Anyone Thought about Michelin Pilot Super Sports?

[OscarAH1W]

I put the Ventus V-12s on the Turbo Cab and was looking at doing the same for the GT3 when the time comes (shod with B'stones) until I heard the too-good-to-be-true spiel on the Pilot Super Sport. Once it was finally available, I saw happily that the 235-40-18 size was available for the fronts but SHOCKED to find out that the 295-30-18 was not only unavailable, but that Michelin has NO INTENTION of making that size. Here is their initial reply and my reply to them which was unreturned... (insert favorite derogatory French comment here...)

Owen, we appreciate your request for Michelin Pilot Super Sport in size 295/30ZR18. Unfortunately, we do not have any plans to manufacture this tire at this time. We are constantly looking at market demand and integrating into our development and production processes. Your request will be forwarded to the appropriate Marketing Group for future consideration.

my reply:

Thank you for the quick reply to my question. I have to admit, though, that I am stunned by the response. That tire size is spec for the 18 x 11 rear wheel on ALL wide-body Porsche 996 cars and some narrow body models like my GT3. A quick review of the production numbers for Turbo models, Carrera 4S models, GT2 and GT3 reveals around 45,000 units from just Porsche requiring the 295/30ZR18 tire. Oddly, Michelin make the 235/35ZR18 PSS which is only applicable to the 8.5 inch wide front wheels for the 996 GT2 and GT3. The totals for those 2 cars is less than 5,000 over the production run. (all the other cars mentioned above have an 8" wide front wheel and use a 225 mm wide front tire.)

I fully realize that it is all about the math, but that being said, do Michelin collectively think they'll sell more 295/25ZR21 versions of the Pilot SuperSport? Then again, it can't be all about numbers because these tires aren't hung on high-volume cars like Camrys, Civics and other non-performance cars and trucks. Just food for thought as the company could make a lot of Porsche owners who had been anxiously awaiting this new tire happy, and take a chunk back out of Hankook after the Car and Driver tire test of a couple years ago.

Thanks again,

As I said before, no reply from "Bib" Sorry for the long post but I figure if more Porsche owners hammer at Michelin about this, maybe they'll start making the tires we need/want

[clord]

I would have Super Sports on my GT3 now....if they made the 295/30-18 XL. The N2,N4 PS2 spec for the GT3 comes only in a very unusual 8.5 32nds tread depth. I am speculating that Porsche worked that out with Michelin because they wanted minimum tread squirm on the GT cars, even with new tires.

[Uwon]

I would think twice about Michelin Pilot SS. I bought a set for my 997.1 in May 2011 and have driven 35,000 km (22,000 miles) on them, all highway, no in-town driving and no track. I have suffered through a persistent loud howl between 113 and 118 kph since new with no change when I rotate them. I put my winters on and there is no howling. Now the rear Pilots are almost worn and the are scary in the rain. Not a happy camper. I am now looking for alternatives-sadly not many good ones out there from what I gather from Tire Rack.

[phillipj]

I would think twice about Michelin Pilot SS. I bought a set for my 997.1 in May 2011 and have driven 35,000 km (22,000 miles) on them, all highway, no in-town driving and no track. I have suffered through a persistent loud howl between 113 and 118 kph since new with no change when I rotate them. I put my winters on and there is no howling. Now the rear Pilots are almost worn and the are scary in the rain. Not a happy camper. I am now looking for alternatives-sadly not many good ones out there from what I gather from Tire Rack.

You might want to try the Bridgestone RE-11's . I have had 2 sets on my Turbo and like them a lot.. They wear about average, have good grip in wet and dry and are reasonably priced..

[Uwon]

Oscar, no intention to highjack your thread but I have to ask Phillip whether his RE-11's are noisy.

[phillipj]

Uwon,

No the RE-11's are not noisy.. Here's a picture of the front on my Turbo.. The only thing about them (visually) is they dont have that nice lip that the Michelins have..

Edited August 8, 2012 by phillipj

[OscarAH1W]

UWON, No sweat... I am still sold at this point on the Hankook V12 Evo. 90 percent of the performance at half the price. Not all that loud, either.

[Uwon]

Hated the Rossos. Went to the Michelin SuperSports and the 295 rears howled at cruising. Changed to 305 in the rear and I am now a happy camper. Quiet, good handling in dry and wet and long lasting ( relatively speaking). On my second set now.

[aehsani]

I would go with Factory recommended tires (N-spec), Michelin PS2; they were  are great, expensive though..

[Uwon]

I would go with Factory recommended tires (N-spec), Michelin PS2; they were  are great, expensive though..

I'm not sure that I agree with you. PS2 pricing is outrageous! N spec is overrated IMHO. Super Sports or R-11's would be my likely choice for the next set. I have heard enough from fellow PCA members all who stay away from PS2's unless they track.

Johan

[aehsani]

Uwon,

 

"I'm not sure that I agree with you. PS2 pricing is outrageous! N spec is overrated IMHO. Super Sports or R-11's would be my likely choice for the next set. I have heard enough from fellow PCA members all who stay away from PS2's unless they track.
Johan"

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and yes they are expensive. It is natural that PCA members have different preferences and opinions. However, as member of PCA for 23 years, I beg to differ. I have N-designated PS2 on my 997.1 turbo, and I am very satisfied. The grip and turning are excellent; the tires are quiet, and somewhat comfortable, and they are OK in the rain. They are certainly better that  Bridgestone Pole Position that I had on my 2003 996 with ROW M030 sport suspention. This is my personal view.

[AWDGuy]

Love my super sports. Did a couple lapping nights @ calaboguie with them and they held up really well.