Michelin Rubber For 8 1/2 X 17" Wheels ?

[discopotato03]

Hi all , I have the same sized wheels and tyres on my GTS25T and Evolution 6 (8 1/2 x 17 with 235 45s) and I want new rear rubber for the Skyline . I like Michelin so please don't say use this or that brand instead .

The Skyline currently has Pilot Preceda 2s and the Evo Pilot sport 3s which I think replaced the PP2s . The thing is that Michelin do some 17" sizes in PS2s and others in PS3s and also a few not advertised here in Pilot Super Sports which I think is their upmarket road tyre ATM . I think the current situation is 235 45 in PS3 , 255 40 in PS2 , and the PSS in 245 45 .

I'm looking for more rear end traction and width wise the 255 40 PS2 sounds the goods , until you read reviews on the PSS where everyone reckons fantastic traction . I have not seen a comparison between PS2 255 40s and PSS 245 45s and I really wish Michelin did a 255 40 17 in PSSs .

Prices here are what you'd expect but looking OS at "the rack" makes me feel better . BTW Michelin doesn't show 245 45 17 PSS on their local site .

Thoughts ?

Cheers A .

[a20089]

Run PS3's on a Falcon and Pilot sport cups on the GTR. I recently changed from the preceda to the PS3's. The PS3's are great for the falcon (slightly undersized 235's as opposed to stock 245's due to the huge price difference). Unless you are really pushing the PS3's or have huge amounts of power they will be fine. the PSC's however I'm far from impressed with they are semi slick on a track car. Would go the federal FZ201 semi slick next time.

[discopotato03]

Any other opinions on Michelin Pilot sport 2s 3s and Pilot Super Sports ?

A .

[Ronin 09]

I've got PS2s on my R32GTR in a 255 though. Have been very happy with them - quiet and ok even at the track. Fall over a bit on the blocks at the track but it's a road tyre so what do you want? They held up well though and didn't chunk or anything.

Seems to have pretty good dry and wet grip.

HTH

[discopotato03]

Choices choices and they fall amongst the Mitchy types , PP2 PP3 and PSS .

Pilot Sport 2s have been around for a while and some even claim they were a bit of a benchmark for a performance road car . I suppose the size to get is the 255 40 . Getting pricing ATM and off top of my suppliers head was 350-400 .

Pilot sport 3s are a later development and reviewers claim a better wet road tyre that traded some ultimate dry surface grip . My Evo 6 has these in 235 45 and they work really well on that . They are also available here in a 245 45 but the damage is about 90 more each . I think the 235 were ~ 250 ea .

Michelins current stick master is of course their Pilot Super Sport available in 245 40 and 245 45 . Not available here yet and the cost from the US + "shipping" runs to nearly 750 for two 245 45s .

The pain is always price and the variation here is 125 , 250 vs 375 .

So 235 45 PS3 vs 245 45 PS3 vs 255 40 PS2 vs 245 45 PSS .

Shits me up the wall what we pay retail for tyres compared to US and its not like they are made in America ...

A .

[a20089]

If you really want a sent of Pilot super sports, there's a couple of mobs in melbourne that can get you some. (same of the pilot sports cup's) It would be cheaper to buy from tirerack though.

[levinboy]

Running Pilot super sports everyday great treadwear rating 300, absolute fantastic tyres even survived on the track.

Have had Ps2s on my old car and the super sports are a big step ahead of an already good tyre

[discopotato03]

Rubs hands together , may have 4 PSS on the way (sea) in about 6 weeks time if things line up . Good price too .

A .

[Ronin 09]

Shits me up the wall what we pay retail for tyres compared to US and its not like they are made in America ...

A .

Aus distys and retailers gouging. GST blamed. What's new

[discopotato03]

I think the big issue is the Multinationals have made a habit of charging more to their Australian agents . If retailers pay more they have to charge more and guess who gets the damage .

With "shipping" the drama seems to be air freight and if you get stuff sent by sea it appears to cost less .

A .

[discopotato03]

Having some suspension work done today , ride height going up from the original settings (SK Whiteline Bilstein kit) . Gary told me than when he originally set these kits up the users were supposed to come back after 1000 km to have the height checked because they tended to settle in the front . The feller I bought this car off didn't do this and it measured up a bit front low .

I'm really tired of driving over humps and driveways at 0.1 KM/h and so the height is going up two or even three circlip grooves if they are available . I did ask Gary about increasing front roll stiffness and he said going up will increase this because at the current height the front control arms actually angle up towards the hubs which isn't real good .

I've also had tyre rubbing issues though they mainly showed up going from 235/45 to 245/45/17 tyres .

Just on tyres these Michelin Pilot Super Sports have not worn terribly well (rear) and drive traction isn't as good as I hoped they would be . Handling wet and dry has been really good though I don't tend to drive like a maniac on the street . I looked around for 255/40/17s in Michys and it seems they are available in a Pilot sport 2 . They do a 265/40/17 as well though not sure if thats getting too much for an 8 1/2" rim or if they would rub on things as well .

Thoughts on this , cheers Adrian .

Edited July 1, 2013 by discopotato03

[niZmO_Man]

I wouldn't go wider than 255 on a 8.5" wide wheel.

[hardsteppa]

I just got the Pilot sport 3's in a 235/45/17 yesterday....pouring rain so far so only tried in wet, but wow, makes the Toyo Proxes 4's seem like a deathtrap now. Very good grip in wet, will see how dry traction goes, but are super quiet too by comparison.

[discopotato03]

Yeah the Evo 6 has PS3s in 235/45/17 and they are quiet and grip well , rather different dynamics compared to a GTS25T . Also I don't think Michelin made PS3s in 255/40/17 but I will check . And check OS suppliers because Michelin doesn't always bring in all sizes of each tire type ie PSS in 245/45/17 .

The suspension issue may have been a collapsed rear Bilstein damper (leaked gas and oil) , haven't got the full story yet .

A .