[Tengocity]

I had a full set of MPS4S fitted around a week ago to my 335d after getting a couple of my current MPSS damaged. Tyre insurance paid for those two so seemed like a good time to splash out and make a complete change to the newer tyre.

I've always liked the MPSS, and so I had a lot of faith that the new tyre would be at least as good and most probably better, and since it was actually no more expensive (the rears were cheaper) than the MPSS it really was a no brainer.

The actual cost for 19s on standard BMW sizes was just under £800 fully fitted at Costco.

Since I've been running MPSS for the last 2.5 years and 70k miles my thoughts are in relation to them.

In fairness I've not done a lot of miles on these, certainly not enough to tell what they're like for fuel consumption for example, but they seem to offer similar ride comfort, no difference in road noise that I can tell so far.

In terms of looks, as tyres go they look frickin awesome! Not sure how a tyre can look good, but these do! I think its the bold lettering on the tyre, with very tactile velvet finish on parts of the sidewall. Also, the grooves between the treadblock has a more 3 dimensional cut and shape to it. No doubt there are good technical reasons why, but it also makes them look very modern and technical.

They're a development of the MPSS so unsurprisingly they feel much the same most of the time. There are differences however, first one I noticed being the the turn in characteristics. The 335d is a nose heavy car no matter what you do to it suspension wise, however these tyres have made an appreciable difference here. First thing I noticed was just a little more sharpness just off the straight ahead. It's only a subtle difference, but a nice one to have, as if barrelling along a moderately twisty road it adds up to a little bit more life in your hands.

Second difference I noticed was under really hard braking. I did a few hard stops to see how they were and this was a big difference to the MPSS I thought. I run Alcon 6 pot big brakes up front and on a full force stop I can trigger the ABS at a remarkably high speed (hard to gauge exactly what speed but would guesstimate it's well above 30mph). With these MPS4S the ABS trigger speed was much lower, to the point where I could actually stand on them even further and still gain more genuine stopping power.
The reality is that this may not be a realisable difference to most people as the MPSS are more than grippy enough for the stopping power of the MSport brakes, but good to know nevertheless.

Third difference I could objectively notice was on a tight curving piece of road near the house (A34 exit for Milton services, going to Milton Park if anyone knows it!), which is an almost continuous 180 degree bend. I drive it most days and tend to have a pretty good idea how each of my cars handle that bend. The 335d tends to grip and then when it reaches limit washes quite quickly in to understeer. Thus far in 4 drives round that same bend I haven't reached that point where the understeer comes quickly, despite now going quite a bit quicker than before.

So overall, early signs are that this tyre is a noticeable improvement upon even the mighty MPSS, though I would admit only for those that do tend to push their cars performance and handling quite hard. Which is what you'd expect given what Michelin have said about the tyre, and how it's been positioned!

[Tengocity]

Some pics

[insanecoder]

Were these run-flats?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

Were these run-flats?

No, neither the MPSS or MPS4S I had were run-flats.

[PurpleTT]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

In terms of looks, as tyres go they look frickin awesome! Not sure how a tyre can look good, but these do! I think its the bold lettering on the tyre, with very tactile velvet finish on parts of the sidewall. Also, the grooves between the treadblock has a more 3 dimensional cut and shape to it. No doubt there are good technical reasons why, but it also makes them look very modern and technical.

Helpful write up thanks Mr City.

However, you really are very weird Lol

[cesare87]

Nice write up. Mine should be here tomorrow.

[Daftasabrush]

Was it a special request to get them from Costco or does it heavily depend on the store? Every time I check online for these at my local one, they don't offer them.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

Was it a special request to get them from Costco or does it heavily depend on the store? Every time I check online for these at my local one, they don't offer them.

Yes they had to be ordered in, but that was no problem and they were there the next day.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by PurpleTT

Helpful write up thanks Mr City.

However, you really are very weird Lol

You'll see! It honestly does feel like velvet...

[Watsey]

Lots of life left in my MPSS Terry but it'll be MP4S when they need replacing. Possibly 8th July

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Lots of life left in my MPSS Terry but it'll be MP4S when they need replacing. Possibly 8th July

You should drive with that intention- to get the most out of them before you change them over!

[Mattt1]

What's the wear rating in comparison?

[dopper99]

Thanks for the write up Tengo.

It's the tyre I'll be buying when mine wear out.

[teaston]

The BIG difference is in the wet! My PS4 rear tyres have far more grip in the wet than the PSS did.

Have you pushed them in the wet yet Tengocity ?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

The BIG difference is in the wet! My PS4 rear tyres have far more grip in the wet than the PSS did.

Have you pushed them in the wet yet Tengocity ?

You've got PS4 rather than PS4S?

I thought about getting the PS4s, especially now that I'm not going to use this car on track days anymore, but I just couldn't resist the MPS4S when I saw they weren't any more expensive.

Haven't really tried them in the wet to be honest, certainly not in a way that would allow me to tell any differences.

What do you notice specifically? Traction, braking, cornering, feel....?

[Darth Helmut]

Great write up thanks, Tengs.

Day two on my new PS4S so still early days. Initial impression compared to previous OEM Pirelli RFTs (19"s) is they are more compliant. Not pushed them yet as I'll bed them in a bit more. Liking them a lot so far and love the look!

[F30Andy]

Great write up. Very informative.

I have a two sets waiting to go on the 640d.

I was going to wait until my rft dunlops wore out but after reading this I think I will get around to it sooner rather than later.

Also the SRR day is approaching and you never know which one of you I might bump into on the way there/back

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

You've got PS4 rather than PS4S?

I thought about getting the PS4s, especially now that I'm not going to use this car on track days anymore, but I just couldn't resist the MPS4S when I saw they weren't any more expensive.

Haven't really tried them in the wet to be honest, certainly not in a way that would allow me to tell any differences.

What do you notice specifically? Traction, braking, cornering, feel....?

Yes, the 4S weren't available when I bought them.

Wet traction is definitely greatly improved, the rear grips now in the wet in situations where the PSS would have struggled a bit and xdrive would shift drive to the front wheels. On a rear wheel drive car I would imagine they make a huge improvement.

[FarmerD]

What size did you go for? Standard 225 and 255?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by FarmerD

What size did you go for? Standard 225 and 255?

Correct.

Given that the 335d has same tyres as a 318d but with twice the power, so I do sometimes wonder if it really should have a wider tyre on, especially for me with remap and upgraded suspension, but the extra grip these seem to produce may seem to resolve that.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Correct.

Given that the 335d has same tyres as a 318d but with twice the power, so I do sometimes wonder if it really should have a wider tyre on, especially for me with remap and upgraded suspension, but the extra grip these seem to produce may seem to resolve that.

Probably more the case that a 318D with 255 rears to manage the performance is wildly optimistic

[FarmerD]

Ha ha. True.

Do the fronts fit a bit better? On my MPSS tyres the rears look nice and square on the wheel but the fronts look a little stretched. Do wonder if 235s might fit better, although you do get a slight difference in circumference.