Michelin 4s vs Cup 2 in the rain?

[rstorm85]

Add the Conti ExtremeContact Sport 02 to the mix. It’s a counterpart to the 4S and SC3, and every much a contender.

I am with you 100% that looks weigh heavily on my tire choices, but I just can’t justify a 200TW tire with how I use my car. Especially as capable as some of these other summer tires are. And FWIW, I absolute have Conti’s on my car over Michelins based on looks. But at that level of tire within the same competition family, is that really that extreme of a statement? I mean, at this level of performace for a mere mortal, you’re splitting hairs. Absolutely I distinguish by looks.

At least im not alone out here lol. Yes exactly my thoughts. I will check these out as well.

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[-RAC-]

When I had the Cup 2's on my car I drove in the rain many times as I daily drive my car in the summer. Not the greatest in the rain but put the car in wet mode and take it easy. Once I got caught coming back from a trip in November. 35° temps with rain and sleet. I do not recommend! White knuckle.

I was able to put on 13k or 15k (can't remember) miles on the Cups before I switched out to the Super Sports.

I have been thinking about switching back to the Cup 2's, because I love the traction they had and I don't seem to get that much better mileage out of the Super Sports.

I sometimes drive the back county roads and I will say this, the Cup 2's grab at everything and you better be awake and drive the car or it will drive you where you don't want to go.

 

[-RAC-]

Thak you for this sir. Exactly what i was looking for. This is what i figured for the rain but just wanted to confirm. My car has 6000 miles total in 6 years lol. The super sports look brand new, but are seperating from being old and sitting. If i get 5k miles that means another 5-6 years so i think ill be ok lol.
Thanks again

6,000 miles? I have 60,000 and just turned 4 years. I just don't want to drive anything else.

 

[rstorm85]

6,000 miles? I have 60,000 and just turned 4 years. I just don't want to drive anything else.

Thanks for the input. I only have a normal 350 so i am kinda curious of the cup2 feel, so i think im leaning towars them since ill have the tires on for awhile.
Yes 6000. Im a single parent and self employed those mean no time for cruising lol. I absolutely love driving the car and would have 60000 if could. When i test drove this car it felt so good i had to have it. Its such a perfect package.

 

[honeybadger]

Cup 2s for the looks. That is proper mustang driver stereotype stuff.

I promise you this - the cup2s offer no performance benefit on a street driven car. You can’t get them hot enough to have fun and they’re far more dangerous when cold. They’ll feel fine until they bite you. It’s seriously a wild decision to put them on for street driving. As everyone in your thread has stated - the 4s or equivalent 300+ TW tire is better for every metric on the street.

if you choose to ignore everyone in this thread - please just be smart and don’t do stupid stuff and risk others lives on the road. Wet and cold Cup2s will have you backwards before you know it if you start getting careless with the throttle.

 

[honeybadger]

Cup 2 has a AA traction rating, which means almost by definition that it works in the rain.

works and safe are pretty different, tho. I was on slicks at Road America last summer when it started raining and it was going great until it wasn’t. Couldn’t even really tell it was wet until I did some landscaping in Canada corner because I couldn’t stop in time.

it’s def possible to drive Cup2s in the rain. I drove on a set from Seattle to Oregon Raceway Park In a downpour and they worked great until they hydroplaned. It was a hell of a white knuckle drive. Got a trailer soon after. Stress wasn’t worth it

 

[2morrow]

GY SC3R’s FTW.

I ran SC2’s for years and although a great tire, I needed something more.

next up is the Hoosier TAP

 

[rstorm85]

Cup 2s for the looks. That is proper mustang driver stereotype stuff.

I promise you this - the cup2s offer no performance benefit on a street driven car. You can’t get them hot enough to have fun and they’re far more dangerous when cold. They’ll feel fine until they bite you. It’s seriously a wild decision to put them on for street driving. As everyone in your thread has stated - the 4s or equivalent 300+ TW tire is better for every metric on the street.

if you choose to ignore everyone in this thread - please just be smart and don’t do stupid stuff and risk others lives on the road. Wet and cold Cup2s will have you backwards before you know it if you start getting careless with the throttle.

Lol, right no pulling out popping clutch into a tree stuff. No i dont drive it like that. My sons are always with me i haven't floored it since the first month i bought it. Its basically a minivan...maybe i should sell it lol

Really though, i get you. They are awesome dangerous tires. Gotta learn what there about.

 

[Aonarch]

Picking a tire based on looks is absolutely wild to me.

Go with the 4S's.

Cup 2s are for track and are horrible in the wet.

 

[GTP]

How much time do you spend looking at your tire sidewalls compared to the time driving your car (when you can't see them)?

 

[RJ787]

I drove my car with the Cup 2's once in the pouring rain on the highway by chance. It wasn't that bad. Just put the car in the rain drive mode, and avoided any sudden acceleration or hard braking.
But they are notorious for the tramlining when cold, and only get a little better when warmed up. And they pick up every rock on the road and throw it against your car.
And the tread wear is very accelerated for those tires. Most people average 5K miles. I was lucky, in that I don't drive aggressively that much, and got 11K.
As for cracking, never had a problem, but my car never sat for long, except during Winter storage. And then the tires were inflated to max pressure for the duration.
On a positive note, the grip you experience with those tires is like nothing you ever experienced. But when my OEM Cup 2's wore down, I put on Super Sports, and got rid of all the negative aspects of the Cup 2's.

I second all of this. Exact same experience with the factory Cup2's on my R since new, got 9k miles out of them. I replaced them with a set of lightly used Cup2's that I found here for $500 or else I'd went with PS4S.

 

[rstorm85]

How much time do you spend looking at your tire sidewalls compared to the time driving your car (when you can't see them)?

I look at my sidewalls maybe couple hours a day..pretty normal stuff lol

 

[FUN2RIDEFAST]

Lol yes i know what the car is made for and had plans for tracks, but became a single parent literally weeks after i bought the car and time became non existent so its become a garage queen. Love driving the car when i can too much to sell it.

And yes normal cup2s. The oem gt500 carbon fiber pack versions

I just dont see the point of having 4s if i dont really drive it much and the cup2 changes the look of the car in a good way. And they are only $200 more for the 4 tires. I only drive it for maybe 2 hours straight, so i dont care about comfort. Only issue is if i get caught in rain which is a very slight chance.

I think ill be good with the cup2s but just looking for opinions 🫣

I'm kind of in the same boat. My 2017 was my daily until October when I bought a new SI. Originally the car had PZero, then Michelin 4s and then I gave Nitto 555 a try. Didn't like the Pirelli's, Michelin were nice and Nitto ok. So, now my Mustang is car show, auto cross and maybe a track day only car so I just put Cup 2 's on it and I really like the feel. Note: Handling is more important to me than comfort. I'm running Ford Track shocks and struts with Steeda linear springs. Also Gforce Outlaw axles. Car is also Roush Supercharged. If I get 10,000 miles I'll be happy because that'd probably be four years of limited use for me.
I've been on this site since I purchased the car and it's an encyclopedia of Mustang knowledge. If you don't know ask and I guarantee you that someone knows it. It's saved me a lot of time, money and head scratching.
Finally I'll say it's different strokes for different folks. If it floats your boat do it but check out your decision on this site for a possible problem you haven't thought of. Thanks to everyone of you Mustang nuts who've helped me out many times. BTW... I'll be 80 in August.
Semper Fi!

 

[Ewheels]

Wow....this thread is a joke.
Buying tires based on how they look? Well, that's the dumbest thing I've heard today. There's more I want to say but this forum likes to ban people so I'll keep those comments to myself.


All that being said, respect for taking on the responsibility of being a single parent
Parental responsibility: A+
Car enthusiast choices: F

 

[rstorm85]

Wow....this thread is a joke.
Buying tires based on how they look? Well, that's the dumbest thing I've heard today. There's more I want to say but this forum likes to ban people so I'll keep those comments to myself.


All that being said, respect for taking on the responsibility of being a single parent
Parental responsibility: A+
Car enthusiast choices: F

Oh i know its controversial lol. It may come off that way but Its not just looks, its basically are they really that more dangerous for 500 miles a year on the street, when they cost the same and im going to be staring at it for 4-6 years with these tires. Live in the bay area which is 70+ all the time and dont drive in the rain on purpose or even cold even if i had all weather tires on it. Last year i drove it twice. So its like why have these everyday 4s tires for the same price when the car isnt used that way.
But i understand the issue. I would go 4s for sure if i drove it every weekend and took trips and cruises in it. Last year i put 140 miles lol. I think im an anomaly in the way this car is used. So my thought is, why not go looks

Also i think i deserve at least a C for car enthusiast. Had a 2003 terminator and a gt350. Gotta give me something for good taste

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