Guys I'm in critical need to replace our summer tires.
If you saw the other post, my Michelin Pilot Super Sport (PSS) got badly worn out on the inside corner of the tires after only 16,000 miles. That was a big surprise. I got the same tire to my other car and I don't have that kind of wear. (different size though)
I'm going to have MINI check the alignment during our next service which is due.

BUT!

We're running on winter tires right now and I need to pick some replacement as soon as possible. A lot of people talk about the Michelin A/S3 but those are all season. How do they perform during the summer time?
I love the performance of the Michelin PSS, and the ride is smooth and not as harsh as other tires I've driven on, but I can't take this type of wear. It's just too short.
So any though on good performing summer tire? I'm not opposed to the all season if the performance is there... regardless it must last longer than 16k for sure! I'm not looking for cheap tires unless wear becomes a hopeless issue on this car.

 

The weakness of the A/S 3 was snow performance (improved with the new A/S 3+. The A/S 3 is still available. Here is my review of the handling capability of the A/S 3:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hing-well.html

In controlled track testing with a Mustang Randy Pobst did 1:31.2 on the A/S 3 vs. 1:30.0 for MPSS.

 

This is great and something to put some thought to!

But boy I wish I didn't have to say goodbye to the pss

 

I decided to get a new set, have the car alignment checked after the new tires are mounted, and I will be paying way more attention to tire rotation. Every 3,500/4,000 miles sounds about right.
If it fails again my penalty will be to get a cheap set the next time around

Now here is what the tires look like. I finally took some pictures after they were in storage all winter. No they are not going back on the car

Both oriented the same way.
Front (inside corner to the left)



You can see that the wear is evenly slanted. Now I do know these tires have a different compound between the inside vs outside corner. I don't know if that plays into.

Rear (Inside corner to the left)



This is what the rubber shreds look like:

 

According to Tirerack the Michelin PSS has a tread wear rating of 300, or about 21,600 miles.

TireRack: Michelin PSS

With "spirited" driving is 16,000 miles unreasonable?

 

The MPSS has a treadwear warranty of 30,000 miles. 20k is commonly reported. Aggressive driving would have worn the outside corners of the tires. You can cord a tire in eight minutes autocrossing on rough concrete. Or if you slide/spin. Or by locking up the wheels while braking. You can cause tread to chunk by overheating tires (see Dunlop Star Spec Z1).

It is not normal for tread to be shearing off the surface of the tire while driving on the street.

 

I agree... And except once in a while, for the most part the car is driven pretty casually.

 

Talk about bad luck... Just got the new tire mounted this morning.
I go to the grocery store, just 5 miles round trip.
Come back and half way back... psssssssss



Who in the world throw their keys on the road! . . . well it could be in the lot of the grocery store or at the gas station I stopped to on my way back.

 

I suggest you consider ultra high performance all season tires. You should get much better tread wear and very good street performance.

 

I might next time around...


There is the culprit:

 

So, aside from tire rotation (which I'll plan on doing much more frequently), and the alignment I'm having check on Monday, what tire pressure should I be using with this type of tires: 205/45/17 Michelin PSS to reduce inside wear?

41psi or higher?

41 psi is what is recommended in the manual for the R59 S