Will a track day tire kill you if you try and use it year round? Can a semi slick tire, intended for life on track, generate any grip at freezing temperatures?
To try and ask this question I fitted a set of the excellent Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s to an E92 BMW M3, and drove on them across winter.
Watch the video for the full findings!
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to ask below, or on the YouTube page!
I'm about to head to the 'Ring with Cup 2's just fitted to my BMW M4, can anyone recommend hot and cold pressures I should be running please? And what sort of temperature range do Cup 2's need to operate in? Thanks
Is there any word from Michelin of if/when 16 inch and 15 inch sizes could be available?
Also, is there any word on the 17 inch and 18 inch sizes of PS4S currently available in the US coming to Europe?
There are currently no plans to officially import those sizes of the PS4S to the UK... :(
Thanks for the responses. I'm really after a replacement to the 205/50R15 Michelin Cup 1 but it doesn't look like Michelin will cater to that market anymore.
Do you know if there's many differences between a US sourced say 225/45R17 PS4S and a Europe sourced 225/45R17 PS4? I'd be less upset if it's just a name change, but it looks like several of the tire manufacturers aren't bringing their Premier "Road" performance tires to Europe. I'm particularly sad about the lack of the Continental ExtremeContact Sport in Europe.
As far as I'm aware, the smaller sized PS4S tires America has access to are the genuine deal, they're not a rebranded PS4.
Regarding tires like the Continental ExtremeContact Sport, we essentially do have it as the Sport Contact 6.
Ranges like the Continental ExtremeContact DWS would perform badly in Europe compared to our premium summer offerings as American market tires have a higher focus on mileage, which reduces the wet grip properties of the tire.
That's interesting about the ExtremeContact Sport. However, I am after it in 205/50R15 and the Sport Contact 6 isn't offered below 19". I'd jump on a Sport Contact 6 in that size (or a PS4S, Cup 2, Cup 1, or even a PS4) but the manufacturers don't seem interested. I contacted Continental UK to try and buy some, they merely directed me to the Premium Contact 2!
This sounds like a good excuse for some new, larger wheels :)
Research the AD08R if you didn't already know it.
I'll find out from Michelin and let you know :)
I use track day tires all year round on my vRS (NS2Rs), have done for years without issue, however we do have another car (4wd Alfa Romeo Brera) that we fit with winter tires, and the vRS doesn't go out in freezing or frosty/snowy conditions!
Sounds like a great way of doing it :)
A picture from yesterday... https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
Is it legal to use track tires on public roads? In all weather? I guess it is if the insurance company agree?
Perfectly legal in the uk as long as the tires are e marked!
Not a real slick track tire, no.
But the PSC2 is a "semi-slick", a track tire that has been designed to be road legal.
Any chance you can do a compare review/test on PS4S and standard PS4 (no s?)
I'd love to at some point :) The differences won't be huge but I'd love to back to back them.