Michelin Pilot Sport 3

[PenguinGTI]

Hi guys, didn't know the best way to do this so thought I just stick up a topic.

Background

I have a mk6 GTI DSG with 17 inch Monza wheels. My driving style contains some exuberant country road mixed with cruising gently and occasional hard acceleration in a straight line. I don't really do trackdays but I have been round Knockhill and the obligatory 'Ring. This is just so people know what I need and use my rubber for. 

My car came with Bridgestone Potenzas which I found were a bit dreadful. They spun the wheels in the dry (even more so in the wet) and had IMO very low limits when driving spiritedly. (I also wish to add my Potenzas were made in Poland - can't remember if there was a warning about a bad batch made in Poland  )

My front 2 lasted around 10k miles at which point I got Dunlop Sport Maxx. These were brilliant. They had excellent grip in the dry but did lose a little in the wet. They lasted around 10k also.

I have now bought 4x Michelin Pilot Sport 3 after some advice on here and various tyre reviews. It was a tough choice leaving the Dunlops as I didn't want to fork out for tyres which turned out to be worse.

Verdict

They are epic. It's been pouring all day and the tyres just grip in the wet. It is almost like 4wd compared to the previous tyres. The tyres have huge water channels which I have really appreciated - it still grips driving through standing water. It feels unbelievably stable also and perhaps a little more comfortable. (not been able to test in the dry yet).

Another feature is the rim protection design which hopefully will never need to be tested (but reassuring nonetheless).

I would advise anyone looking for tyres to give these a try

I also like the way they look which I consider important 

[am1w]

Read reveiw of tyres in latest Autocar. 16" on Golf, 17" on Mercedes C Class.

Also, a short Tyre Test in the latest What Car.

Both interesting reading.

[Exonian]

I've not seen gossa on here for a while, busy on two wheels probably, but he bought some PS3s back along and was impressed by them from what I recall.

[RickS]

Probably a good call, I've had P/S's on other cars and must say they were very good. Might go for them on this one when the time comes.

[Steve30]

Probably a good call, I've had P/S's on other cars and must say they were very good. Might go for them on this one when the time comes.

+1 cant wait for mine to wear down dunlops wont even shread tough tyre??

[MAW73]

Great post PenguinGTI and many thanks. I shall definatly go for Michelin Pilot Sport 3's when my tyres are knackered.

I do however drive like a big wuss in the wet though

I'd be interested to see how you report they are in the dry?

[mike.]

I am running these on the front after my Pothole incident. 

Noticeably better grip, than the Dunlops,  coming off roundabouts in the wet and better traction when accelerating hard from lower speeds.
Great grip in the dry as well.

I noticed the same with the PS2s when I had them on the MK5.
Also gave much better fuel economy than the Goodyear Asymmetrics they replaced.

Highly recommended.

[am1w]

Great post as usual from you Penguin.

The Autocar review threw up interesting results for 16" FWD and 17" RWD cars.
I wish I could find reviews of 18" tyres on FWD cars. Might throw up more different results.

FWD 16" - 1st Vredestein Ultrac Cento, 2nd Bridgestone Potenza RE050A and Continental SportContact 3, 4th Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric

RWD 17" - 1st Continental SportContact 3, 2nd Dunlop Sport Maxx TT and Michelin Pilot Sport 3, 4th Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric

[PenguinGTI]

Thanks am1w,

I will put up my verdict on them in the dry when Scotland becomes a little drier 

I did get a couple of dry patches today and they grip really well. But by far I am most impressed with the wet capabilities.

[am1w]

Hi Penguin.
There is nothing like a personal recommendation. SteveP also loves these tyres.