The REAL successor to the legendary MPSS
 

I've been keeping my mouth shut about this for months. A little birdy I know is deep inside the project.

Meet the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

http://cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...01-750x500.jpg

There is one small problem .. at least here only 19" & 20" are mentioned as launch sizes.
There is no where in hell i'll ever put such big & heavy barrels on twins.
But those that are after big rims/looks/bling only, hardly are after much of performance in tires.
Hence unless they make tire choice more common this can hardly be considered as MPSS replacement unlike "normal" MPS4.

I like that wheel

Working in the tire industry, I have been following this closely for a while now. Looks to be launching in 18 as well, quoted from the Tire Business article I read on the Detroit auto show debut. Still no smaller sizes right now though..

But will they stick like an RE-71R?

Probably not. I assume the Pilot Sport 4S will be in the same category and have the same treadwear rating as the MPSS.

The PSS is fairly old at this point and tires like the S-04 have caught up a lot so you would think there is an improvement in grip and handling characteristics. I imagine the mileage warranty will give us a good idea. If they improve and keep the 30k warranty it would be no competition unless the price is ridiculous.

Isn't Michelin still doing better then it's competitors in wet grip though?

This is a more direct competitor to the RE71R, but I don't think it's as sticky either.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ot+Sport+Cup+2

I agree, the test I have seen Michelin are always a better tire all around. as in grip, wet grip, noise, and comfort. But price always always above other competitors

Dry grip too. I think the S-04 PP had better turn in though

Yeah, but treadlife is longer then most of the rest in its class also. Dont know if the price difference was worth it once the S-04 jumped in price. Others in class werent close enough performance wise to be worth the higher cost of those two imo

To what did they attribute that? I'll guess it's the stiff sidewall.

Probably. Less flex means sharper response to inputs usually.

The turn in on Conti DW was terrible in comparison and it has a very soft sidewall

Totally should've taken a video from yesterday's install. Shop dude was like "holy fuck, check this out." He pushed down on the stockers and it flexed like pancakes. Pushed down on the PP's and barely moved!

I really want to drive down to your house just so you can drive my car :burnrubber:

That's awesome! I'm even more excited about them. They do look great.

Pushing on them pp's though.

I'll quote myself from this thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111364

I can't find anything in the US for the PS4 so no idea what Michelin will decide to do over here really. Does seem kinda of strange to have a PS4 and PS4S if they are both summer tires or similar characteristics? How new is the PS4? Maybe this is replacing the PSS and PS4 all at once

Some time ago i got impression, that MPS4 was meant as successor to MPSS. And at least by Michelin's data it indeed is, performing similar (with slight gains everywhere except slight loss on long dry tarmac track) yet with improved wear and costing less. But now we got release of these MPS4S and i don't know how they intend to differentiate/market MPS4 vs MPS4S, if they will add common sizes to later too).

Think of it more as splitting their current market.
Some people run the MPSS as a daily and would be just as happy with less performance and more mileage thus the PS4, while many are looking for better performance than the current tire has, without going to a 200 treadwear like an RS3/4, Rival, etc.. thus the PS4S is better for those buyers.

Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Tapatalk

The launch is happening right now... I do a fair amount of event photo work for Michelin NA... I'll likely be one of the first to know when 17's and 18's are launched. It's looking like October for any sizes that can be used on an 86. They are currently focusing on the premium market for the most part.

I'll share images from the tire launch that is happening now as they are passed along to me and I'm cleared to.

We had a PS4S at our December Cars and Coffee of the Upstate December 24th :)

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a4&oe=58D5D191



to further the confusion. the PS4 is an oem tire much like the PS3 but was never offered in the united states. the PS4S is the PSS replacement.

When it comes to true performance tires in the Michelin lineup.
PS4S > PSS > PS2

with PS2 being the oldest and lowest on the scale, still an extremely good tire tho.

Roadcone: Wasn't PS3 oddball that had rubber compound of normal Exalto(?) tires and a bit criticised for undeservedly riding on "pilot sport" name unlike "real" PS2 & PSS?
PS4, despite targeting lower end, if published/claimed capabilities are true, seems at least no worse then PSS, hence might be considered as "good enough" choice/alternative to PSS, especially due reduced wear & cheaper price that may let one save on burnt rubber at trackdays bill :)
Pitty to hear still far in future October as possible ETA for usable sizes of PS4S. By then people may rather consider putting their winter tires on, not getting another set of summer tires.
Not sure it was worth to target premium target first. For one ferrari sold there are way more cheaper cars sold, which also get more often trashed on track, thus their owners may appreciate more improved already good & popular tire & go through several sets of those at that during season ramping up sales :)

This is the main point I have been keeping under my hat. My friend is an engineer on the project. There has been some chatter here about what Michelin was designating as the successor and I couldn't say anything until my friend gave me the go-ahead.

I have been keeping tabs on this tire for awhile now as well.

When I called Michelin to ask about the tire in sizing for 18" wheels (2 - 3 months ago), the person I spoke with told me that they would be making the tire for that wheel sizing, but that it won't be available until around March 2018 :(

:(

Goodbye Michelin. Hello Bridgestone.

Just because intended successor of needed sizing will not be available for some time shouldn't mean that "normal" MPSS-es suddenly got worse of a tire or out of stock? And not REAL successor, MPS4, which IS available for very common sizes, seems also very interesting alternative with it's competitive advantages too.

#TeamPP

I have a personal tie to the PS4S. I could never bring myself to sink that much cash into "not them."

It's ok. They'll be available after I burn through my Bridgestones.


Looking forward to joining. :cheers:

They seem real nice, looks like a long wait before they hit the market

A really good friend of mine is a chemical engineer for Michelin, working on the PSS, Cup2, and PS4S projects. He says that while he can't name a release date, 215/45/17, 225/45/17, and 245/40/17 are by far some of the easiest sizes to make: so they shouldn't be "too far behind" the 19's

Exactly how many people have friends that are engineers at Michelin now? Lol

All of them

Yes, the S-04 has a wicked stiff sidewall, with slightly softer tread blocks.

I've been through about 4 sets of S-04's with no regrets, and the Forester XT has graduated to RE71R's.

They are great tires, and much less expensive than PSS during the bridgestone rebates on Tire Rack.

I was looking forward to the PSS replacement in 225/45-17, but it looks like at the end of the season it may just be another set of S-04's! No problem with that.

Engineers like to keep tabs on each other.

Engineering explained video of the diff between the successor and mpss

https://youtu.be/kasI6HtxcH0

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kasI6HtxcH0"]Making The Best Tire Better - Michelin PS4S - YouTube[/ame]

fify :D

Thanks. I never would have figure out how to get that to work on my own :lol:

oh, shut your pie hole. :slap: