Michelin Tire Decision
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 26
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Michelin Tire Decision
HELP - NEED FEEDBACK FOR MICHELIN TIRE PURCHASE -I am in the process of purchasing new tires. I need forum feedback on the Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP and the Pilot Sport PS2-ZP. Has anyone noticed less performance or mph between these two tires?
Thanks for any feedback.
Thanks for any feedback.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Georgia
Tires
I replaced the tires on my wifes 2004 coupe with the Pilot Sport a/s and she loves them. Much better ride, not as loud, did not buy the run flats. I did lay it in a few curves and I did not notice any difference compared to the GY runflats, but I don't drive it that much. She claims the gas mileage around town dropped a mile or two per gallon, but I say it is worth it for the smoother ride.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The Pilot Sport A/S ZP is an all-season tire, where the PS2-ZP is a maximum performance summer tire. The PS2 is the OEM tire on the Corvette ZR1 (the highest powered and most expensive Corvette from the factory....ever).
I think you will see a noticeable difference with the PS2 vs the A/S, from a handling and braking perspective, depending a lot on ambient and road surface temperatures and conditions. In the summer - the PS2 will be a better performing tire. But when the temperatures drop below about 45 degree Fahrenheit, the A/S tire will be better, and certainly if you add wet road surfaces to the mix, the A/S will work better. I would go so far as to say that the PS2 will be downright scarey on cold and wet pavement.....it's not what that tire was designed for. It was designed for as it is designated - maximum summer performance.
Choose your tire based on your needs and requirements.
I think you will see a noticeable difference with the PS2 vs the A/S, from a handling and braking perspective, depending a lot on ambient and road surface temperatures and conditions. In the summer - the PS2 will be a better performing tire. But when the temperatures drop below about 45 degree Fahrenheit, the A/S tire will be better, and certainly if you add wet road surfaces to the mix, the A/S will work better. I would go so far as to say that the PS2 will be downright scarey on cold and wet pavement.....it's not what that tire was designed for. It was designed for as it is designated - maximum summer performance.
Choose your tire based on your needs and requirements.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: Liverpool NY
The Michelin A/S ZP (original) not the plus were on my car when I purchased it several years ago. It was an excellent tire with moderate road noise and stuck really good in wet and cold weather (as low as 35). I replaced them at the beginning of last summer with the Michelin PS2 ZP and it is a totally different car now, sticks like glue and much less road noise.
While I am in the Northeast I do not drive my Vette past Thanksgiving (more often earlier) and I don't wake it up until the first week of April. Last fall I drove it before putting it away with wet roads at around 38 degrees, I took it easy but you can feel that the tires do not hookup nearly as well as when it is warm. A few days later the same temperature and dry roads the tires stuck pretty good.
If you do any kind of cold weather driving especially with wet roads then I would not recommend the PS2 tires either ZP or other.
While I am in the Northeast I do not drive my Vette past Thanksgiving (more often earlier) and I don't wake it up until the first week of April. Last fall I drove it before putting it away with wet roads at around 38 degrees, I took it easy but you can feel that the tires do not hookup nearly as well as when it is warm. A few days later the same temperature and dry roads the tires stuck pretty good.
If you do any kind of cold weather driving especially with wet roads then I would not recommend the PS2 tires either ZP or other.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
The Pilot Sport A/S ZP is an all-season tire, where the PS2-ZP is a maximum performance summer tire. The PS2 is the OEM tire on the Corvette ZR1 (the highest powered and most expensive Corvette from the factory....ever).
I think you will see a noticeable difference with the PS2 vs the A/S, from a handling and braking perspective, depending a lot on ambient and road surface temperatures and conditions. In the summer - the PS2 will be a better performing tire. But when the temperatures drop below about 45 degree Fahrenheit, the A/S tire will be better, and certainly if you add wet road surfaces to the mix, the A/S will work better. I would go so far as to say that the PS2 will be downright scarey on cold and wet pavement.....it's not what that tire was designed for. It was designed for as it is designated - maximum summer performance.
Choose your tire based on your needs and requirements.
I think you will see a noticeable difference with the PS2 vs the A/S, from a handling and braking perspective, depending a lot on ambient and road surface temperatures and conditions. In the summer - the PS2 will be a better performing tire. But when the temperatures drop below about 45 degree Fahrenheit, the A/S tire will be better, and certainly if you add wet road surfaces to the mix, the A/S will work better. I would go so far as to say that the PS2 will be downright scarey on cold and wet pavement.....it's not what that tire was designed for. It was designed for as it is designated - maximum summer performance.
Choose your tire based on your needs and requirements.
except for the part about the PS2 wet traction. They claim the tires design handles well on wet roads. I've run two sets of A/S ZPs, my next set will be the PS2 ZPs. Although the sizes are right the A/S ZPs have a thinner profile (doesn't appear as wide as F1 EMTs).TireRack Overview and Corvette Owner reviews
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
except for the part about the PS2 wet traction. They claim the tires design handles well on wet roads. I've run two sets of A/S ZPs, my next set will be the PS2 ZPs. Although the sizes are right the A/S ZPs have a thinner profile (doesn't appear as wide as F1 EMTs).TireRack Overview and Corvette Owner reviews
I like my PS2's - and I am planning on buying another set here pretty soon. Just understand their limitations is all I'm saying. There is no single tire that performs at the highest levels in every category, they all compromise something.
If it is a great hot weather sticky tire - the mileage will suffer. If it is an all season type tire, it will not be a great performance handling tire.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Are you running the ZP version or standard? I couldn't find a listing for the non ZP on tire rack I was curious what the price difference was and their spec numbers. I know the PS2 ZP is still too new to rate with TireRack. (at least that's what they say LOL)
Isn't sort of true with all of them, you get out of that brand new rubber and traction starts to drop especially on wet roads. I know my A/S ZPs would let loose on some of those really cold mornings we had here last week (FL), and now with about 16K on them, I am getting a little break free on wet roads. I'm just a little more careful with them now. When they are new it takes a lot to break them free.
Isn't sort of true with all of them, you get out of that brand new rubber and traction starts to drop especially on wet roads. I know my A/S ZPs would let loose on some of those really cold mornings we had here last week (FL), and now with about 16K on them, I am getting a little break free on wet roads. I'm just a little more careful with them now. When they are new it takes a lot to break them free.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Sunshine
which tire will you get the most mileage out of? any 40 to 50 thousand mile tires? i hear those ps2 only get 12 thousand miles...not worth the money..have to buy new tires every 8 months..
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Yeah I just did a quote from Discount Tire, the PS2 ZPs will run you $1490 out the door. It has a 220 wear rating as opposed to the A/S ZP Plus which has a 500 wear rating. Now I have a set of pluses on the rear there is no way they will get half way to 45K, the fronts maybe but no way on the rears. My Corvette is not easy on rear end tires.
My last set of A/S ZPs was around 1300. out the door.
My last set of A/S ZPs was around 1300. out the door.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Purchased a set of A/S Plus ZP (stock sizes) from Tire Rack last August. They were just under $1000.00 shipped. I wanted a safer tire for lower temps, and a good rain tire. So far, I am happy with them and feel that they are an excellent tire at that price.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
Something is off with someone's alignment then. I put 14k miles on mine, and I wasn't the owner of the car originally when they were put on. They still had plenty of tread left when I switched to a smaller diameter wheel and tire. If you're not doing burnouts, and your alignment is good, you should see north of 20k easy. Even in the rears.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
for tire mileage go firestone wideoval with 380 treadwear, I have worn 2/32 off my rears and I do jumb on it from time to time and spin them (easy in west texas) and have put 28k on them so far. I am happy with them in the rain also. my kuhmo mx with 220 treadwear only went to around 25k before needing replacement. wide ovals handle decent but not a road burner like original gy or most likely the mich with 220 treadwear, same go for the khumo mx. good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma city Oklahoma
Im running pilot sport cups on my 00 vert in a 315 on the rear and I love the dry pavement grip. The only complaint I have is wet road traction or lack of it I should say. Before these I ran Falkens theat were not as nice of a ride and a bit louder on the road.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
I don't do burnouts, but I take it through the canyons about 6 times/year.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Eugene Oregon
I have the a/s zp...evne though I don't drive in the rain... because that is all that was available at the time. Much better tire than the OEM....quieter, track very well, and are wearing fine. If I were buying now, I might get the PS2 zp's. Last time I checked Costco has a $70 discount coupon on all Michelin tires.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
I put the Michelin Pilot AS zp on my 03 replacing the orginal gy runflats. THe best part is they are much quietier. The ride might be a bit smoother. THe gas milage in town dropped about 1 to 1.5 mpg, but I was willing to give that up to lose the noise of the GY's. As for as handling goes I can't really feel any difference, but I do not constantly drive on the ragged edge. Since we take it on vacations I do end up driving in rain (yep it did not shrink ro melt) and the Michelins are much better in wet driving than the GY's.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 22
From: Castle Pines Colorado
ZP's or non-ZP's?? What's the performance difference? I would imagine less unsprung weight with the ZP's but the non ZP's wouldn't handle as well since the side walls aren't as stiff.
Has anyone verified this?
Has anyone verified this?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
My guess, and that's all it is, is that the non ZP's are the better performing tire. It's a performance tire to begin with, so if ZP's were better, that's all they'd make.