[x233]

I came across the information on the Michelin website that there are actually 2 versions of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire in 225/40/18 size.

The one that comes from factory (BMW) is 225/40/ ZR18 88Y.
There also exists 225/40 ZR18 92Y XL.

I wonder if on a staggered setup (225/40/18 front 245/35/18 rear) replacing the stock front tire with the one that has a higher (92) load rating and XL sidewall (probably/hopefully more rigid) will have a significant effect on

a) outside tread premature wear
b) understeer
c) handling of the car in general.

Any suggestions?

[lieb923]

You want the tire with the star on the sidewall, It's the BMW spec tire.
If you don't need immediate replacement i'd wait for the PSS4S they are in the process of releasing them. the specs are improved.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by x233

I came across the information on the Michelin website that there are actually 2 versions of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire in 225/40/18 size.

The one that comes from factory (BMW) is 225/40/ ZR18 88Y.
There also exists 225/40 ZR18 92Y XL.

I wonder if on a staggered setup (225/40/18 front 245/35/18 rear) replacing the stock front tire with the one that has a higher (92) load rating and XL sidewall (probably/hopefully more rigid) will have a significant effect on

a) outside tread premature wear
b) understeer
c) handling of the car in general.

Any suggestions?

b) Since BMW likes to engineer understeer into their cars, maybe the non-BMW spec tire will have less of that.

c) If the sidewalls are stiffer with a 92XL rating ,turn in should undoubtedly be better.

[x233]

Originally Posted by lieb923

You want the tire with the star on the sidewall, It's the BMW spec tire.
If you don't need immediate replacement i'd wait for the PSS4S they are in the process of releasing them. the specs are improved.

I really don't care about the star on the sidewall. Also, I have 2 news sets of tires already, one of them PPS, so I would rather pass on the PSS4S for now.

What I would like is a) a tad bit grippier front tire, b) a bit less outside wear, c) a bit sharper steering.

I wonder if that tire can help that or not.

[German1967]

Originally Posted by x233

I came across the information on the Michelin website that there are actually 2 versions of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire in 225/40/18 size.

The one that comes from factory (BMW) is 225/40/ ZR18 88Y.
There also exists 225/40 ZR18 92Y XL.

I wonder if on a staggered setup (225/40/18 front 245/35/18 rear) replacing the stock front tire with the one that has a higher (92) load rating and XL sidewall (probably/hopefully more rigid) will have a significant effect on

a) outside tread premature wear
b) understeer
c) handling of the car in general.

Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by x233

I came across the information on the Michelin website that there are actually 2 versions of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire in 225/40/18 size.

The one that comes from factory (BMW) is 225/40/ ZR18 88Y.
There also exists 225/40 ZR18 92Y XL.

I wonder if on a staggered setup (225/40/18 front 245/35/18 rear) replacing the stock front tire with the one that has a higher (92) load rating and XL sidewall (probably/hopefully more rigid) will have a significant effect on

a) outside tread premature wear
b) understeer
c) handling of the car in general.

Any suggestions?

I have replaced both my from tires with the 92 load rating.
No detectable difference at least for me.
There is certainly no issue with driving with the higher load rating.
I am also driving with front pressure up to 35/36 PSI to mitigate understeer and wear. Not sure if that helps any either.

[x233]

Originally Posted by German1967

I have replaced both my from tires with the 92 load rating.
No detectable difference at least for me.
There is certainly no issue with driving with the higher load rating.
I am also driving with front pressure up to 35/36 PSI to mitigate understeer and wear. Not sure if that helps any either.

Thanks for the input. I hoped "upgrading" that front tire would make a difference... sigh.

ps: I, too, run higher front tire pressures. plus, I made a little less toe-in (0.04 instead of 0.07).

[Maynard]

I've seen several comments that the best, perhaps only fix for that outside scrubbing is more camber, especially via the 4-series lower control arms - not sure you can do that to an x-drive, though.

[German1967]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I've seen several comments that the best, perhaps only fix for that outside scrubbing is more camber, especially via the 4-series lower control arms - not sure you can do that to an x-drive, though.

You cannot.

[x233]

Just an observation: the stock 225/40/ ZR18 88Y Michelin PSS tire has a kind of slanted/sloped outer edge when completely new, tread on the outside already not as deep as on the inside, plus the soft outside sidewall, so no wonder it has an issue with premature outside tread wear.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by x233

Thanks for the input. I hoped "upgrading" that front tire would make a difference... sigh.

ps: I, too, run higher front tire pressures. plus, I made a little less toe-in (0.04 instead of 0.07).

My car has 13,000 miles on it. I wouldn't have had the alignment checked since I've never hit a major pot hole that I know of but since I installed Dinan springs and upgraded to 235/35/19x8 and 265/30/19x9 tires, I had the alignment done on a new Hunter system. I was surprised at how much the alignment was off. The front Total Toe was .36 (plowing), after alignment it was .11 left and .11 right or .22 total (spec is .17-.30). The rear had a Toe of .10 on the left and .25 on the right, now the rear has a Toe of .14 left and .15 right or a total of .29 (spec is .23-.37). The new wheels 19x8 ET45 front and 19x9 ET48 yielded zero change in scrub radius.

Anyone worried about handling and tire wear might consider getting an alignment even if you haven't hit any major pot holes.

Although my stock staggered setup lasted 13,000 miles, the front and back tires were ground on the outside corners while the center and inside still had a lot of tread, I guess like all of these cars :-(. I'm curious to find out if the Dinan springs, new alignment and new MPS4 S tires will make any difference in wear pattern...fingers crossed. It definitely feels like the front has less plowing into corners now.

[Maynard]

So are you are noticing changes just from the improved alignment, or did you add the parts too at the same time? In other words, was that a noticeable improvement for driving?

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by Maynard

So are you are noticing changes just from the improved alignment, or did you add the parts too at the same time? In other words, was that a noticeable improvement for driving?

Unfortunately, I added the wheels, tires, Dinan springs and alignment done all at the same time. Also, because of the Dinan springs the front negative camber is at -1.0 now, hopefully that will help with front tire wear a bit.

[x233]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Unfortunately, I added the wheels, tires, Dinan springs and alignment done all at the same time. Also, because of the Dinan springs the front negative camber is at -1.0 now, hopefully that will help with front tire wear a bit.

I ran Pirelli P Zero last season and the fronts (225/40/18) were wider than the Michelins of the same size, their outer edge is more "square" and the sidewall is definitely stiffer. I didn't notice nearly as much outside wear with a more conservative alignment as it is now with the Michelins. and I've only had the Michelins for about a month but I can already see the scrub marks on the outside oh so clearly. The Michelins are certainly more comfortable, though. Stickier? Probably. At least in cold temperatures. Too early to tell, though, since we haven't had really warm weather yet but there's less understeer and the car feels more agile in tight corners or when changing direction. Wheel alignment is not an expensive procedure where I live so I do it 2-3 times a season, either to fine-tune the handling characteristics or just in case... and yes, every time it's a bit off from what it was set to be on a previous alignment.

[x233]

Originally Posted by x233

2 versions of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire in 225/40/18 size.

The one that comes from factory (BMW) is 225/40/ ZR18 88Y.
There also exists 225/40 ZR18 92Y XL.

I wonder if on a staggered setup (225/40/18 front 245/35/18 rear) replacing the stock front tire with the one that has a higher (92) load rating and XL sidewall (probably/hopefully more rigid) will have a significant effect on

a) outside tread premature wear
b) understeer
c) handling of the car in general.

I can now answer these questions myself. A couple of months ago I had a bubble in my front tire and decided to try the 92Y XL version instead of 88Y. Changed both front tires, the rears were only about 3 months old so I decided to keep them.

The 92Y XL version is about 5 mm wider than the 88Y tire when put side by side. Also, the 88Y has a kind of slanted outer edge even when completely new so it looks kind of used even if it's never done a single mile. The 92Y XL version does not have that and its outer edge is more solid and square. The 92Y XL feels a bit heavier.

I think that maybe BMW chose the 88Y tire because it's more comfortable and lighter. I can feel it on less than perfect roads, it's not too much to make a fuss about it but it's certainly there. The steering is a bit heavier and a bit more planted, a bit more direct, the difference is not huge but it's there. There is less of that empty feel at the steering wheel that's present with the 88Y front tires. The car is a bit more planted at high speeds, too. Having said that, I think that maybe the BMW-specced (softer) tire is still a better choice for the city for most people because it's more comfortable and refined. The front end (with 92Y XL tires) is a bit more stable/planted when cornering hard and now it feels like the rear begins its sideways slip earlier than before - there is less understeer (maybe it would be less noticeable if the rears were completely new, too). I used to run higher pressures for the fronts and now I run equal front/rear tire pressures. I would actually prefer to have a bit harder rear tires now

[Lucky13]

My 88Y fronts were shot at 6,000 miles and I only do 1-5 mile city trips. Got an alignment at 6,000miles and no adjustments they were in spec. I actually beleive that a lot of city driving with a lot of turns just kills these fronts. Just ordered the 92Y’s from my dealer since the rears are 92Y anyway. Dealer agreed to go none spec because of the wear problem. Checking the 4S specs shows they are 92Y also for fronts. At 3-4,000 miles I started keeping them at 35-36 psi to extend the wear but I’m completely through the tread into the belt on the right front at 13,000 (2014 model all city driving). My rears could probably go another 10,000 but I’m replacing them. BMW has a special going so I’ll give the PSS another shot and Costco was a 2 week wait for the 4S.

[kthor703]

Originally Posted by x233

I can now answer these questions myself. A couple of months ago I had a bubble in my front tire and decided to try the 92Y XL version instead of 88Y. Changed both front tires, the rears were only about 3 months old so I decided to keep them.

The 92Y XL version is about 5 mm wider than the 88Y tire when put side by side. Also, the 88Y has a kind of slanted outer edge even when completely new so it looks kind of used even if it's never done a single mile. The 92Y XL version does not have that and its outer edge is more solid and square. The 92Y XL feels a bit heavier.

I think that maybe BMW chose the 88Y tire because it's more comfortable and lighter. I can feel it on less than perfect roads, it's not too much to make a fuss about it but it's certainly there. The steering is a bit heavier and a bit more planted, a bit more direct, the difference is not huge but it's there. There is less of that empty feel at the steering wheel that's present with the 88Y front tires. The car is a bit more planted at high speeds, too. Having said that, I think that maybe the BMW-specced (softer) tire is still a better choice for the city for most people because it's more comfortable and refined. The front end (with 92Y XL tires) is a bit more stable/planted when cornering hard and now it feels like the rear begins its sideways slip earlier than before - there is less understeer (maybe it would be less noticeable if the rears were completely new, too). I used to run higher pressures for the fronts and now I run equal front/rear tire pressures. I would actually prefer to have a bit harder rear tires now

Now that I have seen the slanted outer edges comment multiple times, I'm wondering if this was done for better clearance to the fender. We know the wheel well is tight already.

I'm sure there are other differences too, as you have mentioned.

[Lucky13]

I talked to 3 different people at Michelin and they really need some people in customer service that can read a spec sheet or answer basic questions. The net of 3 conversations was 3/10’s of a pound heavier, 10/32 tread depth vs 9/32 for 88Y and slightly thicker side wall. Don’t kill the messenger this is the only consistent answer I could get but who knows if its true. Like I did point out earlier, the new 4S is 92Y also for the fronts so it will probably be a little stiffer ride than the 88Y MPSS also.

[B89]

Originally Posted by x233

I can now answer these questions myself. A couple of months ago I had a bubble in my front tire and decided to try the 92Y XL version instead of 88Y. Changed both front tires, the rears were only about 3 months old so I decided to keep them.

The 92Y XL version is about 5 mm wider than the 88Y tire when put side by side. Also, the 88Y has a kind of slanted outer edge even when completely new so it looks kind of used even if it's never done a single mile. The 92Y XL version does not have that and its outer edge is more solid and square. The 92Y XL feels a bit heavier.

I think that maybe BMW chose the 88Y tire because it's more comfortable and lighter. I can feel it on less than perfect roads, it's not too much to make a fuss about it but it's certainly there. The steering is a bit heavier and a bit more planted, a bit more direct, the difference is not huge but it's there. There is less of that empty feel at the steering wheel that's present with the 88Y front tires. The car is a bit more planted at high speeds, too. Having said that, I think that maybe the BMW-specced (softer) tire is still a better choice for the city for most people because it's more comfortable and refined. The front end (with 92Y XL tires) is a bit more stable/planted when cornering hard and now it feels like the rear begins its sideways slip earlier than before - there is less understeer (maybe it would be less noticeable if the rears were completely new, too). I used to run higher pressures for the fronts and now I run equal front/rear tire pressures. I would actually prefer to have a bit harder rear tires now

I know it’s been a while but I am about to get rid of my run flat tires (MPS3) and buy non-run flat MPSS. The only problem is my local tire shop only has the 92Y XL version for fronts. Rears will be 94Y, standart load. Considering that my main raison for changing tyres is ride comfort, will I be happy with XL versions or should I wait for the standart version as there is a significant difference in terms of ride quality between these two?

[x233]

Originally Posted by B89

I know it’s been a while but I am about to get rid of my run flat tires (MPS3) and buy non-run flat MPSS. The only problem is my local tire shop only has the 92Y XL version for fronts. Rears will be 94Y, standart load. Considering that my main raison for changing tyres is ride comfort, will I be happy with XL versions or should I wait for the standart version as there is a significant difference in terms of ride quality between these two?

I cannot compare these 2 directly as I've never tried runflat MPS3. The 92Y XL tires ride is a bit harsher than the oem 88Y but I would expect the 92Y XL non-runflat MPSS to be more comfortable than the runflat MPS3.