2007 MX-5 - Michelin Pilot SS's??

[Ohno ItstheRozzers]

Hey Guys,
Sorry to add another "tire thread", but I'm currently in the market. My newly-acquired MX-5 desperately needs a set of decent tires if I ever hope to outrun anyone in-class. So, I've been looking through the popular 200 treadwear tires (Star Specs, RS-3's, etc.) and out of left field came a lot of positive words about the Michelin PSS's...eseseses. I'm curious to know if anyone here has run them on a Miata in competition.
The Michelins are attractive because I'm only looking to compete in stock or street tire classes (for now) and I'm looking for something that can serve both low mile DD duty and the once-a-month autocross jaunt. And, in a 215/45/17 size, they actually look to be decently priced. I know they're not the absolute top tire for autocross, but how much of a compromise are they?

[Loren]

No experience with those, but Star Specs are awesome in the rain. Great dual-purpose tire.

I have Continental DW's on my wife's car (same car as yours, but with an automatic). Never autocrossed them, but they seem pretty great in the dry and phenomenal in the wet. Might be another good dual-purpose tire, possibly with more of a slant toward being a fantastic DD tire.

I think most of the top-end "uber performance" summer tires are within about half a second of each other. At our level, it doesn't matter too much which one you choose, the driver is going to make the bigger difference.

[aw614]

I know Doug loves his PSS on his corvette lol.

For my DD and occasional autox car I went with bridgestone so4 pole positions, they do the job for me, good in the rain and decent enough for when I feel like autocrossing in it that I can't complain. I just couldnt muster up over 800 dollars without installation on a set for 18s when that extra 200 could go to more maintenance on the integra

I think Dan with the Mazda 3 hatch went with DW and he has been pleased with the results as a dual use tire.

[twistedwankel]

I know Doug loves his PSS on his corvette lol.

For my DD and occasional autox car I went with bridgestone so4 pole positions, they do the job for me, good in the rain and decent enough for when I feel like autocrossing in it that I can't complain. I just couldnt muster up over 800 dollars without installation on a set for 18s when that extra 200 could go to more maintenance on the integra

I think Dan with the Mazda 3 hatch went with DW and he has been pleased with the results as a dual use tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... mpare1=yes

With a 70$ rebate Visa these DW's will only cost you $375 + $63 shipping UPS. BANG for the buck. I just got a set of 245's for the RX8 stock rims. Dry Wet = when the W disappears in the tread it's a Dry only tire:) Woohoo.

Note the PSS has a 30k treadwear guarantee if you don't abuse them which a light Miata wouldn't!! Lots more $$ The RE-71R's are $134/tire now.

[dbeng]

Yes, as Andrew mentioned, I have the Conti DW tires on my Mazda. They are a noticeable improvement over the Sumitomo HTR Z III summer tires I ran last season.

I haven't tried extreme summer autocross tires yet but for the price I don't think you can beat the DWs especially as a dual purpose street and AX tire. They are phenomenal in the rain too so quite handy for Florida summer weather!

Dan

[Ohno ItstheRozzers]

Suddenly... A new challenger appears!

I didn't even consider the DW's due to the 340 treadwear rating - which I know is basically made-up between manufactures, but still...

Thank you for the heads-up on the current deal, Doug. That kind of a price point is hard to argue against.

The fact that Continental currently sponsors some of my favorite professional racing also helps. The bugger is that they're made overseas while the Michelins are (supposedly) made in the USA. Decisions...

I think I'll call my local tire place tomorrow and see if they have the DW's in stock and can match the price, which they usually can.

It's amazing to see performance tires that are this affordable. Back in my Mustang days, you couldn't find anything close to decent below $150 a tire due to the size needed. My lovely wife is very understanding, but if she notices me spending money on this car like I did on the old one, she'll probably end up throwing my lifeless body off a bridge.

[Loren]

But, Michelin is a French company.

[Ohno ItstheRozzers]

I know!! I guess they have a plant over here, though. And Continental is German... not sure who I should dislike more (haha).

Wait... my wife is of German decent... Another selling point for the DW's!!!

"See, Sweetie, these tires (that I don't need) are from Germany... so it's totally necessary to buy them to support your father-land."

[Loren]

The conversation goes a little differently in my house, I guess.

Me: "Honey, I need new tires."
Her: "So, why are you telling me?"
Me: "They're going to cost me $400."
Her: "Geez, didn't you just buy tires?"
Me: "Probably.
Her: "Are the bills paid?"
Me: "Yep."
Her: "You wanna go see a movie Sunday?"

[twistedwankel]

Didn't Michelin buy out BFG years ago? Goodyear sold it's blimp business.

Anyhow most tire manu's have tire factories in like 3 countries most including China....yikes.

Guess you'll have to stick with Hoosiers then!!

[aw614]

yeah i was surprised to hear that michelin owns BFG when I bought a set a few years back, I guess that is why you don't see michelin competing with a 200 tw tire when the bfg line can do it.

[Solar]

The conversation goes a little differently in my house, I guess.

Me: "Honey, I need new tires."
Her: "So, why are you telling me?"
Me: "They're going to cost me $400."
Her: "Geez, didn't you just buy tires?"
Me: "Probably.
Her: "Are the bills paid?"
Me: "Yep."
Her: "You wanna go see a movie Sunday?"

In my house it goes like this,

Me: I think I'll buy tires today.

[Native]

^^^
...and he LIKES it...


I'm gonna get me some DWs for my German car. But from Discounttiredirect. About 20 bucks cheaper than the Rack in my size...

[twistedwankel]

"See, Sweetie, these tires (that I don't need) are from Germany... so it's totally necessary to buy them to support your father-land."

If you were doing the school tomorrow, an open event and a classic each month those tires you have would be down to the wear bars by now. You really need to do two events per month somewhere to get good at this sport. I think Phillip went all last season on really crappy tires and look at him now!!

[twistedwankel]

I looked it up under specs at tirerack for DW.

Your 17" size is made in Romania or Brazil.

My 18" size was made in Mexico or Portugal. Didn't look on tire but most likely MX. They were at least made in 2015 which is good out of bordello rejects.

Yes some are still made in Germany depends on size. Size matters more in Germany

[dbeng]

I'm gonna get me some DWs for my German car. But from Discounttiredirect. About 20 bucks cheaper than the Rack in my size...

As another alternative, I bought my set of DWs from Walmart.com and had them shipped to my local store free. I'd bought my previous two sets of tires through TireRack and was set to do the same this time around but decided to run a price check. I was surprised that Walmart even offered the DWs but the price at the time was the best I could find anywhere.
Dan

[Native]

I'll look into that.

[twistedwankel]

Just don't let Walmart mount/balance them.

The final two times years ago... I let Walmart install a battery they tried to put in one with the posts on the wrong side.

The other time they stripped my oil drain plug. Fortunately FORD made the plug of softer metal than the pan!! $5

So pick up the tires and take them to your reputable tire guys. Your wheels will thank you.

[Native]

I'll look into that.

Walmart - 620
Tire Rack - 603
DiscountTireDirect - 555

All prices shipped and with applicable fees and taxes. No including the rebate of course...

And no worries Doug - I'll say no thanks to Walmart.

[Loren]

For a $20 difference on a set of tires, I would rather support Tire Rack (a company that supports motorsports) than... Wal-Mart.