stampede253

Just put on a set of Michelin Pilot Cup Sport S4's, 275 35 21, replacing a set of Conti's (Contact Sport with Conti-quiet).
Settings: Steering/suspension "Auto", engine/transmission: "Dynamic". Temp on drive: 64 degrees, dry conditions
A few observations after a quick 25 mile drive, mixed suburban/freeway:

• Immediately noticed a glued-down feeling in the steering--much more direct than the Conti's. The car seemed shrink a size and was nearly playful--something not experienced on the Conti's.
• Unexpectedly good ride--absorbed bumps and irregularities without any loud impacts, seemed to make them disappear
• Highway handling superb. Tracks more surely than the Conti's ever did when they were new.
• They're generally noisier than the Conti's--on rough aggregate (which we have plenty of in the Seattle area) they sang like a choir and the noise was borderline excessive, but on smoother asphalt and newer concrete they were surprisingly quiet.
• Set them at factory pressures (44 front 42 rear)--will experiment with 42/40 today to see if noise/handling improves

Overall I'm pleased and surprised. The Conti's only lasted around 13k miles (and I'm not an overly-aggressive driver)--Michelin seems to think these will last 30k since that's their warranty. We'll see LOL

Kelzo

Thanks for this write-up. I'm currently in the market for some new tires and can't narrow it down!

What was the price on these?

stampede253

They were $360 each including mounting and balancing. They've come down quite a bit since they came out a couple years ago. Just drove them in the rain today and they were great. Still noisier than the Conti's which is to be expected I guess.

Mike911A8

I mounted the Michelin S4’s on my 997 about six months ago, and I am extremely pleased with them. If I stick with summer tires on my S8, I will definitely go with S4’s. Mike

Kelzo

That seems to be a fantastic price if that is mounted and balanced!
Was that local or from a franchise?

Just checked Tire Rack and they are $369.99 per tire.

EDIT - Just ordered a set of the Pilot Sport 4S after talking to the sales guy for ages. Installed this Friday!
....Now to burn out my current set!

stilrox

What is it with tires and Audi? I have read numerous discussions and they all site one problem or another. For me- about to put my third set of tires on my 2011 A8L with the hard to find 265/40R-20 series.
The original Pirellis were loud and had a rough ride, and wore out at 15K. I was talked into the Conti Contact sport and basically same issue- loud and wore out at 16K miles. I see many people going up a size to the 275 which opens the flood gates on available tires. Most tire reviewers like the Michelin pilot sport but once again they are loud and wear out quick. I am considering the Hankook ST HR06 since they are one of the few tires that have a mileage warranty (50K) and were #3 behind the Michelin as rated by Car and driver, at about half the cost. Has anyone tried the Hankook tires? I really want a tire that does not wear out in a year and has lower road noise, they all stick pretty well and hard to lose it with quattro drive.