Decided to try the Pilot Sport 3 - PS3s

[Cobra Kai]

Looking forward to the review also. I was planning to try the Goodyear F1 Asymetric, as this was recommended by my mechanic in NZ. The PS3's look damn nice though...

 

[Schwepps]

Was told 15 inches PS3 will replace PP2 and the smaller sizes of PS3 is made in Tomyamland.

Who told you that Isaac? Pilot Precedas are a different class of tyre altogether. Pilot Sports are the top of the Michelin range and the PS3 was announced as a replacement for the PS2. Don't think they come in small sizes like 15 inch either.

 

[Schwepps]

Looking forward to the review also. I was planning to try the Goodyear F1 Asymetric, as this was recommended by my mechanic in NZ. The PS3's look damn nice though...

Long time no hear, Cob! The F1 is a really dated tyre by now. Oh yaah...NZ (no offense )

 

[E46Fanatic]

Who told you that Isaac? Pilot Precedas are a different class of tyre altogether. Pilot Sports are the top of the Michelin range and the PS3 was announced as a replacement for the PS2. Don't think they come in small sizes like 15 inch either.

Unlike the PS2's which only came in larger sizes, the PS3's do start at 15' if I am not mistaken. Can even be fitted on Vios'es and City's stock wheels this time around. All tom yam made for smaller sizes.

Kinda interesting. The PS3's are also OEM for cars like the new Merc E 63 AMG and 6.3 ltr SLS AMG Gullwing.

 

[zhul]

From Michelin's press kit - Feb 2010:

MICHELIN Pilot Sport 3 sizes


The MICHELIN Pilot Sport 3 will be introduced in various sizes throughout 2010. By
the end of the year, the following 25 sizes will be available in the replacement tire
markets:

195/45 R16 84V XL
205/55 ZR16 91W
205/55 R16 91V
205/50 R16 87V
205/45 ZR16 87W XL
205/45 R16 83V
205/50 ZR17 93W XL
205/45 ZR17 88W XL
205/40 ZR17 84W XL
225/45 ZR17 91Y
225/45 ZR17 94W XL
225/45 ZR17 94Y XL
235/45 ZR17 97Y XL
245/45 ZR17 99Y XL
245/40 ZR17 91Y
225/40 ZR18 92W XL
225/40 ZR18 (92Y) XL
235/40 ZR18 (95Y) XL
245/40 ZR18 (97Y) XL
255/35 ZR18 94Y XL
265/35 ZR18 (97Y) XL
275/35 ZR18 (99Y) XL
245/40 ZR19 (98Y) XL
255/40 ZR19 100Y XL
275/40 ZR19 101Y


http://tinyurl.com/yjzcbrj

 

[Schwepps]

Unlike the PS2's which only came in larger sizes, the PS3's do start at 15' if I am not mistaken. Can even be fitted on Vios'es and City's stock wheels this time around. All tom yam made for smaller sizes.

Kinda interesting. The PS3's are also OEM for cars like the new Merc E 63 AMG and 6.3 ltr SLS AMG Gullwing.

You never know, but I doubt it. And ultimately the Thai and Taiwanese plants will produce PS3s for Asia for sure. But for now, it's all large size ZRs in W(270kmh) and Y(300kmh) speed ratings. Even 16" V(240kmh) rated tyres will only be out in 2H 2010:

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 sizes being released 1st January 2010 are:
225/45 ZR17 91Y
225/40 ZR18 92Y XL
225/40 ZR18 92W XL
225/45 ZR17 94W XL
235/40 ZR18 95Y XL
235/45 ZR17 97Y XL
245/40 ZR17 91Y
245/40 ZR18 97Y XL
245/45 ZR17 99Y XL
255/35 ZR18 94Y XL
265/35 ZR18 97Y XL
255/40 ZR19 100Y XL
275/35 ZR18 99Y XL
275/40 ZR19 101Y XL
245/40 ZR19 98Y XL
255/40 ZR18 99Y XL MO1 (Mercedes Fitment)
285/35 ZR18 101Y XL MO1 (Mercedes Fitment)
255/35 ZR19 96Y AO (Audi Fitment)

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 sizes estimated to be released between July 2010 and October 2010 are:
205/40 R17 84W XL
225/45 R17 94Y XL
205/45 R16 83V
205/45 R16 87W XL
195/45 R16 84V XL
205/55 R16 91W
205/45 R17 88W XL
205/50 R17 93W XL
205/50 R16 87V

The OEMs so far are high end, Audi, Porsche and Ferrari included. This is their top-of-the-line road tyre afterall. :top:

 

[IsaacVky]

Who told you that Isaac? Pilot Precedas are a different class of tyre altogether. Pilot Sports are the top of the Michelin range and the PS3 was announced as a replacement for the PS2. Don't think they come in small sizes like 15 inch either.

If you check Michelin Malaysia website, they do have 15 inches for PS3. On another local chinese automotive forum, people have actually purchased and the difference is less than RM50 between the PP2 and PS3 of the same size (PS3 195/50/15 @ RM230). Moreover PS3 has got better treadwear. Make sense if PP2 is to be phase out.

PLSP3-1955515V-T 195/55VR15 PL SPORT 3 MCL. NEW TYRE TH.
PLSP3-1855515V-T 185/55VR15 PL SPORT 3 MCL. NEW TYRE TH.
PLSP3-1955015V-T 195/50VR15 PL SPORT 3 MCL. NEW TYRE TH.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Here are some pics referenced from posters in other local car forms. This one installed on a Vios...

What is interesting is that the Thai made PS3's don't have the Made In XXXXX stamp on the outer sidewalls. I wonder why?

 

[viewfinder]

Looks like a choice to consider when my current 235/45/17 is worn. I need some convincing that the asymmetric thread pattern can be better direction tire thread design in tropical heavy downpour driving condition. Keep us posted with your finding...

 

[Schwepps]

What is interesting is that the Thai made PS3's don't have the Made In XXXXX stamp on the outer sidewalls. I wonder why?

I've never seen 'Made in Thailand/Phillippines/Indonesia/Taiwan/China' markings on Michellins or Pirellis from those countries. Which makes them a bit dubious to me, although I know Michelin and Pirelli have JV plants there. Frankly, I only buy Japanese or European made tyres.

 

[E46Fanatic]

I believe the country of manufacture is printed on the inner sidewalls in those cases. Really odd. My French made PS2 had made in France proudly printed on the outer sisewalls but when I got the Brazilian made ones they were printed on the inner sidewalls. Seems like some countries are discriminated by this French co heh.

 

[Cobra Kai]

Long time no hear, Cob! The F1 is a really dated tyre by now. Oh yaah...NZ (no offense )

The tyre was only released in Malaysia in late 2008...only in the market for 18 months and already out of date.....methinks it's not NZ with the problem here :65:

 

[Schwepps]

The tyre was only released in Malaysia in late 2008...only in the market for 18 months and already out of date.....methinks it's not NZ with the problem here :65:

Jest pulling your leg Cobra. Good to hear from you!

 

[Schwepps]

I believe the country of manufacture is printed on the inner sidewalls in those cases. Really odd. My French made PS2 had made in France proudly printed on the outer sisewalls but when I got the Brazilian made ones they were printed on the inner sidewalls. Seems like some countries are discriminated by this French co heh.

Very strange practice indeed. The best Michelins I ever had were made in France. They were so lasting I had to junk them because of age, not thread wear. :top:

 

[glock_8]

Just put these on yesterday and will be writing up a review once I have more mileage on them. Washed the car this morning and decided to take a few shots of the ride shod with the new rubbers... Initial observations is that they are really comfy and have wider sidewalls vs. the PS2s... Very chunky tyres as well with treadwear of 320! But I think they look pretty good.

from the pic, the threadwear is 320 u sure the tyres are soft n grippy on dry road? very hard compound i can say ....

 

[sunnypuan]

E46F, that is some sexy rubbers you got there ! Mated with Rays and Banana's, is a real joy viewing your car... By the way, how much you invested in those Rays wheels?? Kena racun by you AGAIN....haha

 

[t2ribena]

e46f...i got the chance to see the PS3 performs on the e30 during the weekend drive and based on observation it is impressive...eventhough the threadwear is rated at 320 when warmed up the 'stickiness' feel based on finger is similar as ps2...

i think im going to ditch my front ps2 which still has 30% thread but 0% shoulder thread for these ps3s...

 

[E46Fanatic]

So far, my impressions of the PS3's main differences over the PS2's are:

1) Much more supple and comfortable over the PS2s. I doubted this and just rechecked the tyre pressures suspecting that Lim Tayar put in less pressure than what I usually run and the pressures are identical to what I ran on the PS2's. So there is a big improvement here. Car feels much less harsh on normal driving vs. the PS2.

2) Noise is about the same or perhaps slightly higher in low speeds, but seemingly less noisy at higher speeds vs. the PS2. Again its very close and not much difference between the 2. One thing I have to give the PS2's is that generally the tyre stays pretty consistent throughout its lifecycle. Not much deterioration once worn down in terms of noise levels

3) Drive on the PS3 is more interesting and fun over the PS2, mainly because of the feedback to the steering when driving it harder. E.g. under hard braking, you can feel the tyre biting the tarmac hard, giving you the more feedback and assurance in the drive. Just managed to pushed the car a little more today and its the same over hard higher speed bends, whereby the feedback the tyre gives back to the driver under load and G forces is much more inspiring and fun vs. the PS2. You can really feel the tyre biting the road and its never harsh and still "supple" in the way it does it. Hard to explain but the tyre feels GOOD!

4) The car understeers less vs. the PS2, but I suspect its due to my worn condition of the PS2 outer thread on the front tyres, and when new as well I don't remember it understeering as much as it did before the change. With fresh PS3's this this is back to what it should be.

5) Wet evaluation which is where the main difference is according to specs, but I don't think i'll be able to run a good comparo with the PS2's here, as I hardly push the car hard when its wet and pouring while I was on the PS2s. In fact I am super paranoid and careful when driving under heavy rains. So.... cannot give a good comparo in this area la.

6) Downsides of the PS3's is that it generally feels "heavier" vs. the worn PS2's. Hence I suspected that I was running lower pressures which wasn't the case. The more worn PS2's had more initial get up and go vs. my car now on the new rubbers. Can't really remember if this is the same feel from fresh PS2's but coming from more worn PS2s to fresh PS3s the difference is there. Hence my car feels slower now. Since the midnight drag E90 kaki has all graduated and are playing with tuned 3 ltr twin turbos now, its just as well now haha. My cucuking and drag days are over now hehe.

Bottom line, the main "improvements" are in comfort and feel. Ultimate grip in dry is somewhat similar but it gives the driver more feedback and feel through the steering now which enhances the driving pleasure. In day to day daily driving, the biggest difference between the PS3 over the PS2 is definitely in the comfort dept. When it rains and pours its supposed to be much improved, but I've yet to explore that so I'll leave it to the other BMWCM members with bigger kahunas running on the PS3's to report on that .

 

[enkil]

Emmm wonder how it feels on track. The ps2 is soft and wears out quickly on the outside especially the front tyres. But i like the grip its phenomenal. Hope the ps3 will last longer if not pocket koyak ooo...

 

[E46Fanatic]

E46F, that is some sexy rubbers you got there ! Mated with Rays and Banana's, is a real joy viewing your car... By the way, how much you invested in those Rays wheels?? Kena racun by you AGAIN....haha

Mine is from Singapore used (~5k kms), ~Rm7k (incl crappy toyo tyres but trade with my stock 161's + RFTs) through someone in BMW SG who was leaving the country to study and was demodding the car for his mom to use. My only gripe is that I should have gone 19's with Face 1 in the front and Face 2 design in the rear. Much nicer looking, with the contrast in concavity of the rears vs. the fronts. For 18's Volk ME's, fitment for E90 are both Face 2 only. Face 1 offset doesn't go with the E90 in 18's.

But 18's more economical and less stressful to drive around lousy KL roads la