[Biturbos4] Latest on tires

[Chris Newbold]

On Thu, March 17, 2005 3:59 pm, Richard Ness said:

> So, what's the word on tires nowadays??

In the last two years I've used the Toyo T1-S and most recently the
Michelin Pilot Sport PS/2, both in the stock 225/45 17 size, on my 01.5 S4
Avant.

The Toyos were a fantastic step up from the OEM Bridgestone 040's; very
quiet, smooth ride. My impression was that the sidewalls were a little too
soft, though, for a car as heavy as the S4. They stuck well in the dry and
weren't bad in the wet. I did a few track days with them too, and though
they had adequate grip (they're street tires afterall), they clearly were
not up to the abuse. The outside shoulders were almost completely chewed
off after a few sessions.

I'm currently on the Pilot Sport PS/2s, and these are the best damn tires
I've used-- ever, on any car. They're not as light as the T1-S and the
sidewall is stiffer so the ride is not as smooth, but they're a much
better match for the S4. These things are completely unflappable in the
dry and almost as good in the wet; the car dances just the way you want.
They also have the stones to take on track days. Subjectively much more
progessive than the T1-S, enough to make me feel comfortable pushing
harder than before. They also didn't seem much worse for the wear: the
outside shoulders had clearly been working, but were not decimated like
the T1-S after a similar thrashing.

-Chris
2001.5 S4 Avant