Initial Impression of Michelin PS2
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 122
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Initial Impression of Michelin PS2
I know this has been covered several times, just thought I would add some of my own thoughts on these tires. Just had them installed last week. I have about 200 miles on them and I am running 36f/34r psi cold. So far here are my impressions:
Postive:
1. These tires ride very well. Nice and smooth on the Interstate.
2. They are 3lbs lighter than the Advans and I can feel it in the acceleration and breaking. Maybe I am crazy, but I do feel a difference.
3. They are going to last much longer than Advan.
4. Gas mileage seems to be better, but not sure yet.
5. Grip good so far, but haven't really tested this yet.
Negative:
1. These tires look like all seasons and IMO look like sh*t on the EVO. This area I am really dissappointed in. They have very rounded edges and the contact patch is definately not as wide as the Advan. I'll try to post pics of this later. It is so bad that from some angles it looks like the wheel sticks out farther than the tire. I don't recall any one mentioning this. I wish I would have known this before I bought the stock size, I might have opted for the 245/40-17. Or just bought the BFG KDs. I know this is being picky, but I really like the look of the Advans.
2. As all past reviews have mentioned, the steering response is not as sharp as the Advans. It does turn in pretty good, just feels like there is a layer of syrup in the steering. I expect this will get better with more mileage.
3. The confidence in what the car is doing is not as high as it was with the Advans. The ultimate grip may end of being the same as the Advans when the tires are completely broken it. At this point the intuitiveness of the steering and handling is gone. I have tossed the car into a couple of 90 degree turns and have been pleased that the car held it's line and didn't slide. But from the seat of the pants and through the steering wheel it felt like I could have flipped a coin to make a decision if I would have gone in the weeds or stayed on the road. That much feel has been removed. I sure hope this improves with more miles.
4. When you slalom the car, there is more body roll. It is not a feeling that inspires confidence.
Anyway, as everyone already knows the Advans are great and there is really no substitute.
I will update this post as I get more miles. Hopefully some of the negative impressions will go away.
Postive:
1. These tires ride very well. Nice and smooth on the Interstate.
2. They are 3lbs lighter than the Advans and I can feel it in the acceleration and breaking. Maybe I am crazy, but I do feel a difference.
3. They are going to last much longer than Advan.
4. Gas mileage seems to be better, but not sure yet.
5. Grip good so far, but haven't really tested this yet.
Negative:
1. These tires look like all seasons and IMO look like sh*t on the EVO. This area I am really dissappointed in. They have very rounded edges and the contact patch is definately not as wide as the Advan. I'll try to post pics of this later. It is so bad that from some angles it looks like the wheel sticks out farther than the tire. I don't recall any one mentioning this. I wish I would have known this before I bought the stock size, I might have opted for the 245/40-17. Or just bought the BFG KDs. I know this is being picky, but I really like the look of the Advans.
2. As all past reviews have mentioned, the steering response is not as sharp as the Advans. It does turn in pretty good, just feels like there is a layer of syrup in the steering. I expect this will get better with more mileage.
3. The confidence in what the car is doing is not as high as it was with the Advans. The ultimate grip may end of being the same as the Advans when the tires are completely broken it. At this point the intuitiveness of the steering and handling is gone. I have tossed the car into a couple of 90 degree turns and have been pleased that the car held it's line and didn't slide. But from the seat of the pants and through the steering wheel it felt like I could have flipped a coin to make a decision if I would have gone in the weeds or stayed on the road. That much feel has been removed. I sure hope this improves with more miles.
4. When you slalom the car, there is more body roll. It is not a feeling that inspires confidence.
Anyway, as everyone already knows the Advans are great and there is really no substitute.
I will update this post as I get more miles. Hopefully some of the negative impressions will go away.
Glad to hear your overall pleased with them. However, you really can't expect a new tire out of the box to handle as crisp as a worn down used tire. Your barely past wearing the mold release off them at that mileage. The Michelins start life 1/32 deeper depth than the Adavan, but this shouldn't cause any noticeable handling difference. They don't really have to look cool to perform well. Give them a couple more thousand miles and see what you think. Don't push them too hard new cause you could really start wearing them irregularly before fully broke in. You'll like them better/best when almost fully worn like the Advans were. 
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Neal,
I will give them a couple thousand miles to tighten up. As far as the looks, they are still an ugly looking tire on the Evo. They almost make the wheels stick out like a low rider with stretched tires.
I will give them a couple thousand miles to tighten up. As far as the looks, they are still an ugly looking tire on the Evo. They almost make the wheels stick out like a low rider with stretched tires.
