[Rosseau]

Lots written already and impossible to get a consensus, so I will selfishly narrow it down to my needs, as I have no previous experience with these cars. However, seems to be consensus I can do better than the P7 Cinturato A/S RTFs they fitted to my 2019 (225/40/18s).

1. I will not track the car and am not a skilled driver. So don't need 10/10ths.
2. Good wet performance and not worried about some harshness.
3. Price is always an issue, but will pay extra for measurable perf. increase.
4. Guessing a staggered set-up doesn't make sense with xdrive.

PS - with xdrive/auto I am assuming late-model Mustang GT (4.3 sec) and Camaro SS (4.0 sec) will be dogmeat in the rain, as well as RWD 2017-2018 M2.

Am I being overly optimistic going up against performance rear-drivers in a 0-60 match in the wet? My 1998 Z28 LS1 (5.2 sec) sucked horribly, but that was 20-year-old tech and balky shifter. Thanks for your input!

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Rosseau

...assuming late-model Mustang GT (4.3 sec) and Camaro SS (4.0 sec) will be dogmeat in the rain, as well as RWD 2017-2018 M2
...Am I being overly optimistic going up against performance rear-drivers in a 0-60 match in the wet?

This will depend somewhat upon where you intend racing these other cars in the rain - e.g., city streets, back highways, interstates, drag strip, race track?

For assured grip in the wet, you can always go with Hoosier H2O tires, but they're pretty radical unless it's very wet out. More here: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Radial+Wet+H2O

[MetalMK]

Square setup with Michelin PS4S would be the best choice IMO

[Rosseau]

Thanks for the recommendation on tires.

Based on my experience with traction-limited RWD vehicles, I assume the xdrive would hold a significant advantage coming off the line vs. vehicles with similar or possibly greater HP than M240i. All I do is floor it, while the other driver must use skill or have car with great traction control (Corvette?) to limit wheelspin and pull ahead. Just curious. I am not about to go crazy on public roads.

[Rayscott]

Racing in wet conditions, no thanks. Too many things can go wrong.

[TajoMan]

If you had P7 Cinturato A/S as the stock tire, you don't have rims for staggered setup.
You have to get 225/40 18.

Regardless of the size, MP4S will be the best for everyday use in summer. (and the most expensive)

[Rosseau]

Thanks. I have a long OH winter ahead to consider this and maybe catch a sale if such a thing exists at Tire Rack - i.e. buy summers during winter; got plenty of room to store them.

[B58togo]

Do you always try to get American Muscle to race you in the rain?

[Dylan86]

Michelin PS4S are by far the "best" performing Summer Performance tire out there, and replace the soon-to-be outgoing Pilot Super Sport. I have had the PS4S's on for about three months, and came from PSS's and can say, undoubtedly, that they are 25% stickier in dry/wet conditions, they're THAT good. They have closed the gap between the PSS and the Cup2, with this tire, and if you're after "top line" performance, you won't get a better street tire, imo. I am RWD, making between 360-380whp on methanol, and the car hooks up in 1st gear, about 90%, and full grip in 2nd an onward, straight line (car also has an LSD). They barely howl at you unless you're right at the limit of traction, whereas the PSS howls a lot earlier into the traction-loss stages, but the feedback is very similar overall.

Since you're AWD, you could also do well with Michelin A/S3+ as they are probably about 70-80% of the PS4S and if you don't really push the car hard enough, you'd probably be just fine with them. They wear better, perform VERY well in wet conditions, and will give you much better "value" in terms of lifespan/cost/performance. We had them on our GTI and only had grip issues when pushing the "car" beyond its comfort level, lol

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by Rosseau

Thanks. I have a long OH winter ahead to consider this and maybe catch a sale if such a thing exists at Tire Rack - i.e. buy summers during winter; got plenty of room to store them.

How much snow do you get? What’s the typical snowfall in a single storm. I ask as the F22 site pretty close to the ground, and the M sits even closer. The Michelin AS are great but not if the snow is too deep for the car to get through. That said, I bought dedicated snows (Blizzaks) and wheels from tire rack for my E46. Never got stuck; used to pass AWD cars and hat had summer tires.

[XutvJet]

Michelin PS4S

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

How much snow do you get?

OP said in another post that he's in Akron, OH. The website cleveland.com says Akron averages 47.5" per year, so he appears to be outside the lake effect snow belt.

Still, 47.5"/yr. means he could probably get 75" in a heavy year, and in a year like that he could see multiple 10" to 15" dumps of snow. Snowfall in Ohio has been highly variable in recent years.

[Kothar]

P4S have them 2 summers now awesome tire!

[Rosseau]

Originally Posted by B58togo

Do you always try to get American Muscle to race you in the rain?

That's funny! I don't see many of them out there in the rain, no less the snow. I've been there with my old Z28. Garaged for the entire winter. Never again.

I've only had to shovel once in the last three years in Akron, OH area, which is really freaky. Now I've got a nice car, will snow like crazy this year.

Thanks for all the tire recommendations. We have a 2004 Lexus with 60 series that's good in snow and I work from home, so will take the good car once the streets (and driveway) are clear. Not looking forward to winter though.

My big question - which all of you answered so well - was "will I feel an appreciable difference in handling compared to the P7 A/S RFTs?" Looks like I certainly will. And the PS4S is $55 less than the P7 RTFs. Will be something to look forward to next Spring - if we even get a Spring here, sometimes not.

Last question: Based on your experience, should I order them now or middle of winter price-wise? Not sure if Tire Rack's prices vary.

Dylan86, that sounds like quite a modified car. I need to get a handle on the stock version first. Thanks again.

[WolfGTI]

I'll buck the trend here and say Continental ExtremeContact Sport. I have found it better in the wet than the PS4S, it will give up a bit of dry grip to the PS4S, but streetwise it is not much. I also find them to be quieter on the highway.
I do not like to drive 40mph in the wet on the freeway like the mindless minions in their metal coffins.

My car is a 240i with a tune so I am at about 380 at the wheels, with LSD. I have zero traction complaints.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Rosseau

Last question: Based on your experience, should I order them now or middle of winter price-wise? Not sure if Tire Rack's prices vary... Thanks again.

I'd order them when your ready to mount them and drive with them, just on the off chance a tire comes with a balance defect, your not trying to return or exchange something that u had sitting around for three or four months.

Now, about wet driving. 1) In the Valentino Rossi autobiography he tells a story about being in London walking into a residence and he sees a pizza delivery driver on a motorcycle overseer around a cobble stone roundabout. Rossi was impressed and said he couldn't have pulled it off. 2) Ayrton Senna when he started karting, was getting beat in the wet, so he went out for hours on a wet karting track over the months to get fast. Anything you try in the wet, just practice in a safe place first. Traction and stability control not withstanding, short-shifting, not having tires over-inflated - the more you know the safer you'll be.

[Maynard]

I'd second what WolfGTI said above - The Conti ExtremeContacts and Michelins are very close, but the Conti's seemed to do a little better in wet braking and roadholding, and the Michelins had the edge in the dry - personally I'd prefer the extra to be in the wet. Also might wear better, but no real way to compare different reviews (2 track weekends and I'm NOT seeing the edge wear that others complain about on the MPSS, but them I'm a real noob on track and probably not pushing real hard).

For timing, I'd suggest putting winter tires on your current rims around the end of October (I also like the Conti winters, but Blizzaks and Nokkians also get high praise). Then you have all winter to shop for a nice staggered summer set of wheels/tires, and don't have to stick with the smaller square setup (you can often find stock wheels for sale too, if you prefer OEM for summer performance driving). Even w/o much snow, you'll appreciate the winter tire advantage.

[XutvJet]

The MPS4 tires will not be on sale anytime soon as there is a huge demand for them because they are amazing and are class leading. Your best bet to save money is to buy them when Michelin is running gift card special where they'll give you a $50 to $100 gift card. That's your best bet but keep in mind the MPS4 tires may not be eligible.

If you want the best summer street tire for performance, wear, and overall quality, the MPS4 is it. Nothing else.

[WolfGTI]

I'll respectfully disagree with the wear - 7000 miles on both tires and the MPS4s were measurably more worn than the Contis. Same driver, same routes same season.

Originally Posted by XutvJet

If you want the best summer street tire for performance, wear, and overall quality, the MPS4 is it. Nothing else.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

I'll respectfully disagree with the wear - 7000 miles on both tires and the MPS4s were measurably more worn than the Contis. Same driver, same routes same season.

Let me clarify, wear vs performance. My OEM MPSS tires have 27K miles and they still have safe tread left and I drive pretty dang hard and I'm spinning the rear tires a lot too. They'll be retired in November and replaced next spring with PS4s. I can't complain with a summer tire lasting ~30K miles. The PS4 is supposed to wear just as good.

The PS4 is just a better tire and the OP is asking for the best summer tire. TireRack's test data doesn't lie. It beats the Contis in everything.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=223

[Rosseau]

Most of you are probably RWD MT, and especially with modified cars, that's pretty impressive. Twenty to thirty years ago, was never able to launch WOT without time-robbing wheelspin, even with lousy 265-310hp Mustangs/Camaros. I guess it must be the new rubber and my lack of finesse.

So I have two nice tire choices and will probably go on price in the "Spring." With xdrive, I assume I should not stagger the tires, right? Thanks!

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Michelin PS4S

+1 PS4S is the best summer tire you can get....