Reviews - Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

Car is a daily drive but also used for 5 or 6 trackdays per year, some wet some very hot /dry. On the track (4 trackdays) Wet: Standing water reduced braking substantially compared to oem road tyre (Dunlop SportMaxx RT).

On a wet track, still was fast and confident. Dry: Grip in corners and braking substantially better, and caused heat stress on rest of braking system (fluid and eventually caliper seals) Worth 1-2 secs/lap vs oem dry.

Did not 'go off' with heat like the oems. On the road, noise was similar to oem, ride was a little bumpier due to stiff sidewalls. Wear on road was significantly worse than oem, probably less than half (180 AAA vs 240AAA).

With 4 trackdays thrown in, these are almost fully worn to the tread markers by 1900kms and I have already bought same to replace. Wear was surprisingly even across the width (rotated once), unlike the Oems which wore the inside 25mm to the cord on trackdays (whilst retaining 50% average tread after 12000kms)

For dedicated track performance, perhaps a Trofeo R but you'd also need spare wheels for that option. I just bought spare wheels so will run get PSS to replace for road (and very wet trackdays) and keep PSC2 for track only.

Amazing stability and consistency as speeds rise- felt like different dampers at speed as the car is much less upset by mid corner bumps.

Downside: also felt like a slower steering rack. I've previously run Michelin PS2, PSS, Hankook RS-3 and Dunlop Sport Maxx Race on the car. They require heat- at an autocross 3 passes are needed for max performance at 80F ambient. Temps are very even on the 1M at 36 psi. They handle heat well, better than the RS-3.

Overheating is possible with effort- over 150F they get greasy. Turn-in is poor- if you don't like the soft sidewall feel of the PSS you'll hate it. Steering feels heavy and dead until the car takes a set, and I had to be *very* early attack slaloms and apexes. Once set the tyres become more responsive and precise.

Flip side: high grip and amazing stability. Grip is consistent and slides easy to catch, encouraging you to push. An RS-3 is nearly as forgiving, but would get much more out of shape. Grip is progressive and never "washes out"- balance is maintained close to neutral even when you get one end sliding, but this does reduce some "seat of the pants" feedback.

The combination allows serious speed- once hot the tyres are faster than anything else I've run on the car, or likely anything with a 180 treadwear rating. For the big track stability and consistency of grip is exactly what you want, and these are well suited, but less so for the autocross. They work well on camber challenged cars, but may want front toe out to help turn-in on cars not designed for them.

For the AX RS-3s are more fun, with better turn-in and a more playful demeanor, but ultimately slower if these get hot. Overall very good competition tyres, and the high-speed stability they impart is also much appreciated even on the freeway drive home. Ride and road noise aren't much worse than a PSS, and damp grip is very good if it's warm. Wear seems very good so far, on par with an RS-3, much better than the DSMR.