Finally ... Summer tires ON
04-06-2004, 08:05 PM
#1
Elder Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Finally ... Summer tires ON
I switched from Bridgestone S-03's to the latest iteration of the Michelin Pilot Sport. This process took over a month .... aaargh.
... First, the S-03's broke the tire machine while removing just one tire from the wheel. The tire machine could still work with "normal" tires, but not a 255/35-20 S-03.
... Ten days later the tire machine is repaired: S-03's off, Michelin's on, but now it's snowing again! I brought the wheels/tires home, but left the Winter Pirelli's on. And it snowed off and on for a week.
... The following week it warmed up, but it rained every day! Not wanting to work in a parking lot in the rain, I waited.
... And then it started snowing again, off and on for three or four days.
... Finally, today was a sunny 55 oF, and I made the switch.
So how does the new Pilot Sport (after 100 street miles) compare to the S-03? Unfortunately, with a 4 month interlude running Winter tires, I don't have a back-to-back comparison. Steering response, handling, and braking are outstanding with both tires, and with the 4 month gap, I don't notice any difference.
There is one big difference, though. This new Pilot Sport has a very very firm ride, I get a noticeable jolt from every highway crack or tar strip. Rumble strips are particularly nasty. I was surprised at the relatively smooth ride from the 255/35-20 S-03's, essentially identical to the 245/45-18 Pirelli's. The S-03's were a bit noisier than the Pilot Sports, not tread noise, but a distinct audible thump from road conditions that create a silent jolt with the Michelins. If you have an H&R suspension, you might not want this tire.
Michelin Pilot Sport
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/michelin/mi_pilotsport_ps2_ci1_l.jpg">
... First, the S-03's broke the tire machine while removing just one tire from the wheel. The tire machine could still work with "normal" tires, but not a 255/35-20 S-03.
... Ten days later the tire machine is repaired: S-03's off, Michelin's on, but now it's snowing again! I brought the wheels/tires home, but left the Winter Pirelli's on. And it snowed off and on for a week.
... The following week it warmed up, but it rained every day! Not wanting to work in a parking lot in the rain, I waited.
... And then it started snowing again, off and on for three or four days.
... Finally, today was a sunny 55 oF, and I made the switch.
So how does the new Pilot Sport (after 100 street miles) compare to the S-03? Unfortunately, with a 4 month interlude running Winter tires, I don't have a back-to-back comparison. Steering response, handling, and braking are outstanding with both tires, and with the 4 month gap, I don't notice any difference.
There is one big difference, though. This new Pilot Sport has a very very firm ride, I get a noticeable jolt from every highway crack or tar strip. Rumble strips are particularly nasty. I was surprised at the relatively smooth ride from the 255/35-20 S-03's, essentially identical to the 245/45-18 Pirelli's. The S-03's were a bit noisier than the Pilot Sports, not tread noise, but a distinct audible thump from road conditions that create a silent jolt with the Michelins. If you have an H&R suspension, you might not want this tire.
Michelin Pilot Sport
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/michelin/mi_pilotsport_ps2_ci1_l.jpg">
04-06-2004, 08:14 PM
#2
No more snow this year, I promise! ;-) It was 77 degrees Fahrenheit in this part of Chicagoland.
At least that's what my car's thermometer indicated on my drive from work today.
Enjoy your ride with the summer tires.
Enjoy your ride with the summer tires.
04-07-2004, 05:23 AM
#3
AudiWorld Super User
Agreed, H&R's with very stiff tires can be harsh
When I put on my winter wheels which are Contiextreme touring or something like that...the car ride is just awesome!
With the Pzeros on, it does get harsher....and if it gets less than 40F outside....it really gets harsh....
Good luck with the new tires!
With the Pzeros on, it does get harsher....and if it gets less than 40F outside....it really gets harsh....
Good luck with the new tires!
04-07-2004, 06:36 PM
#5
Elder Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pretty much based only on these charts ...
from a recent <A HREF="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testResultsModel.jsp?tireModel=Pilot+Sport+PS2&tir eMake=Michelin">Tirerack Test</a> comparing the S-03, the F1 G3-D3, and the PS2.
Every little bit helps :-)
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/mi_ps2_nextGen/chart2.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/mi_ps2_nextGen/chart5.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/mi_ps2_nextGen/chart4.gif">
Every little bit helps :-)
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/mi_ps2_nextGen/chart2.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/mi_ps2_nextGen/chart5.gif">
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests/mi_ps2_nextGen/chart4.gif">
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JimR
A8 / S8 (D2 Platform) Discussion
11
03-21-2007 10:14 PM
ryoung
A8 / S8 (D2 Platform) Discussion
7
03-03-2004 01:32 AM
2000SantorinS4
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
14
12-15-2003 01:00 PM