Blackwing-spec PS4Ss heat cycle out long before wearing out?

[white98ls]

It seems clear to me that the Blackwing-spec PS4Ss lose a fair amount of grip well before the tread wears out. I have 16.5k on mine, rears will probably make it to 20k before the wear bars and fronts 25-30k, but ever since 10-12k I've had much less grip esp. in the rear. I used to hook up pretty well in 2nd (straight, decent temps, and on a good surface) and even in 1st if all the conditions were right, but lately it's a much different story. I've even waited until nice warm temps and went on a spirited drive to get the tires "Warm" according to the cluster, but it's still pretty different from when they were fresher.

Anyone else have this experience? No track miles on this set. I think it's due to the Cup 2 compound that's put into part of the Blackwing-spec version (I read somewhere that it's about 60% of the tread, but not sure if that's accurate). I will say I'm impressed by the treadwear at least. 20k out of rears is downright amazing with all the torque and weight. In the past I've gotten 9k out of rears on a 2011 M3 and just replaced my Lotus Elise's rears at 4k (both ~200 treadwear).

 

[vagabond]

Yes, I've noticed similar. Couple sets of tires now. Watch for signs of delamination or accelerated wear if you frequently use them in < 40 degF weather.

I keep spec'ing them though b/c they really are great tires.

 

[poor-sha]

With track use they absolutely heat cycle out before they wear out. The OM also has some incredibly short timeframes for tire replacement with track use. I think that is more a function of load of the tire under heavy cornering.

 

[Savethemanuals]

20K out of rears is impressive. I’ve had PS4S on 3 prior rwd sports cars and none lasted past 15K miles. No track driving. I am religious about replacing them once they hit the wear bars tho. 5K miles on the BW so we’ll see how they hold up.

 

[fordperfaddict]

for track use im suprised im not hearing about the F3 supercar that goes on the ZL1. I have heard they have a ton of track life, and do even better then the pilot sport cup2 for repeated track use

With track use they absolutely heat cycle out before they wear out. The OM also has some incredibly short timeframes for tire replacement with track use. I think that is more a function of load of the tire under heavy cornering.

 

[nordique14]

for track use im suprised im not hearing about the F3 supercar that goes on the ZL1. I have heard they have a ton of track life, and do even better then the pilot sport cup2 for repeated track use

I just ran the Goodyear Supercar 3R tires at the track. The 305 size on the rear was the TPC spec tire which was the front on the ZL1 1LE. The 285 front was just the standard 3R spec.

I have not run the Cup 2 R tire, but compared to the regular Cup 2, the 3R seemed grippier with good feedback. No idea how many days they will take to heat cycle out, but they seem to be wearing down quicker than the Cup 2. Which I expected as the 3R have a lower tread wear rating.

 

[TexasHawkeye]

21,000 miles on mine w no track use but a lot of spirited driving. Replacing them with pilot sport all seasons this week. I want something quieter and that will last a bit longer as I dd my blackwing.

 

[mfcentex]

21,000 miles on mine w no track use but a lot of spirited driving. Replacing them with pilot sport all seasons this week. I want something quieter and that will last a bit longer as I dd my blackwing.

Why go with an all season based on your location? I would go with another Max Performance summer tire. I had the Continental Extreme Contact Sport on my previous car and they were much quieter.

 

[shbox]

Why go with an all season based on your location? I would go with another Max Performance summer tire. I had the Continental Extreme Contact Sport on my previous car and they were much quieter.

Probably because he noted he wanted more longevity as well.

 

[TexasHawkeye]

Probably because he noted he wanted more longevity as well.

Yep. AS will last 50,000 miles instead of 20,000 miles.

 

[mfcentex]

Probably because he noted he wanted more longevity as well.

My personal opinion, but it seems counter intuitive to buy a Blackwing and put all seasons on it.

 

[TexasHawkeye]

My personal opinion, but it seems counter intuitive to buy a Blackwing and put all seasons on it.

Noted. It may be a horrific mistake, but somehow I’ll soldier on.

Incidentally, even Richie at Spring Mountain said if you want a quieter tire that still performs very well, the pilot sport all seasons are a great tire. I don’t track my car, so I don’t probably need a track-capable tire. What I do need is to not spend $1200 every 18 months on tires, but still want to drive in a spirited fashion and have fun with confidence. For me, problem seems to be solved. We’ll see.

Worse case scenario — I don’t like them and buy new tires after 18 months. Again.

 

[mfcentex]

Noted. It may be a horrific mistake, but somehow I’ll soldier on.

Incidentally, even Richie at Spring Mountain said if you want a quieter tire that still performs very well, the pilot sport all seasons are a great tire. I don’t track my car, so I don’t probably need a track-capable tire. What I do need is to not spend $1200 every 18 months on tires, but still want to drive in a spirited fashion and have fun with confidence. For me, problem seems to be solved. We’ll see.

Worse case scenario — I don’t like them and buy new tires after 18 months. Again.

Everyone's situation is different. I have a truck, so I split my mileage over the year.

 

[white98ls]

Noted. It may be a horrific mistake, but somehow I’ll soldier on.

Incidentally, even Richie at Spring Mountain said if you want a quieter tire that still performs very well, the pilot sport all seasons are a great tire. I don’t track my car, so I don’t probably need a track-capable tire. What I do need is to not spend $1200 every 18 months on tires, but still want to drive in a spirited fashion and have fun with confidence. For me, problem seems to be solved. We’ll see.

Worse case scenario — I don’t like them and buy new tires after 18 months. Again.

But the whole point is they last longer. So you'll be stuck with them for like 4-5 years!

 

[DonD]

Why go with an all season based on your location? I would go with another Max Performance summer tire. I had the Continental Extreme Contact Sport on my previous car and they were much quieter.

Plenty of 40 and below temps even in central TX so if you go by the guidance, you can't drive the car. Don

 

[albertw]

My personal opinion, but it seems counter intuitive to buy a Blackwing and put all seasons on it.

It makes sense if your use case involves taking the tires to the cornering traction limit on the street (occasionally when conditions are perfect). All seasons let you do that at lower corner speeds, which I see as a pure benefit. I never street race so traction for low speed acceleration is irrelevant to me.

The A/S 4 gives just as good, maybe slightly better on centre feedback from the road compared to the PS4S, and feedback in corners is not substantially worse.

I don't find the all seasons to be noticeably quieter, but then I think tire noise is mild in this car (especially compared to my C5 Z06). It's similar to my wife's RAV4.

 

[mfcentex]

It makes sense if your use case involves taking the tires to the cornering traction limit on the street (occasionally when conditions are perfect). All seasons let you do that at lower corner speeds, which I see as a pure benefit. I never street race so traction for low speed acceleration is irrelevant to me.

The A/S 4 gives just as good, maybe slightly better on centre feedback from the road compared to the PS4S, and feedback in corners is not substantially worse.

I don't find the all seasons to be noticeably quieter, but then I think tire noise is mild in this car (especially compared to my C5 Z06). It's similar to my wife's RAV4.

It's not just cornering. Acceleration would be different. I notice a big difference from the PS4S showing "Cool" to "Normal". For your climate you might not see as much difference between summer and all seasons.

 

[TexasHawkeye]

But the whole point is they last longer. So you'll be stuck with them for like 4-5 years!

Not if I hate them.