Do Michelin drivers have bad depth perception?

[HoosierDaddy]

I just replaced my worn out Perellis with Pilot 4Ss and the curb guards on the Michelins are massive. They stick out so far, they almost obscure the view of the wheels from some angles. LoL

Is this because Michelin owners curb their cars more than Perelli owners?

Michelin:

Perelli:

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[Mountain376]

It is a “premium” element for a tire. Adds a bit more otherwise unecessary material, but is something nice in consideration for customers.

Labels... “Michelin owners”... come on. You’re a “Michelin owner” now. Did you buy those tires because your parking ability has worsened? lol

 

[BmacIL]

That's known as a rim protector feature.

 

[DickR]

Given how much better the MIchelins perform it would seem the "unnecessary" material isn't hurting and may contribute to the tire's performance. If not consider it to be a "feature" to protect the expensive wheels typically used on cars which use these tires.

Ever seen a cantilever slick on the rear of a Formula Ford race car? Very wide tire on a 5 1/2" wheel.

 

[ChromaticGrey]

I like when tires have that little bit of protection. It's not much, but could help a very light touch. I also happen to like the beefy look.

 

[IPOGT]

To me, that is the best part of the 18+ refresh. Not that the Pirellis are bad, but the Michelins are an improvement on both levels.
The kinda of bizarre thing is that the tire actually costs as much or more than the wheel that the sidewall is designed to protect.

 

[Zelek]

Could have just bought some Indy 500's for the same performance, saved more money, and not label yourself as a "Michelin driver" like it's a bad thing.

 

[2morrow]

^^^you would save yourself some money but I dont know if you'd be getting a similar performance tire. There not even in the same category. One is an ultra high performance tire and the other is a max performance summer tire. The difference is not massive, but there is a difference.

As far as the curb protectors go, it is a nice feature. I've never needed them but I do like the fact that there is some extra material in the event of the horrible happening.

 

[Dfeeds]

You'll only think they're silly until they save your rims ass one day. I've NEVER sideswiped a curb in all my years of driving until last week when I was pulling out of a crowded, one way parking lot that you often see at Walmart and such. Some old lady comes flying into the one way, going the wrong way, right as I was about to exit. We would've hit if I didn't swerve to the right as quickly as possible. My back passenger side wheel hit the curb. I was super depressed for the 10 minute drive home because I was certain my rim took the hit. Come to find out not a single little scratch. Thank you, you fat Michelin tires you.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Im glad to have the extra protection. Aftermarket wheels offen have more material there on the lip or face so they dont look so mismatched on all wheel designs.

Somebody posted a while back with an even more extreme version of your complaint. They had an aftermarket wheel with very minimal wheel lip and it looked pretty silly with the MP4S

 

[WildHorse]

GT4's are the same. Plenty of sidewall bulge.

 

[plc268]

^^^you would save yourself some money but I dont know if you'd be getting a similar performance tire. There not even in the same category. One is an ultra high performance tire and the other is a max performance summer tire. The difference is not massive, but there is a difference.

As far as the curb protectors go, it is a nice feature. I've never needed them but I do like the fact that there is some extra material in the event of the horrible happening.

Well I've had both tires now, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s (305/30/20) and the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (295/30/20)... and honestly the firehawks are more impressive. I still remember how the PS4S felt when they were brand new, and they were exceptional. The grip was fantastic. My issue was price. It was a splurge at $480 a tire.

The firehawks are every bit as good as the PS4S for about half the price. The price to performance ratio is absurd on these tires.

I can't quantify how good the Firehawks are, but barring any issues caused by wear, I'll likely be buying the Firehawk indy 500s from here on out.

 

[w3rkn]

GT4's are the same. Plenty of sidewall bulge.

That is not what they are talking about. Look at the rubber lip near the rim...

 

[BluePonyGT]

You'll only think they're silly until they save your rims ass one day. I've NEVER sideswiped a curb in all my years of driving until last week when I was pulling out of a crowded, one way parking lot that you often see at Walmart and such. Some old lady comes flying into the one way, going the wrong way, right as I was about to exit. We would've hit if I didn't swerve to the right as quickly as possible. My back passenger side wheel hit the curb. I was super depressed for the 10 minute drive home because I was certain my rim took the hit. Come to find out not a single little scratch. Thank you, you fat Michelin tires you.

^ This 100%

I love my Pilot Sport 4S tires (285/35/R19 and 325/30/R19). So far they've saved my rims twice.

Stupid parking garages with tight curbs around the gates to get in/out... If not for these tires I would have wrecked my rims.

Another thing I love about them is how they're wearing. Perfectly even on all 4 corners. Grip is fantastic even in wet conditions. I mounted them memorial weekend last year and I can't bring myself to put the stock wheels back on for the winter. They just grip too damn good - even in wet conditions.

 

[ModularKid21]

As much as I don’t like the look of the rim protector feature, it serves a purpose. I plan on buying some mpss or mps4s and the rim protector is the only thing I’m not really on board with. I like to tell myself that they aren’t necessary and that I don’t plan on hopping any curbs but the reality is, as stated by @Dfeeds, shit happens and I’d much rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it

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