Michelin PS3 or PS5

James__H · Apr 13, 2025

Sure np, maybe I should also do an unwrapping video for all us tyre nerds

I shouldn't admit this, but the PS5 looking better than the Conti PC6 did tip it over the edge for me. Plus, they're French...

James__H · Apr 29, 2025

Ok, so not the best photo - but here it is unwrapped:

Look at that sidewall....

And, in the boot for fitment later today:

Fitted pics later!

photo_ed · Apr 29, 2025

James__H said:
Ok, so not the best photo - but here it is unwrapped:

View attachment 35202

Look at that sidewall....

And, in the boot for fitment later today:

View attachment 35203

View attachment 35204

Fitted pics later!

I do think this is going to be the go-to Trophy tyre now isn’t it. Nice looking sidewall too.

James__H · Apr 29, 2025

They're on!

I'll report back over the next few days with some feedback vs. the Yokohama AD08 RS tyres I had on previously.

They do feel very different! I've not had chance to put many miles on them yet, via my usual 'test loop'.

The 'squish test' of the sidewalls as the tyres were off did demonstrate how a track biased tyre has stiffer sidewalls, even compared the XL PS5.

marrow · Apr 29, 2025

What tyre pressures do you run front/back?

I have AD08s and tend to run quite low pressures, around 25psi front and 23/24psi rear. Any higher and the ride for me is too firm.

Chipper · Apr 29, 2025

Looks like a squarer shoulder than the ps3, but they look like a softer compound

.

A set of Ps5’s are bound to be worth a second a mile to anyone who has them fitted for the weekender!!

It will be interesting to hear how they drive after a few runs, they’ll take a few miles to scrub in, thanks for posting

James__H · Apr 29, 2025

marrow said:
What tyre pressures do you run front/back?

I have AD08s and tend to run quite low pressures, around 25psi front and 23/24psi rear. Any higher and the ride for me is too firm.

I had been around 28psi, but on my recent trip to The Dales with my chassis refresh (including damper rebuild) I was fine at 30psi. Definitely very 'sporty'.

I had the PS5s at 30psi straight from the tyre shop, but I suspect I'll need to up the pressures on the front a fair amount.

Very good ride comfort so far, it really glides on crappy b roads!

Patrick Bateman · Apr 30, 2025

Is 32/30 still considered factory recommendation?

I'd seen that posted online but have never found anything showing it officially.

marrow · Apr 30, 2025

Patrick Bateman said:
Is 32/30 still considered factory recommendation?

I'd seen that posted online but have never found anything showing it officially.

I think the highest pressures I've ever used is 28psi when I had the PE2s. 32/30 seems excessive even for comfort spec PS5s

photo_ed · Apr 30, 2025

marrow said:
I think the highest pressures I've ever used is 28psi when I had the PE2s. 32/30 seems excessive even for comfort spec PS5s

All down to personal preference I suppose, I’m 33/31 here.

James__H · Apr 30, 2025

Still at 30, but will be doing a dawn raid into Wales this weekend. I'll dial them in!

Only still at 30 all around as I've not had chance to experiment yet.

Absolute grip is fantastic. Gives a more playful balance vs the Yokos so far, but I've not 'pressed on' properly.

marrow · Apr 30, 2025

James__H said:
Still at 30, but will be doing a dawn raid into Wales this weekend. I'll dial them in!

Only still at 30 all around as I've not had chance to experiment yet.

Absolute grip is fantastic. Gives a more playful balance vs the Yokos so far, but I've not 'pressed on' properly.

Look forward to hearing more!

marrow · May 14, 2025

Hi James - how are the new tyres?

James__H · May 18, 2025

Sorry for the delay all!

A brief update for now - I've taken #167 to the Alps this week, and I'll be heading to the Nurburgring today.

The PS5s are a fantastic road tyre - as expected!

It's tricky to compare to a track oriented tyre (AD08RS) as they do things very differently. For example, the on centre steering response is noticeably slower, but the ride comfort is far better - thank the less stiff sidewalls for that.

Initially I was really quite unhappy with this slow response - but then I re-did my toe settings. I found the bushes had settled/creeped since the chassis refresh, and the car was running about 2-2.5mm total toe in (I had about 1mm toe out to begin with).

Once I corrected to the default Trophy spec, all was well again!

All rubber creeps/loses rate after first use, and the rate loss tapers off over time, so it wasn't a surprise this happened.

Ultimate grip is superb. And the very brief wet roads (as well as some snowy slush at a 2,500m pass) showed just how capable a modern UHP tyre is. I'd have been very nervous on the Yokos.

The balance of the car is a bit more playful too - I imagine the lower sidewall stiffness helps with greater weight transfer.

All in all, very pleased!

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts at the end of the trip.

In the meantime, I'll leave with this photo.