The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 is a summer ultra-high-performance tire best known for its wet-weather security, combining confident grip, strong braking and particularly impressive aquaplaning resistance. It remains a reassuring, easy-to-drive option for daily and brisk road use, with generally good dry grip and a comfortable, relatively quiet ride for the category. However, its older design shows against newer rivals, and ownership value is often undermined by faster-than-expected wear and less crisp steering feel at the limit.
Blending real-world feedback with independent testing, the Pilot Sport 3 PS3 comes across as a well-rounded UHP tire that prioritizes wet safety: drivers frequently report high confidence in heavy rain, and tests repeatedly highlight its water evacuation and stability through standing water. In warmer conditions it delivers strong everyday dry performance, with dependable braking and predictable handling that suits mixed commuting and spirited driving.
Where the PS3 falls behind is less about outright safety and more about modern expectations and cost-per-mile. Many owners see rapid treadwear-especially on powerful or hard-driven cars-while some also note soft sidewalls that can make turn-in feel a touch delayed and steering less precise when pushing. As the tread wears, users often report a noticeable drop in refinement and wet performance, aligning with test sentiment that the tire's competitiveness has faded versus newer generations, with rolling resistance and overall efficiency also counting against it in more recent comparisons.
The quick answer
Owners say83%from 310 owner reviews80% would buy againRead the reviews
Strengths & weaknessesWet, DryValueRelative to its rivals across every test we hold
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated November 2026.
Where to buyPrices for your size at our partner shops.Affiliate links
How good is the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 in the wet?
Across the 1 wet-braking test it has featured in, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 stops 7.5% longer than premium rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 88/100, and owners rate it 8.8/10 in the wet from 310 reviews.
How good is the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 in the dry?
Across the 1 dry-braking test it has featured in, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 stops 5.2% longer than premium rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 56/100, and owners rate it 9/10 in the dry from 310 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3?
Across the 1 test measuring rolling resistance, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3's rolling resistance is 12.1% higher than premium rivals.
How many miles does the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 last?
Based on test and owner data, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 is expected to last around 22,561 miles (36,308 km).
What treadwear rating and mileage warranty does the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 have?
In the US, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 carries a UTQG treadwear grade of 320, with traction AA and temperature A. UTQG treadwear is relative: a tire graded 400 lasted four times as long as the reference tire, graded 100, on the government test course. Michelin backs it with a 20,000-mile limited treadwear warranty. New tread depth is 8.5-9.5/32" (6.7-7.5 mm), depending on size.
More questions about the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3(11)
What do owners say about the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3?
Across 310 owner ratings the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 averages 83%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 9 out of 10 and Wear lowest at 7.3. 121 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 86% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 most commonly carries EU label ratings of D for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and 71 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3?
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 8.2 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 257 reviews.
How well do the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 7.3 out of 10 for wear across 257 reviews. 121 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 9,500 miles.
Would owners buy the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 again?
80% of owners say they would buy the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 again, based on the 300 owner reviews that answered the question. 47% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3's dry grip?
Of the 249 owner reviews analyzed for the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3, 135 mention dry grip: 126 praise it (strong dry grip) and 9 criticise it (limited dry grip). One owner wrote: "excellent dry and wet grip". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3's wet grip?
Of the 249 owner reviews analyzed for the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3, 127 mention wet grip: 115 praise it (confident wet grip) and 12 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "excellent dry and wet grip". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3's tread life?
Of the 249 owner reviews analyzed for the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3, 116 mention tread life: 59 praise it (long-lasting) and 57 criticise it (wears quickly). One owner wrote: "Runs about 60-80k KMs before need to change a new tire". Read those reviews
What does the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 replace?
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 is the successor to the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in Michelin's range.
Questions and Answers for the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
What is the listed weight for the Pilot Sport 3 in 195 50 R15 82V? I'm sure that the weight used to be listed on this website under 'Label Scores', but the data for… Show moreWhat is the listed weight for the Pilot Sport 3 in 195 50 R15 82V? I'm sure that the weight used to be listed on this website under 'Label Scores', but the data for tire weights now appears to be gone.
Many thanks Show less
July 8, 2025
There shouldn't have been any data deleted, if it has been, sorry. All the data I have for weights is displayed on the site.
Show all questions(5)
Between the Pilot Sport 3 and the Pilot Exalto PE2, which is Michelin’s best performing sporty tire in a 15 inch size in the absence of a 15 inch PS4? Show moreBetween the Pilot Sport 3 and the Pilot Exalto PE2, which is Michelin’s best performing sporty tire in a 15 inch size in the absence of a 15 inch PS4? Or would a 15 inch Primacy 4 offer similar levels of performance due to it being a newer tire compared to the PS3/Exalto? Show less
December 22, 2022
This is a question I get asked a lot, but sadly haven't tested it myself. I know a lot of Clio RS owners love the Pilot Sport 3 in their small wheel size so that might be the best option from the Michelin range.
I have mazda mx5 nb with 195/50/15 and looking for best tires performance and feel(balance) wise. Comfort/noise/fuel are low on priority. Show moreI have mazda mx5 nb with 195/50/15 and looking for best tires performance and feel(balance) wise. Comfort/noise/fuel are low on priority. Looking for best grip on wet and dry and best balance on wet and dry. Currently stuck between Michelin PS3, Dunlop sport bluresponse, Hankook ventus prime 3 and Hankook ventus prime v12 evo2. Of these 4 the michelin, hankook v12 and dunlop are in uhp range, though ventus prime 3 seems to beat dunlops in most tests and dunlops beat v12 in one test. There is little data on ps3 as they are old now. So could ventus prime 3 (which is basically touring tire) beat older models of uhp tires? Show less
May 21, 2022
Newer tires generally have better wet grip and braking results which are high priority tests in an overall test result, which is why you might see the Prime 3 doing well. If available we recommend looking into the Maxxis HP5 as that is a nice handling tire in the smaller wheel sizes.
Which tires are better for those who tried these 3? RE003 potenza by bridgestone or michelin ps3 or Hankook Ventus 12 evo 2? There is no ps4 option for 15 inch rims.
December 31, 2018
As far as I'm aware, no one has tested all three officially. The RE003 gets great reviews in America, but the people I know in the UK tend to prefer the Michelin.
Currently I am using 235/45/18r and planning to change all 4 tires. Can I replace all 4 tires to 235/50/18r?
May 25, 2016
Whether you can make the swap depends on your vehicle suspension layout offering clearance. Usually there should be enough room, but remember changing tire size affects your vehicle speedo, and is classified as a modification so will need to be declared to the insurance company.
Across driver feedback, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) is widely seen as a strong ultra-high-performance all-rounder with standout wet grip, confident braking, and very good hydroplaning resistance, often making cars feel more stable and secure. Dry grip and handling are generally praised too, with many noting a comfortable, relatively quiet ride for the category. The most consistent downside is rapid treadwear for the price-especially on powerful or hard-driven FWD/AWD cars-along with frequent comments about soft sidewalls that can make steering feel a bit numb or delayed at the limit.
What owners mention most counted across 249 reviews
Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.
Owner ratings averaged from 310 ratings
Owner score83%
Dry Grip90%
Wet Grip88%
Road Feedback84%
Handling84%
Comfort82%
Wear73%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 57%
“I drive a citroen C2 VTS and the only size available is 195/45/16. I decided to test the PS3, coming from 3 sets of Yokohama Advan Fleva v701, and i'm quite disappointed. I use the car only for fun (mainly "touge...”
“Worst tires I have ever used. Bought a Kia cee'd 1.6 gt as an ex demonstrator in July 2018 as a 6m old car. Front tires replaced at 7300miles. Shocking, I dont drive the car hard nor throw into corners. Bought...”
“To be honest, I find it hard to objectively say whether these handle or grip or whatever better than other tires, as I'm still only on my second car, but I can say a pair of these just managed 28,000 miles with me. They...”
I have been using PS3 for past 15 years, good tire grips in both wet and dry. Runs about 60-80k KMs before need to change a new tire. Good bargain for the price. Hopefully Michelin will continue to offer PS3
A bit noisy but perfect all rounder whether you drive in the city or on the highway. Both wet and dry grip is exceptional in the first years of use and I had to let go of them after 6 years of spirited driving and approximately 2 hours of track time - upon observing patches that shed over the shoulders.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
74%
Member
Initial Impressions
SEAT
205/55 R16
65 miles
I think it's a balanced tire. The straight-line stability didn't really satisfy me. On vertical road irregularities, it tends to pull in that direction, making me constantly check the tire pressure settings. I believe this situation makes the driver uneasy. However, the wear and the tread durability and depth are excellent even after five years of use. I think it performs at about 80% of what I expected when I first got it. In sailing mode, it can run for a long time without showing resistance, wasting no energy. I didn't experience any issues on wet surfaces; the drainage in heavy water is very successful in my opinion. The noise level is a bit subjective, but it didn't bother me much except on very rough asphalt surfaces, which could be related to my car's insulation. In terms of tire comfort; when the factory tire pressure values are calibrated well with a good pressure gauge, it shows a very satisfying level of stiffness and improves grip. The tire is not completely nerve-wracking like a lung, which is nice. When the tire warms up on long journeys, it fully showcases its character. I use these tires for seven months and winter tires for five months within a year. When the weather gets cold, the tire noise increases, and the stiffness rises, it's a tire that tells me to change it. I use Michelin tires on my different cars; this is my sixth set. The other tires I've used, Lassa, are terrible, Pirelli deforms quickly, Dunlop is noisy and doesn't know what it's doing, Goodyear is very good but wears out worse than my Michelin tires. However, Michelin tires are expensive at first purchase. Over time, they pay off, but the initial purchase price makes people think and they tend to go for cheaper tires. In this regard, payment conditions could be made easier, and awareness should be raised about longevity and performance. Tire sellers are very bad in this regard.
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
The best wet handling tire I have ever used.
I was using toyo proxes but changed to the pilot sports 3.
Only downside is the price but it’s so much worth it if your are an enthusiast.
These tires are resistant to aqua planning, seems like they come alive in the wet.
Definitely will buy again.
These tires have shown consistently poor performance from when they were fitted, right up to when they were replaced. The dry grip has been average; definitely not impressive, but not problematic. The wet grip, however, has been absolutely atrocious. They lose grip under any sort of load, and definitely cannot be relied on if you intend on driving in a ‘spirited’ manor.
They appear to give decent feedback of the road, so when they do inevitably break traction, you can usually feel it pretty quickly.
I cannot complain about the comfort. The ride quality and the noise levels are both more than good enough for most people.
The Pilot Sport 3 does appear to wear quite quickly, though this may be somewhat due to how prone it is to breaking traction.
Overall, i would not recommend the Michelin Pilot Sport 3. Grip is average in good conditions, and dire in less-than-ideal conditions. The only silver lining is that they do appear to be quite comfortable and quiet.
Really good all rounder for a sporty fwd car. On heavy acceleration a lot of tires just give up and spin freely against the road, car inert.
These make much more of an effort. Sure, there’s still wheelspin but I’ve done a 6.34 to 60 in my stock ITR with these so can’t complain.
Handling is also strong. I feel like I can go round corners as fast as I want - as fast as my ageing 1.8 motor will let me
I drive a citroen C2 VTS and the only size available is 195/45/16. I decided to test the PS3, coming from 3 sets of Yokohama Advan Fleva v701, and i'm quite disappointed. I use the car only for fun (mainly "touge driving") so my review is only for the sportiness of the tire. The grip is ok at slow speed , but the sidewall are very soft and the car moves a lot. In the wet they are pretty good. After 4k kms my fronts are already at the legal limit... for the (high) cost of the tire in relation to the grip they offer, i'll consider something else for sure.
the michelin pilot sport 3 was fitted on my micra k12 1.2 and i was super satisfied with them. all four tires were fitted at the same time on new wheel rims. i drove around 33k kms with them and still plenty of tread left. it was around approx 4mm tread across all tires. so i guess may be 40% of its life remained.
the first 15k kms were insane. the tires were very responsive and you could feel that they would not let you down. i was very happy with stability especially in fast corners and quick steering where the car remained stable at high speed and the tires responded. I felt much more comfortable driving in the wet with them, i could feel the tires had more grip that in the dry. The tires needed to be fired up to good temperature in order to perform well and once u drove normally around with them, you could easily start going into fast corners at high speed without feeling that the tires would slide. in fact in wet conditions, you could afford to do things you don't normally do when it's raining.
the performance started to drop as the tires started to wear out but it was hardly noticeable. hitting the 20k km mark, driving was still very pleasant and still plenty of tread left but i would say its performance compared to when its new, may have drop approx. around lets say 75%. i think that one could take its life tread away completely and still feel comfortable driving around because their drop in performance is at low rate. well road noise is there like any other tires so they didn't disturbed, in fact it was pleasant hearing them as i could say to any1 'hear my pilot sport roaring' lol will definitely recommend these tires and will buy again in a heartbeat/
Changed my tires back in 2015 from Toyo Proxes 4, which I always had in high consideration but after crashing because of understeer and smashing a wheel making it impossible to salvage that tire, I decided to try a pair of Michelin Pilot Sport 3... and what a change and a pleasant surprise it was! Never had another episode of understeer since I'm using PS3's. They have good dry grip but once they are warm they are even better. Wet grip is where these tires really shine and I trust them even more then in the dry, also never experienced aquaplanning. Braking is also very good in both dry and wet conditions. Comfort is ok and they don't make much rolling sound. In my opinion their only weak point is the wear but the grip never gets exasted from brand new till they finish and even if I go below the recommended tread level they're still better then the Toyo Proxes 4. My car has a swapped 4E-FTE engine producing around 200bhp so I abuse from it around 80% of my driving, these tires always make me feel safe in any situation, have been using them for over 8 years now and don't intend of changing to another brand or model.
86%
Member
Renault
205/45 R16
250 miles
A Combination of Roads
Spirited
Quality tires on a 182 Cup are a given. The PS3s are as close as you can get to the bespoke Michelin Exaltos the car came on from the factory. I've had this car for over 15 years, tried various tire brands, but having just put the PS3s on brings it alive & no understeer. Expensive but worth it.
The PS3 was the perfect fit for my Calibra. Rides smoothly, yet grips very well and gives good feedback!
The wear (as most Michelins) has also been outstanding.
I will definitely fit them again, because this size doesn't get the newest tires and I'll happily run them again for another 6-8 years!
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