Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
 

What is everyone's opinion on this tire? I live in Southern California so extreme weather is not really an issue, but this seems like a great all around tire.

http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/r...l-season-tire/

The car would be almost completely street/daily driven. I've never owned a RWD car before so I'm okay with something sticky that won't get loose as easily.

I'm looking for a tire with decent tread life (20k), decent comfort/noise levels. Needs to be able to keep me on the road during rainy season (all four days).

I will be putting these tires on the TRD wheels with TRD springs. Most likely 225/40R18 square. (maybe 215 front, but I would like to be able to rotate)

Any suggestions or tire recommendations would be great.

Thanks!

I would rather go with the pilot super sport.

All season tires, even ones as good as the A/S 3 are simply not needed in most parts of California. It doesn't get cold, wet, or snowy enough here to prevent summer tires from working properly. If you want a Michelin tire for CA Pilot Super Sports are the only ones that make sense. Personally I went with something with slightly less grip, better treadlife and lower cost, the new for 2014 Dunlop Direzza DZ102 (not the older 101s). I am very happy.

If you lived in a climate where temps dropped to or below the 30's, these are great. I have them on my car for the 2 months in Atlanta where it drops in that range.

But in SoCal, go Pilot Super Sports. You'll be much happier with the grip with no fear of hitting its weather/temp limits.

I don't have any experience with the PSS, but that was my first choice until I found out about the AS/3. Mine is a daily driver and probably will never see a track, so ultimate grip was not a priority. I went with the AS/3 because it was cheaper, and has a higher mileage warranty.

I will probably switch to something else on my next set, because my only complaint is road noise above 50MPH. In my case, there's a slight drone that i've learned to drown out with loud music. I starting hearing it right after I swapped wheels and tires. Of course the drone could be from something else (alignment specs, wheel bearing, etc?.) Which is why i want to try a different set of tires eventually.

I'm torn between these and the PSS because everyone tells me I need to get the PSS, but Kentucky weather isn't very predictable and even before we get snow we can get some pretty low temps and a lot of rain. I'm glad to see that these are well rated all-seasons and might get them. Also, I do have winter tires for when it snows.

Unless they don't do plowing and such, the AS3 can be your one stop shop so you don't need the snow tires. But it doesn't hurt to use them if you've got them. I went AS3 because the temps drop into the 30's without snow for the majority of the cold months and the PSS won't be very great in those conditions.

@Firestorm_86 I actually got through the first winter with this car on the stock Turanza tires without a single issue, but this last winter was absolutely horrible and basically demanded snow tires. If we can have more normal winters you are probably right about me only needing the A/S 3's. I have the same issue with temps dropping without snow too.

Anyone know which has less road noise? I'm looking for a set with good grip and not a lot of road noise.

I'm also interested in everyone's take on the noise and comfort level of the PSS?

Nobody thinks I'll have issues with wet traction on with the PSS if we actually get some rain?

No issues with PSS in the wet

Pretty much as advertized. Phenomenal grip essentially unaffected by temperature.

How they do it is the interesting question. The A/S + was pretty incredible especially in snow or ice at freezing temps but the dry and wet grip of the A/S 3 has to be experienced to be believed.

Bear in mind that most ultra high performance summer tires don't deliver until they get really warmed up whereas the A/S 3 delivers right now from stone cold right up to fully warmed up.

I have the PSS on my 08 Miata. Bets performance tire I have owned. They plow through standing water no problem. In the dry hot weather, I can no longer break the back end loose. They grip so hard that the stock suspension bottoms out. THey really ruined the fun of the car IMO. SO, I gave it to my daughter and bought an FRS. (just needed and excuse!)
I wouldnt want them on my FRS because I like to hang the back end out alot. :)

Dunlop DZ102
 

Anyone have experience with the DZ102? Is it grippy-er than stock and still slide-able without dumping the clutch?