[TQMp5135]

Hi All,

I am thinking of ordering a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4s for my 435i (MPPK + MPE).

Has anyone else fitted these tyres to this car and if so what are your thoughts?

I am currently running the stock Bridgestone Potenza S001 RFTs and have similar complaints to others on here and other forums about ride quality, crashiness and skittishness across wet and uneven ground (I have the adaptive M suspension and ride in comfort chassis/sport drivetrain all the time) I'm hoping the MPS4S will solve all of these problems as well as being awesome!

I've heard great things and read great reviews about the MPS4S. There have, however, been some reports of reduced fuel economy compared to the RFTs. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it significant? This will most likely be a stupid question, but I imagine this is due to the increased rolling resistance of the softer, stickier compound. Does this hurt acceleration at all?

Also, how are they for use all year round in the UK? I've heard they are great in the wet and stand up to colder temperatures much better than the previous pilot super sport. But how careful do you really need to be when temperatures drop below the 7'C summer tyre threshold? My Bridgestones have held up just fine over the last two winters with no real issues - will it be worse with the MPS4S?

F32 suspension and wheels are apparently designed for run-flats. Considering this, does making the switch to non-run flats have any draw backs? Any negative effects on any other component of the car? (Suspension? / Flat tyre monitoring system?)

Finally, what about tread wear? How does this compare to my current run flats? Will I need to replace tyres more often after switching to this tyre?

Sorry for the long post but I thought I'd get all my thoughts into one hope people out there with more experience can help point me in the right direction!

Many thanks in advance.

[M3anLantern]

You mention a lot of things so I'm gonna keep my input simple based on my experience:

- I've moved to 20" wheels with PS4S and I suggested the harshness of the ride (I don't even have adaptive) was equivalent to 19 with RFT.
-they're really really really good in both dry and wet... Even in sport plus the car struggles to break traction when you floor it normally in the wet.
-as with any summer tyre in low temps, grip is compromised but being sensible and aware of that means you'll have no issues. I've driven at about 0 degrees pushing the cat gently and had no issues.
-not sure how true the thing about the suspension being designed for only RFT is as I know loads on this forum and off it using Non RFT without issues
-I've used my rears for 29000 miles now and they're needing a swap. Fronts will probably go on until 38000 or so. So I'd say they are not easy wearing.

Not sure that tyres are your solution for skittiness over uneven surfaces as it's your suspension that will primarily affect the ability of the wheel to get back onto the ground after an undulation. That's what I think so I'm sure others here will weigh in appropriately.

I'd go for them - they're amazing!

[NISFAN]

Tyre wear, yes they won't last as long. Those Bridgestones are made out of concrete and last forever. Having said that, my experience with Michelin is they last an incredibly long time for a tyre as grippy as they are.

I recorded about a 0.5 - 1mpg difference going from RFT to MPSS. Not enough to worry about when you consider the advantages. Probably wouldn't be a difference if you ran RFT pressures, but MPS4S work better on lower pressures.

4S and even 4, will make your car happier in all other aspects, less road rumble, lighter unsprung weight, higher grip levels, quieter, etc.

You need to buy a mobility kit, I went with the Continental one used by Ford. It's cheaper than the BMW one.

Do it, you won't regret it.

[pdk42]

I swapped Bridgestone S001 RFTs for MP4S on my 335i and it was a huge upgrade. Quieter, softer ride, more grip. Do it.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by pdk42

I swapped Bridgestone S001 RFTs for MP4S on my 335i and it was a huge upgrade. Quieter, softer ride, more grip. Do it.

Are they available in mixed 19"s? (225/40 and 255/35)

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Are they available in mixed 19"s? (225/40 and 255/35)

Yes, that's my config.

[pdk42]

Btw - the fuel consumption is maybe ever so slightly higher, but it's almost unnoticeable. I got 40mpg on a long trip to Holland a month or so ago with them fitted.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by pdk42

Yes, that's my config.

Cheers
Are they BMW * marked or generic?

[A15X]

Do it! I’ve recently swapped over to the MPS4s and the difference is night and day. Even in this wet cold weather I feel they perform better than any summer tyre I’ve used before. The original bridge stones where dangerous in this weather last year and they where only have worn! To the point where if we where out as a family with our 5 month old we wouldn’t take my car as the wife would be uncomfortable driving it.

My father has just put these on his 981 boxster and has much the same feedback.

[seenthelight!]

not put them on the 435d (yet), but were great on the gla45 amg on 20" rims. had the amg remapped to 440 bhp, but putting the power down with the standard conti's was a mare - all 4 tyres spinning and scrambling for grip when launched. swapped over to the mp4's, and was like another remap - the power was able to be put down straight away, no fuss, just instant grip from the off. once going, the grip was immense with less road noise

[TQMp5135]

Thanks all for the responses!

[TQMp5135]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Tyre wear, yes they won't last as long. Those Bridgestones are made out of concrete and last forever. Having said that, my experience with Michelin is they last an incredibly long time for a tyre as grippy as they are.

I recorded about a 0.5 - 1mpg difference going from RFT to MPSS. Not enough to worry about when you consider the advantages. Probably wouldn't be a difference if you ran RFT pressures, but MPS4S work better on lower pressures.

4S and even 4, will make your car happier in all other aspects, less road rumble, lighter unsprung weight, higher grip levels, quieter, etc.

You need to buy a mobility kit, I went with the Continental one used by Ford. It's cheaper than the BMW one.

Do it, you won't regret it.

Thanks. Sounds like there is nothing to worry about mpg-wise then. What pressures would you recommend for 225/40 front, 255/35 rear? I’ve always thought you just run the pressures on the door.

What are your thoughts on acceleration? Would this increase or decrease compared to the bridgestones? Which would win in the battle of physics, lower tyre weight or greater rolling resistance of the tyre?

Yes a friend of mine recommended that continental mobility kit too. Thanks.

[TQMp5135]

Originally Posted by dk1894

You mention a lot of things so I'm gonna keep my input simple based on my experience:

- I've moved to 20" wheels with PS4S and I suggested the harshness of the ride (I don't even have adaptive) was equivalent to 19 with RFT.
-they're really really really good in both dry and wet... Even in sport plus the car struggles to break traction when you floor it normally in the wet.
-as with any summer tyre in low temps, grip is compromised but being sensible and aware of that means you'll have no issues. I've driven at about 0 degrees pushing the cat gently and had no issues.
-not sure how true the thing about the suspension being designed for only RFT is as I know loads on this forum and off it using Non RFT without issues
-I've used my rears for 29000 miles now and they're needing a swap. Fronts will probably go on until 38000 or so. So I'd say they are not easy wearing.

Not sure that tyres are your solution for skittiness over uneven surfaces as it's your suspension that will primarily affect the ability of the wheel to get back onto the ground after an undulation. That's what I think so I'm sure others here will weigh in appropriately.

I'd go for them - they're amazing!

Thanks. That’s great to hear. That’s some excellent tread life!
Good to hear the tyres are fine in the cold. I imagined they would be if you just drive according to the conditions.

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Cheers
Are they BMW * marked or generic?

Generics. I don't really understand what the * markings mean. A tyre's a tyre isn't it? In any case, going non run flat is countering BMW recommendations. I'm not even sure you can get star rated non RFTs.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by pdk42

Generics. I don't really understand what the * markings mean. A tyre's a tyre isn't it? In any case, going non run flat is countering BMW recommendations. I'm not even sure you can get star rated non RFTs.

You can for BMWs like M cars that don't get RFT, the * marking means the tyre has been developed to give BMW what it wanted on the spec sheet, often * marked tyres are different width (even though the specs show it to be the same width)and have a different tread pattern and shape to the generic version of the tyre, as can be seen if you compare the * marked MPSS to the generic version.

In the case of RFT you could argue that what they wanted was a crap ride somewhat missing the customer expectation and I'll be swapping out my concrete boots as soon as they have worn out.

[TQMp5135]

Does anyone know what the difference between the below two tyres is on black circles:

https://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/b...anchorAllSizes
225/40 R19 Y (93) - £177.96
225/40 R19 Y (93) (with Bmw logo) - £208.81

There is the same situation for the rear sizes. The website states that:
"Some vehicle manufacturers may require specialist tyres to be fitted to their vehicle, as these tyres were used when the vehicle was designed.
Some tyres are very specific and must be fitted to a specific vehicle, as significant time and resource has been spent ensuring that they are tuned and optimised for the vehicle concerned, this is especially true in higher powered sports or luxury vehicles."

Does this mean that the more expensive MPS4S are star marked? And if so, would it be better to go for these instead of the standard MPS4S or would it not really make a difference as I imagine the star marked ones are for the M cars and not for the sub-M cars anyway?

[Wills2]

The * marked tyres in your front size (225) aren't for M3/4 cars as they have wider tyres. (255/275 or 265/285) You could end up putting the front tyre from the M3 on the rear of your car as both are 255 in 19" fitment but the tyre will be different, rears with square shoulders the front will be more rounded.

I put PS4S (generics) on my M3 and ended up with a rear tyre for another car on front of mine felt weird to drive and wore though on the inside shoulder to the cords whilst having 4mm across the centre of the tyre.

Whether people accept or not the suspension set up is designed to work with * rated tyres and were possible I'd go with them after my experience with the generic PS4S fronts on my old M3.

There will be other opinions

[doncarlyon]

Personally i would avoid Michelin tyres. Not a fan at all.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

Personally i would avoid Michelin tyres. Not a fan at all.

Interested to hear why, as it goes completely against the general view on many forums.

[pdk42]

It would be good to look at a generic and a star- marked tyre and see if there really is a difference. I'm sceptical but prepared to alter my view.

In any case, the generics I fitted to my f31 335i seem to be working fine. Wear seems ok to far - nothing uneven.

[doncarlyon]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Interested to hear why, as it goes completely against the general view on many forums.

Sidewalls are far too soft in my experience. They do the mileage but i dont rate the performance of them at all.

This is mainly based on PS2 and PS3. I wouldnt put my money into a Michelin again based on these.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

Sidewalls are far too soft in my experience. They do the mileage but i dont rate the performance of them at all.

This is mainly based on PS2 and PS3. I wouldnt put my money into a Michelin again based on these.

Fair enough.

Which tyre brand is it you feel is superior?