Across 306 owner reviews averaging 78.9%, most drivers rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 for its standout grip: around half praise both wet and dry traction, often describing very high confidence and predictable handling. Comfort also lands well for many (around a third mention it positively), though opinions are more mixed on noise, steering feel and especially longevity. Tread life is the biggest point of disagreement (mentioned by 42% overall), with plenty reporting strong mileage while a similar number complain of faster wear; a smaller group also call out the sidewalls as too soft.
What owners mention most counted across 304 reviews
Replaced potenza s001 with PS4 s noticeably more comfort good grippy tire
Only thing I don't like is steering slightly more precise with Bridgestone s other than that I'm impressed
Time will tell
Fitted to a modified MK5 GTI, these tires are as well rounded and damn near as perfect as you've heard. Very high grip limit in the dry and wet, simply superb feedback. Wear has been the biggest downfall with 2000kms per mm of tread for me, to be fair that is with pretty aggressive driving. I would be happy to use them on a trackday or autocross and definitely buy again. My biggest complaint but not really an issue is that they are quite a bit noisier than I thought they would be.
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Michelin Pilot Sport 4? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
I've always fitted Michelin tires - I've gone through Energy Savers, Pilot Primacys, Primacy HPs, PS3s in all weathers. As a fleet driving instructor, I always fit what I consider to be the best tires to my cars. However, after running Pilot Sport 4s for the past year, this will be the last time I buy Michelin.
I had four PS4s fitted in February last year. They arrived with only 7.4mm tread. When I contacted Michelin to ask why they didn't have 8mm tread like every other Michelin tire I had used, they denied that my previous tires had such tread, and offered no explanation as to the reduction in tread (I think it's called shrinkflation!)
After only 1400 miles, the front tires were worn down to 6mm. After a year and only 10000 miles, the front tires were worn below 2mm. I made a warranty claim and Michelin, without any hesitation, replaced the front tires. After 1000 miles the new tires are worn down to 6.4mm, so I expect them to wear out just as soon. This is on a Mazda 6 diesel estate which is used mostly on motorways and A roads, and rarely above the speed limit.
In comparison, the previous Goodyear Eagle As2s lasted 17000 miles, on the same car with the same driving style. The Eagles were quieter ( the Michelins have a slight howl when cruising), more comfortable, just as good in the dry and superior when worn in the wet. When worn below 2mm, the Eagles still cut through standing water at motorway speeds and felt safe in the wet. When worn to the same depth, the Michelins provided no sense of straight line grip.
In the Pilot Sport 4, it appears that Michelin is manufacturing a soft compound tire in order to win tire tests ( which they often do) with no consideration for the longevity of their tires, which was for so long a strength of Michelin tires. The wear is almost as bad as what I have experienced from Continental tires.
Michelin tires simply do not merit their premium price any more. I will be fitting Goodyears next time, as I have found they are slightly better tires and better value.
Replaced my Pilot Super Sports with a set of these on the rear of my GT86 because they no longer made the SS's in the same size. It has made a dog of the car. The stability system now kicks in even on slight cornering and car feels very nervous. After eliminating all other possible issues, including two separate alignments, it's definitely down to the tires. Ultimately they do provide good grip when settled into a corner but it's as if you have to drive of a 10m stretch of ice to get to that grip. You never know if you're going to loose control on the way there. Would not recommend these if you want a sporty driving experience.
Very good tire, good feedback, good grip. Handling is precise and predictable.
The only drawback is that it does wear quite quickly when they are hot : I have done a trackday with my daily-driven car, and they did suffer a lot but they were consistent.
There are better tires for track use, but I don't think so for a every-day tire that is quite capable.
They are on the pricey side, but there are often discounts with Michelin.
Purchased a set primarily for the street and wet track days. (I have semi slicks for dry track days) I would have bought 4S but not available in this size in Australia.
The car is a heavily modified front wheel drive Octavia with high and low boost settings. I drive it on low boost in wet conditions (280kw at the wheels). The Michelins are incredible in the wet. Grip under power is phenomenal,
I haven't spun the wheels yet! I made my purchase after reading every review and comparison test I could find.
So far I am very happy and can't wait for my first wet track day :)
Excellent grip both dry and wet. The best steering feedback and precision I ever got in this car, by far. Nice comfort, and avergae noise and rolling resistance. However, wear rate was disappointing (other sporty tires lasted 25-30% more, like the OEM Conti SportContact2 or the GY F1 Ass2).
Only done 150 miles but half of those have been on twisty roads in 14 degree temperatures, in spirited fashion. First impressions are very very good!
They replace bridgestone potenza s001 which were good, but these feel mùch more comfortable and smoother at low speeds. They're also more responsive and understeer is less apparent. Braking feels better as does acceleration, with them feeling more planted. I run pressures at 36psi all round.
I expected a slight difference as the bridgestone had 2.5mm tread but this feels a different car.
No wet miles yet but to be fair, tires made of grease proof paper would rival the old rubber! The tires also look better on the rims, looking lower in profile than the bridgestone.
Finally, I feel more confident getting the throttle on earlier out of corners already. No doubt more fun to be had.
The tires are great.
Great handling, great greep and feedback. I'm sure you could find a better alternative for dry roads, but Michelin shines in the wet as well.
However, I had the tires for almost 2 full (summer) seasons, buying them 22 months ago.
The tires, inexplicably ovalized over the past months, while being unused.
Now the tires, cannot be used on the car after only (almost) 2 YEARS and about 7-8.000 km.
Very very disappointed in the quality of these michelins.
Had these tires for about 2 weeks now, travelled about 500 miles on them. I was torn between the Continental Sport Contact 6 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I got a cracking deal on the PS4s so went with them. I got the car on 4 Wheel Alignment and precision balance while I was there, you know, just for good measure...
The PS4s have replaced a full set of continental sport contact 5 and my first impressions and feelings are that I prefer the PS4s, a lot.
In the dry the car somehow feels more grippy, the Contis were/are pretty good of course, and I am not too sure if it is just because I have new tires but I definitely prefer the feeling of the Michelins, they feel more positive and they stop better too.
The same result applies in the wet, the PS4s just somehow feel more capable than my old Contis and I was pleased with those when I first got em, but I do not remember thinking blimey these are a bit good in the rai and occasionally would get the feeling they were struggling in heavier rain or wet roads. I have had no such feeling with the PS4s thus far.
Feedback, well, it is difficult to say as both of these brands of tires are generally considered quite good, but all I can really say, the PS4s feel less numb, not that the Contis were poor of course, just they feel more spongy somehow to me, again this could be a new tire thing.
Handling, great, feels better all around, not much else to say really,
Wear, cannot really comment, but my Contis wore out a bit too fast for my liking so I am hoping these offer a bit more lifespan.
Comfort wise, well, they are fairly easy to live with, mostly, depends on wheel size, tire profile and the speed you are travelling I suppose as to just how rough of a ride you get. The Michelin Cross Climates on my other motor are noticeably comfier, but then again they have a much deeper sidewall and on a smaller rim.
Noise, they are quieter than the Contis were but louder than the Michelin Cross Climates and there is a bit of road rumble depending on the speed you are travelling at, and though they are more noticeable than some other tires, I do not find the noise overpowering or intrusive, and I generally have the radio on anyway.
Buy again, yep, of course, it depends on what's on offer when I need new tires, but right now I would not hesitate to recommend these tires or purchase them again.
