I have a set of Michelin pilot super sport tires and I’m thinking of upgrading the wheels and going to some wider 4 S Michelin‘s. Every time I talk to people though they said the sidewall strength is not that great. Why do they say this? Is there an objective way of checking it? Why would Ferrari use their tires then? I actually drove a friends as 2000 and liked them before I bought the super sports. Which tires do you think are better and why?

thanks,

Eric

 

If you like the tires keep running them. They're great tires that can handle rain just fine.

Too many variables... DD? weekend car? track car? autox? What size wheels? Stock suspension? All of these will get you different suggestions.

 

Michelin no doubt pays or gives Ferrari tires for "tire rights." Shell Oil used to do the same thing. It's a sponsorship.

You're chasing your tail here. Maximum warm fuzzy feeling (and street cred) can't be obtained with second tier tires (Max performance) like these.

Not sure what wheels you currently have but aftermarket wheels are not necessarily an "upgrade."

-- Chuck

 

What do you want to do with the car? As asked above, daily only, autocross, track days... etc ? That makes all the difference.

 

Like everyone else said there isn't an end all best tire. What is best for a daily driver that sees all kind of weather likely won't perform very well on the track and vise versa. The Michelins are a fine street tire. We need a lot more information about your car to make recommendations. The wheels are an entirely separate issue that we need more info on like what is on the car now and again what the car is used for most etc etc etc.

 

OK I’ll buy it. Just got new coil overs and sway bars and I just want to do lively street driving. I want a GT type car. I plan on getting slightly wider wheels that are lighter and they will look better on the car. But my real question was about sidewall strength. Does anyone know the answer to why people keep telling me Michelin‘s don’t have it? Is it an opinion or some kind of test that they did?

I might try track day once but it will just be for fun. What I want is an updated car and I don’t want to get rid of the one I love. I want modern features on my classic S 2000. That’s what I’m looking for.

Thanks In advance for helpful suggestions.

 

For your needs you don't really need to worry about 'sidewall strength'. A stiffer sidewall is typically found in a performance tire(you can literally go up to the tire and push your thumb/finger in it and feel a difference). Getting too sporty of a tire might take you in the opposite direction of your "GT" goal.

 

OK, but you still don’t seem to understand my question. Again I ask and I will ask one more time, why do people say Michelin tires do not have the correct sidewall strength? How do you measure this how do you know? Is it just an impression by driving them or is there something that can tell me the truth?

I’m in Air Line Pilots and I know a little bit about physics and tires and strength of things. My aircraft actually uses Michelin tires! Why do people hate them? Why did they say bad things about them when they don’t know what they’re talking about? I don’t think you can even answer me. Thanks anyway.

 

I'm using Michelin Cup2 tires and they got plenty of sidewall stiffness for me

 

Nice! Finally someone who understands and actually answer my question. Thank you! I think it’s an urban myth that people keep spreading like it’s true, kind a like saying you cannot smile in your passport pictures. You can and I can prove it.

Eric