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[dieselmitchell]

I have been waiting to these tires to hit the market for weeks now. My Potenza RFTs were trashed (and i mean TRASHED) at 15k but at Gill's recommendation that the Pilot SS would be one of the best (if not the best) choice for my 135 when they came out. So I decided to take a gamble that the Potenzas would make it until the PSS's came out. The front's were severely bubbled in several places and there was little to no tread left on any of the 4 tires.
However, almost 7k miles later UPS dropped the PSS's off on my porch from TR.

Now I have been running with worn out RFTs for a while now so my opinion is skewed somewhat. Comparing the PSS to a brand new set of Potenzas may result in less of a disparity; however, I have hated the RFTs since I drove the car off of the BMW lot brand new!

The ride quality is vastly improved as many others have noted when switching from RFT to non-RFT. Though the ride is not too soft by any means it feels amazing to me and I drive my car in a "very spirited" manner.
I have to note though that I mostly drive on highway at speeds well above the legal limit and therefore have my tires filled to the 100+ mph recommended air pressure as per the sticker on the inside of the Driver's side door.
Today is the first day that it has not been pouring rain and I am astounded at how much better these tires are than my previous set of Potenzas. Honestly I wish I had these tires all along; I feel I would have gotten a LOT more enjoyment out of the car during the time I was driving it with inferior rubber.
Dry grip is absolutely awesome. I drive the same 75+ miles every day to and from school and therefore know how fast I can drive certain areas of the road and how fast I can go without losing grip and careening off into the barrier.
I have been able to push the car well beyond what I have ever thought and I think as I get more of a feel for the limits of the PSS's that I can push it even further.

Now the wet grip is what really impressed me. I was a bit scared to drive too fast with the RFTs even when they were brand new. I hydroplaned a few times and it got pretty hairy with the Potenzas so I was reluctant to push the car too hard in the wet.
As soon as I had the PSS mounted it started to drizzle and by the time I was on my daily highway drive, it was raining rather steadily. I felt glued to the road. Having just put the tires on I was hesitant to push all that hard in the corners but ran at 100+ for most of my drive with utter confidence. There was no break in contact with the road and no incidents of hydroplaning. Even in the wet the PSS are sticky sticky!

Also as I have read in some of the limited reviews of this tire, there is no slipping when you put it to the floor wiht TC on. I have not taken the TC off yet because I am not eager to spin the 600$ worth of tires i have in the back haha. But from my experience with the TC on I do not think that they would spin that much if at all.

This is my 4th day with the tires and it is only getting better as I am learning just how far I can push the PSS.


I absolutely LOVE these tires! If you are in the market for a new set of rubber you really have to buy these tires. If you don't you are a fool IMHO

Later

[dieselmitchell]

oh forgot sizes:
225 40 18 - Front
255 35 18 - Rear

[Dackelone]

Just wait until you put 500 miles on them! You will be really amazed on how well the tires feel. I have PS3's and I am really in-Love with them. Simply amazing tires. I don't miss RFT at all either.

[dieselmitchell]

bump

[Bimmer_Freak]

So you guys don't feel increased bodyroll and sloppy steering with the non-RFTs?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Freak

So you guys don't feel increased bodyroll and sloppy steering with the non-RFTs?

No. At very high speeds over 100 mph there is less direct turn in than with run flats. But it really is not that noticeable. Before with run flats you just turned the steering wheel just off center and the car would turn. Now you have to turn the wheel a few more degrees before you notice turn in.

But for that little trade off the benifits are huge! The ride is so much nicer and the car just doesn't bounce as much as it did with runflats. Sometimes with the run flats I could feel the rear wheels hanging in the air or feel the DSC kicking in. On those same roads now... you really have to provoke the car to get the DCT to come on and blink at ya. Now the tires seem to work better at absorbing bumps dips in the road.

By no means are the sidewalls soft - with my PS3's. The ride is still stiff... just alot better than with old runflats.


IF anyone is gonna stick with runflats(RSC) you should also look for that STAR logo on the sidewall. That will denoted that tire has been tuned for BMW suspensions. It is kind of like how Porsche OE tires have a N1, N2, ect rating. BMW uses that "Star" logo. My 17" winter tires don't have that star and they rode harder over bumps than my 18" oe "star logo" Dunlap tires.

Dackel

[dieselmitchell]

Dackelone what sizes of the PS3s did you put on?

[dieselmitchell]

increased bodyroll/sloppy steering negatives are negligible. also i think because i have the tires inflated to the upward bounds of PSI the softness is not an issue
however, today I find myself cringing when unavoidable bumps and humps make their way into my path because I am used to the SLAMM! of the RFT's though now I am not being abused on a daily basis by road imperfections... good riddance to bad rubbish (RFTs)

[fryguy]

It took me a little while to get used to being able to go over bumps again too.

I've had my PSS for about a week now and the breakin has been tremendous. I'm still loving them.

I'm convinced that the wet grip of the PSS is better than the dry grip of the stock runshits. THAT'S how much better I feel the grip is on the PSS.

As for steering response/roll, it is barely noticable, especially if you are running slightly higher PSI, and especially after "getting used to it"

Seriously ZERO regrets about switching to PSS.

[dieselmitchell]

+1.... million

[SiN55]

I done the job. Michelin PS2 + KW3 coilovers.

Problem with non RFT tires on 135i is because of OEM setup of the car. If tire is softier (like non RFT) you must compensate with other parts of suspension.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by maxnix

If one does so, one will not fit the 225/255 larger sizes as BMW does not endorse them. I am not sure if BMW endorses any PS2 ZP sizes.

BMW only endorses the OE sizes: 215/245's runflats. They won't even put non runflats on a car!

Michelin does also make a 225/245 combo, either in runflats or non runflats. Technically a 245 size tire is as wide as you can go on a 8.5 inch wide (rear)wheel. At least according to the German TUV over here.

I went with a 225/255 combo on my OE sized wheels. No regrets at all.

[Metralha]

Just bought new 18" rings and the PS3 XL - Extra loaded will be the next tires in my 120d

225 40 18 - Front
255 35 18 - Rear

I hope to report good things soon as the roads in Portugal are terrible for the RFT - DTC is always lighting

just a doubt PS3 and PSS are the same kind of tyre or different model?

[Bimmer_Freak]

Originally Posted by Metralha

just a doubt PS3 and PSS are the same kind of tyre or different model?

Is it Pilot Sport 3? In Australia we have both Pilot Sport 3 AND Pilot Super Sports. http://www.michelin.com.au/tyre/pattern/PassengerCar

So they must be different.

[Metralha]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Freak

Is it Pilot Sport 3? In Australia we have both Pilot Sport 3 AND Pilot Super Sports. http://www.michelin.com.au/tyre/pattern/PassengerCar

So they must be different.

OK thanks,
Yes i meant Pilot Sport 3
just confirmed in Portuguese Michelin Site and we also have both

http://www.michelin.pt/pt/front/affi...20060215120720

we also have the pilot sport cup specially designed for Porsche and M's

"MICHELIN Pilot Super Sport is specially designed for super sport cars and ultra high performance tuning"

Well i drive a 120d not a 135i therefore i'll stay with the PS3 XL

[vanbmw]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW only endorses the OE sizes: 215/245's runflats. They won't even put non runflats on a car!

Michelin does also make a 225/245 combo, either in runflats or non runflats. Technically a 245 size tire is as wide as you can go on a 8.5 inch wide (rear)wheel. At least according to the German TUV over here.

I went with a 225/255 combo on my OE sized wheels. No regrets at all.

I thought the M seriies cars are non-runflats. I could be wrong but I thought the M3 has Pilot PS2 stock that are not run flat and the new M5 is going to have Pilot Super Sports.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by maxnix

You are correct. The new 1M has PS2 (now ironically out of date design) with no spare.

Also the Continental Sport Contact 3. It comes with one or the other.

[Focusedintntions]

I want these when my Dunlops wear out!

[dieselmitchell]

you should put them on as soon as you can... it is almost scary how far you can push the 135 with these tires

[fboutlaw]

Originally Posted by dieselmitchell

you should put them on as soon as you can... it is almost scary how far you can push the 135 with these tires

Really looking forward to picking my set of PSS's up on Monday. I went with 255/275 setup (arc-8 wheels) and am banking on no fit issues, but time will tell. Pics coming when I get the setup correct.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dieselmitchell

Dackelone what sizes of the PS3s did you put on?

I went with PS3's in a 225/255 setup.


225/40ZR18 EL 92Y TL
255/35ZR18 EL 94Y TL



Dackel

[chachacha28]

if they came in a 245/35/18, my credit card company would be in love with me right now.