Michelin PS4 vs PS4S on a Fiesta ST

Michelin PS4 vs PS4S on a Fiesta ST

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acme

Original Poster:

3,020 posts

213 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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Contemplating some new front tyres on my MK7 Fiesta ST, currently running OE Bridgestone Potenza RE050’s, done 14k on them.

As I’ve heard so much about PS4S I thought I’d give them a go – plus it seems you can’t get RE050’s anymore (I’d prefer matching tyres on both axles).

However, it seems in the required tyre size (205/40 R17) you can only get PS4 – unless anyone can tell me differently?

Any thoughts on how much better the PS4S are, and whether I’m missing a trick by not looking at anything else?

Cheers in advance.

Scrump

23,423 posts

173 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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PS4 are excellent.
Have them on my 911 and they are the best tyres I have had on it.

Jon of tyrereviews did a test where he compared PS4 against PS4s (there are a few sizes available in both compounds) and the difference between them was surprisingly small.

E-bmw

11,073 posts

167 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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acme said:
it seems you can’t get RE050’s anymore (I’d prefer matching tyres on both axles).
You won't regret that, I personally wouldn't put them on a child's wheelbarrow.

They were only mediocre at best when they were first made & tyres have come a long way since then.

mat205125

17,790 posts

228 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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Scrump said:
PS4 are excellent.
Have them on my 911 and they are the best tyres I have had on it.

Jon of tyrereviews did a test where he compared PS4 against PS4s (there are a few sizes available in both compounds) and the difference between them was surprisingly small.
The minutiae of differences between two excellent tyres, that are arguably the best that money can buy for road cars

Heard the PS5 is due soon??

acme

Original Poster:

3,020 posts

213 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
quotequote all
Scrump said:
PS4 are excellent.
Have them on my 911 and they are the best tyres I have had on it.

Jon of tyrereviews did a test where he compared PS4 against PS4s (there are a few sizes available in both compounds) and the difference between them was surprisingly small.
Thanks, I’ll watch that video later.

Think I’ve got Bridgestones on my 993, got a good wheel protector, could be wrong but not sure they did PS4’s for it, obviously only a small (!) 17” wheel & ancient sizes!

Remember when 17’s on a mates Cossie were so exotic!

acme

Original Poster:

3,020 posts

213 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
You won't regret that, I personally wouldn't put them on a child's wheelbarrow.

They were only mediocre at best when they were first made & tyres have come a long way since then.
That made me laugh! I’ve nothing to compare them against on the ST unfortunately, last year the car did 2k, I use to do 25k pa in my old company car!

Zarco

19,276 posts

224 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport are a good alternative to PS4S. You won't go wrong with the PS4 though. I've always been a Michelin man personally.

acme

Original Poster:

3,020 posts

213 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
quotequote all
mat205125 said:
The minutiae of differences between two excellent tyres, that are arguably the best that money can buy for road cars

Heard the PS5 is due soon??
Cheers I’ll have a look.



Chuck328

1,622 posts

182 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Zarco said:
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport are a good alternative to PS4S. You won't go wrong with the PS4 though. I've always been a Michelin man personally.
Unfortunately (like the PS4S) you can't get Goodyear SS in stock Fiesta fitment. Shame as I really like the GY SS.

Currently on PS4, good tyre but moving to the newer Bridgestone Potenza Sport fairly soon. Will keep an eye on PS5 reviews though!

colin79666

2,067 posts

128 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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They used to do the super sport in Fiesta ST size but didn’t continue when that retired in place of the 4s. I has PS4 as OEM on the mark 8 ST. Stuck to the road like something unpleasant on a blanket. Really good in the wet as well as dry.

QuackHandle

110 posts

146 months

Saturday 29th January 2022
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I’ve had a few MK7 Fiesta STs over the years and the standard Bridgestones are excellent at provoking lift off oversteer but that’s where the benefits begin and end.

If you go with the Pilot Sport 4 you won’t be disappointed. They feel much sharper, last longer, and will give you significantly more grip than the Bridgestones. I rack up about 25/30k miles a year in my ST with some occasional track days thrown in and the Michelin eats it all up with no compromises.

As others have said though; the Pilot Sport 5 is just hitting shelves which could prove to be even better. It’ll almost certainly cost you at least circa £25 extra per corner though and no one has reviewed it yet.

The PS4S is also very good, but you aren’t missing out on much choosing the PS4 over the PS4S. Unless you are tracking it really regularly you are unlikely to notice any difference.


Hope this helps!

acme

Original Poster:

3,020 posts

213 months

Saturday 29th January 2022
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Thanks for that. Interesting to know re lift off, I thought it was just the car itself! It does it as easily as my MK3 MR2 did & with such a short wheelbase that could be a handful!

I don’t need tyres immediately but as I intend to sell this year I’d like to experience it on some different rubber first.

I’ll keep an eye out on PS5’s too, cheers.

Krikkit

27,440 posts

196 months

Sunday 30th January 2022
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Age old problem -if you like the silly tail wagging then I'd be cautious about changing for gripper rear tyres.

Could put the PS4s on the front and the OE on the rear.

Zarco

19,276 posts

224 months

Sunday 30th January 2022
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I'm not sure about that. Lift off oversteer is all about the back end being light and thus being loose compared to the front. The handling balance is going to be very similar with better tyres, as even PS4S can't over come the laws of physics.


Krikkit

27,440 posts

196 months

Sunday 30th January 2022
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Zarco said:
I'm not sure about that. Lift off oversteer is all about the back end being light and thus being loose compared to the front. The handling balance is going to be very similar with better tyres, as even PS4S can't over come the laws of physics.
More grip = higher speed required to get the rear to start moving around.

QuackHandle

110 posts

146 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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Swapping the Bridgestones for Michelins does not eliminate the lift off oversteer or the characterful moving around the mk7 ST does under heavy braking, it’ll just make it less prominent.

You can still have plenty of fun, all it takes is a little flick and it’ll still unsettle. However there is far more grip when you want it. It makes the car a far more capable well rounded drive.