Pilot Super Sports - stock versus replacement?

[Woodengun]

First - I am a tracking/performance car noob.

Been reading a bit as I would like to track my M4.

A lot of different cars come with PSS as OEM tires....but they are different for different cars? That is the information I am getting from reading posts here and elsewhere.

If so, how do you get the same PSS replacements? Only the BMW dealer has F8x PSS? If I order from tirerack I get a generic PSS tire?

I am so confused...

[gthal]

If you order through TireRack and indicate your car, they will send the BMW specific tires. At the end of the day, BMW PSS or generic PSS likely doesn't matter much.

If you go through the dealer, they also will get BMW specific PSS. Again, if it were me, I wouldn't worry about it.

If you are tracking the M4, as a beginner the PSS are OK but you will quickly come to want something that handles the heat of the track better... AD-08R, RE-11, RE-71R, etc, etc.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by gthal

If you order through TireRack and indicate your car, they will send the BMW specific tires. At the end of the day, BMW PSS or generic PSS likely doesn't matter much.

If you go through the dealer, they also will get BMW specific PSS. Again, if it were me, I wouldn't worry about it.

IMO, there is a non-negligible difference between the F8X specific PSS and the generic PSS. The generic PSS sits squarer on the road and has a much wider contact patch. Further, on the rear 275, the generic PSS has thinner longitudinal grooves in the thread which gives it more rubber on the road but less water evacuation capability compared to the F8X specific one.

See my thread here for more details.

[Woodengun]

Thanks guys. So much to learn!

[gthal]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

IMO, there is a non-negligible difference between the F8X specific PSS and the generic PSS. The generic PSS sits squarer on the road and has a much wider contact patch. Further, on the rear 275, the generic PSS has thinner longitudinal grooves in the thread which gives it more rubber on the road but less water evacuation capability compared to the F8X specific one.

See my thread here for more details.

Agreed... I guess what I was saying was the generic PSS won't hurt if they are used when replacement time comes. Especially for DD street duty.

[FTS]

I have been collecting, as best as i can, reviews of few things, including tires. There is a link for an interesting review of Dunlop Sport Max Race vs. MPSC2 vs. MPSS under the MPSC2 section for anyone interested: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/group.php?groupid=153

[JoeFromPA]

We need someone to replace the M specific PSS with regular PSS and post a review.

My PSS have ~4.5k miles on them now and I am comfortable saying they are producing more road noise than what I am used to from regular PSS in the past.

BMW/Michelin confirmed they altered the tire carcass, tread compound, and tread shape for the M specific PSS - so we don't fully know what the net impact is compared to regular PSS.

[Racer20]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

We need someone to replace the M specific PSS with regular PSS and post a review.

My PSS have ~4.5k miles on them now and I am comfortable saying they are producing more road noise than what I am used to from regular PSS in the past.

BMW/Michelin confirmed they altered the tire carcass, tread compound, and tread shape for the M specific PSS - so we don't fully know what the net impact is compared to regular PSS.

My stock PSS have 4k miles on them as well, and I've also noticed a drop-off in ride quality and road and impact noise recently. I'd say some of it is due to tire wear, and some may be due to the normal break-in of shocks and bushings over the first few thousand miles.

We know they are different, and I have lots of theories about why and how the F80 PSS might be different from the standard PSS but it's all speculation at this point.

The bottom line is that the aftermarket PSS is a really good street performance tire. Using it will result in a different ride and handling compromise from what BMW intended with this car, but depending on your priorities, that may not be a bad thing, and you might not even feel the difference to be honest.

[Hedoniste]

Regarding generics I was forced to install generics PSS in 265/40/18 (w/o FSL) because no 275/40/18* (FSL) were available until mid May / June... I put less than 100 miles on it so I can't give you a good feedback for now...
I will update this post soon and give you a feedback.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Racer20

We know they are different, and I have lots of theories about why and how the F80 PSS might be different from the standard PSS but it's all speculation at this point.

I'd be very interested in reading any "speculation" coming from you

Please share your thoughts.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Hedoniste

Regarding generics I was forced to install generics PSS in 265/40/18 (w/o FSL) because no 275/40/18* (FSL) were available until mid May / June... I put less than 100 miles on it so I can't give you a good feedback for now...
I will update this post soon and give you a feedback.

That's gonna be interesting. Despite being a "narrower" tire, the "generic" 265/40R18 has a 0.7 wider contact patch compared to the "F8X specific" 275/40R18 (according to TireRack.com).

Looking forward to your feedback .

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

BMW/Michelin confirmed they altered the tire carcass, tread compound, and tread shape for the M specific PSS - so we don't fully know what the net impact is compared to regular PSS.

In theory there could be all sorts of differences but does it matter in reality though?

Seems like if someone cared about grip they should just move up to the next level in street tire grip or R tires, and if someone is just commuting get whichever PSS is cheaper or keep it stock and move on....

Or are we saying the BMW OEM version of the PSS will grip like a Bridgestone RE-11, BFG Rival type of tire?