Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Review

[westmc]

A few weeks ago, I discovered a sidewall bulge in one of my tires. After already being forced to replace a tire due to complete sidewall failure, I decided that I had enough of the oem tires and decided to take the plunge with a set of PS4S tires. I had a lot of apprehension due to all the traction control issues that people claimed to have with them and the fact that I want to stay with the factory staggered sizing. I've had them now for about a week and I am extremely happy with them. I've only driven in dry conditions, but the grip, handling, and feel are so much better than the PZ4. There is more chatter on rough roads, so apparently the noise reducing foam that Pirelli added to the front tires did actually do something, but it is barely noticeable. As for the traction control, switching out the tires actually improved things for me significantly. I've always found the traction control to be overly sensitive. On my morning commute, there is a sharp left turn from a stop onto a very narrow street that would trigger the traction control 90% of the time. With the PS4S, it hasn't triggered once. Making a right from a particular street with a stop on an incline would also trigger it most of the time, but didn't happen with the new tires the one time I tried it. I tried a few hard 30 to 50 and 50 to 70 pulls and no traction control issues. Maybe there is variance with the traction control sensors in different people's cars or maybe tire pressure plays a role (I'm running 44/39), but for me they have been great.

BTW, I'm selling the 3 remaining oem tires, if anybody wants them.

[BzzzBom]

What size are the four tires?

[westmc]

What size are the four tires?

OEM staggered sizes (255/30/19 & 235/35/19)

[TheContrarian]

No surprise here, other that noise, the MPS4S destroys the Pirelli.

This link is to a head to head comparison of the MPS4S, PZ4 and the Continental Extreme Contact sport by Tirerack. The PZ4 finished last by a substantial margin. Literally worse at everything.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=223

Why does Audi put these tires on the RS3? They probably got a good price and they are quiet.

[whitewaterguy87]

It would be cool if someone could do a Dragy test 0-60 with stock tires & broken in ps4s to see if it made a difference! Kind of a harder test to perform but would be cool!

Send from my phone and I am trying to learn this shit

[westmc]

It would be cool if someone could do a Dragy test 0-60 with stock tires & broken in ps4s to see if it made a difference! Kind of a harder test to perform but would be cool!

My butt dyno says that the PS4S would be faster.

[westmc]

No surprise here, other that noise, the MPS4S destroys the Pirelli.

This link is to a head to head comparison of the MPS4S, PZ4 and the Continental Extreme Contact sport by Tirerack. The PZ4 finished last by a substantial margin. Literally worse at everything.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=223

Why does Audi put these tires on the RS3? They probably got a good price and they are quiet.

One thing to keep in mind is that the PZ4 R02 tires are completely different than the normal PZ4 tires. They have different tread patterns, sidewalls, and the foam. I wouldn't be surprised if they were different compounds as well.

[Coolrunning]

Those are such amazing tires and I am glad you are liking them!!!

I am literally having a set of Indy 500's installed right now as I wanted to try them out. Much different price point so I wanted to give them a shot for what I got for them. $516 installed brand new with full insurance for the life of the tires so I couldn't pass that up.

[westmc]

Those are such amazing tires and I am glad you are liking them!!!

I am literally having a set of Indy 500's installed right now as I wanted to try them out. Much different price point so I wanted to give them a shot for what I got for them. $516 installed brand new with full insurance for the life of the tires so I couldn't pass that up.

That is definitely a lot cheaper. The PS4S cost me around $1200 out the door with full insurance. Doesn't like like the Indy 500s come in 255/30/19 though, so I'm guessing you went 235/35/19 squared?

[Coolrunning]

That is definitely a lot cheaper. The PS4S cost me around $1200 out the door with full insurance. Doesn't like like the Indy 500s come in 255/30/19 though, so I'm guessing you went 235/35/19 squared?

Oh gosh, I am so sorry....I have the younger brother S3 not RS3.

225/40 R18

[BzzzBom]

OEM staggered sizes (255/30/19 & 235/35/19)

Michelin tyres are wider. Any rubbing on hard turns?

[BzzzBom]

A few weeks ago, I discovered a sidewall bulge in one of my tires. After already being forced to replace a tire due to complete sidewall failure, I decided that I had enough of the oem tires and decided to take the plunge with a set of PS4S tires. I had a lot of apprehension due to all the traction control issues that people claimed to have with them and the fact that I want to stay with the factory staggered sizing. I've had them now for about a week and I am extremely happy with them. I've only driven in dry conditions, but the grip, handling, and feel are so much better than the PZ4. There is more chatter on rough roads, so apparently the noise reducing foam that Pirelli added to the front tires did actually do something, but it is barely noticeable. As for the traction control, switching out the tires actually improved things for me significantly. I've always found the traction control to be overly sensitive. On my morning commute, there is a sharp left turn from a stop onto a very narrow street that would trigger the traction control 90% of the time. With the PS4S, it hasn't triggered once. Making a right from a particular street with a stop on an incline would also trigger it most of the time, but didn't happen with the new tires the one time I tried it. I tried a few hard 30 to 50 and 50 to 70 pulls and no traction control issues. Maybe there is variance with the traction control sensors in different people's cars or maybe tire pressure plays a role (I'm running 44/39), but for me they have been great.

BTW, I'm selling the 3 remaining oem tires, if anybody wants them.

44 PSI in front?

[TheContrarian]

One thing to keep in mind is that the PZ4 R02 tires are completely different than the normal PZ4 tires. They have different tread patterns, sidewalls, and the foam. I wouldn't be surprised if they were different compounds as well.

The tread pattern shown on tire rack matches the tires sitting in my basement except for one small groove in the outer tread block.

I do think there are different compounds and we need not look further than the difference in treadwear rating on the front and rear of the staggered setup (320 front, 220 rear). My guess is somebody wanted the front tires to wear slower. I wouldn't be surprised if the RS3 specific tires are worse than the standard PZ4.

[westmc]

Michelin tyres are wider. Any rubbing on hard turns?

No Rubbing. I've read about people on here running 255 r-compounds and 265 street tires without issue.

44 PSI in front?

Yeah, 44 front / 39 rear. The factory recommended pressure for the staggered setup.

[Potatohead_RS3]

No Rubbing. I've read about people on here running 255 r-compounds and 265 street tires without issue.



Yeah, 44 front / 39 rear. The factory recommended pressure for the staggered setup.

That’s at full weight. Normal weight is 39/35, but if the ride doesn’t kill you more pressure is almost always better.

[NoSuchSol]

Those are such amazing tires and I am glad you are liking them!!!

I am literally having a set of Indy 500's installed right now as I wanted to try them out. Much different price point so I wanted to give them a shot for what I got for them. $516 installed brand new with full insurance for the life of the tires so I couldn't pass that up.

How do you like them? I had a technician recommend them to me and they are a couple hundred cheaper than the Michelin's.... they seem to have good ratings.

[whitewaterguy87]

How do you like them? I had a technician recommend them to me and they are a couple hundred cheaper than the Michelin's.... they seem to have good ratings.

What about the pilot sport cup 2s? For added grip & handling under hard launchers & hard driving? The would probably be a great summer sport tire! Maybe the cup 2 on just the front & sp4s rear?

Send from my phone and I am trying to learn this shit

[westmc]

What about the pilot sport cup 2s? For added grip & handling under hard launchers & hard driving? The would probably be a great summer sport tire! Maybe the cup 2 on just the front & sp4s rear?

They don't come in 255/30/19, they cost about $100 a tire more than the PS4S, and I'm guessing that they last half as long.

[chriscarrera]

I also run Indy 500s 255 square, cheap and they seem fine on the track, for what they are.

[kjeeper10]

Those are such amazing tires and I am glad you are liking them!!!

I am literally having a set of Indy 500's installed right now as I wanted to try them out. Much different price point so I wanted to give them a shot for what I got for them. $516 installed brand new with full insurance for the life of the tires so I couldn't pass that up.

Please keep us updated

[BzzzBom]

A few weeks ago, I discovered a sidewall bulge in one of my tires. After already being forced to replace a tire due to complete sidewall failure, I decided that I had enough of the oem tires and decided to take the plunge with a set of PS4S tires. I had a lot of apprehension due to all the traction control issues that people claimed to have with them and the fact that I want to stay with the factory staggered sizing. I've had them now for about a week and I am extremely happy with them. I've only driven in dry conditions, but the grip, handling, and feel are so much better than the PZ4. There is more chatter on rough roads, so apparently the noise reducing foam that Pirelli added to the front tires did actually do something, but it is barely noticeable. As for the traction control, switching out the tires actually improved things for me significantly. I've always found the traction control to be overly sensitive. On my morning commute, there is a sharp left turn from a stop onto a very narrow street that would trigger the traction control 90% of the time. With the PS4S, it hasn't triggered once. Making a right from a particular street with a stop on an incline would also trigger it most of the time, but didn't happen with the new tires the one time I tried it. I tried a few hard 30 to 50 and 50 to 70 pulls and no traction control issues. Maybe there is variance with the traction control sensors in different people's cars or maybe tire pressure plays a role (I'm running 44/39), but for me they have been great.

BTW, I'm selling the 3 remaining oem tires, if anybody wants them.

If you still have the three extra Perellis I’d be willing to help pay for them to be shipped back to Perelli labeled dog shit.

[westmc]

If you still have the three extra Perellis I’d be willing to help pay for them to be shipped back to Perelli labeled dog shit.

Lol. I was hoping to get something for them beyond the satisfaction of telling Pirelli to go screw themselves.

[Potatohead_RS3]

[BzzzBom]

Lol. I was hoping to get something for them beyond the satisfaction of telling Pirelli to go screw themselves.

I’ll start the bidding. I’ll give you $12.00 if I don’t have to take possession of the tires.

[westmc]

[BzzzBom]

Total waste. I think only three are on fire.

[BzzzBom]

Lol. I was hoping to get something for them beyond the satisfaction of telling Pirelli to go screw themselves.

I place the blame on the bean counters at Audi. Heck, if Audi wanted to buy millions of dollars of crap from me I’d probably sell it to them.

[purekoryo]

With pzero 3.28, with PS4S 3.0 with about 100 pounds in my car.

It would be cool if someone could do a Dragy test 0-60 with stock tires & broken in ps4s to see if it made a difference! Kind of a harder test to perform but would be cool!

Send from my phone and I am trying to learn this shit

[purekoryo]

All things considered pzeros aren't THAT bad. It's just PS4S is just that much better.

[B0bbyB0b]

Love mine! Not a DD and mainly used on dry roads. The few times they were wet, have had 0 issues. They can be noisy sometimes depending on where you drive them. They ride funny on grooved pavement though...the car likes to sway from side to side and you almost feel like you are fighting it a bit. Super annoying and non of my other vehicles do this so can only attribute it to the tire. Great tire though overall!


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[kjeeper10]

Love mine! Not a DD and mainly used on dry roads. The few times they were wet, have had 0 issues. They can be noisy sometimes depending on where you drive them. They ride funny on grooved pavement though...the car likes to sway from side to side and you almost feel like you are fighting it a bit. Super annoying and non of my other vehicles do this so can only attribute it to the tire. Great tire though overall!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Thanks for this. One if the things i am trying to research as far as tires. Wondering if any tire option helps or adds to the already vague electric steering.

[dbd723]

There is no reason to consider any other tire than the PSS or PS4S on any car. I have had those for summer (and their winter equivalent, Michelin Alpin PA4) on every car I have owned for the last 8 years and there is not one car you can't totally transform the ride and handling with those tires. Ive even heard someone put PSS on their chevy volt and transformed it into a fun handlig car in the twisties. If you are a grandma driver who drives 5 under everywhere you go abd havent seen north of 0.3g on your daily commute, then MAYBE it wouldnt be worth it, but in an emergency you will still be able to brake and maneuver better with the PSS/PS4S. So I would still get them.

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[shifu22]

MPS4S Are amazing, had them on my B8 S4 and itching to get them on my new ride. Just have to burn the stocks off first.


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[lalalaprise]

Thanks for posting this. I'm in a similar situation. Have a sidewall bulge in one of my pzeros... I was about to pull the trigger on a set of PS4S but was a hit apprehensive.

Does anyone know how the sidewalls in the ps4s compare to the Pirelli?

[westmc]

Does anyone know how the sidewalls in the ps4s compare to the Pirelli?

The PS4S has a traditional sidewall, unlike the strangely shaped one on the PZ4 R02. I'm hoping that means it will be less prone to issues.

[ahyeah]

I'm probably in the minority here (and i've owned multiples sets of PSS on previous cars), but the one thing I like about the PZeros is the shape of the sidewall: the flared rim protector. The look of the PSS just doesn't do it for me. I like wide squared-off tires, but something looks slightly off - light they always look over inflated or something. Will I get PSSs at the first reasonable opportunity? Without hesitation. The improved turn in response and stiffness can't be beat.

[Lawrage]

I'm probably in the minority here (and i've owned multiples sets of PSS on previous cars), but the one thing I like about the PZeros is the shape of the sidewall: the flared rim protector. The look of the PSS just doesn't do it for me. I like wide squared-off tires, but something looks slightly off - light they always look over inflated or something. Will I get PSSs at the first reasonable opportunity? Without hesitation. The improved turn in response and stiffness can't be beat.

You are not alone, I love the sidewall and the lip look of the stock tyres.

[joralphlee]

Stock PZeros are actual garbage, I’ve had the Michelin PS4S tires on my RS3 here in Delaware where the weather is very unpredictable, therefore these tires have seen everything but snow and ice. I have never had a single moment of traction loss even in a complete downpour at over 70mph on normally slippery roads. These tires are also over a year old and have over 15,000 miles on them and they still handle like new. I say once again... the stock PZeros are garbage, took them off my car after less than 1000 miles because I enjoy living If anyone is on the fence about Michelin PS4S tires, don’t be, buy them. You won’t regret it one bit!


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[BzzzBom]

Stock PZeros are actual garbage, I’ve had the Michelin PS4S tires on my RS3 here in Delaware where the weather is very unpredictable, therefore these tires have seen everything but snow and ice. I have never had a single moment of traction loss even in a complete downpour at over 70mph on normally slippery roads. These tires are also over a year old and have over 15,000 miles on them and they still handle like new. I say once again... the stock PZeros are garbage, took them off my car after less than 1000 miles because I enjoy living If anyone is on the fence about Michelin PS4S tires, don’t be, buy them. You won’t regret it one bit!


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Did you get staggered PS4 tires and what pressure did you inflate them?

[joralphlee]

Did you get staggered PS4 tires and what pressure did you inflate them?

My tire setup currently is 245/35/19 squared. Before winter I had them inflated to the stock numbers of 44 front and 39 rear but just recently put them all at 35psi no issues. 35 is a bit more compliant going over bumps and potholes, and have found that grip is slightly better as well surprisingly.


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