H2oSker

Initial impressions:
1. I HATE THE WAY THEY LOOK ON MY CAR! I walked up to it, shook my head, and thought..."have I made a mistake?" I saw pictures of them on cars, thought they would be ok, but I don't like the way they look. They look like they don't belong there, especially from the rear. I must have given up at least an inch of contact patch from each rear tire.

2. They are much quieter than my GY's that had 17130 miles on them. But, any new tire would have been quieter.

3. The ride is a lot softer and the bumps are not as jolting.

4. The car "feels" weird. If I turn the steering wheel an inch or two left and right, the car feels "jello like". Does that make since? It does not feel as directly connected to the road. I am sure this is because of the softer sidewall, so would the GSD3's feel the same?

My thoughts as I drove home were, "I HATE the tires, oh crap what have I done?" I drove around some more tonight and I know I will get used to the way it feels, and it does ride much better, so I may like them in the end. BUT, I STILL HATE THE WAY THEY LOOK, and I will see them every time I walk up to the car.

So, all-in-all, I wished I had bought something different.

my .02

Stock Man

Wow!! That's to bad you feel that way. I haven't really looked at the tread on the Pilot Sports. I do like the D3's though. One thing, the feel on the road would probably be the same as the D3's since they too are not runflats. And I am looking forward to getting that feeling. Since it's that feeling you feel before they break loose and you loose it going sideways. The runflats don't give you any warning your gone before you know it's coming. Maybe if you take them back they can exchange them for a fee. Especially if other people want the tires. Things can always be worked out. Also I didn't know you lost an inch of footprint with the Pilot Sports. Why is that? Aren't they sold as being the same size?

napacruzerc5

Try going up a pound at a time (cold) until you feel the tires feel tighter. I would not however go up further than 35 PSI cold all the way around. This may tighten up the feeling with these tires. I never felt this with the GS-D3s; running stock pressure all the way around (30 PSI).

Cocked and Locked

I've seen them on a couple of Vettes and thought they looked great. I am very close to getting a set myself.

Scratch

Love mine, was initially concerned about a little lower profile, I just lowered the car some more to compensate for that. The tread and grip are great here!!

VetteSiNz

Just look at your car and not on the tires.

PeteyPete

I have them on my car as well, and think they are highly overrated. They are a marked improvement over the standard runflats, but they are overpriced, and the grip isn't all that great.

Next time I replace my tires, i'm buying Nitto's or Kuhmos.

Scuba Ghost

If you really don't like the way they look--- give them to me.

Evil-Twin

I dont know about the Michelin ZP's but I just put Michelin pilots sports on my car and they are monsters they are an inch and a half wider than my EMT's
275/30/19 on the fronts
295/35/19 on the rears.

BHP

The GS_D3s feel soft at 30 PSI. I now run 34 and the steering is tight and quick.

The Director

That's exactly the same setup I have. I've had 'em on the car for about 6 months now and love 'em. Great handling in both wet and dry. This is my second set of Michelin Sports (non-ZP) and I think they are great.

Charlie from Cherry Hill

Evil-Twin and Jim McK - I'm going from the stock size front and rear to 265/35/18 on the front and 295/35/19 on the rear. Since you both have the same rear size as I will have, is there anything I need to adjust or be aware of? I do know the speedometer/odometer will be off slightly. Thanks for any input.

Got uid0

they are an inch shorter due to the rounded edges

The Director

If the speedometer is off, it's not by much. I have not really noticed it at all. Overall tire height is lower than the stock tires so you will notice more wheel well clearance. That made me want to lower the car.

Charlie from Cherry Hill

Thanks Jim McK, but when I plug in the data on the tire size calculator, the new rear size is slightly larger in diameter.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Vetteman Jack

Haven't heard a lot of comments on the ZP's. Hope as time goes on you end up liking the tires. Otherwise, you may be able to sell them and get something you like better.

mrw173

I bought the same tires, and feel the exact same way! I stomped on it at 10MPH (A4) and the back got squirrley just like my run craps. It is nice to hear my Magnaflows though. Mike

Wadoka

I haven't heard of the ZPs. I thought the newest/best PSs were the Pilot Sport P2?

CRAIGVETTE

Yeah and their French to boot Seriously though, sorry to hear you don't like them, I am in the market for new tires as well, but I think I am going with Kuhmos. Hope something works out for you.

JFP

I can hardly believe what I'm reading others actually admitting what lousy tires the Michelins are. I bought a set for my 03 coupe and immediately knew they were junk. They look like tractor tires, they don't handle worth a hoot (and they won't get any better you may get used to lousy handling and think they're ok), they aren't really quieter just a different kind of noise, they made the car pull to the right, and after weeks they still stunk up my garage every night. I got rid of them and went to the Yokohama run flats and it was like night and day, the Yokos were fantastic. I feel sorry for you if you're stuck with them but don't feel like the lone ranger I too was sucker by all the hype given to them.