Gary D
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My car recently went for a service and I was advised to replace my fronts as they were down to 2.9mm (I don’t normally take them down passed 2.5mm as I’m a big fan of good tyres – after all they are the only thing between you and a big “off” if things go the shape of a pear.)
As my son in law works at Birmingham’s biggest tyre warehouse so I decided to do some research and go and see him. When I started my research everything pointed me in the direction of a particular tyre, I read and watched everything I could and took advice from the guys where my son in law works. I made my choice and had them fitted last Saturday. Since then I’ve driven around 500 miles on them and I thought I’d share my thoughts with you good people.
· Ford Focus ST (Mk3 2016)
· Tyres: 235/35 R19Y
· From: Factory Fitted - Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3)
· To Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (PS4S)
The first thing to say is that they only come in sizes 19 inch and above so if you have a car with smaller wheels you can click away now – unless you like reading about tyres. Apparently, they are coming in 17 & 18 inch sizes next year
The following is subjective and based on my own experience. Although I should point out that when my other half drove my car on Sunday and she commented on how different the car felt. She drives a Fiesta ST200 so she knows a good handling car when she gets into one and she was very impressed. I was pleased that she commented as it proved to me that I wasn't just imagining what I was feeling.
As I live in the country I have access to some great B roads. The roads I drive for fun I know like the back of hand. I have a few laid out “laps” from my home that range from around 6 miles all the way up to about 44 miles depending on my mood. They provide a good collection of challenging conditions; long straights, complex collections of fast corners, slow, tight corners and sweeping bends. All of which are accompanied by large elevation changes and variable tarmac conditions.
So how are they? In a word – astonishing! They have completely changed the driving experience. I've always loved my car but to have it get even better with a simple (expensive)upgrade is a bonus.
Comfort: 19 inch wheels are never going to be the most comfy experience but the comfort level has improved and the ride is a little more compliant. I haven’t noticed that much difference in noise levels either. The car has never been the quietest in the world anyway so I’m not concerned about that, but its no worse than it was on the PS3's.
Overall acceleration: launch & in gear acceleration has improved notably, they grab at the road in a very effective way and you can feel her biting into the tarmac. There is one particular corner on one of my laps that would always make the back end step out if the driver aids were turned off, on the PS4S's there is no hint of he stepping out. I actually giggled when I realised. She also feels much more stable and "planted" at speed.
Cornering: GRIP, GRIP, GRIP!!! This is night and day compared to the PS3’s she came fitted with. Grip was always good but the PS4S is on another level entirely. The FoST is not prone to body roll as she has an excellent chassis but now she seems to corner even flatter through a fast bends, it's like she on rails. She gives you loads of grip, then gives you some more grip and then suddenly finds some more at the back of cupboard to give you. She has always reacted well to the slightest steering input but with the PS4S's this has gone up a notch. Jinking round a rogue Peasant early on Sunday morning was over before I knew it and with no drama at all.
Braking: It’s all well and good being able to corner faster with more grip but if you can’t stop then that is a bit of issue. I’m happy to report that braking has also improved. She could get a bit out of shape under heavy braking but this seems to have largely disappeared now.
Tyre Life: I can’t comment right now but they are guaranteed up to 30k by Michelin.
Wet Performance: I’ve not had chance to drive in the wet yet but reviews suggest that performance is class leading.
Conclusion: If you drive a performance car and are in the market for a new set of boots I can heartily recommend the PS4S, you should at least have them on your shortlist. They are expensive but the smiles per mile that they have given me is worth every penny. Add to that the confidence you get from knowing you have the ultimate performance tyre under you gives you a warm glow (and I'm not talking about wetting yourself in a hairy moment. )
As they are designed for Super Cars they are probably overkill on a FoST, but I got them at a great price so hey what's the harm and so far I've loved every minute
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
As my son in law works at Birmingham’s biggest tyre warehouse so I decided to do some research and go and see him. When I started my research everything pointed me in the direction of a particular tyre, I read and watched everything I could and took advice from the guys where my son in law works. I made my choice and had them fitted last Saturday. Since then I’ve driven around 500 miles on them and I thought I’d share my thoughts with you good people.
· Ford Focus ST (Mk3 2016)
· Tyres: 235/35 R19Y
· From: Factory Fitted - Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3)
· To Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (PS4S)
The first thing to say is that they only come in sizes 19 inch and above so if you have a car with smaller wheels you can click away now – unless you like reading about tyres. Apparently, they are coming in 17 & 18 inch sizes next year
The following is subjective and based on my own experience. Although I should point out that when my other half drove my car on Sunday and she commented on how different the car felt. She drives a Fiesta ST200 so she knows a good handling car when she gets into one and she was very impressed. I was pleased that she commented as it proved to me that I wasn't just imagining what I was feeling.
As I live in the country I have access to some great B roads. The roads I drive for fun I know like the back of hand. I have a few laid out “laps” from my home that range from around 6 miles all the way up to about 44 miles depending on my mood. They provide a good collection of challenging conditions; long straights, complex collections of fast corners, slow, tight corners and sweeping bends. All of which are accompanied by large elevation changes and variable tarmac conditions.
So how are they? In a word – astonishing! They have completely changed the driving experience. I've always loved my car but to have it get even better with a simple (expensive)upgrade is a bonus.
Comfort: 19 inch wheels are never going to be the most comfy experience but the comfort level has improved and the ride is a little more compliant. I haven’t noticed that much difference in noise levels either. The car has never been the quietest in the world anyway so I’m not concerned about that, but its no worse than it was on the PS3's.
Overall acceleration: launch & in gear acceleration has improved notably, they grab at the road in a very effective way and you can feel her biting into the tarmac. There is one particular corner on one of my laps that would always make the back end step out if the driver aids were turned off, on the PS4S's there is no hint of he stepping out. I actually giggled when I realised. She also feels much more stable and "planted" at speed.
Cornering: GRIP, GRIP, GRIP!!! This is night and day compared to the PS3’s she came fitted with. Grip was always good but the PS4S is on another level entirely. The FoST is not prone to body roll as she has an excellent chassis but now she seems to corner even flatter through a fast bends, it's like she on rails. She gives you loads of grip, then gives you some more grip and then suddenly finds some more at the back of cupboard to give you. She has always reacted well to the slightest steering input but with the PS4S's this has gone up a notch. Jinking round a rogue Peasant early on Sunday morning was over before I knew it and with no drama at all.
Braking: It’s all well and good being able to corner faster with more grip but if you can’t stop then that is a bit of issue. I’m happy to report that braking has also improved. She could get a bit out of shape under heavy braking but this seems to have largely disappeared now.
Tyre Life: I can’t comment right now but they are guaranteed up to 30k by Michelin.
Wet Performance: I’ve not had chance to drive in the wet yet but reviews suggest that performance is class leading.
Conclusion: If you drive a performance car and are in the market for a new set of boots I can heartily recommend the PS4S, you should at least have them on your shortlist. They are expensive but the smiles per mile that they have given me is worth every penny. Add to that the confidence you get from knowing you have the ultimate performance tyre under you gives you a warm glow (and I'm not talking about wetting yourself in a hairy moment. )
As they are designed for Super Cars they are probably overkill on a FoST, but I got them at a great price so hey what's the harm and so far I've loved every minute
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S