centexsi

Hey all,

I am curious what everyones opinion is on these two Michelin tires. I have lots of experience with the PSS's and I love them - I've had them on another 996, a Boxster and a Panamera. There is a ton of info about them out there but not so much on the Sport Cup 2's. My Turbo mostly hangs out in the garage and I drive it on the weekends and take it to the track occasionally. It never sees the cold or wet roads. Does anyone have any experience with these Michelin tires and have some good info to compare the two?

mark_schnell

I plan on getting experience with both, so I'll subscribe to see what people say. I use Pilot Super Sport's on my BMWs and have been very satisfied. Tire Rack apparently rates Super Sport #1 and SP2 #2, with no rating on Cup 2s. Someone told me to just look at the wear rating - the lower the better for traction, but those stickier compounds don't last as long.


The Cup 2s have a wear rating of 180 vs. 220 for PS2, vs. 300 for Pilot Super Sport. So the Cup 2 and PS2 will both wear faster than I'm used to. The lowest wear rating on Tire Rack for a tire that will fit the 996TT is for Continental ContiForceContact at 80. That's better than Toyo's track-only Proxes R888R tire at 100.


All the tires mentioned here say that they're not intended to be driven or stored near freezing temperatures. The PS2 is the only one of those I mentioned here that doesn't come with a warning not to use them in rain where there might be a threat of hydroplaning.

manimal

I love the PSS, but sadly, they don't come in correct sizes for Turbo/GT2.

911mhawk

I recently mounted a set of PSS's in 245/40 & 315/30 to have for street on some longer drives. The reduced noise and ability to handle water better than an R comp is why I bought them (and the fact that the 315 came available).

If you're not stuck on Michelin go with a set of NT-01s in the same size above for stock wheels and don't look back if you're only in the dry. They wear a lot longer than you'd believe with a mix of track and street (I got about >5k on the street with some track days in there the first year I had my car). Cost is better too $494/pair delivered:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-315-30...+Diameter%3A18

They are the only tires I've used since the first set of Michelin's wore out and if it weren't for the fact that I occasionally drive on windy roads where water may be around a bend I would not have bought them. Hit standing water mid bend on slick Nt-01's once and you'll get it. They get better until they're near cording too.

"02996ttx50

this may be a dumb question! but you sure(?) you got PSS in 315/30/18?

i ask as i was able to run 235/40 fronts but had to pair with a PS2 315/30. is this a new availability in 315/30? for if so, that's terrific as they are a great tire for the car. though *similar* to ps2 I'm sure. if you DID find 315/30/18 PSS? please tell me where. thx.

ADD: btw.. i need rears and I'm not in love w the r888 ( but they stick and theyre cheap.. ) but your eBay link http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-315-30...+Diameter%3A18 also shows the pair of nt01's for $594.00 not 494(?!) 494 would be a great deal! and i'm ready to try 'em.. better at 494 for two lol

Turbodan

btw not a fan but R888s are rated for street use.

911mhawk

I included the big picture to see sidewall and the tread.
They read "Pilot Sport"
I can look at them again to see if there's and S or 2 on them somewhere..or check paperwork to see if it matches what I ordered. I thought I ordered PS2 but really didn't care as long as they were street Pilots in some summer version with a current year date code. They are.
Discount Tire had 315 for a few, they were unavailable for a looong time, local mgr here is awesome - Greg

"02996ttx50

got it. thx.. you probably(?) got ps2's then. theyre awfully close and tread's similar looking even...pretty sure "pilot sport" is the ps2 and pilot super sport ( PSS? ) .. i know they offer PSS in 235/40..just not the rears..

just wondered as that'd be a great option 315/30 if available.

mark_schnell

Tire Rack doesn't seem to think so.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/toyo-tires.jsp

manimal

Yep, Pilot Super Sport is the "newer version" of the Pilot Sport 2. If they came in 315 I would run them.

I read a rumor on another forum that Michelin might have updated the compound of the latest PS2 (ie., the N4) to be the same as the PSS. I'm really curious if there's any truth to that, but I think it was just a rumor.

The question for me is whether to go for the Falken RT-615K+'s or the BFG Rivals in 245/40/18 + 315/30/18 when my PS2's wear out. I wish there were more tires available in that combo.

Ck986

Has anyone tried 225/45 and 295/35/18
I think the ratio was 802 to 797 revs. The super sports are available in this size.

Third-Reef

I am running those sizes in contisport DWS . Seems to be ok but I have no comparison. Did a track day and and the handling seemed ok with stock suspension. Will not do it again as the size stagger is not right according to Porsche. There is a reason they recommend the stagger, they are smart guys.

"02996ttx50

i'm not sure you're right about the PSS being the "newer" version of the PS2?

it appears to be a different tire altogether? the PS2 is still made and as you say, has a newer designation of "N4". or at least that's what the last front set i got had embossed on the sidewall.

"02996ttx50

do you know how this translates into a difference in width btw that and the 315/30? my concern isn't front to back ratio's, but rather width.

wait, so thats ( 295 ) more "narrow" but a bit "taller" than 315/30? math isn't my strongest suit lol

add: before i confuse anyone else since I'm already there .. it seems the discussion involves now 3 tires. the pss/ps2 and cup sport's 2's

is there any 315/30 besides the ps2? never seen 'em, if so...

mark_schnell

315 is wider than 295. The 30 is a ratio between sidewall height and width, so if they are both 30, then the 315/30 is both wider and taller.

If you still have a viscous coupling and front diff you want the rears to be not quite as tall (outside diameter) as the fronts, so the rears rotate more than the fronts within a certain % to "preload" the VC and not cook the viscous gel. At least that's what other threads say...