Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[DylanMckay]

Just shopping for new tires to replace the conti's that came as OE on my m3 and noticed how much cheaper tha PSS are than the PS2's and even cheaper than the conti's. What gives? Everyone seems to think they are even better as well. Too good to be true or just a great tire at a great price?

This was on tirerack FWIW

[Poppin Fresh]

I'm assuming R&D is less coming from PS2 research applied onto the PSS with cheaper/better compound developed to attain performance. Which is always a plus to the consumer. I can't wait to get myself a set of these for the summer as I've been hearing nothing but rave reviews.

[wdd1040]

Great tire at a great price.

[Das M]

I will be picking some up for my new summer tires. Great price and reviews have been nothing but good.

[Black Gold]

I have em and like them. Only complaint is that they run somewhat narrow and have rounded sidewalls...I prefer the look of a square sidewall. But those are minor complaints.

Better than ps2, recommended

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by DylanMckay

Just shopping for new tires to replace the conti's that came as OE on my m3 and noticed how much cheaper tha PSS are than the PS2's and even cheaper than the conti's. What gives? Everyone seems to think they are even better as well. Too good to be true or just a great tire at a great price?

This was on tirerack FWIW

There are quite a few tires that I think are better than the PS2's that are much cheaper. Really depends on where you drive.

[Z K]

The PS2 has been out forever and the newer technology available in the new tires allow for more grip and better wear than the older tire technology. PSS is also a retail market tire which means they sell more of them than OEM tires - simple economies of scale.

[ben@tirerack]

Tire pricing makes no sense. There is no consistent logic to it. So many different things play into it that trying to make it all follow any sort of logic is a lost cause. Material costs, energy costs, R&D costs, OEM contracts, volume of demand, inventory level, production capacity, market positioning, competition etc. all play a role to a greater or lesser extent on each part number.

In this case, the most likely explanation is a marketing decision by Micheiln. They want to phase out the PS2, and move everyone along to the PSS. So they do not want to give anyone a reason to stay with the old model. When the PS2 is gone, the PSS will probably cost what the PS2 does now.

[DailyDriver]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

In this case, the most likely explanation is a marketing decision by Michelin. They want to phase out the PS2, and move everyone along to the PSS. So they do not want to give anyone a reason to stay with the old model. When the PS2 is gone, the PSS will probably cost what the PS2 does now.

I heard the same comment at the shop when I replaced my PS2 for PSS a couple weeks ago, which makes sense. The only other thing they said was that the PSS is not yet star-rated by BMW as an OE tire (i.e., BMW Approved Tire). As soon as that happens, they said the price will likely come up to the PS2. Who knows, but also makes sense.

http://pictures.dealer.com/fieldsbmw...b93dea3575.pdf

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by DailyDriver

I heard the same comment at the shop when I replaced my PS2 for PSS a couple weeks ago, which makes sense. The only other thing they said was that the PSS is not yet star-rated by BMW as an OE tire (i.e., BMW Approved Tire). As soon as that happens, they said the price will likely come up to the PS2. Who knows, but also makes sense.

http://pictures.dealer.com/fieldsbmw...b93dea3575.pdf

Odd. I read that Michelin developed the tires alongside BMW while they were developing the M5. I could be wrong, I thought it said the OEM tires were the PSS.

[itf joegun]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Odd. I read that Michelin developed the tires alongside BMW while they were developing the M5. I could be wrong, I thought it said the OEM tires were the PSS.

As we get the F11 on the 23.12.2011 in the World, there was also a M5 in the showroom. I checked the tires and indeed the PSS ar mounted. So, I think you are right...

[DailyDriver]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Odd. I read that Michelin developed the tires alongside BMW while they were developing the M5. I could be wrong, I thought it said the OEM tires were the PSS.

You're right. PSS are the OE tire on the F10 M5 and they have a star on them. So, that's not the reason for the cheaper price and Ben's probably right about the marketing approach.

http://f10.5post.com/goodiesforyou/m...s/IMG_6174.JPG

[itf joegun]

Originally Posted by DailyDriver

You're right. PSS are the OE tire on the F10 M5 and they have a star on them. So, that's not the reason for the cheaper price and Ben's probably right about the marketing approach.

http://f10.5post.com/goodiesforyou/m...s/IMG_6174.JPG

I noticed that the price for the PS2 increases heavily in the last 12 month, because of a shortage of that tire (I had problems to get 4 for my 330i). So perhaps the price for the PSS is in fact the normal price and the last units of the PS2 which are available today are just to expensive at the moment...all tire dealers told me that the PS2 tire will be no more produced by Michelin. Is this true? Just don't know it...

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by itf joegun

As we get the F11 on the 23.12.2011 in the World, there was also a M5 in the showroom. I checked the tires and indeed the PSS ar mounted. So, I think you are right...

Technically, the M5 isn't even for sale yet so you're probably right. But wrong in a couple of months from now.

I would imagine that segment competition is forcing Michelin to lower their prices a little. I imagine that tire manufacturers make a lot more money off of the people who take their car to the track and changes tires once or twice a year vrs someone who cruises the highway and replaces tires every 2 years.

I think those people (like me) are less willing to spend $300 a tire. Look at the Hankook RS3s, Evo V12s, and Dunlop Star Specs which are much cheaper...although there is a clear trade off when it comes to daily usability.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Odd. I read that Michelin developed the tires alongside BMW while they were developing the M5. I could be wrong, I thought it said the OEM tires were the PSS.

The PSS may well be the OE tire for the M5. For example a quick google search turns up the following:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...nsmission.html

But the sizes are different from those used on the M3, so the pricing of those sizes will have little to no bearing on the price of the M3 sizes.

Inevitably there will be Star-rated versions of the PSS. Just like the PS2, there will be both Star and non-star versions. The prices will vary for inscrutable reasons and with no consistency. Star versions will generally be more expensive.

[maaicher]

The point of the PSS was to be a better performing tire with better tread wear at less cost

[persian54]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

Inevitably there will be Star-rated versions.

I never understood why they had star and non star rated versions

[Technic]

Originally Posted by persian54

I never understood why they had star and non star rated versions

OEM-certified and not?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

The PSS may well be the OE tire for the M5. For example a quick google search turns up the following:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...nsmission.html

But the sizes are different from those used on the M3, so the pricing of those sizes will have little to no bearing on the price of the M3 sizes.

Inevitably there will be Star-rated versions of the PSS. Just like the PS2, there will be both Star and non-star versions. The prices will vary for inscrutable reasons and with no consistency. Star versions will generally be more expensive.

I guess if you are going to get PSS tires (star or non-star)...get them now before the prices shoot up???

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I guess if you are going to get PSS tires (star or non-star)...get them now before the prices shoot up???

This definitely seems like a good time to get them. They are all non-star right now. No star-designated versions for sale yet.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Technic

OEM-certified and not?

I guess it's important for lease returns

but I don't see why they wouldn't accept a non star PS2 over a star PS2...they're the same tire right?

[itf joegun]

Originally Posted by persian54

I guess it's important for lease returns

but I don't see why they wouldn't accept a non star PS2 over a star PS2...they're the same tire right?

Tires which are bound to car manufacturers are optimized for a specific car, or type of cars. From Michelin there are different types for Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW etc. All of them have a specific code. My dealer does not recomend to use tires for a different manufacturer then the car was. He told me the tires are slightly different because of the optimization.

Some Examples for the codes:
OE [Vehicle Manufacturer] Sidewall Marking:
* = BMW,
C1 = Dodge,
K1 & K2 = Ferrari,
MO & MO1= Mercedes-Benz,
N0, N1, N2,N3 & N4 = Porsche,
AO& R01 = Audi,
TPC= Cadillac and Chevrolet

OE Code [Original Equipment Key]:
AC =Acura,
AU = Audi,
BM = BMW,
DC = DaimlerChrysler,
FER = Ferrari,
GM = GM,
L = Lexus,
M = Maserati,
MB = Mercedes-Benz,
P = Porsche

ZP = Zero Pressure Run-FlatTechnology

Regarding lease, my dealer does not care which tires are on the car when I give it back.