Michelin or Continental | FerrariChat

Michelin or Continental

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by puckybadger, Apr 26, 2023.

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  1. puckybadger

    puckybadger Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2016
    319
    Milwaukee, WI USA
    It's time for new tires and I have a choice between Michelin MPS4S or Continental Extreme Contact Sport 2.
    Front: 255/35/19 Rear: 355/30/19 on Novitec NF2's
    Currently have MPSS and of course they have been great.
    Michelin's are $200 more for the set. The Conti's are a new model.
    Opinions greatly appreciated
     
  2. ///Mink

    ///Mink Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2006
    820
    Fair Oaks, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom Mink
    I had the previous generation of the Extreme Contact Sports before my current MPSS set. The Contis were fine, but I really prefer the Michelins. In particular, I really felt that the Contis were a bit unstable until they were worn in, something I definitely didn't notice as much with the MPSS. My tires were stock 550 sizing.
     
  3. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie

    Sep 2, 2009
    3,420
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Bill Karp
    Love CONTINENTAL I’ve been using them for years and will never change :)
     
  4. NE550

    NE550 Formula Junior

    Mar 23, 2017
    461
    Omaha, NE
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Probably can't go wrong either way. Have MPS4S currently on my 550 and they are fantastic. Nothing negative to say about them. Had MPSS previously, and they were great. I'm sure the Contis are excellent as well. Maybe it comes down to supply chain issues and what's available soonest...haven't bought tires in awhile, so not sure what the tire supply landscape looks like currently.
     
  5. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,160
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Usually when the Michelins are not available, the Contis are the next best thing. Both head and shoulders above Pirellis.
     
    climbernyc, silver1331 and Shark01 like this.
  6. Vilhuer

    Vilhuer Karting

    Aug 3, 2008
    164
    Helsinki, Finland
    4S is worth extra $200 for how sidewall feels to hand. They have patent on hairy surface used in latest models. Old SS will probably never get it.
     
  7. vee12

    vee12 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 2, 2008
    361
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Les
    I went to Contis for the wear factor. They ride smoother and last about twice as long as the Pirelli or Michelin. It's not like I'm tracking the old 550, so a smidgen of lateral grip doesn't really matter to me. One thing I WILL say is the Contis absolutely rock in the rain compared to the Pirellis or Michelins. I got caught in an unbelievable 2hr deluge on a road trip and barely had to slow down....the wet weather traction was terrific.
     
  8. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    I have Conti on the 456 and my wifes car. Great tires They tend to need a little more air pressure then other makes but they have great grip in all weather and seemingly last forever.

    I tend to be weary of Michelin after issues with wheel hop on high torque cars back in the PS2 era....that was a few generations ago though. I fully plan to get a set of S5 or 4S tires (if the S5 are still 'in development') next go around.

    Omar
     
  9. Themaven

    Themaven F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2014
    4,361
    Eastdown
    Full Name:
    Darius
    I have PS4Ss on all my cars, including a Brabus B600 C63SAMG, which with RWD and 600hp in a relatively small car, would be a candidate for wheel hop. Not experienced that once. I think they are a much different tyre to PS2s.
     
  10. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    Indeed they are. I would have switched by now if I wasn’t waiting for the new 5 S. Its supposedly better then the 4S(*) spec
     
  11. Themaven

    Themaven F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2014
    4,361
    Eastdown
    Full Name:
    Darius
    Yes interested to hear views on those
     
  12. EnzoItaly

    EnzoItaly Formula Junior

    Sep 29, 2016
    266
    We have PS4S on all the cars: amazing alround tires (well worth the extra money).
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  13. ajyiii

    ajyiii Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 6, 2014
    324
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Andrew Y
    silver1331 likes this.
  14. puckybadger

    puckybadger Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2016
    319
    Milwaukee, WI USA
    Going with the Michelins
    Fronts are dated 05/23, Rears are dated 10/23 so fresh stock
    Total price mounted, balanced, stems $2131.00
     
    NE550 likes this.
  15. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,476
    Both good choices on high performance cars…..can’t wait until next month when I get to throw out the last of my Pirellis (on the Diablo Roadster).
     
  16. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    Going with conti on the Diablo? Let me know how it goes! I’m still debating conti vs Pirelli on it…not w lot of great choices in 18 in the needed sizes….
     
  17. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,476
    Yeah, I think we are all switching over (18” models). The Contis are getting good reviews, I never cared for Pirellis and full sets have not been available for the past 4-5 years. The only thing to note is you have to buy 245 fronts instead of the old stock 235, but they meet the tolerance requirement.
     
  18. ifeelfree0

    ifeelfree0 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 26, 2014
    604
    Medina, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Dan
    Has anyone ever replaced just the rears when they are needed and not all four all the way around? I’ve got 13,000 miles on mine and the fronts still show at least 4/32. I was going to do a full swap but I am thinking, otherwise. Is that being foolish?
     
  19. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 9, 2010
    13,072
    Blueberry
    Full Name:
    Muffin-Tops
    I put Continental's on all of my cars (if within size spec) when buying new tires within the past 2 years.

    I don't mind Michelins though.
     
  20. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    Depends…same brand? Age of fronts?
     
  21. ifeelfree0

    ifeelfree0 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 26, 2014
    604
    Medina, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Dan
    They are 4s, put on in Sept 2018. My concern is in 2 yrs swapping the fronts out and then does that have any effect on the ride? My gut say just swap the 4 out and be done with it.
     
  22. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    Honestly, unless they are dry rotted, you should be fine
     
  23. 360trev

    360trev F1 Rookie
    Project Master

    Oct 29, 2005
    4,330
    Gibraltar
    Full Name:
    360trev
    I replace my tires regardless of mileage every 5 years (max) or earlier if signs of wear warrant it.

    Beyond 5 they begin to go dramatically off and it's just not worth it to me on any high power sports car to take that kind of risk. Save money elsewhere, imho just don't skimp on tires.

    So many accidents are related to this it's just not worth it..
     
    ifeelfree0 likes this.
  24. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    Storage and use conditions are huge variables. I’m very conservative (change 5-6 years like clockwork from manufacturer date) but even that is high. Unless you’re a very aggressive driver or autocross/track, that ends up being excessive
     
    ifeelfree0 likes this.
  25. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,160
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Mine are gone by 6 years, even though they still look fine. Plus, by then Michelin usually has a better tire out. Mine have gone from Pirellis (yuck) to MPSS, then MPS4S, and hopefully MPS5S when my 2019 tires time out at 5-6 years.
     

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