03-25-2012, 09:29 AM | #1 |
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1M Pilot Super Sport initial review
I swapped out my PS2s for Michelin PSSs in stock sizes on the 19" wheels a few days ago. Even though I've had PSSs on other cars, I'm still amazed at the difference these tires make. If I didn't know, I'd think I was driving a different car.
First, the bad: The turn in on the PSS is noticeably slower, and the car feels a fair bit less precise than with the PS2s. I suspect this is down to a significantly softer sidewall. I've always felt the 1M is extremely responsive for a stock front engined car; these tires noticeably increase the on-center dead area in the steering, and driven in the same way as the PS2s you'd be missing apexes by feet with the PSS- you need to adjust your driving style to turn in earlier. I have not played with upping the pressures yet. That's it for the bad, on to the good: First, grip: The PSS is much, much sticker, especially noticeable in putting power down. As someone who always drives with TC off, I can say that I have never stuck 1st gear with PS2s. That is not the case with PSS, and better yet when they do break away it is very progressive. When PS2s let go they really let go, sending the rpms to redline rapidly and/ or putting the car very sideways. The PSSs, on the other hand, are still doing lots and lots of gripping even when they are slipping. Suddenly the car is much easier to drive on and over the limit, with much more confidence that the car will not "snap" away from you even in bad conditions. Even in the wet: Wet performance: Outrageously good. I did 14 laps at a very wet autocross yesterday with the Porsche club, my first autocross in the BMW. My friend and I were comparing A Stock cars back to back, his Cayman S vs my 1M, we were both on identical Pilot Super Sports, and we were the only cars there to have them. There were 44 cars, including a number of Porsche GT3s (one on hoosier wets), Porsche 996/ 997 turbos, M3s, a brand new 400+ hp Porsche 991 S, etc. Of all those cars on various wet tires, my totally stock 1M came in 2nd overall, and my friend in his Cayman took TTOD. I wish I could say it was all driver, and we are both good, but we both clearly had an advantage using the PSSs. I'd guess I would have been 3 seconds slower on the PS2s, and it would have been very difficult to drive with the TC off. With the PSS it was no problem, including holding long slides in the wet through puddles with power on. Comfort: The PSS rides noticeably better. Wear: Too early to say on the 1M, but on my previous car I got at least 2x the life vs the PS2. Overall I think BMW made a big mistake not putting these tires on stock. It was almost as if the car was designed for them. I do wish the car was a little sharper with them on, but overall that's a small price to pay. I have a set of 18" wheels with Hankook R-S3s waiting to go on the car next to test; I expect them to be even stickier in the dry, no where near as good in the wet. The PSSs have set a very high bar for them to exceed. I'd call a switch to PSSs a "must do" mod, even if you have a little life left in your PS2s. Get those things off as soon as practical, you won't be disappointed...
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03-25-2012, 11:32 AM | #3 |
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Great Review, thanks!
I am about to put my PS2's back on today. I have never really "driven" the car without my winters on. Out of curiosity, would PS2's up front and PSS's on the rear be completely stupid? Would that would solve the turn in issue you described while maintained the better grip on the rear end? Since we can't rotate our tires anyway... Maybe it's a stupid question, but I would like the best all around I could get! Dave |
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03-25-2012, 11:41 AM | #4 | |
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03-25-2012, 01:42 PM | #5 |
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In regards to the loss of turn in response with the PSS's... did you go with XL rated sidewalls? When I bought my PS3's last year (over here in Germany) Michelin makes the same tire with and without the XL rated sidewalls. I was told this is for better turnin response AND to compesate when switching from RFT to non-RFT's. Just a thought.
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03-25-2012, 01:45 PM | #6 |
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thnx for the review, i cant wait to switch over to PSS's
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03-25-2012, 02:50 PM | #7 | |
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I don't know how many miles he had on them but mine are getting better in every way, as expected. I just can't say it for sure about the "sharpness" and turn-in issue since I did not track these tires and didn't have a drop of rain here since December (I am with the PSS since new year and around 1100-1150 kms on them). His very good and more comprehensive impressions (compared to my old thread on PSS with the 1M) almost totally confirm my impressions about this tire, as I always said that BMW's choice of not putting PSS as stock tire can only be explained by a) tires were really not ready at the time of pre-production like one M engineer or executive once stated, b) it was too easy and cheap to go with the M3 Competition Pack stocks, commercial logic and c) Who wants (or wanted) a 1M performing better than a stock M3? And probably all of these alternative explanations were correct. Thanks for the post Pete, please tell more about your next tire pressures, in fact I also feel that PSS seem to need different pressures than PS2, just didn't start experimenting yet. |
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03-26-2012, 07:08 AM | #9 |
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Agree completely with OP's review.
I ran a set of PSS this past weekend on VIR. 265/35-18 front/285-35-18 rear on Apex wheels. After I figured out tire pressures (ended up 28 cold/38 hot), they were pretty terrific --and really excellent in the wet. Not the same turn-in and ultimate grip as the DOT-R tires that are my frame of reference on the track, but very predictable and consistent. And pretty damn comfortable for the street. I'll be running this set in this year's One Lap of America. Neil |
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03-26-2012, 07:22 AM | #10 | |
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I think the reason I like the RS3s are good bang for the buck but if they last 1/2 as long as the PSS, it may make the PSS a better choice? |
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03-26-2012, 08:50 AM | #11 |
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I am just thinking of changing the rears over for now to the PSS, I have noticed with the PS2's MDM and M button engaged the rear on launching is very slap happy as traction brakes easily sending you somewhat sideways, as fun as it is but I wont to be able to harness and use the power being created not just show my skid marks
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03-26-2012, 08:50 AM | #12 | |
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Of course, your mileage may vary... Neil |
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03-26-2012, 11:05 AM | #13 | |
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03-26-2012, 11:46 AM | #15 | |
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I will be having a set of PSS put on the rears this Thursday so will let you know how I get on with them on Sunday at MBW!! Last edited by h-manuk; 03-26-2012 at 12:32 PM.. |
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03-26-2012, 11:55 AM | #16 | |
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03-26-2012, 12:09 PM | #17 |
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Thx for the review, Pete, and valuable observations both on track and in real world everyday conditions. I have the PSSs on my Audi and hands down the best tire I have had, you wouldn't think an AWD needs additional grip but they too transformed the car in only positive ways.
A question: did you consider doing with the M3 GTS fitment given it is the same exact wheels as ours (IIRC 255/35 + 285/30 fitment). And cons on going that route?
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03-26-2012, 12:29 PM | #18 | |
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03-26-2012, 12:37 PM | #19 | |
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03-27-2012, 03:43 AM | #20 |
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03-27-2012, 12:57 PM | #21 | |
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great update... I think it best if we don't ASSUME what options the engineers had available, in making statements such as " BMW should have put these on from the beginning". Bottom line though, is that there seems to be no reason to replace the PS2s with anything other than PSS. Better wear, better grip, better ride, and 50% better price... only negative is slightly less turn in.. Last edited by M3 Adjuster; 03-27-2012 at 01:09 PM.. |
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03-27-2012, 01:29 PM | #22 |
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Alright guys I'm doing it. Gonna order with my credit line from Discount Tire.
PSS's 265/30R19 and 295/30R19. Mounted on stock wheels. Hope they don't rub! Is this a stupid idea? |
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