Pirelli P Zero PZ4
WatchThe Pirelli P Zero PZ4 is a premium max-performance summer tire built around sharp, confidence-inspiring handling and high grip. Across both real-world feedback and independent testing, it stands out for its precise steering, strong braking and high limits in dry and wet conditions when temperatures are favourable. The main compromises are short tread life and weaker security in deep water, with some drivers also noting reduced confidence on cold, damp UK-style roads.
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Questions and Answers for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Ask a questionI find there is a lot of information on Continental, Goodyear and Michelin, but not as much on Pirelli. My understanding is that the P Zero PZ4 goes up against the Continental Premium Contact 6, Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 5, and Michelin PS4. Recent tests fare the PZ4 well, although the general opinion on the internet is that Pirellis are to be avoided. However sometimes tests include higher performance variants such as the ExtremeContact, Sport Contact 6, F1 Poleposition or PS4S. At the same time the Premium Contact 6 in smaller sizes goes against Premium Touring tires. I guess I am just confused by the classification. What is Pirelli take on these higher performance tires (PS4S, PSS, Sport Contact 6, ExtremeContact, F1 Poleposition) ? P Zero Corsa? A video inclusive of these tires would be interesting to compare the PZ4. Thanks
Hello! I’m looking to replace the tires on my 2006 E85 Z4M. It’s currently outfitted with Continental SportContact5 in the front and Continental SportContact in the rear. These last ones are pretty old, which is why I want to fit the car with a new set. Question is: which ones? I’m running the OEM 225/45/18 and 255/40/18 on the car. It’s only used as a fun/weekend car and is not driven during winter or in the rain if we can avoid it. in this size, I have the feeling there is not as much choice as for bigger wheels. My shortlist consists of Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Pirelli PZ4 Sports Car and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport. The car is not used on track, only for roadtrips, fun drives on public roads and cruising. Max mileage per year is 5000 kilometers. From this point of view, what would you recommend for us? Thanks a lot!
Hi, <br><Br> Love the site. I’ve a new UK M5 and I read online that I’ve “lost the tire lottery” by finding I have Pirelli P Zero PZ4’s fitted as opposed to the Michelin PS4. <br><Br> Both are going to be OE versions - I can’t find a proper review of the two. <br><Br> If you have time I’d really appreciate your thoughts - should I stick with the Pirelli’s or is the difference that much that I should stomach the cost of swapping out for Michelins? Do you have thoughts on the key differences? <br><Br> The car won’t be tracked, wear isn’t that important but I do enjoy the performance of the car and want to be secure on the knowledge that I won’t find out the hard way that I have the wrong tire. <br><Br> Thank you, <br><Br> Greg
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Michelin certainly make some of the best tires in the world, but the internet seems to put them on a pedestal. If I was in your position, I would run the PZ4 until they're worn out, change to the PS4S and see how you feel about them. Just remember there will be difference in performances between a worn tire and new.
Hi, I need to change my summer tires on my 2019 C class and on my shortlist are these PZ4 and the Goodyear f1 asymmetric 6, the only thing is that the PZ4 are OEM - MO while goodyears are not what would you think is the better option ? would the pz4 oem be better than the retail goodyears 6 ?
Hi, <br> I'm looking at tires for my Clio 4 RS. <br> 1) PZ4 runflat 205/40R18.<br> 2) Michelin PS4S 225/40/R18. [AU$400 more on a set of 4 vs PZ4]<br> <br> i've run both sizes in the past - Michelin PSS - No issues. At SMSP, what i gain in grip/traction in the 225 i loose in top speed compared to 205 (rotational inertia, resistance) - i.e. minimal impact on lap time or fun.<br> My use case is 2 or so track days per year. Otherwise it is a second car for occasional city runabout doing under 4000km a year.<br> Question: Is the PS4S worth that much more money? Will run-flat hurt the PZ4 performance that much?<br> Side point - i have a second set of wheels on which i will eventually throw 205/40R17 for more track focus (AR1, A052 or similar). That said I like swapping out wheels half way through a track day (and have done that in the past) so I want the 18's to be strong on track without major sacrifice to wet braking.
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Review Summary
Based on 78 user reviews
Drivers generally describe the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 as a strong ultra-high-performance summer tire with excellent dry grip, sharp steering response, and confident braking, with many also praising its stability and refined noise/comfort when new. Wet grip is often reported as good in mild conditions, but a sizeable minority say confidence drops on cold, damp UK-style roads and especially as tread wears down. The most consistent complaint is fast tread wear/short life, and many also call out weak aquaplaning resistance in standing water.
Strengths
- Strong dry grip and handling
- Sharp steering response and good feedback/precision
- Good braking performance
- Stable
- Progressive behavior near the limit (especially when warmed up)
- Relatively low noise and good comfort for a performance tire (particularly when new / acoustic versions)
Areas for Improvement
- Fast wear / short tread life (often rear or driven axle)
- Aquaplaning resistance can be weak
- Especially in standing water
- Wet/cold performance and confidence drops noticeably (often worse as tread wears)
- Temperature sensitivity (needs heat to deliver best grip/feel)
- Noise tends to increase as the tire wears (or in certain cooler temperature ranges)
Top 3 Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Reviews
When I changed my tires from summer to winter in November 2024 and cleaned them, I noticed that the right front tire and the left rear tire each had a dent several centimeters in diameter on the outer sidewall. I've driven approximately 8,000 km on these tires and am absolutely certain that there was no external influence that could have caused such damage, neither hitting or driving over a curb nor driving through a large pothole. The rim and tire surface are undamaged in the affected areas.
I contacted my Audi dealer, where I bought the car, and asked him to contact Pirelli to report this damage.
I hoped for a generous arrangement, I researched in various forums that
There have been tire blowouts at high speeds here before. Thankfully, this wasn't the case for me.
Pirelli simply referred to damage caused by driving on the curb and showed no accommodating attitude.
I managed 28k km on them
When new, the tires were decent, after 15k km, the tires became noisy and grip became poor
After 28k km, there were cracks on the tires and require replacement
Very disappointing wear
Latest Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Reviews
I found them to be really good with a balanced spread of performance in all categories. Used them in a few tarmac Rallysprint events and had no complaints.
It’s a performance car so comfort and noise are as good as you could ask for. No complaints from me.
I have not tried anything else on this car so can’t comment if they are relatively good or bad compared to something else. I would get them again, if availability wasn’t an issue. Given that I couldn’t get them, I just got a set of PS4S, will report once they have a few miles under them. Update: what I said initially holds true, but I must say the Michelin PS4S is a better tire. On road and one Tarmac Rally later, it has better grip, in all scenarios. Been raining recently so also sampled it there too. Only downside to PS4S is a touch noisy in comparison but it has no foam, even though the supplier claimed Acustic means foam. I’m comparing the M01 XL spec here. If you can, get the Michelins.
The Pirelli P Zero HN is not a tire that gives you 100% grip from the moment you start the car, regardless of weather or ambient temperature. This is a tire that needs TEMPERATURE. It has to be warmed up to become truly grippy, and on public roads it is very difficult (almost impossible) to consistently bring it into its optimal operating window.
In my opinion, this is an excellent tire for learning proper driving technique. It does not forgive mistakes—when you make a technical error, you will feel it immediately. For this reason, I consider it very good for track training, where feedback and precision matter most.
On the street, it can be a good tire only if you manage to heat it up; otherwise, grip is limited.
The sidewall is very stiff, allowing you to take corners at high speeds without feeling the tire flex or the sidewall deform under load.
In wet conditions, however, performance is poor. In heavy rain or on roads covered with slime or grime, I strongly recommend significantly reducing speed, as grip drops dramatically.
Durability:
Despite frequent spirited driving, the tire lasted around 30,000 km, while also completing approximately 150 hot laps on track. Considering the level of abuse and heat cycles, wear was reasonable for a performance-oriented tire.
An important point: I chose to buy this tire again because I understand how it works and know how to take advantage of its strengths. Once you learn its limits and how to use it properly, it delivers exactly what it promises.
Conclusion:
✔️ Excellent on track
✔️ Great for improving driving skills
✔️ Very stiff sidewall, strong cornering stability
✔️ Predictable when in the correct temperature window
❌ Requires heat
❌ Poor wet performance
Will be replacing these tires with Continental AllSeasonContact 2 in order to improve all-weather grip at the cost of outright summer performance and handling.
But the steering response is second to none, combined with a proper M vehicle the steering is tight and crisp with zero sideflex or body roll delayed via the sidewall.
So you have to pay to play so accept the quick wear in the back for the excellent performance.
I’ve done about 3000 miles since fitting, mostly on country lanes and motorways, the wear seems to be good.
The front tires lasted approximately 4500 miles. Not the best but they are classed as a soft compound. Replaced like for like. They have just released the PZ5.