I will shortly be changing my tyres on my V6S as the tread is getting low. Now, I know everyone says Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the way to go, and I'm happy to do that. But, when people say that tyre is "best", do they mean for grip on a smooth surface, comfort on bumpy roads, wet road holding, longevity or what? Most important factor to me is that I am keen to get away from the bad tramlining on my current Pirelli P Zeros. Not so bothered about other factors. So what tyre do people think is best to avoid tramlining? (Tracking etc all checked and good, don't want to change tyre profile)
Thanks in advance for any help

 

All tyres are compromise between various characteristics. Since I don't think anybody have driven all of them, not saying on one vehicle, if you are interested in the topic I highly recommend this https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/...-Tyre-Test.htm
This guy is doing by far the best reviews I have ever seen, much better than any magazine or "classic" tests.
If you do not bother that much, then buy PS4S and call it a day

Also to add, the "tramlining" I think is cause by low-profile tyres and "communicative" steering rack. If you are on 20" rims, then I think more than tyre model it would help to switch to 19" and also with softer sidewall, which is basically do not go to ultra-ultra performance category but rather ultra-performance.

 

Thanks for that. I'm on 19" rims. I think I'm looking for softer sidewalls as you say, and was wondering which of the tyres have that?

 

From the Ultra-Ultra preformace category, from reviews I remember that PS4S should be the softest. It is the only "drawback" of this tyre agains other competition, that it is not that "hard" and "sporty" like some others. So this should suit you well. If you go to a lower category, then PS4 (without the S) would be my pick. But try to research reviews and focus on the "comfort" category ratings.
But frankly I think everything will be better than the OEM P Zeros, this tyre is trashed by almost everyone on every forum for the horrible grip and hard feel.

 

I've not noticed any tramlining with my PZeros. In fact, the only Jaguar I've had that did tramline was my 2001 XK8 on 17" wheels, the 2004 and 2010 XKRs on 20" wheels that followed were fine on all roads, using PZeros and Dunlop Maxx Sport, respectively, which rather confuses the "low profile tyres tramline" theory.

 

If you like the "look" of the P-Zero's, then get P-Zeros.

The reasons the P-Zero's tend to tramline more than other tires is because of the tire shoulder design. The P-Zero's have a rounded shoulder. This makes the tire "look" better as it provides a "stretched tire look" without the tire being stretched but that also means those rounded shoulders will grab uneven roads a lot more than other tires. Michelin's will tramline less as they have a "square" shoulder design. However, this means it makes the tires look "taller" because of the shoulder design which does not look as appealing or aggressive on a wheel.

There are other tires with square shoulder designs but ultimately you have to decide between form or function.

 

Good point, also geometry might be off. For a good list, check this out
https://www.tireamerica.com/resource/what-is-tramlining

 

For comparison purposes to other who may way in here is my experience with the MP4S’s after having two sets of Pirellis. The Michelins I’ve had for the past 22,000 miles and have still 7 on the front and 6 on the rears. They grip better, they are more sure footed in the rain and they are quieter than the Pzeros. The Pzeros didn’t last 12-14k miles, either set and got scary from 10k on.

From talking to the VP of Continental last year I had the following intel ( he acknowledged the quality of the MP4S). After talking to a few folks that have them: The new Continental Extreme Contact tires seem to be similar to the Michelins in terms of ride and grip but I don’t have longevity stats because the Ftype tires for summer I believe are relatively new. I am definitely going to consider them next time around just to try them considering how well I regard the Continental brand and my discussion with them. If the options at the time are right it will be a coin flip for me between the two.

 

No one has mentioned rim protection, PS4s have the profile where the sidewall is proud of the rim edge so does great job of protecting against gutter rash.

 

If you are suffering from tramlining, FOR SURE have the wheel alignment checked.

 

Thanks for all the info, very helpful. I have had wheel alignment checked, twice. I'll research softer sidewall tyres, which is what I think I need. Might try the MPS4, without the "S"!
Thanks again all

 

I too am sensitive to tramlining. I find the MPS4S to be in good in this regard, until it’s low on tread. As others have mentioned, it’s pretty remarkable in the wet for a performance tire.

 

I had Mercedes spec Conti's on my AMG and liked them a lot. Don't no if Merc spec really made any difference, maybe specific size.

 

Often, a maker's 'spec' tires offer a different compound due to the weight of the car. Can you tell in typical street driving? I don't think so.

I know that Lotus Elise owners found that out when they didn't use the tires specified for their lightweight cars. Same issue for Morgan owners. 'Modern' tires of the same load ratings were too hard, not grippy enough.

 

When a half-worn tyre on a previous XKR suffered pothole damage it was replaced with a non-J marked version of the J tyre I'd actually ordered. The guy said "they're all the same" and as I needed the tyre I accepted it, grudgingly. It only did half the miles of the J-marked one on the other side, which was helpful (but annoying) as they both subsequently needed replacing at the same time.