Hello All,
I recently purchased a set of Michelin PS2's in sizes 225/45/17 front, and 255/40/17 rear. These are mounted on my OEM AP2 rims. My vehicle is stock ride height, and there are no rubbing issues. My initial findings after 300+ miles are below. Note, I'm comparing these to the stock Bridgestone Potenza REO050's.

1. More tire noise on the highway. Not significantly more, but noticeable.
2. Slightly better adhesion in the wet. Vehicle tracks progressively and doesn't seem to slip as easily. There are dedicated water evacuation tracks in the PS2 and they seem to have proper function.
3. More understeer, however I might need to adjust tire pressure. I'm currently at 32 psi front and rear.
4. Improved dry weather/road grip. However I've taken it easy on the tires at first as there is still mold-release on the tires. Since it's gone now I can be more aggressive.
5. It's too early to tell how long they will last as far as miles, but the treadwear rating is higher: PS2's=220, RE050's=140. I was getting approx 13.5-15k miles off of rear RE050's; approx 29k miles off of front RE050's
6. Front tires are approx 1 lb heaver each than stock RE050's; rears are approx 2 lb lighter than stock RE050's. Thus there is a net loss of 2 lbs total.

I'm going to Grattan Speedway in Belding, Michigan on May 5th for an open track day. I'll try to post pictures in the gallery after the event, and be able to provide updated comments about the limits of the PS2's. Last time I was at Grattan I had the same vehicle setup, but the stock RE050's, so this will make an appropriate comparison. So far I would recommend these tires to other perspective buyers. Let me know any questions.

EDIT:
Well I completed my open track day at Grattan and have some additional comments:
1. The PS2's offer considerably more feedback than the BS RE050's. The limits of adhesion were more gradual and easier to control. The BS seem to give grip right up until the limit, then as soon as you cross the line you're slipping. THe PS2's seems to give more feedback, probably through the slightly softer sidewall.
2. Optimal tire pressure to get rid of understeer and control tire slip angles was 38 psi front, 41 psi rear. Again, note, I'm stock, minus new tires.
3. PS2's seem to get to warmed up more quickly vs the RE050's. This was beneficial given that the climate was only approx 55-60F that day. A warmer track surface would've been even better.
4. In the wet, it's no contest, the PS2s are better. The BS's can be provoked to slide too easily. The PS2's have a dedicated rain channel and take careless effort on the driver to get them loose.

5. Stainless Steel brake lines and DOT 4 brake fluid are a must for the track! Last time I was at Grattan I experienced fade on the track with the stock setup. Since them I've changed to SS lines and higher temp fluid. What a difference!! No fade. This gave me confidence to drive harder/faster and brake later. Would definately recommend to perspective buyers.

Overall I'm extremely happy with the Michelin's. I would definately recommend them to perspective buys for AP2 wheel sizes, or even AP1, if the proper sizes can be found. Let me know any questions.

Regards,
Christopher

 

Looking forward to your track review of the PS2's

 

please post as you put some more mileage on the tires. i'd like to know if you would purchase these over the re050's again.

 

Great info
Those will be my next choice.
Are you comparing the weight new against new?

 

SpitfireS,
Yes, I was comparing the weight of the new tires. As you probably already know, the tire is the mass furthest from the center of the wheel hub. This is considerable in the amount of power it takes to rotate this mass....the further out you are from the center (i.e. the larger the radius) the greater the power necessary to start spinning and also slow down (braking). I wanted to make sure I found a tire that was comparable weight to stock, or lighter.

I laugh when I see people put huge rims and low-profile tires on their SUV's etc. I wonder if they know they actually disrupted the unsprung weight of the vehicle, the braking, and the vehicle dynamics. Probably I think too much because I'm a mechanical engineer (read: nerd)!


Regards,
Christopher

 

^^

You're not thinking too much
It has been discussed before.
I dont know how much of a tire's weight is where the profile/threads is/are.
A tire might have thicker profile and thinner sidewalls, or reverse and still the 2 tires might have the same weight. Who knows?

About the tires: did you compare the sidewalls of the Michelin's and the Bridgestones?
I found the Bridgestones to be rock hard, even when not mounted on a wheel.
Much harder then the Michelins I use now with the correct pressure.
(Pilot Premacy, yes I know, not the righ tire but comfortable during daily commute, nevertheless I'm getting Pilot Sport's next time)

 

SpitfireS,
I did some comparision of the sidewalls. The PS2's I chose have the same aspect ratio, however larger thread widths, than the Potenza's. Thus, the PS2's actually have slighly thicker sidewalls (by approx 10 mm) than the Potenza's, which provides a little more compliance.

Not sure where you are located, but I'm in Troy, Michigan. If you are in the nearby area, you're move then welcome to test my PS2's out for yourself and make a comparision.

Regards,
Christopher

 

Thanks for the invite!
If only that would be possible.
I live in the Netherlands so it would involve a transatlantic flight.

Not that would make it impossible but just a bit time consuming

I'm looking forward to your experiences with them on the track.
Keep us updated

I've been reading about the Pilot Sports inhere and I'm confident they will be the right choice for me.
I have to add I'm a Michelin "Fan" for as long as I have owned cars.

 

One of the lightest Ultra High Profrmance tires for AP2 OEM sizes (215/45R17 and 245/40R17) is General Exclaim UHP at 18lbs front and 23 lbs rear. The total weight of 4 tires can be as much as 18 lbs less than others such as Avon Tech M500.

 

with such little tire pressure? 10k or less driving miles?