720S - Old 2018 tyres need to go, but with what?

[tobytwo]

My new to me 720S has 2018 P Zero's all around, they are in 'as new' condition and based on the fact the cars done 15,000 miles I assumed the seller had swapped some old tyres off another car with whatever was on mine. I noticed prior to the sale completion and negotiated hard to achieve a reduction of zero pounds from the purchase price; note to self, don't fall in love with the colour and the carbon and then tell the seller!!

These tyres seem hard and offer very little grip in the 8C wet weather we are having, with 20% throttle I'm wheel spinning in 3rd, 4th and 5th and the back steps out (only a little bit but at very low power settings), I don't think I've gone over 5000 rpm in any gear and the car lives in comfort comfort and 5% throttle at the moment.

I have read lots and it appears the current P zero is a different product to the 2018 vintage, is this correct?

I'll be doing a couple of track days next year but want the tyres to work in realistic English weather more than setting lap times.

What's the current view on

P Zero PZ4
P Zero Corsa
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Goodyear Eagle F1
Continental Sport Contact 7

I had a set of PS4S and Cup 2 for my R8 and loved them, when I get back into the track day thing (year 2 of ownership) I'll probably get a second set of rims and put cup 2's on those.

[samoht]

I have PS4S on my 570GT, I find them really good on the road, including in cold and/or wet weather. V Engineering have advised they'll somewhat hold the car back on track, but sounds like you're well aware of that trade-off.

[davek_964]

My previous 650 went P Zero -> PS4S and it was a massive improvement.

The current one has P Zero even older than yours (2016) - and I really must ditch them for Michelin. I think mine were used on the car - although they still have a lot of tread left, even at ~13k miles - but McLaren's do seem to make tyres last way longer than any other performance car I've owned (the PS4s on my previous car did about 15k (hard) miles and still had quite a bit of tread left when I replaced them)

Edited by davek_964 on Tuesday 12th December 07:13

[Trev450]

You will probably struggle to find much in the way of positive praise for P-Zeros.

Like others have said, the Michelin PS4S is a huge improvement and likely to be the best all round tyre currently available.

[964Cup]

I went to PS4S from 2018 PZeros on my coupe and it was night and day. My new car is coming on the latest PZeros and I will try those (in this awful weather) but have already asked the dealer to get some PS5S on order (apparently the rears aren't available at the moment).

[supersport]

I came across some discussion of potential issues with PS4S on some Mclarens, not a problem on the 720 then?

[samoht]

supersport said:

I came across some discussion of potential issues with PS4S on some Mclarens, not a problem on the 720 then?

The issue is that for the same nominal section size, 285 or whatever, the MPS4S comes out to be physically wider than the PZero.

On the 650 and 675 (I think) this can be the difference between not rubbing and rubbing, the latter having potentially significant negative consequences. Sports Series are fine, I've not heard of the 720 being an issue.

If I had such a car, I would far rather fit MPS4S in a slightly narrower nominal width (eg 275) to fit the arches, than PZeros of the 'correct' official fitment.

[Streetbeat]

Apparently the new Continental is a very very good tyre and often comes out better than Michelin in tests.

[Oaky]

Continental say the SC7 is made in the right sizes but I can’t find anyone stocking them. I hope to buy them mail order and have Rennworks fit

Edited by Oaky on Tuesday 12th December 17:47

[tobytwo]

Many years ago a friends TVR Chimera 500 had Sport Contact 2's and they where the only stopping that car from killing you at every corner. Affectionately know as 'The egg box of death' we all loved that car!

I've kind of got a soft spot for giving SC7's a go and a chap on McLaren life fitted some and reported no issues 6 months later so I've emailed the Germans to ask which stockist can order them in for me.

I'll post any answers here

[Oaky]

Continental said they expect 720 size SC7s in their UK warehouse/s again Q1 2024 but not sure when, but that they’re showing as available now on their system at Stapletons

[tobytwo]

I decided to go with the Sport Contact 7’s as
A. What’s the point of reading reviews.
B. I’ve already had Pilot Sports on another car.
C. I can find out if they rub and share with the community.

Rears


Fronts

[Oaky]

I put SC7s on 2 weeks ago and very pleased with much-improved grip plus quieter and more supple ride

Camskill £809 delivered

Edited by Oaky on Monday 22 January 21:28

Edited by Oaky on Monday 22 January 21:29

[tobytwo]

Oaky

How old where the tyres they replaced?

[chrisellis30]

I am needing new tyres on my 720s, i have been told that Michelin MP4S in the equivalent size as the stock Pirelli will rub. Can anyone confirm this?

[Streetbeat]

Id go with Continental Sport Contact 7's these days, most reviews of ultra high performance tyres have them up the top, amazing price too.

Just put a set on my 720s, no rubbing issues, excellent performance and circa £850-£900 a set.

[ANOpax]

SC7s are the king of the hill now. Better than MPS4S, especially in the wet. Their achilles heel is limited lifespan as they wear quickly but that’s offset by the typically 40% lower price.

The wear shouldn’t be an issue for the supercar crowd anyway as most people life out their tyres rather than wear them out.

[andysv]

SC7’s on mine, big improvement over the stock tyres.

[Rocketreid]

chrisellis30 said:

I am needing new tyres on my 720s, i have been told that Michelin MP4S in the equivalent size as the stock Pirelli will rub. Can anyone confirm this?

No they will not rub, so not sure who’s misinformed you.

The Michelin PS4S has been the go to tyre for McLarens for mainly road use for a few years, however there are other options available now as mentioned above.

If you like to drive in mainly dry and Warmer conditions the PZero Corsa is a good road tyre and better on track than the Michelin’s

I had an experimental weekend a couple of weeks ago with PS4S, Corsas and Trofeo R’s interchanged on my Mac.

The Trofeos even in warm condition were lairy, the Michelins were predictable and had it been wet the better tyre but the Corsas were spot on

[ChrisW.]

I was looking at a second set for an Artura ... couldn't find the Conti 7's or the Corsas in the 235/35 ZR19 and 295/35 ZR20 sizes ... so PS4S ?

I appreciate that the Cybertyres in Corsa are supposedly a standard option ... but where to find them ? Protyre ? Black circles ? Pirelli and Continental direct ??