3.3TT Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs 4 S Tires be Careful When Buying

[ScottM]

Do you notice them being quieter at all?

They seem the same to me. BUT...I didn't notice the PS4 to be loud either, at least not compared to what some folks have said here. One thing is for sure, they are softer.

 

[Cashie]

From what I have learned, a misconception on treadwear ratings is that 300 equals 300 equals 300. Apparently the rating is only relative to other tires from the same manufacturer. Conti's 280 is not necessarily equal to Michelin's 280. The Conti 280 may be substantially lower than Michelin's 320, or maybe close, it's a toss up.

Maybe correct however I assumed the above numbers to be comparable based on the fact Kia shifted from the Continentals to the Michelins for the Stinger this year due to the increased wear of the Continentals.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Maybe correct however I assumed the above numbers to be comparable based on the fact Kia shifted from the Continentals to the Michelins for the Stinger this year due to the increased wear of the Continentals.

A change of tire brand can be many factors such as desired performance characteristics, maximum speed ratings, comfort, etc. There is also the possibility (I don't have evidence, but suspicion) that some tire choices may be based on incentives from tire manufacturers to use their tires on a particular car. From a purchasing standpoint, the tire that meets the fit, form and function and has the best price and is available would likely be the tire of choice. I think for the Michelin Pilot Sport tires, they have quite a reputation behind that name and putting them on a car almost seems like a marketing gimmick at this point (albeit they are great tires).

Side note, I was surprised to see the Stinger GT in the earlier iterations did not get Pilot Sport 4's in every locale, and that some places you'd expect the Michelin, did not get it as standard. You'd think Canada of all places, where we only get AWD, might have been equipped with an all season rather than a full blown summer tire...because we get legit winter.

 

[Cashie]

A change of tire brand can be many factors such as desired performance characteristics, maximum speed ratings, comfort, etc. There is also the possibility (I don't have evidence, but suspicion) that some tire choices may be based on incentives from tire manufacturers to use their tires on a particular car. From a purchasing standpoint, the tire that meets the fit, form and function and has the best price and is available would likely be the tire of choice. I think for the Michelin Pilot Sport tires, they have quite a reputation behind that name and putting them on a car almost seems like a marketing gimmick at this point (albeit they are great tires).

Side note, I was surprised to see the Stinger GT in the earlier iterations did not get Pilot Sport 4's in every locale, and that some places you'd expect the Michelin, did not get it as standard. You'd think Canada of all places, where we only get AWD, might have been equipped with an all season rather than a full blown summer tire...because we get legit winter.

It was widely reported here that our tyres were changed to the Michelins due to tyre wear.
Exclusive: Kia Stinger gets a second exhaust option, tyre upgrade

Car makers no doubt have incentives from tyre manufacturers, no different to the tyre dealers themselves recommending tyres on incentives and/or profit margins.

 

[Chucky]

Erm.. that is not the correct size either. 255/35, not 55

correct

 

[oddball]

The Pilot Sport 4 is an OEM tire. Several tire companies and car manufacturers do this. A special variant of a tire will be spec'd for OEM use. You can buy replacement PS4 tires but they're a bit harder to find and a bit more expensive.
The PS4 and PS4S have the same tread pattern but use different compounds. The PS4S has a longer tread life. That's something else I've noticed- the OEM tires tend to have a shorter life than their equivalent market tire. Same situation on my wife's '16 Volvo with Pirelli Scorpions.

Mixing PS4 and PS4S isn't a big deal unless you're doing serious track work. I was grabbing whatever was most convenient when I was puncturing sidewalls all the time.

 

[Ozstung]

Ive got say the conti 5's which were standard on the car have been great. Good grip, smooth but as Ty was saying the turn in is laboured I really notice it. So far I've done close to 18,000km's and the wear is not to bad except the front wheel edges have worn down significantly . Maybe next time Ps4 on the front and conti's on the back?

 

[Revvdmedia]

That's something else I've noticed- the OEM tires tend to have a shorter life than their equivalent market tire. Same situation on my wife's '16 Volvo with Pirelli Scorpions.

That's something I have noticed to and I've heard the same complaints in my social circles. My most recent experience were the Continental tires on my wife's Santa Fe. I think they only have about 40,000kms on them and they need to be replaced at the end of the season. In my experience, a standard commuter all season tire should last no less than 60,000kms even for a compound that wears quickly. Heck, there are tires out there now that carry a treadwear warranty for 130,000kms from my recollection, so 40,000 is just abysmal.

 

[G70 Owner]

Maybe next time Ps4 on the front and conti's on the back?

only if you like snap oversteer

 

[SeanFL]

Need new tires on my GT2 AWD. Anyone have thoughts on the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ vs the 4 or 4S? I had the A/S 3+ on a Lexus IS350 and they were fine; they also have 50 percent longer warranty (45,000, halved to 22k for split fitment) vs the 4S 30,000 (also halved to 15k). Price is near the same. Live in Florida and don't track or drive it overly aggressive.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Need new tires on my GT2 AWD. Anyone have thoughts on the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ vs the 4 or 4S? I had the A/S 3+ on a Lexus IS350 and they were fine; they also have 50 percent longer warranty (45,000, halved to 22k for split fitment) vs the 4S 30,000 (also halved to 15k). Price is near the same. Live in Florida and don't track or drive it overly aggressive.

If you don't track the car and don't regularly drive it hard I think all season tires are plenty sufficient for day to day driving, and they last longer. Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is a well rated tire from my recollection.

 

[BBAStinger]

I have Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 tyres fitted to my Stinger. Original tyres were Continentals and these wore fast. Mind you, had these Hankook tyres fitted January all round and just been back to them for another rear pair this last week. The wear was phenomenal and use the car to commute. Got 13000km from the rear tyres and thought this rather poor. Shop has rechecked and performed another wheel alignment as LHR was rather more worn than RHR while front pair still plenty meaty and in good condition. I drive mainly highway/freeway at 100km/h with a small amount of city work covering 65km each way five days a week. No track work, no drifting, no burnouts...driven in ECO mode most of the time. Tyres are great, grip and handling very good but seem to wear quite fast. I am suspicious that the shop got the initial alignment screwed up as they spent some time with the car after fitting the new rear set. Anyone with similar stories?
Car is RWD GT with staggered 19’s....

 

[Buzz]

I have both the AS3+ and PS4s, and really like both.

(Caveat, I downsized to symmetrical 18 inch wheels and increased the sidewall to 235 /45 R18 98V on the AS3s)

Really loving how they drive, love how they wear compared to the 4s. I had both on a Miata earlier and double the treadwear is no lie. In conditions under 40 degrees the traction increase on the AS series is exceptionally noticeable as the 4s (as advertised) turn to hockey pucks below freezing.

In the warm and the wet, I never feel like I'm at the edge as they are both great tires, I imagine you wouldn't see the difference until you track them, but I drive like an idiot every opportunity I get and never lack traction, never chirp, never slip.

The AS3s are also terrible in snow, these are not conventional "All Seasons" they are 3 seasons + winters that get down to freezing but with clean roads. You would use them as Spring/Summer/Fall tires if you lived in the north, without having to worry on cold mornings. Hitting an unexpected bit of ice and slush in them was a pucker moment where traction control was the only thing keeping things straight.

I intended to keep my PS4s and swap them out in summer, but it's summer now and I really don't feel the need.

Increasing the sidewall really did wonders for the ride quality and road noise as well but that's another topic.

 

[nhcowboy28]

The AS3s are also terrible in snow, these are not conventional "All Seasons" they are 3 seasons + winters that get down to freezing but with clean roads.

I concur.

AS3+ suck donkey balls in snow.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I have Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 tyres fitted to my Stinger. Original tyres were Continentals and these wore fast. Mind you, had these Hankook tyres fitted January all round and just been back to them for another rear pair this last week. The wear was phenomenal and use the car to commute. Got 13000km from the rear tyres and thought this rather poor. Shop has rechecked and performed another wheel alignment as LHR was rather more worn than RHR while front pair still plenty meaty and in good condition. I drive mainly highway/freeway at 100km/h with a small amount of city work covering 65km each way five days a week. No track work, no drifting, no burnouts...driven in ECO mode most of the time. Tyres are great, grip and handling very good but seem to wear quite fast. I am suspicious that the shop got the initial alignment screwed up as they spent some time with the car after fitting the new rear set. Anyone with similar stories?
Car is RWD GT with staggered 19’s....

Howdy and welcome. Lots of "tire stories" on here. Your tire wear seems excessive if you are accurately describing your driving style. But do you corner "spiritedly"? Because (especially a RWD) the rears will always wear down noticeably quicker than the fronts on a staggered arrangement. But enjoying the handling will definitely increase the more rapid wear in the rear. I got c. 18K miles out of my OE rear Michelin summer tires; and another 4K out of the fronts. After seeing excessive wear to the outer edge of the FL tire (while the center still had 3-5mm of tread left), I decided to increase psi to 40 all around, which means that the tires warm up to the mid 40s psi. This MIGHT increase center tread wear enough to even the wear out across the tread. So, this second set of Michelins are an experiment.