Good Afternoon,

A question for the tire experts.
For my summer tires, I currently use Michelin Pilot Super Sport (205/45/17).
I need to replace two of the tires when I put my summer wheels on in the spring.
But, I have been told that Michelin has discontinued the Pilot Super Sport (205/45/17).
Any advice?
I only need to replace two tires and I want to continue using a max performance summer tire.
My Mini is a 2015 Cooper S (F56).

Thank you,
Bob

 

Put on 4 new tires.

 

Michelin made it slightly confusing; the PS4S is the PSS replacement tire, and the PS5 replaced the PS4. The PSS5 (yes, they changed it again) will replace the PS4S but it's currently OE only in like 4 sizes in Europe, I expect they'll expand the offerings soonish.

The PS4S is available in a 215/45/R17, but no 205. Should be fine. I would replace all four but I'm also picky about tires.

 

Good Morning,

Is there a difference in handling or ride when you go from 205 to 215?

Thank you,
Bob

 

I have 215/45-17 tires on my car at the moment, and I'm going back to the OE size 205/45-17 when I replace the tires before the coming spring. The 215 tires rub the front struts a bit, and I feel like I remember seeing evidence they're rubbing the rear shocks, too. I also feel like they introduce a bit of an odd feel in the steering (i.e., I noted the difference the first time I drove the car with the 215 tires). Ride quality difference was minimal at best, likely unnoticeable to most. It did slow down the optimistic speedometer a bit, so I guess that's nice. There are a fair number of summer-only options in the OE size. I haven't looked recently, but I have a list that includes:

• ExtremeContact Sport 02
• Potenza RE-71RS
• Potenza Sport
• Ventus S1
• Ventus V12
• Potenza S001
• P Zero
• Firehawk Indy 500 (I have personal experience with these; good for the money, but wouldn't buy them again)
• Ecsta PS31
• Cinturato P7
• Proxes Sport
• Advan
• Advan Fleva
• Direzza

There may be others, particular there may be some run-flat options (I excluded those from my searching). Personally, I think I'm going to give the Vredestein Hypertrac a go. It's a UHP all-season tire and not a dedicated summer tire, but I think that's OK for my purposes. It'll also help me deal with the weird shoulder seasons we have in my area where a mix of very cold nights and warm days is becoming more common. I had these tires on my F60 and they were really, really good. I'd say they were easily on par with the PS4 A/S, but maybe a bit more quiet.

 

A

 

my cental Fl. '15 F-56 rides on Sumitomo HTR Z5 215/40 X ZR 18" (150+ mph) year round. It's got Nuespeed 18 X 7.5" 5 lug rims, also lowered on short C/Os & R. Springs with heavy Anti-Sway Bars fr. & r. I buy 2 tires at a time. wear out the front ones, put the rear ones on the front & put 2 brand-new ones on the rear. I also have rim-spacers behind the lug-bolts & they are 5mm thick

 

Why not just rotate your tires?

 

I do rotate, rear to front. why do you rotate ? to buy 4 tires at a time ? AH HA HA HA ! I buy 2 at a time, sent to my front door from On-Line Tires.com in Vernon, Cali. for $160/piece. they're sticky & wear well & I'm hot-tuned to 300hp/354T

 

I rotate my tires AND I end up buying 2 at a time... soooooo... um... muhahaha..hahamuhaha?

 

we're smarter than we look !