Should You Fit OE Tires? Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs 4S * (BMW)

Hello,

Could you help choosing between 4s* and pirelli pz5 for f80 m3? Does 4s* still offers superior dry handling and feel or that tire is just old now and pz5 offers similar dry performance while having much better wet grip? I am doing track days one in a couple of months.

Thank you!

I'm about to pull the trigger on an M3 G80 xDrive that's less than a year old with less than 1000 miles, from a BMW main dealer, which is in near perfect condition (as you might expect). However, I've noticed the fronts are PS4S*, while the rears are PSS*.

The dealer is refusing to change the rears to PS4S* as the current PSS* are seemingly still BMW/Michelin approved for the model. Is this difference likely to problematic, and should I walk away, which is my current inclination?

Clearly, in this application, those with certain priorities should get OE. Much does, however, depend on priority alignment of manufacturer & tire buyer.
Say a manufacturer fitted tires deigned to maximise fuel economy but one's own priorities favoured wet grip. Or: comfort versus responsiveness; or: longevity versus wet grip & so on.

Hi,

I've got a BMW 530i - front PS4S(245/40 ZR19) and rear PS4 S*(275/35 ZR19). Now I know they are different tires. :( Should I change the OE to Michelin PS4S? Or try to get used to it.

"The BMW specification front tire not 2, but FOUR compounds!"

Interestingly the 225/40 R18 PSS HN spec (Hyundai i30N) looks the same. I gathered why road dust was sticking to the rubber. It's not just outer edge harder compound on the rest of the tread, but another rib is obviously different.

Hi,
Excellent article as always.
A question on a different OE. My weekend toy, a Porsche Boxster 987S, is running on N rated Michelin tires at present (Pilot Sport Cup 2 front, Pilot Super Sport rear, - a bit too track focused for me but they were on the car when I bought it) which are near the end of their relatively short life.
If I stick to N rated tires for their replacements am I missing out on new tire developments? For example the N rated Goodyear tire is an Eagle F1 Asymmetric but the non N version of that tire is now in its sixth iteration, similarly the N rated Michelin road tire is a PS2 whereas the 'normal' tire is a PS5 or PS4S. Are the OE tires frozen in time or do they evolve as well?

Hello,
I ask for your recommendation. I have a BMW M340i xDrive 2021. Using the car is mostly on the street, sometimes (twice a year) track day without drifting.

My decision is:

1. Michelin PS4S *
225 / 40x19 front
255 / 35x19 rear

2. Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 6
255 / 35x19 front and rear

3.Michelin PS4S *
255 / 35x19 front and rear

Thank you so much and keep up the amazing work

Fantastic article and video!!

I've been in analysis paralysis choosing tires for my 2016 m235i coupe for a month now and need some help. (God I hate that they reused m235i for the new "Gran Coupe") I'm thinking of moving to 235/40 on some sweet BimmerWorld 18x8.5" TA5R wheels and see that there's both a standard and a Ford OE DT1 version of the PS4S. I think the DT1 was OE on the Ford Focus ST.

The only differences in specs on the DT1 version I've found are 0.5/32" shallower and 0.3" narrower tread as well as a HUGE 1.9 lbs weight savings. By my calculations, the narrower tread width would account for only about 1/3 lb weight savings so it leaves my wondering where the rest of the weight savings came from. That relatively large weight savings is fairly attractive, more for handling feel and comfort that raw lap times, but I'm worried that Ford/Michelin may have optimized the DT1 for something that I care less about.

You replied to someone somewhere else saying that you don't know what the difference in the DT1 version is (can't find that right now). I've tried calling both Tire Rack and Michelin and couldn't get any more information. How can I get in touch with someone helpful at Michelin? Could you ask Pierre Chapu or send me his contact info? Thanks!

are all the ps4s bmw tires the same regardless of size? you mention the front tire has 4 compounds is that different to the rear tire?
Do you think there would be much difference in the wet braking distances between the OE and normal PS4S?
It seems the BMW version of the ps4s might be a good option for non bmw cars for people who want better steering response but dont want to run cup2 tires

I have a 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe with Michelin Pilot Super Sports and have been through 2 sets already in the last 7 years. Would you recommend Pirelli for a change ? How do they compare ? I do not do track days, just normal everyday driving

Best reviews and tire information on the Internet!

Do you know what characteristics Audi put into OE tires? I have an Audi A3 and the rears are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport but now the fronts are due and I can only get the F1 Supersport in the AO version due to current availability.

I cannot find anywhere that explains what the difference is and I avoided AO on the back as Audi are known for being a bit safe and steady, rather than prioritising handling like BMW do. Is there as much of a difference in AO tires as you found in this test?

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Does it apply only to BMW M tires size or to all PS4S available with * specification? Thanks

Considering that the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is already a great track day tire, I wonder how its OEM versions are! As far as I know, they are being sold OEM for BMW, Mercedes and Porsche in, at least, 245/35 R19 and 265/35 R19 sizes, and for Porsche, Ferrari and Jaguar on 245/35 R20 and 265/35 R20 with considerably different EU labels. So, different compounds (or compound cocktails) and belting for different auto makers... Interesting!
I just wonder, how far apart is this Michelin Pilot Sport 4S* from the Pilot Sport Cup 2 or Cup 2 Connect?!