[ssshake]

Needs some input, can't seem to find what I'm looking for through searches. I understand that 90W and 90Y are ratings for tires max speed. What I'm trying to understand is why they offer both for the same price and why someone would pick the lower rating considering.

I'm interested to know if theres a fundamental difference in durability, ride quality, etc. There's only a 30km/h difference between w and y (270 vs 300) and I can't see myself ever reaching those speeds. I don't even think it's possible in my car, and certainly not legal.

So considering the price is the same, why would I get one or the other? Thanks!

Comparison: http://tires.canadiantire.ca/en/tire...e&N=4294967012

90Y http://tires.canadiantire.ca/en/tire...t-ps2/0082015/

90W http://tires.canadiantire.ca/en/tire...t-ps2/0088276/

[floydarogers]

It's probably just a pricing thing with candiantire. IME on tirerack.com (USA), the w is like $5-$10 cheaper per tire.

I've never been over 125 mph, but I continue to buy the Y, heck if I know why.

[drewnel22]

I can't find anything different that stands out between the 2. Seems like they are nearly identical tires with slightly different speed ratings.

Have you looked at non RFT tires? They last longer, ride better and are cheaper. Those PS2's seem like a little bit overkill for your car.

[Douche]

The higher speed rating should be harder. So by choosing the one with the lower speed rating you get the same performance plus more comfort.
I'd go with that everytime.

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by Douche

The higher speed rating should be harder. So by choosing the one with the lower speed rating you get the same performance plus more comfort.
I'd go with that everytime.

I don't know about harder, you can't alter the compound like that without affecting other properties like dry and wet grip, treadwear, etc.

Its very difficult to say why they have 2 of the same tires with different speed ratings though. It could be the part number with the Y speed rating is spec'd for an M3 and the other with the W speed rating is spec'd for a 335i with the sport package. One tire with the higher speed rating is tested to a higher limit for that application but in reality they are the same tire. This is just my guess though.

[stormtrooper7]

Actually, some places will not install a tire with any other rating than the one that is recommended for that particular vehicle. I would just stick with what is recommended and be done with it.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by 10splaya22

I don't know about harder, you can't alter the compound like that without affecting other properties like dry and wet grip, treadwear, etc.

Its very difficult to say why they have 2 of the same tires with different speed ratings though. It could be the part number with the Y speed rating is spec'd for an M3 and the other with the W speed rating is spec'd for a 335i with the sport package. One tire with the higher speed rating is tested to a higher limit for that application but in reality they are the same tire. This is just my guess though.

I wasn't guessing. It wasn't an opinion either.
My opinion was only of the choice of going with the more comfortable one.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by stormtrooper7

Actually, some places will not install a tire with any other rating than the one that is recommended for that particular vehicle. I would just stick with what is recommended and be done with it.

Some places don't install window tint over the legal limit.
Some places don't tune engines to obtain more horsepower.
Some places don't lower suspensions.
Some places don't cut catalytic converters.
Some places don't change fuel...

I could go on. Want me to?

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by Douche

I wasn't guessing. It wasn't an opinion either.
My opinion was only of the choice of going with the more comfortable one.

Yes but do you know for a fact one tire is harder than the other or are you guessing? Not sure where you got that info from. I couldn't find anything.

[stormtrooper7]

Originally Posted by Douche

Some places don't install window tint over the legal limit.
Some places don't tune engines to obtain more horsepower.
Some places don't lower suspensions.
Some places don't cut catalytic converters.
Some places don't change fuel...

I could go on. Want me to?

What? Is there a point to your reply?

[Douche]

Originally Posted by 10splaya22

Yes but do you know for a fact one tire is harder than the other or are you guessing? Not sure where you got that info from. I couldn't find anything.

I mentioned I wasnt guessing. What I guess is that I've known that for a long time, and have had experiences going from H to V and back and forth.

With the harder sidewalks (think of the run flats) you get "better" grip because the tires bend less on turns, and the ride is rougher.

I found this now (sorry it's not more comprehensive):
http://www.carid.com/images/kumho-tires/info/kumho-tirebasics.html

It also claims the higher speed rating tires wear out faster. That I cannot comment on, it would be a guess, because tire wear is like fuel consumption.... Varies too much.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by stormtrooper7

What? Is there a point to your reply?

I was typing to say I was surprised you didn't understand the point I was trying to make, but no, I'm not surprised at all anymore in this forum lol...

You said "just do what the manual says because that's what most tire shops will do". And I mentioned what a tint shop (and other examples) would also do: stick to the least LIABLE solution. Companies are not people. They have a liability towards their consumers and products. It's on THEM to do things right, legally and safely.
If you hit a pedestrian and claim you couldn't stop because your car did not have grip to stop, some fancy lawyer would make a case of the tire shop not having followed manufacturer specification. And one could argue they're right........

I'm assuming you don't have a turbocharged car, and are completely against the JBs and Cobbs that are ubiquitous in the threads of this forum.
You don't do anything to your car other than sit, hit start and drive.

[stormtrooper7]

Originally Posted by Douche

I was typing to say I was surprised you didn't understand the point I was trying to make, but no, I'm not surprised at all anymore in this forum lol...

You said "just do what the manual says because that's what most tire shops will do". And I mentioned what a tint shop (and other examples) would also do: stick to the least LIABLE solution. Companies are not people. They have a liability towards their consumers and products. It's on THEM to do things right, legally and safely.
If you hit a pedestrian and claim you couldn't stop because your car did not have grip to stop, some fancy lawyer would make a case of the tire shop not having followed manufacturer specification. And one could argue they're right........

I'm assuming you don't have a turbocharged car, and are completely against the JBs and Cobbs that are ubiquitous in the threads of this forum.
You don't do anything to your car other than sit, hit start and drive.

Again, what?!?! You got all that from my post? I'm just stating a fact. The OP can do what ever he wants with that information.

Your assuming this and that was oh so helpful

[Douche]

Originally Posted by stormtrooper7

Again, what?!?! You got all that from my post? I'm just stating a fact. The OP can do what ever he wants with that information.

Your assuming this and that was oh so helpful

I could've just said that reasoning a tire change should be done in a way a tire shop would do it because that's how they do it is asenine, but I didn't. I'm sure the outcome of me saying that would've been the same though.

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by Douche

I mentioned I wasnt guessing. What I guess is that I've known that for a long time, and have had experiences going from H to V and back and forth.

With the harder sidewalks (think of the run flats) you get "better" grip because the tires bend less on turns, and the ride is rougher.

I found this now (sorry it's not more comprehensive):
http://www.carid.com/images/kumho-ti...irebasics.html

It also claims the higher speed rating tires wear out faster. That I cannot comment on, it would be a guess, because tire wear is like fuel consumption.... Varies too much.

Runflats do not perform better than standard tires. Comparing the same tires RFT and non-RFT. The non-RFT will perform better. You may give up a little steering feedback with the softer sidewalls but the non-RFT tires ride better, last longer and are quieter,etc. The tradeoff is a non-RFT will most likely be destroyed if the tire is driven on at highway speed with no air pressure. Thats the compromise you make.

I can't say for certain because I don't work for Michelin but these tires are nearly identical and nothing changes between the 2 tires with different speed ratings. If you were comparing 2 different types of tires than you would be right. You are comparing the same type of tires though and that conclusion can't be drawn. My point earlier was that one tire may be certified to a higher standard for OEM requirements but they perform the same.

[Antetokounmpo]

Ditch the PS2's and go with Pilot Super Sports. They're better in every way and last longer and are much cheaper. You can't go wrong with them.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by 10splaya22

Runflats do not perform better than standard tires. Comparing the same tires RFT and non-RFT. The non-RFT will perform better. You may give up a little steering feedback with the softer sidewalls but the non-RFT tires ride better, last longer and are quieter,etc. The tradeoff is a non-RFT will most likely be destroyed if the tire is driven on at highway speed with no air pressure. Thats the compromise you make.

I can't say for certain because I don't work for Michelin but these tires are nearly identical and nothing changes between the 2 tires with different speed ratings. If you were comparing 2 different types of tires than you would be right. You are comparing the same type of tires though and that conclusion can't be drawn. My point earlier was that one tire may be certified to a higher standard for OEM requirements but they perform the same.

You can't really see what's inside the tire you know... By touching it or looking at it, they may as well look the same but be different (I'd mantain the higher speed version would have stiffer sidewalks).

Can't really discard the possibility of having the same tire with different letters just for someone's sake. But I'd argue that's a long shot.

[stormtrooper7]

Originally Posted by stormtrooper7

Actually, some places will not install a tire with any other rating than the one that is recommended for that particular vehicle. I would just stick with what is recommended and be done with it.

Just to clarify, I'm saying stick with what is recommended if this is the only tire being considered.

[Ozzie335i]

Originally Posted by bk335

Ditch the PS2's and go with Pilot Super Sports. They're better in every way and last longer and are much cheaper. You can't go wrong with them.

I'll second this. I got a set of 4 for 1070 USD, tax included, for the 335 two weeks ago. The car now rides like a dream, at any speed. Ferrari is not wrong. Forget the PS2., run to get the PSS.

[Meeni]

The PS2 is an OEM fitment. Part of the OEM fitment contract is to promise to continue making that same tire for some time. If say Ferrari needs a Y tire, while BMW needs a W tire, Michelin is bound by contract to provide the two, even though they are the same tire with only the letter on it changing. My guess is that it's the exact same tire, with only the letter that changes, because it would cost more to actually design two different tires with so close performance ratings.

That being said, the PSS is a non RFT tire that is better than the PS2 in all aspects (except well, being RFT).

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Meeni

...That being said, the PSS is a non RFT tire that is better than the PS2 in all aspects (except well, being RFT).

That isn't strictly true. I've compared the test results on tirerack.com, and while the PSS is slightly (and I emphasize SLIGHTLY) better in most test categories than the PS2 ZP, the PS2 ZP matches the PSS in a couple categories and exceeds it in another couple (that's from memory, can't swear to the actual number of categories.)

[Meeni]

I didn't knew TireRack pitted them one against the other. Test results from different test campaigns do not directly compare according to their disclaimers.

I had both the PS2 and the PSS. I remember the PS2 as an excellent tire, but the PSS was just hovering above everything I ever tried before by heads and shoulders.