch control to hook up without spinning the wheels. Brilliant all round tyre, I occasionally track my car and it handles surprising well with fantastic tread wear. My car seems to wear the outer edges first but that's due to the standard control arms I've read M4 control arms fix this with more camber. In the wet they are pretty good for a summer tyre I always take it steady in wet weather anyway I'd advise anyone to do the same. They are noisy on the motorway. Country roads are the same however the grip is fantastic they really stick to the road and don't skip as you bounce from undulations in the road.
Overall highly recommend.
0 - tyre reviewed on January 5, 2020
Given 87%
while driving a
Honda Civic Type R
(225/40 R18) on
a combination of roads
for 12,000
spirited miles
they are expensive
0 - tyre reviewed on December 12, 2019
Given 73%
while driving a
Nissan 370Z
(275/35 R19) on
a combination of roads
for 11,000
spirited miles
Replace the set of PS2, these tyres had more grip in both dry and wet than the PS2 and significantly better than the original RE050A. Quicker turn in and better road feedback, very grippy but it did give me a feel of sudden lost of grip at the limit than the PS2. Good fun on the track. They were also more quiet and less harsh even I had 98 at front and 100 loadings at the back. The PSS triggered the traction control to step in earlier than other sets, I got a habit of turning off the traction control when i started the engine.
My set didn't last very long though, had them for around 18ks before replacing them because cracks appeared on the surface of both rear tyres and at similar locations - cracks along the circumference on the inner tread blocks. My mechanics said the tyres were delaminating. Tyres made in week 13 of 2016, so about 3yrs old and no more.
4 - tyre reviewed on October 2, 2019
Given 89%
while driving a
Ford Focus ST250
(235/35 R19 W) on
mostly country roads
for 1,500
spirited miles
I bought this tyre, because I like to drive for weekend on country roads. My focus st now has grip, safety and the stearing is on the next level. Great job Michelin !!
0 - tyre reviewed on June 15, 2019
Given 91%
while driving a
Mercedes Benz E350
(245/40 R18 W) on
a combination of roads
for 8,000
average miles
PSS are great tyres which replaced front pair of PS4. PSS's brought huge improvement in all aspect comparing to PS4's. Wear wise PSS's are by far better than PS4's. After 8000 miles tyres are still in very good condition. I love PSS's.
Sporty driving is excellent especially having PSS's in front.
Only downside on PSS is that manufacturer doesn't offer size 265/35/18 that I can fit on rear. Therefore PS2 fitted instead.
Best Summer Tyres
Best All Season Tyres
Best Winter Tyres
Bridgestone Potenza Sport - 90%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 - 90%
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport - 89%
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S - 89%
Continental ExtremeContact Sport - 88%
Nokian PowerProof - 88%