Installed Michelin Pilot Sport AS4

[Bulldog9]

TIme for a tire change!

I got 28K miles out of the OEM Pilot Sport 4S (summer only) tires. They wore even, and had plenty of treadlife, but at 4.5 years, the tires had become dryrotted and cracked where the sidewall and tread face meet, the tires also seemed to have become a bit glazed, and got very loud.

Though I loved the spring/summer traction and performance of the 4S, I hated not being able to enjoy the car year round, especially on those beautiful dry winter and fall days. So when it was time for replacement, after doing tons of reading and research, I decided to try the new AS4 version of the Pilot Sports - PS-AS4 verses PS-4S.

Total cost out the door mount/balance/tire removal was about $1148, and that included 100% NITROGEN filled tires - - - wooooooo - - - - . Because I am a sicko, I harassed the tire tech by telling him I wanted them to fill it with 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and just a tad of Argon and Co2. So much fun.............. Anyway, I digress...... I did tell them to NOT put green caps on the valve stems.

OK, so first drive feedback.

Noise and Comfort - TIres are very quiet and improved comfort. This has more to do with the tires and compounds being new. I was always very impressed with how quiet the original tires were and the level of comfort they brought compared with the performance. But the ride and noise this year made the car unpleasantly loud and the ride was super harsh. SWMBO and I took a 4 corners tour of Kentucky this summer on mostly (very nice) secondary and state roads. The tires were always loud, but almost intolerable on some of the rougher surfaced roads. Not a big deal for me tearing around with the exhaust in Sport+, classic rock blasting and windows down, but this is not how we drive with SWMBO and the rat dog, at least for any length of time. First impressions are very good, surprisingly so.

Steering Feel - I am running Steeda Struts and lowering springs along with the Lower K brace up front. I also had a loca speed shop dial in a bit more aggressive alignment to sharpen the steering and give more steering feel. Initially the setup was spot on perfect the first 2 years, but recently, the steering felt too sharp, and had lost the nice center feel they dialed in. I had suspected it may be the tires and I was right. The new tires brought the nice neutral solid feel on center, gives good feedback and accurate control.

Grip - Hard to tell, and as it was 40 degrees and raining, not much opportunity, but hoping to get out there today as it will be in the 60's.

Looks - Treadface has more siping, and the 'rash protector' seems a bit smaller, but overall looks are almost indecipherable.

I'm sure that I will give up some roadholding and grip at the upper limits with the AS4's, but I think the tradeoff of being able to drive and enjoy the car year round (no snow/ice thankyou) will be worth it. Let's hope I don't turn into 'Mustang Guy'.............. Unlikely, as I have been driving high performance RWD cars for 40+ years and haven't had a problem hanging the @$$ out since I was 19.

Will report back after some summer fun on my annual Deals Gap area run....

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[EFI]

Noise and Comfort - TIres are very quiet and improved comfort. This has more to do with the tires and compounds being new.

That's good to know, I have the older AS3s and man they are noisy. I thought going with a premium tire that it would be quieter, but I guess that's not the case. I was a bit down knowing that I would have to go back to the Michelins again with my next tire since not many offerings come in 285/325 all season sizes, but I'm happy to see they are improving on the noise level.

 

[ing3nious]

I too just replaced my A/S (Cooper RS3 or whatever) with PS AS4. Couldn’t be happier, well until I put the regular PS4s back on. There’s a lot more grip than the Coopers.

 

[SBR70.3]

Pictures!

 

[S550HPP]

It's a good choice. Tests show that only lose 5% of traction VS UHP summer. Gaining the extra months of use is worth it. I did Falken FK 510 Summer for the low temp capability and prefer over UHP AS been using for years. My Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus drive like a performance touring AS and I love them.

 

[Skye]

Michelin A/S 4 series do work very well. I'm of no want of change to another A/S.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-pilot-sport-all-season-4

 

[Beaujangles]

I made the switch from the 4Ss to the AS4s about 3 years ago when the 4Ss were done at 25K miles, less noise, better ride same level of grip in "normal" driving...but now that I've gone F/I those wheels and tires are stored as they have been replaced with GT350 wheels wearing Cup2s to cope with the newfound power, and since I live in FL where I can run summer performance tires pretty much year around...unless it's raining.

 

[COYOTE_64S25FEF]

My used mustang came with AS4s on the rear. I’ve heard a lot of good things. With that said, I’m in FL where it doesn’t get cold enough to warrant all seasons and I’m surprised at how easily they lose traction despite the internet praising their grip.

In FL, summer tires year with good wet performance > all seasons IMO.

I’m sure they’re great if your area is cold and/or one wants some extra tread life.

Report back after your trip to the dragon with your thoughts.

 

[Bulldog9]

Great feedback all.... If I find the summer grip is lacking, I guess I'll just have to plunk down the $$ for a set of summer tires and rims and use these for the colder/winter season.............. That would be terrible.............

 

[V8Platty]

I needed a cold weather solution for my Mach 1 HP with CUP2s so I put Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires on a set of the standard Mach 1 wheels and I have been pleasantly surprised by just how capable they are. I usually go Michelin, but decided to try these instead. Amusing amount of grip. Was able to comfortably pull over 1g in straight line braking and in the turns while staying predictable. Kept them on during the summer to see what I thought and although they can't compete with the CUP2s for outright performance, they trump the CUP2s in the rain, and in ride comfort, while providing a staggering amount of performance for an all season alternative.

And although they are acceptable, with appropriate driving caution, when a little snow falls and/or when roads ice up a bit, they should not be considered a comprehensive winter tire solution. There are other much better solutions for that like the Bridgestone Blizzak tires.

 

[IPOGT]

I needed a cold weather solution for my Mach 1 HP with CUP2s so I put Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires on a set of the standard Mach 1 wheels and I have been pleasantly surprised by just how capable they are. I usually go Michelin, but decided to try these instead. Amusing amount of grip. Was able to comfortably pull over 1g in straight line braking and in the turns while staying predictable. Kept them on during the summer to see what I thought and although they can't compete with the CUP2s for outright performance, they trump the CUP2s in the rain, and in ride comfort, while providing a staggering amount of performance for an all season alternative.

And although they are acceptable, with appropriate driving caution, when a little snow falls and/or when roads ice up a bit, they should not be considered a comprehensive winter tire solution. There are other much better solutions for that like the Bridgestone Blizzak tires.

The M1 with the “standard” lol. wheel size is a hoot to drive hard. Where the HP wheels grip like crazy, the M1s wheels and tires have that tail limit that makes so much freaking fun.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I can't speak to the All Season Pilot sports, but the PS4s definitely get hard and loud after just 2-3 years of use. I was astonished by the difference after getting a fresh set on my previous Mustang. Its kind of disappointing since the old PS4s had a little meat left and they are so expensive.

 

[V8Platty]

The M1 with the “standard” lol. wheel size is a hoot to drive hard. Where the HP wheels grip like crazy, the M1s wheels and tires have that tail limit that makes so much freaking fun.

You are dead on about the HP and CUP2s having crazy grip. My first week with the car had me just laughing out loud as I blew through every local curvy road I knew trying to expose any weak links in the handling. Short of a little tail wiggle upon foot to the floor acceleration out of turns, this is just such a well behaved car.

My last ride was a loaded 2018 GT PP1 6 speed with all the handling enhancements. That was a damn good car. And then along comes this Mach 1 and just stomps it!

 

[skinnyb]

TIme for a tire change!

I got 28K miles out of the OEM Pilot Sport 4S (summer only) tires. They wore even, and had plenty of treadlife, but at 4.5 years, the tires had become dryrotted and cracked where the sidewall and tread face meet, the tires also seemed to have become a bit glazed, and got very loud.

Though I loved the spring/summer traction and performance of the 4S, I hated not being able to enjoy the car year round, especially on those beautiful dry winter and fall days. So when it was time for replacement, after doing tons of reading and research, I decided to try the new AS4 version of the Pilot Sports - PS-AS4 verses PS-4S.

Total cost out the door mount/balance/tire removal was about $1148, and that included 100% NITROGEN filled tires - - - wooooooo - - - - . Because I am a sicko, I harassed the tire tech by telling him I wanted them to fill it with 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and just a tad of Argon and Co2. So much fun.............. Anyway, I digress...... I did tell them to NOT put green caps on the valve stems.

OK, so first drive feedback.

Noise and Comfort - TIres are very quiet and improved comfort. This has more to do with the tires and compounds being new. I was always very impressed with how quiet the original tires were and the level of comfort they brought compared with the performance. But the ride and noise this year made the car unpleasantly loud and the ride was super harsh. SWMBO and I took a 4 corners tour of Kentucky this summer on mostly (very nice) secondary and state roads. The tires were always loud, but almost intolerable on some of the rougher surfaced roads. Not a big deal for me tearing around with the exhaust in Sport+, classic rock blasting and windows down, but this is not how we drive with SWMBO and the rat dog, at least for any length of time. First impressions are very good, surprisingly so.

Steering Feel - I am running Steeda Struts and lowering springs along with the Lower K brace up front. I also had a loca speed shop dial in a bit more aggressive alignment to sharpen the steering and give more steering feel. Initially the setup was spot on perfect the first 2 years, but recently, the steering felt too sharp, and had lost the nice center feel they dialed in. I had suspected it may be the tires and I was right. The new tires brought the nice neutral solid feel on center, gives good feedback and accurate control.

Grip - Hard to tell, and as it was 40 degrees and raining, not much opportunity, but hoping to get out there today as it will be in the 60's.

Looks - Treadface has more siping, and the 'rash protector' seems a bit smaller, but overall looks are almost indecipherable.

I'm sure that I will give up some roadholding and grip at the upper limits with the AS4's, but I think the tradeoff of being able to drive and enjoy the car year round (no snow/ice thankyou) will be worth it. Let's hope I don't turn into 'Mustang Guy'.............. Unlikely, as I have been driving high performance RWD cars for 40+ years and haven't had a problem hanging the @$$ out since I was 19.

Will report back after some summer fun on my annual Deals Gap area run....

I had a set on my 22 GT PP wheels (255 40/275 40 19) and I was massively impressed. Of course anything was better than the factory Pirelli that was on the car...

 

[Lucky13Cat]

I just changed back to the AS4’s for the winter from the wide PS4S’s. Almost felt guilty with the cushy comfortable ride. Did my usual off-ramps at about 50 degrees and there is definitely a difference in cornering limits! As4’s are fun but I’m ready for the PS4S’s to go back on in March. Definitely felt a performance decrease going back to factory wheels. The SVE MHP1 wheels are between 8 and 9 lbs lighter. Highly recommend the MHP1’s.

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