Michelin's PSS - wait for it?
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From: Frederick, MD
'72 Suburban
Michelin's PSS - wait for it?
Is anyone else waiting for the release of Michelin's PSS? The reviews sound good, but it's going to be another 3 weeks until they're shipped from Tire rack.
I loved the PS2s on my E55 and these are supposed to be an improvement over the PS2.
I want a tire that...
... is quiet
... sticks from a dig
... handles well dry or wet
... reasonable ride
... wears well
... in that order. Ride and wear are way down the list, I definitely want something that is quiet and sticks.
I read the C&D test from last year that compared a bunch of tires to the benchmark (and expen$ive) PS2s. They liked the Hankook Ventus V12s - link to review. I know some of you guys are running the Hankooks - how are they from a dig?
I think I'm going with 245/35ZR19 fr / 275/30ZR19 rr, if that matters.
I loved the PS2s on my E55 and these are supposed to be an improvement over the PS2.
I want a tire that...
... is quiet
... sticks from a dig
... handles well dry or wet
... reasonable ride
... wears well
... in that order. Ride and wear are way down the list, I definitely want something that is quiet and sticks.
I read the C&D test from last year that compared a bunch of tires to the benchmark (and expen$ive) PS2s. They liked the Hankook Ventus V12s - link to review. I know some of you guys are running the Hankooks - how are they from a dig?
I think I'm going with 245/35ZR19 fr / 275/30ZR19 rr, if that matters.
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From: South Florida
2014 E63, Cobra replica, 68 Camaro, 66 Chevy II SS, Z4 BMW, Honda Element, Birel 125cc Shifter Kart.
I'm at about six thousand miles on a set of Hankook's right now after three sets of PS2's. The Hankook's will be my replacements again. No, they aren't as good as the PS2's but their so close and the price is so good, I'll be using them again. I can't tell the difference between the PS2's and the Hankooks anywhere but from a dig where they spin a little easier than the Michelin's. In cold weather, the traction goes way down but I live in Florida so that's only a problem a couple times of year.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I'm waiting to mount up a set, too. But I only have 3k on a new set of PS2s after going through the OEM Contis. So the fronts will still be good and so I'll do another pair of rear PS2s before I go with a full set of PSSs.
I don't feel the PS2s are really that expensive when compared to the other top tier tire models on the market. Right now the PSSs are less than the Conti 3s and the Pirelli PZeros in my OEM size. And currently the PS2s are only $200 to $300 a set more than the Japanese and Korean tires.
I'm sold on PS2s with this chassis. Plus the added bonus of being quiet even towards the end of their life. I hope the PSS offers the same ride qualities with even better stickiness.
Be sure to post up your opinion if you do get them....
I don't feel the PS2s are really that expensive when compared to the other top tier tire models on the market. Right now the PSSs are less than the Conti 3s and the Pirelli PZeros in my OEM size. And currently the PS2s are only $200 to $300 a set more than the Japanese and Korean tires.
I'm sold on PS2s with this chassis. Plus the added bonus of being quiet even towards the end of their life. I hope the PSS offers the same ride qualities with even better stickiness.
Be sure to post up your opinion if you do get them....
Last edited by 220S; Mar 28, 2011 at 03:03 PM. Reason: brain fart
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Raleigh NC
2007 E63, 2006 C55
RE: Michelin PSS
I put PS2s on my E63 shortly after buying it in Summer 09. Huge improvement over the OEM Contis in every way. Just replaced the rears with new PS2's after 6K, but fronts are hardly worn, so problem is clearly my right foot.
Also recently upgraded my SL to PS2's, ditto on the improvement over the OEM spec Pirelli's. Both my Mercs love PS2's.
I'm sure the PSS will be better. I'd personally wait for them, although Tire Rack is discounting PS2's pretty aggressively at present....not all that much more $$ than the Hankooks.
If you do get the PSS, please share your feedback.
Also recently upgraded my SL to PS2's, ditto on the improvement over the OEM spec Pirelli's. Both my Mercs love PS2's.
I'm sure the PSS will be better. I'd personally wait for them, although Tire Rack is discounting PS2's pretty aggressively at present....not all that much more $$ than the Hankooks.
If you do get the PSS, please share your feedback.
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
I thought the PS3 was supposed to replace the PS2? 
Does anyone know the difference between the PSS and the PS3? I read that the PS3 was supposed to get released in Europe by mid last year and that it was supposed to make it to the U.S. early this year.
Does anyone know the difference between the PSS and the PS3? I read that the PS3 was supposed to get released in Europe by mid last year and that it was supposed to make it to the U.S. early this year.
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From: Lake Norman
CTS-V 2013 Wagon
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
"Our best guess for availability is mid April to mid May for most sizes on the Pilot Super Sport. Nothing solid yet, just estimated dates.
I do know that Michelin is not going to bring the PS3 here except in a couple of sizes for replacement tires that were used as original equipment (for Aston and MBZ if I remember correctly). The Pilot Super Sport will replace the PS2 (and the PS3 in Europe) eventually but as to when, and as for pricing reductions or closeouts on the PS2 is anyone's guess at this point.
I have been told that Michelin will be pricing the new Pilot Super Sport a bit below the 'normal' selling price of the PS2."
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From: Frederick, MD
'72 Suburban
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,288
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From: Frederick, MD
'72 Suburban
Seems like no matter which tire I selected for my 06 E55, it ran through the rears in 9k miles. I had the stock Contis, Nitto DRs, and PS2s on it. A few trips to the drag strip with each set.
On the street, I think I liked the Nittos best. When warm, they hooked like a $2 ***** and still handled well enough for a sedan.
As far as the PSS, I didn't wait.
After reading reviews online and from input here, I grabbed the Hankooks. If they suck, I'll swap them for the PSS over the summer and sell these. 
... and Moose guarding them.
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1
Seems like no matter which tire I selected for my 06 E55, it ran through the rears in 9k miles. I had the stock Contis, Nitto DRs, and PS2s on it. A few trips to the drag strip with each set.
On the street, I think I liked the Nittos best. When warm, they hooked like a $2 ***** and still handled well enough for a sedan.
As far as the PSS, I didn't wait. After reading reviews online and from input here, I grabbed the Hankooks. If they suck, I'll swap them for the PSS over the summer and sell these.
... and Moose guarding them.
On the street, I think I liked the Nittos best. When warm, they hooked like a $2 ***** and still handled well enough for a sedan.
As far as the PSS, I didn't wait.
After reading reviews online and from input here, I grabbed the Hankooks. If they suck, I'll swap them for the PSS over the summer and sell these. ... and Moose guarding them.
is right.You will like those Hankook, I have run them before with no problem.
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From: The Granite State
.
Looks like the PSS are "in stock" now....at least in the 18" stock sizes (I didn't bother to check the 19" sizes).
Price difference is minimal ($20/set) between the PS2 and the PSS
What is curious is that the "NEW" PSS tire has a UTQG treadwear rating of 300, whereas the old PS2 had a rating of 220.... typically a higher wear rating doesn't mean better grip. It would be nice if it were true but I'm skeptical.
Anyone tried a set of the PSS tires yet and have "real world" feedback???
-G
Price difference is minimal ($20/set) between the PS2 and the PSS
What is curious is that the "NEW" PSS tire has a UTQG treadwear rating of 300, whereas the old PS2 had a rating of 220.... typically a higher wear rating doesn't mean better grip. It would be nice if it were true but I'm skeptical.
Anyone tried a set of the PSS tires yet and have "real world" feedback???
-G
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Looks like the PSS are "in stock" now....at least in the 18" stock sizes (I didn't bother to check the 19" sizes).
Price difference is minimal ($20/set) between the PS2 and the PSS
What is curious is that the "NEW" PSS tire has a UTQG treadwear rating of 300, whereas the old PS2 had a rating of 220.... typically a higher wear rating doesn't mean better grip. It would be nice if it were true but I'm skeptical.
Anyone tried a set of the PSS tires yet and have "real world" feedback???
-G
Price difference is minimal ($20/set) between the PS2 and the PSS
What is curious is that the "NEW" PSS tire has a UTQG treadwear rating of 300, whereas the old PS2 had a rating of 220.... typically a higher wear rating doesn't mean better grip. It would be nice if it were true but I'm skeptical.
Anyone tried a set of the PSS tires yet and have "real world" feedback???
-G
I use PS2s on my car but will be getting PSS next time around since PS2s are on the way out now anyway.
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From: The Granite State
.
Are you skeptical about the treadwear rating or the grip? I'm guessing that sometimes treadwear testing rules/parameters can change and/or rubber compounds progress. From what I hear so far the grip is excellent (TireRack did made a report but I think that was a manufacturer sponsored event.) I know that Michelin did announce a "green" compound that means better wear, but who really knows.
I use PS2s on my car but will be getting PSS next time around since PS2s are on the way out now anyway.
I use PS2s on my car but will be getting PSS next time around since PS2s are on the way out now anyway.
From my own experiences with the treadwear rating, the lower the number the stickier the tire (and the shorter the lifespan).
There are some race-only tires on TireRack with a treadwear rating of 40.... I used to buy Yokohama 008Rs (long time ago) which had a treadwear rating of 80. They stuck like glue, but only lasted a few thousand miles.
Typical high-mileage (50,000) tires will have treadwear numbers like 480 or something ludicrously high, which to me suggests that they are creating a very hard compound to get the long treadlife, but sacrificing grip.
The PS2 had a pretty decent rating of 220 (balancing grip with tire wear), but the successor PSS shows a rating of 300 which suggests that they may have traded off some stickiness for a little more tire life.
I suppose its possible that they increased grip AND tire life, but that's what I'm skeptical about. From what I've heard from tire engineers, there are only so many "knobs" you can tweak in tire design for better performance, and almost every knob that increases grip will come at the expense of faster tire wear.
For many years I used the Bridgestone Potenza S-02s on my Porsche and liked them quite a lot. I just noticed that there is a new S-04 in sizes for the E55, so that was a tempting thought also. Fortunately, the 911 went through tires so quickly that I never expected more than maybe 8000 miles out of a set of rears..... from the comments so far, it looks like the E55 will eat them just as quickly.
-G
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From: Fairfax,VA
06 E55
Pilot Super sports are hard to find. Just called tirerack, they have 295/25/20, but no info in 255/30/20. Sales representative told me that they don't exist, quick google shows that these dimensions are for stock.... Bugatti veyron 
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From: CA, NV, CO
Wait til May and June. According to the Michelin rep i talked to they are coming out with a few more sizes that's not listed on their website.
Since this tire is practically brand new and just came out again not all sizes are listed there.
Since this tire is practically brand new and just came out again not all sizes are listed there.
