When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Tires: ContiSportContact 5P vs. PS4S vs. PS4 ZP vs. PS A/S4
Hello MBW,
Current tires are the ContiSportContact 5P's (not the run-flat SSR's from what I can see, which is interesting because technically there is no spare tire on this car) and the traction in this 30-50 degree weather is very disappointing. I'm more disappointed with the skipping of the front tires on the pavement when first starting out and the steering wheel is being turned. Then how easy it is to break loose the rear tires with the lightest of throttle. I've had some summer tires in the past in 30-40 degree weather and never had a skipping issue like this. 2018 tire manufacture date.
In the future, I'm considering changing out to some Michelins, but wanted some feedback if anyone has used any of these?
PS4S - One of the benchmarks in the industry, but should I expect the same poor quality skipping and traction in 30-45 deg winter weather like the Conti's? I know they're summers, but we're talking dry 30's here, not snow-covered freezing temp roads.
PS4 ZP - Well, technically I don't have a spare tire....and the ride might suffer too....
PS A/S4 - I was never truly happy with the performance of the A/S3's on my C55 many years ago. The traction just wasn't there. And on these A/S4's with the treadwear being 540, I wonder if these will also have traction issues on a high hp car.
Anyone with direct experience on any of the above tires?
Last edited by Viper98912; Dec 19, 2022 at 08:34 PM.
I had Michelin PS3's on my 2019 S65 coupe. They couldn't handle the car's weight when pushed in the twisties. Changed to Michelin PS4S and the car handles amazing. I'm in Southern CA, so i've never driven it in 30 degree weather though.
A/S4 will be your option in colder temps but they might not match to your summers in warmer weather. I switched from Conti 6 to A/S4 for 3 seasons in NYC, close enough for my use with 300hp... Michelin comparisons:
A/S4 will be your option in colder temps but they might not match to your summers in warmer weather. I switched from Conti 6 to A/S4 for 3 seasons in NYC, close enough for my use with 300hp... Michelin comparisons:
Thank you for this info. The summer tires can crack at 20 degrees??? Wow, I would've never thought that. The data is interesting for the A/S4, they seem to be a fairly good alternative, something that is surprising with 540 treadwear. At the same time, this was the same story I read about the A/S3 and I was not happy about those. But your info was great, thank you.
Thank you for this info. The summer tires can crack at 20 degrees??? Wow, I would've never thought that. The data is interesting for the A/S4, they seem to be a fairly good alternative, something that is surprising with 540 treadwear. At the same time, this was the same story I read about the A/S3 and I was not happy about those. But your info was great, thank you.
I am using the PS4 ZP run flats on my S65 Cabriolet for the last 6 months and absolutely love them and love the extra run flat security. Much better dry and wet traction than the original ContiS but have never really driven the car below 50 deg temp.
That "skipping" is usually a result of front end geometry called "Ackerman" and is normal. Basically the wheels are not parallel at extremes of steering travel.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
