Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[IbanezGod]

So I just cracked 18,000 miles on my car and i'm definitely due for a new set of rubber. The fronts are OK since those were replaced under warranty repairs, but the rears are toast.

I searched for a topic on tires and was surprised I couldn't locate one. I definitely do not think i'm going with the Conti SS that came on the car. They have been good but I want something with a little better tread wear. I only track once a year, so mostly it's all for DD.

I'm leaning toward the Michelin Pilot Super Sports...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....andard%20Model


Or the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....andard%20Model

Any thoughts or recommendations? I'm trying to budget around $1000 for the whole set.

Since the fronts are fine.... I'm debating just getting rears as well.

[gblansten]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=119

[quadpipes]

Just out of curiosity how did you get your front tires replaced under warranty? And good luck with the link above. I tend to lean towards the Michelin PS2s or PSS.

[jphughan]

If you're only replacing the rears, I wouldn't mix tires between front and back. If your fronts are worn down to about the halfway point, you might consider just replacing the rears with whatever you have now and then replacing all 4 the next time around.

If you're replacing all 4 though, Michelin PSS is probably the best upgrade; they're the natural successor to the PS2, with better dry and wet traction, longer treadwear, and a lower price. Otherwise, the Conti ExtremeContact DW is a great tire that will offer slightly more ride comfort at the cost of some traction, but that difference will probably only be noticeable on the track -- plus they're cheaper than the PSSes.

[F82_SID]

I my Super Sports!!!

[PhillyNate]

I'm definately going PSS when these PS2's wear out.

[jeff4598]

I liked my PS much better than PSS! Wet traction clearly better on PSS but to me: decreased feel and stability in the dry. They feel mushy in moderately agressive street driving.

[ben@tirerack]

As mentioned above, don't mix if you can help it.

If you're getting 4, the PSS have the highest grip among tires that aim to balance wet and dry traction.

The Bridgestone S04, while having slightly less grip than the PSS, is an upgrade in grip level from the OEM tires, and has exceptionally good stability and predictability in handling. On the track, I felt faster on the S04, even though I actually was a little quicker on the PSS.

[jeff4598]

So, Ben why would my PSS feel clearly inferior to my PS's?

[IbanezGod]

Originally Posted by twinpipes

Just out of curiosity how did you get your front tires replaced under warranty? And good luck with the link above. I tend to lean towards the Michelin PS2s or PSS.

tire insurance... bubbles from potholes

Originally Posted by jphughan

If you're only replacing the rears, I wouldn't mix tires between front and back. If your fronts are worn down to about the halfway point, you might consider just replacing the rears with whatever you have now and then replacing all 4 the next time around.

If you're replacing all 4 though, Michelin PSS is probably the best upgrade; they're the natural successor to the PS2, with better dry and wet traction, longer treadwear, and a lower price. Otherwise, the Conti ExtremeContact DW is a great tire that will offer slightly more ride comfort at the cost of some traction, but that difference will probably only be noticeable on the track -- plus they're cheaper than the PSSes.

i find that odd about having different tires... is it really going to make that much of a difference? I'm not on a NASCAR circuit. Getting the OEM tire is not an option...

Thanks for the feedback the PSSs seem like the way to go. Rears installed for $711 + tax isn't absurd.

[tibra1]

PSS

[Dave07997S]

Stick with the Contis until the fronts are worn out, or switch out all four to Mich. PSS.

Also, the Bridgestone SO4s ride like crap. They have a really stiff sidewall and they are heavier than hell.

The Bridgestone SO4s in a 265/35/19 size way a whopping 31lbs, thats more than most 305/30/19s. While the Contis are just 26lbs. out back.

Dave

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by PicassoM

tire insurance... bubbles from potholes



i find that odd about having different tires... is it really going to make that much of a difference? I'm not on a NASCAR circuit. Getting the OEM tire is not an option...

Thanks for the feedback the PSSs seem like the way to go. Rears installed for $711 + tax isn't absurd.

I wouldn't worry about mixed tires as long as the speed and load rating are similar. The tires you are looking at are not that much different in grip vrs the PS2s or conti's that came with the car.

[C|3R1C]

PSS all the way... they are amazing.

[IbanezGod]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I wouldn't worry about mixed tires as long as the speed and load rating are similar. The tires you are looking at are not that much different in grip vrs the PS2s or conti's that came with the car.

exactly my thoughts, same speed rating, high performance summer tires... they all work independently against hydroplaning, I really don't see them being an issue. Rears always wear out faster and they are never going to be all worn out at the same time. Thanks guys

[1MOREMOD]

for street use i would say the PSS would be first. if you want more sporting charecter for some tracking cant beat the ad08, just not very good in the wet.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I wouldn't worry about mixed tires as long as the speed and load rating are similar. The tires you are looking at are not that much different in grip vrs the PS2s or conti's that came with the car.

I beg to differ. My conti's SUCK. Grip is pathetic. My DSC is coming on all the time during even moderately aggressive street driving.

[IbanezGod]

just ordered two PSSs for the rear... should have them on Saturday AM.

I'm keeping the Conti's on the front until they are done. BTW they just came out with a newly remodeled PSS $330 a tire.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by jeff4598

So, Ben why would my PSS feel clearly inferior to my PS's?

Because it's feel. There's not necessarily a right and wrong answer, it can be a matter of personal preference. If you took your car to an instrumented test session, and measured braking distance and lateral G forces, you would almost surely see an advantage on the PSS, but without any objective measurements it just comes down to what you like.

If you got used to your PS2's, and liked them, any difference in feel could be perceived as worse. As I mentioned above, I felt faster in testing on the S04, than the PSS but the numbers disagreed with my subjective impressions.

Some people may prefer the feel of an E30 M3 over an E90 M3, even though the E90 clobbers it in every measurable category.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

Because it's feel. There's not necessarily a right and wrong answer, it can be a matter of personal preference. If you took your car to an instrumented test session, and measured braking distance and lateral G forces, you would almost surely see an advantage on the PSS, but without any objective measurements it just comes down to what you like.

If you got used to your PS2's, and liked them, any difference in feel could be perceived as worse. As I mentioned above, I felt faster in testing on the S04, than the PSS but the numbers disagreed with my subjective impressions.

Some people may prefer the feel of an E30 M3 over an E90 M3, even though the E90 clobbers it in every measurable category.

nice explanation ben.

[VamosBimmertech]

michelin is the way to go

[OC3]

PSS for street