After reading copious reviews on Michelin tires and their Pilot Sport line I told myself that if I really wanted to get serious about how the car handled I should invest in a set of their tires seeing as how the stock Hankook's were nearing an end (21,000). By no means am I an aficionado on tires nor the tech that goes into making them but after working at BMW (dealership) for some time and seeing that many, if not all, of their more serious-minded models used the Michelin brand I figured something has to be working! Less than a 1,000 miles later, on a set of Pilot 4S's, I can verify that my choice was definitely well made.


I opted to go up a size to 215 to get the most out of contact patch as well as give a more pronounced stance.

Initial driving impressions.

Ride quality: Excellent! The tire translates enough feedback to let you know the road you're on is either great or not the best. What it doesn't do is send every irregularity of the road through the chassis in a jarring way.

Grip: Excellent! I have yet to have enough road to drive the car aggressively enough to find out where this point is at. This is not necessarily a bad thing as the stock Hankook's would loose traction taking the same turns I currently take at the same rate of speed/ brake input. Swift lane changes are very precise and controlled. Though the car has yet to see any real additional boost in power, traction, nevertheless, is ever-present.





If they can hold up mileage-wise I likely see myself buying another set.

 

I encourage you to follow up after you have some more miles one them. I love the Michelin Pilot Super Sports on my F55, but longevity was not one of the design considerations. I think I’d be willing to give up a little grip to get more life out of them.

 

Yeah, Michelin PSS are sticky tires, not known for wear durability.

 

Great tyres !

 

Of course, they are French!!

 

Oh, don't get me started… the French also gave us the N14 engine.

 

Not half as bad as the
Cadillac HT4100, and V8-6-4, or Olds 350 Diesel

 

No no no there will be no "giving up a little grip". That's what they were made for. You want longevity, get a different tire. I got 30k out of my last set of PSS. Not too bad considering how often I truly enjoy my MINI. I'm happy with that.

 

 

haha Believe me, I was surprised I got 30k out of them. I didnt think it was that much till I saw the mileage of the previous install when i was at the tire shop. I wore em down to the wear bars though.

 

My thoughts exactly, first time I bought a set, not for the Mini, another car.
They weren't cheap either.

Found an awesome deal on BRIDGESTONE POTENZA S-04 POLE POSITION, to replace the runlflats
on the Mini. Lets see how the mileage wear goes.

 

The French and.................the German

 

Definitely will!

I figure that any descent summer rated tire is probably going to be close to replacement at post-20K miles give or take a few thousand. If I can get into that range I would hope that I'd be satisfied

 

Lol--speaking of wear...The Cinturato P7's my S came with burned off the front pair in 8k miles. The first 3 of which the car was barely driven as I was breaking in the manual. I still couldn't do a burnout if I tried to be honest. There's no way even 184 hp is delivered to those suckers. I've actually got a lease and am about a year through, and need now two new. The original rears have been on the front since 8k (now 16k total on that pair), but they're going now, too. Since it was delivered with runflats, I have to return it with runflats, which means I think the set I'll get now will be the best grippys I can get for the front. Should be perfect timing to then put on a full set after those burn up that can last me the end of the lease--likely a pair of something all season with a high treadwear. FYI the treadwear rating on my Cinturatos was either 250 or 200. Wish I would've done research before delivery.