[QuattroWerks]

After many happy miles (including track time) on my factory Dunlops, it was time for new tires given they were down to 3/32" tread depth. The initial reviews of the the PSS tires in the various U.S. car rags was very favorable and although having never driven on PS2s in the past, their performance was legendary so I figured their successor would be worth the $$.

After installation, I immediately noticed a measurable improvement in ride (I would estimate about 15%) with similar noise to the Dunlops. Now with about 1,000 miles under my belt, all I can say is WOW. Quite simply the best "summer tire" I have ever run on any car. Ever. The dry grip is utterly breathtaking and I can truly say I can't imagine finding the dry adhesion limit of these tires on the street. I have not been able to get the tail end out at all in the dry; not even a wiggle. Corners where I could get some tail movement while powering out past the apex is now much less dramatic - the car simply squats and goes. Turn-in is excellent as well.

As impressive as these tires are in the dry, the wet performance is head & shoulders above the factory Dunlops. Even with torrential rain, the grip is astounding and the car simply doesn't move around. The added safety margin is very welcome.

No track time yet but from what I've read, these tires should be close to a lower performing "R" compound tire in the dry so I'm anticipating they will vastly outperform the factory Dunlops.

Not cheap ($308/corner) but absolutely worth every penny IMHO!

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

[Spinner]

Thanks QW, I'm considering my next set of tyres (and possibly lightwheel wheels), these are top of my list but couldn't find any reviews of anyone running them on 19's or 20's so was still iffy.

Please keep us updated on how they handle and wear on the track.

[scratch113]

These will definitely be my next tyre purchase, but sadly (in some respects) I bought 4x PS3 back in January when my previous Continental Sport Contact 3s had worn out after just 11k miles!

PS3 is also an awesome tyre, but I'm sure the PSS is that much better.

PSS were officially released in December, but sadly I didn't even hear of them until about March, so it will be some time (I hope longer than the Contis, for sure!) before I need another set. Maybe the price will come down a bit once they've been on the market for a while. Then again there may be reports of porcine aviation before then as well...!

[S5xy]

Yeah, I'm really interested in purchasing a set of these tires when my Dunlops wear out as well.

I've been trying to find reviews on them, and the few that existed were rave about them. I'm hoping Tire Rack will release their full report of the PSS soon.

As for the price, they're still quite the bargain compared to the other Michelin and Pirelli top max-performance tires - definitely worth it if they are as good as they appear to be IMO.

[shardphoenix]

@QuattroWerks
Which stock Dunlops are you
talking about. I fitted Dunlop Sport Maxx TT 245/40/R18 tires on my car and I have to say I have ne'er experienced so much grip front normal road going car tires.

Incredible grip on the dry and every time I try to find the limit in wet (in a safe environment I am flabbergasted.

Really like them but I wonder how they compare to the Michelin's.

You have any thoughts about that?

[gruffle]

Yep PSS for me as soon as I can wear these Dunlops out.

and I am trying

[Spinner]

Just tried to order them on OZ Ultraleggera HLT 19x9 wheels (they don't do 19x8.5) and being told that tyre size isn't in production yet? So tried for Toyo R888's and also out of stock with no confirmed restocking date due to being the beginning of the track season

[QuattroWerks]

Originally Posted by shardphoenix

@QuattroWerks
Which stock Dunlops are you
talking about. I fitted Dunlop Sport Maxx TT 245/40/R18 tires on my car and I have to say I have ne'er experienced so much grip front normal road going car tires.

Incredible grip on the dry and every time I try to find the limit in wet (in a safe environment I am flabbergasted.

Really like them but I wonder how they compare to the Michelin's.

You have any thoughts about that?

I'm running the factory 255/35-19 tire size on factory wheels. When I took the Dunlops on the track, I was truly impressed too! That being said, on dry pavement and @ 3/32" tread, the Dunlops can't compare and the the PSS is absolutely superior as I have not found the limit on them (yet)! In the rain, you can't compare a worn tire to a new one but IIRC, (when they were newer) the Dunlops were not even close in terms of grip and hydroplaning resistance as compared to the PSS.

[parkerfe]

The new Super Sport tires are not available for my S5 Cabriolet in the OEM 255/35-19 size

[pparrett]

Just put on a set in 255/35/20 yesterday. So far loving them. Excellent dry grip and nice and quiet. (crappy phone pic)

[scratch113]

Originally Posted by parkerfe

The new Super Sport tires are not available for my S5 Cabriolet in the OEM 255/35-19 size

Should be - see here for available sizes:
MICHELIN Pilot Super Sport | tyres for passenger cars | MICHELIN UK
255/35R19 is listed, so if a supplier is saying they don't exist, suggest you point them in this direction!

What they don't list is an AO fitting, which is the Audi specific rim fitment, but that shouldn't be a problem.

[xxup]

Originally Posted by scratch113

...What they don't list is an AO fitting, which is the Audi specific rim fitment, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Oh that is new information.. Can you provide any more details about the AO fitting? Does it mean that "normal" tyres will not fit properly??

[Spinner]

Guys this is the same size that I'm after, parkerfe is correct they're not available yet.

They simply haven't started production of all sizes so despite them being listed yoy try finding someone who can sell them to you or even tell you when they'll be available Hopefully it won't long!

[Spinner]

OA in my opinion is no problem at all. All it means is Audi have paid the tyres manufacturers to have a specific version stamped with their code that rarely is any different to the original. It's a bit like Microsoft approving software drivers at a ridiculous price to the developer just so a warning doesn't pop up that you're about to install an unapproved driver, main difference being that far fewer take notice of the tyre rip off than understand computers, in fact the only time I've had AO specific tyres was the current set of conti's and in every category they are the worst set of tyres I've had!

[labombadiesel]

Really good tyres those pss.

Anyway i would like to see a comparation between these michelin pss and the contisport 5p, which incidentally my A5 is wearing in 255-35/19 96Y and are the best sport tyres i've ever tested, including the ps2...

[QuattroWerks]

Originally Posted by labombadiesel

Really good tyres those pss.

Anyway i would like to see a comparation between these michelin pss and the contisport 5p, which incidentally my A5 is wearing in 255-35/19 96Y and are the best sport tyres i've ever tested, including the ps2...

No head-to-head test yet but did find this on Tire Rack's website: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Introductory Track Drive

[number2jcb]

I agree with everything that Quattro works said and more. I put mine on about 1500 miles ago (I just moved 350 miles away and have made the trip twice). They are just awesome. Completely blew me away. I was never impressed with my friends ps2s. They also don't hydroplane, and my car doesn't seem to have that feeling of the rear coming out in wet braking.

Dry grip is just awesome, and these tires soak up bumps much better than the dunlaps ever did.

For added measure, I paid to have my stock rims restored (fix all the bends). Now my steering wheel doesn't shake and the tires are kick a$$!

[oldzmann]

Originally Posted by scratch113

These will definitely be my next tyre purchase, but sadly (in some respects) I bought 4x PS3 back in January when my previous Continental Sport Contact 3s had worn out after just 11k miles!

How do the PS3's compare to the Conti SC3's?
Thanks

[scratch113]

Originally Posted by oldzmann

How do the PS3's compare to the Conti SC3's?
Thanks

Contis were great in the dry, ok in the wet, but the biggest issue for me was the ridiculous wear rate. I got 28k miles out of both the OEM Dunlop Sport Maxx GTs and also the Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics I had after them, but the Contis only lasted 11k miles for all 4 to be worn out!

PS3 are probably slightly better in the dry, far better in the wet and so far the wear seems ok, but they've only been fitted for 3k miles, so it's a bit early to assess the actual wear rate.

[scratch113]

Originally Posted by xxup

Oh that is new information.. Can you provide any more details about the AO fitting? Does it mean that "normal" tyres will not fit properly??

No, the AO is a Michelin designator that a specific tyre model and size was supplied as an OEM tyre to a manufacturer. You'd have absolutely no problem fitting a tyre of the correct size that wasn't AO marked.

More info on this site I found, especially at the bottom of the page:
Pilot Sport 3 | Michelin Tires

[xxup]

Originally Posted by scratch113

No, the AO is a Michelin designator that a specific tyre model and size was supplied as an OEM tyre to a manufacturer. You'd have absolutely no problem fitting a tyre of the correct size that wasn't AO marked.....

Thanks for the info..

[Spinner]

Quite surprised at these results .... 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test - tyre reviews, the online tyre guide

Conti Sport Contact 5's win, downside was their wear on the track which is exactly what I suffered.

Best dry grip and steering feedback is exactly what I'm after so the Michelin's still fit my requirement.... if they get produced in time for my pending replacements.

[labombadiesel]

Sppinner, thanks for the comparison and there you can see exactly what i said, the contisport 5p is almost the best in dry tests and almost the best in wet test, while the michelin pss is the best in the dry for a very little difference with the contisport 5p but poor in the wet, while the good year f1 assymetric is the best in the wet over the contisport 5p for a very little margin but very poor in the dry.

As well it's very important the weight of every tyre because it affects to the performance because it's no suspended weight, there the 5p is the lighter...

About the tyre wear i will tell you if it's like that with road use, although till now it doesn't seem to be like that in my car...

[gruffle]

Well another puncture this morning - one too many and I have to change.

Having said I would go for the PSS, I have in fact decided to go for the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2's and saved £200 in the process.

Thanks Spinner for the link to the article that made me look a bit harder at what was out there, I'll never believe one review on its own but is good to have some perspective.

Just so that I knew how the 2's were marked so as not to get ripped off with old ones I checked the GY website.

Interesting to see which wheels they have the tyres mounted on in the pics - mine

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 | Goodyear Car Tyres

Will report back how I get on with them.

[JonnieB]

I think my tyres need changing soon, how much did you pay Gruffle for the rubber?

not sure whether to use Kwik-fit online which is cheaper than in-store or somewhere else.

cheers
JB

[QuattroWerks]

Originally Posted by Spinner

Quite surprised at these results .... 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test - tyre reviews, the online tyre guide

Conti Sport Contact 5's win, downside was their wear on the track which is exactly what I suffered.

Best dry grip and steering feedback is exactly what I'm after so the Michelin's still fit my requirement.... if they get produced in time for my pending replacements.

Quite surprising Spinner! I was blown away at how little the PSS hydroplaned and I felt the wet grip was amazing...

[scratch113]

Quite surprised at these results .... <a href="http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Autoreview-Max-Performance-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm" target="_blank">2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test - tyre reviews, the online tyre guide</a><br> <br>
Conti Sport Contact 5's win, downside was their wear on the track which is exactly what I suffered. <br> <br>
Best dry grip and steering feedback is exactly what I'm after so the Michelin's still fit my requirement.... if they get produced in time for my pending replacements.

This review reads a little strange to me - I know it's only an extract of the full article and my Russian isn't up to much to actually read the full article, but the PSS is summarised as the best steering feel, but subjectively only comes equal 5th. Whole test seems very biased to wet performance, but hard to tell from just an excerpt.

Tread wear would also be a massive issue for me - my last set of Tyres were Continental CS3s and lasted less than half the distance of either the Dunlop or Goodyears I had before. That in effect makes the Contis more than twice as expensive, which is an issue for the majority of people, and certainly for me. Sad that every magazine test completely ignores this as even being an issue.

[Spinner]

Originally Posted by QuattroWerks

Quite surprising Spinner! I was blown away at how little the PSS hydroplaned and I felt the wet grip was amazing...

Based on your review I felt the same however in hindsight we should consider different sized tyres, 235/35 R19's, on a fwd Sirocco R isn't exactly a great comparison.

Will be interested to hear how you get on with the Goodyears Gruffle.

Don't know what I'm going to do just yet, I want lightweight wheels and had set my heart on some Dymag carbon magnesium wheels (just 6kg for 20's!) but just been informed they've gone into liquidation so now waiting on a call for advise on alternatives. Whatever happens I need to make a move soon as tyres don't have much left on them.

[gruffle]

Originally Posted by JonnieB

I think my tyres need changing soon, how much did you pay Gruffle for the rubber?

not sure whether to use Kwik-fit online which is cheaper than in-store or somewhere else.

cheers
JB

£900 all in; incl valves fitting and disposal of old ones to the pikeys

Tried the internet - got frustrated - rang the local garage, used them before and good as anyone

[gruffle]

As I see it, Michelin/GY and Conti have all come up with new tyres/compounds recently, even Pirelli may have updated the P Zero.

Whilst we can debate the subtleties and reviews of all of them, I highly doubt any of us would have the faintest which tyres we were using unless we got out and looked at the tyrewall.

The reality is we put new boots on and go wow, these "new" tyres are sooo much better than the "old worn out ones"
Big surprise.

What I would really like to see is some reviews of tyres that are 1/2 worn.
Now that might be a lot more revealing.

So I've gone for latest generation compound/structure and decent claims about dry/wet performance, stopping ability, noise and treadwear and £200 in my pocket.

Time will tell.