[Ofield_94]

Originally Posted by Ennoch

I've got the slightly older TS850 P as the 860 wasn't available in the 245/45/18 I wanted but they're great. Three winters (so probably about 15k miles) and the rears are just about done in (2mm) but still great performance in the cold and snow. The previous Sottos I used were on 19's and like for like size to the summers I use and beat the PZ4's all round. My PZ4 experiment was enough to convince me that Pirelli just don't build a cool and greasy compatible summer tyre, probably because they don't put enough silica in but that's just a guess. The reviews could say the PZ5 were the best tyre they've ever driven and I'd still not believe them at this point.

I 100% agree with this. The best tyres tested on a warm track dont translate to the best on a British backroads. If you're looking at a summer tyre for British roads I wouldn't look further than the Asymmetric 6, PS5 or SC7.

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by Ofield_94

I 100% agree with this. The best tyres tested on a warm track dont translate to the best on a British backroads. If you're looking at a summer tyre for British roads I wouldn't look further than the Asymmetric 6, PS5 or SC7.

Yep, my bugbear is that a tyre which performs on track (much like track suspension) does not translate to a good road tyre because the requirements are so different and yet those results seem to hold a disproportionate weight in tyre test results. Soft sidewalls on a track tyre kills edges, loses precision, and generally creates a wallowy experience, but on a road tyre (within reason of course) that suppleness translates to the tyre being more able to follow undulations, a better ride, and not being knocked offline mid corner with broken surfaces, i.e it's better! And the compound requirements change too; you want cool grip on a road tyre but for a track tyre you want the opposite and in fact a compound which needs to come up to temp first will likely be better because it will be more heat resistant when really pushing on.

The last set of PZ4's I had I reckon will be my last set of Pirelli's, they just don't work in this country IMO. Tests are done on warm and dry tarmac, not greasy and cold - the tests all said the PZ4 was a fantastic tyre with good grip, good feel and good wear. My experience, like every other Pirelli summer is that they were glidey, wore quickly, and just didn't give any confidence. I've just had another set of PS4S delivered (although F me they've gone up in price since the last set) and I'm really looking forward to getting them put on the car, they just work so nicely. I'm sure some tyres will have higher peak figures but that's not what I'm after; I want feel, balance and something which works in all but winter conditions. I know some say that the PS4S isn't great in the cold but that's not been my experience on the few occasions I used them before the winters went on and it was hovering around zero with wet roads. In contrast the Pirelli's would step out in the wet on tight corners even when at 20c!

[TurboWeasel]

If you've got 18s and want run flats, there isn't anything better than the PS4 Zero Pressure imo.

Since BMW have moved away from staggered wheels on anything but the top models, tyre manufacturers are doing the same, so staggered availability is becoming patchy.

All the top stuff like ContiSport 7 is not available in 18". Well, the front one is, but not the rear. The CS7 is a brilliant tyre, and the only one I would move away from run flats with, even at the expense of a reduction in steering feel/turn in precision - if they were available in 18". There is no getting away from the fact run flats with rock hard sidewalls give the best cornering feel.

Been running the PS4 ZPs for 2 years daily. Excellent grip even down to freezing temperatures and they are nowhere near as harsh or tramliney as the SOO1s and PZ4s. Both of those tyres are utter dogshit.

When I ran the CS7s on my 19s, there is very little to separate them and the 18" PS4 ZPs in daily driving, but PS4s corner better. More stability and confidence as the sidewalls don't roll over like non run flats do.

Think I paid about £800 for the full set 2 years ago. Not sure how much they are now but probably going up due to the oil shenanigans.

[StuieUK]

I'm on 20" (335d)
i run Falken FK520 (and 510 before that)
They work, do the job, not run flat, and can honestly say, i feel safe in dry and wet