One of the most common questions submitted to Tyre Reviews is asking the differences between the Michelin performance tyre range, specifically the differences between the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.
In the UK this is quite a tricky test to do as there's only a couple of crossover sizes thanks for the 4 S not being available below 19 inches. In North America, the 4 S is available in a wider range of sizes, including 17 and 18 inches.
Hopefully the below video will answer any questions you might have, but as always feel free to ask for more details in the YouTube comment section where I will try and answer every question asked.
Tyre Specifications
PS4
235/40 R19 96Y
DOT: 61AV 00RX 2718
Tread Construction: 1 polyester/2 Steel/1 polyamide
Sidewall Construction: 1 polyester
Weight: 11kgs
Shore Hardness: 73
PS4 S
235/40 R19 96Y
DOT: 6UAV 01AX 2018
Tread Construction: 1 polyester/2 Steel/1 polyamide
Sidewall Construction: 1 polyester
Weight: 11.26kgs
Shore Hardness: 73
Cup 2
235/40 R19 96Y
DOT: 6UAV 01BX 1217
Tread Construction: 1 polyester/2 Steel/1 polyamide
Sidewall Construction: 1 polyester
Weight: 11.14kgs
Shore Hardness: 76
Wheels
Chrome 19" Ford 8J 19 - ET55
ST Wheels 19" Ford 8J 19 - ET55
Hi. Thanks for the great Michelin PS performance comparison tests. I have a mustang 550 with PS4S tyres currently fitted. I am fitting slightly wider wheels and as they are all new plan to fit the 275 40 19 rears on the front and purchase 295 40 19's for the rear. That size is not available in PS4S so would you think there would be a problem fitting PS4 tyres on the rear. The car is driven in average UK conditions, ie stop start traffic and negotiating around potholes! I could go for a 35 profile PS4S rear but that would make it slightly smaller than the front. Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks
I wouldn't want to mix PS4 and PS4s really, though in those sizes there might be less of a difference. Have you checked to see if Sportcontact 6 or F1 SuperSport are available?
I've not looked for another brand as yet, thought it would be best to stick with the same brand on both axles. What do you think of using the 35 profile PS4S. Would the small difference in size be a problem? The only other thing against them is the cost!
It's difficult to advise size changes, I'd stay get on over to an owners forum and see what others have done, as someone will have definitely done it :)
Ok, will do. Thanks for your advice.
Hi, I am currently happy with the ps4s on 19”, but I bought 18” and need 265/35 for the rear, they only came in ps4. I think maybe they are to soft on a rwd 550hp bmw e92. What tyre would you advice? At the fronts I can buy 4s in wished size.
Thanks!
Can you get the F1 SuperSport in your sizes?
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
No it is not availible in the Netherlands. So bit struggling choose the right tire...
If you look on www.bandenspotter.nl, you can see what is availible. Money doesn’t matter. But Michelin cup is not the right tire for the environment here..
I can get Potenza, pzero, conti sport contact 2/3, pilot sport 2 and 4, dunlop, Goodyear ass 5, Hankook.. those bit the high class tires I can get
Tricky. Can you go for something a bit more track bias like a Cup 2? Or even fit a 275 if that gives you more option?
I almost daily drive the car, And weather climate is here 50/50 dry/rain. So dont think that would be a wise choice imo. (Very very happy with ps4s now).
I bought 10j wheel, 255 would stretch to much, and don’t think I can fit 275 without rolling.. also i do not have a tire for just trying haha also I only can get super sport in 275/35, but that would be ok for me I think. What about the pilot sport 2 ? Dry performance is the the main goal, but should be good driveable in rain also? thanks for you advice so far!
PS2 is probably where I'd be looking, but I'm not sure I'd want to match it with a PS4S on the front due to wet performance. Potential for lots of oversteer...
275 and get rolling ;)
Thanks, I will let you know what I will do?
Btw the normal pilot sport 4, you wouldn’t advice? To soft?
They'd grip up just fine, but might feed a bit numb, though in that size they might actually be OK too.
which you will choose for Tesla Model 3 LR 19", PS4 or PS4S?
Sorry I missed this question, what did you pick?
Looking to get new tyres for my 911 (996) C2 with 18" alloys.
Porsche recommend PS2 but I was thinking of getting PS4...any suggestions?
I'd avoid the PS4 on a 911, too soft. PS2 or PSS if they exist in your sizes, as I know the PS4S don't in the UK.
Hi, which out of the 3 would you recommend for a Boxster 981 GTS. They came factory fitted with Goodyears and I have kept it with Goodyear but have seen that Porsche are now using Michelin Pilot Sports Cup 2. My tyre guys are saying that Michelin PS4 are replacing the Cup 2?
Forget the ps4,too soft. I'd fit the PS4S unless it was a track car, then the cup 2
Hi! What tyre pressures did you use on the test? Car manufacturer's recommendations or Michelin's? Was it set at cold tyres and did you measure the pressure when the tyres were warm?
Pressures were set to OE when hot!
How do the Pilot Sport 4 tires compare to the Pilot Super Sports? Sounds like they may be better in the wet, but how do you think they would stack up in the dry?
Hi,
first of all, thank you for all your job you are doing here. I am going to buy new set of tires for my Mazda MX5 NC. As PS4s are not available in R17, what would be your recommendation? Is there something better than PS4 in that price limit? Maybe some hidden gold tip?
That of course depends on what you want from a tyre. Different tyres have different balances, but the PS4 is a very well rounded tyre as all the data on this site shows
I just spent some time by doing research and it looks, that I have new favorite. It will be Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 5. As there is quite big price difference in my country - £25 (205/45/R17). According your tests it looks like very capable tyre. Thank you for all your perfect job!
Let me know how you find them :)
First of all let me thank you for a very detailed and informative review!
I would like your opinion to help me choose the tire for my car. I have a Volvo C70 T5 (year 2008) which has been tuned to 410HP. I also upgraded brakes and suspension (I'm using Bilstein B8 and H&R sport springs). I'm using this car as a grand tourer, I never took it to a track nor I ever plan to, but I do fancy "spirited" driving occasionally, especially on highways. My current summer tyres are Michelin Super Sports which perform really well on dry but much less so on wet, especially on high speeds, and that is the reason why I plan to change them next year. My dilemma is between Michelin Pilot 4 and Conti Sport Contact 6. Which one would you recommend in the size of 235/40R18?
Let me also add that before Super Sports I had Sport Contact 5P, which had good dry and wet grip but steering was a little "numb". I also had a feeling that their sidewalls tend to collapse under the weight of the car (1710 kg) under the heavy cornering. They were also very soft and weared quite quickly.
Cheers,
Krunoslav
If I'm honest, I don't think you'll be disappointed with either the Michelin or the Continental! The PS4 should have a slight wear advantage so I'd probably go with that.
Would you expect the PS4 to wear better than PS4S?
According to this table the PS4S lasts quite a lot.
https://www.tyrereviews.co....
On track I would expect the PS4S to last longer. On the road I expect they would be very similar :)
Will the PS4S be available in 18" in the near future?
There are currently no official plans to import it to the UK in smaller sizes, but never say never.
2 years late, but they now do the 4S in 18" in the UK (in case you missed it).