Goodyear or Michelin durability ???

[Bilbao-Emira]

I´m now on the 2nd set of Cup 2´s on the Evora 410
First set at 8.000 kms was dead.
I made 3.500 kms with the second set so far and they are half way through their life with spirited driving (no track) in fair/hot weather
I will change them for sure around 7/8.000 kms maximum.

For the Emira I chose Sport and Goodyears, hopefully they will last much longer and not so much issues in rain/cold weather, i.e. delivery time, maybe around Christmas.

 

[VL3X]

Yeah, Cup2s wear too fast for me and my Emira isn't going to live on the track either. I also specced sport w/Goodyear. I'm sure it'll be fine for my spirited weekend drives and in various weather conditions. If not, I'll replace them and/or adjust the alignment specs to my preference.

 

[Speedluvver]

I have been very solid with my spec decision regarding the Emira, but in the last days, after re-watching videos from Harry and Shmee, it seems to me that Michelin Cup 2s are the way to go with Sports suspension.

My current spec is:

Emira FE V6 manual
Sport suspension
Hethel yellow
no upper black pack
black alcantara with yellow linings
black alcantara steering wheel
black wheels with Goodyears

A rather sporty spec I would say, except for the tires. I thought a little less grip generates a little more fun on the street, a little more playful. That's been my thoughts.

But having seen so many videos I am not sure about the tire decision anymore because the missing front end grip could also be the case because of the Goodyear's behaviour.

It reminds me of the change to Yokohama AD08RS tires on my VX220 Turbo, there is some front end grip missing now. Before I had Federal 595 RS tires and they had a superior grip level. All have the same tire dimensions.

I fear this could be the same with the front end of the Emira. Harry and Shmee were really enjoying the dartiness / front end grip. Harry in the blue Emira, Shmee in the Hethel yellow one, both with Sport Suspension and Cup 2s.

So maybe I will change to Michelin Cup 2s. In that configuration it will be pretty similar to a Cayman GT4 spec which I am aiming at, as this was my dream car before the Emira arrived.

So, what's your thoughts on Sport Suspension and pros/cons of Goodyear vs. Michelin Cup 2?

Said this on another thread - I had same issue with the RS's - actually making the Nitrons a little less stiff has helped. I will get my Emira Geo adjusted if it doesn't turn in the way I want it to.. Lotus set it up for the average Joe

 

[Leonard]

Part of the reason Cups wear quicker is they come with less tread from new as well circa 5mm

 

[DrD]

I have been very solid with my spec decision regarding the Emira, but in the last days, after re-watching videos from Harry and Shmee, it seems to me that Michelin Cup 2s are the way to go with Sports suspension.

My current spec is:

Emira FE V6 manual
Sport suspension
Hethel yellow
no upper black pack
black alcantara with yellow linings
black alcantara steering wheel
black wheels with Goodyears

A rather sporty spec I would say, except for the tires. I thought a little less grip generates a little more fun on the street, a little more playful. That's been my thoughts.

But having seen so many videos I am not sure about the tire decision anymore because the missing front end grip could also be the case because of the Goodyear's behaviour.

It reminds me of the change to Yokohama AD08RS tires on my VX220 Turbo, there is some front end grip missing now. Before I had Federal 595 RS tires and they had a superior grip level. All have the same tire dimensions.

I fear this could be the same with the front end of the Emira. Harry and Shmee were really enjoying the dartiness / front end grip. Harry in the blue Emira, Shmee in the Hethel yellow one, both with Sport Suspension and Cup 2s.

So maybe I will change to Michelin Cup 2s. In that configuration it will be pretty similar to a Cayman GT4 spec which I am aiming at, as this was my dream car before the Emira arrived.

So, what's your thoughts on Sport Suspension and pros/cons of Goodyear vs. Michelin Cup 2?

For those that are worrying about understeer; I just had an older 2012 Cayman taken to a certain Porsche suspension specialist and had the geometry set up by them. Over the years with the suspension settling and (a fair amount of) mileage put on, the car has some solid understeer as the front is a little loose and the back end had too much grip. Some toe and negative camber at the front, less camber at the rear (all calculated and fettled by the specialist obviously) and the car has been transformed. Front end is darty and feelsome (for EPAS at least), and the back end isn't wanting to constantly go straight now. That's despite the car being on frankly crap and inappropriate tyres!

Point: I spoke to Gavin about the slight balance to understeer in the Emira - as is accepted in the industry, it's far safer to have a car set up like that for 95% of the public. He was pretty "duh, you can have the car however you want" about having the geometry set up more aggressively. It doesn't take much to transform a car with some Geo changes.

Sub point: I told the porsche suspension guys I'd be bringing the Emira to them, to have the same thing done - they advised waiting a few thousand miles first, let the suspension settle and bed - that way the geo changes are more accurate and have better longevity and predictable future. They are however, super excited to do their magic to it. As am I!

 

[DrD]

For those that are worrying about understeer; I just had an older 2012 Cayman taken to a certain Porsche suspension specialist and had the geometry set up by them. Over the years with the suspension settling and (a fair amount of) mileage put on, the car has some solid understeer as the front is a little loose and the back end had too much grip. Some toe and negative camber at the front, less camber at the rear (all calculated and fettled by the specialist obviously) and the car has been transformed. Front end is darty and feelsome (for EPAS at least), and the back end isn't wanting to constantly go straight now. That's despite the car being on frankly crap and inappropriate tyres!

Point: I spoke to Gavin about the slight balance to understeer in the car - as is accepted in the industry, it's far safer to have a car set up like that for 95% of the public. He was pretty "duh, you can have the car however you want" about having the geometry set up more aggressively. It doesn't take much to transform a car with some Geo changes.

Sub point: I told the porsche suspension guys I'd be bringing the Emira to them, to have the same thing done - they advised waiting a few thousand miles first, let the suspension settle and bed - that way the geo changes are more accurate and have better longevity and predictable future. They are however, super excited to do their magic to it. As am I!

Sub sub point: I actually agree that for 95% of people, the balance would be perfect and I question whether they'd be able to even appreciate marginal understeer at the limit. I however am an absolute chav, who thinks he's a (talentless) hero, who enjoys a glued front end and a slidey back end.

Whatever your taste, it sounds like a very adjustable car that I have no doubts you could have set up however you want: Safe (as from factory); grip on both axles for days; or tight front end and loose back end - whatever your heart's desire.

 

[Eagle7]

Anytime I've switched from any other brand to a Michelin tire, I've always noticed the difference in steering. Michelin's seem to have an edge to their handling characteristics that give them more of a precision feel regardless of anything else.

I've specced Touring with Goodyears, but depending on how they perform, I may switch to a Michelin summer tire (not the Cup2) or even an all-season to see how they work with the Emira. When I switched from the factory Pirelli P-Zeros on my Alfa to Michelin A/S, there was a world of difference. They're not the cheapest tire out there, but they deliver; you get what you pay for.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is available in our sizes for the Emira, so that may be an option for those of you with the Sport suspension looking for a good alternative to the Goodyears.

 

[Leonard]

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is available in our sizes for the Emira, so that may be an option for those of you with the Sport suspension looking for a good alternative to the Goodyears.

PS4 are still best tyres I have ever had on any car.
They do lose a bit of bite after 8,000 miles or so, but i think that's probably fair!

 

[TomE]

I had Pirelli P-Zero Corsas as the OEM tyre on my Evora and they were excellent on track. I'd run out of talent/bravery before the tyres let me down. Great when up to temperature, OK in cooler weather and in the wet. But wear rate was high - 6k miles using on road and 2 track days a year.

Switched to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S a few years ago and they are an excellent tyre for fast road use and the odd track day, good in the wet and colder days plus wear rate means they last about 10k miles for rears and 12k for fronts.

I'm going for Goodyears + Touring on the Emira but when they come to be changed I'll be interested to see if anyone has tried the MPS 4S or 5S on the Emira.

 

[Nova]

The Lotus is going to be an all season car for me. I will likely switch to Pilot All Season 4 once the Goodyears wear out.

 

[Green]

Sport cup2 for me!

 

[Lankan]

Opted for the Touring setup (so Goodyears), but having had most of Michelin's creations (Pilot Sport 3, Pilot Super Sport, Pilot Sport 4 and Pilot Sport 4S), on cars that drive very differently to each other, the 4S has been the standout tyre so far. As such, I will be interested to see how the MPS 4S compares to the GY F1s.

 

[Climber]

Opted for the Touring setup (so Goodyears), but having had most of Michelin's creations (Pilot Sport 3, Pilot Super Sport, Pilot Sport 4 and Pilot Sport 4S), on cars that drive very differently to each other, the 4S has been the standout tyre so far. As such, I will be interested to see how the MPS 4S compares to the GY F1s.

I have the Michelin PS 4s and enjoy driving. They are slippery when cold, but they work well even in the rain.
I also wondered the same thing the GT4 & Spyder ride on the same size rims. Makes me wonder 💭

 

[wallstbear]

Thanks Tom, that was me

i was just about to reply,

I just changed the Cup 2´s on the Evora with only 8.000 kms and without tracking it.
I put back Cup 2´s since I will definitely not be driving it on rain conditions again, and they are amazing in dry.
Chose the Goodyear for the Emira to be on the safe side and I think it will also be a little less noisier for long drives

Dont mean to revive a super old thread but i had to drive 1000 miles through 0 degree wheather with a bit of snow to my parents house for the holidays and had a pretty scary experience with my cup2s. When changing lanes over white lines slippage was obvious and it got a bit hairy a couoke of times. plus i was driving rather conservatively (as in Honda CRVs were passing me). Now im back home which is warmer but im tempted to just get some new 19 inch SC7s (and new rims YES!)to save the aggrevation.

 

[VL3X]

Dont mean to revive a super old thread but i had to drive 1000 miles through 0 degree wheather with a bit of snow to my parents house for the holidays and had a pretty scary experience with my cup2s. When changing lanes over white lines slippage was obvious and it got a bit hairy a couoke of times. plus i was driving rather conservatively (as in Honda CRVs were passing me). Now im back home which is warmer but im tempted to just get some new 19 inch SC7s (and new rims YES!)to save the aggrevation.

That's sketchy! Cup2s aren't even supposed to be stored below ~40°F. I had a close call on mine during the summer before letting them warm up properly. Looking forward to swapping on some PS4S or 5S this coming season.

 

[Jimblob]

I’m not sure this helps but after 5,000 spirited miles my Goodyears have 5.5mm left on the front and 4.5mm on the rear…

 

[digilotus]

Interestingly the ‘Tread wear rating’ for both LTS Goodyears and Michelin Cup2 connects are exactly the same - 240. The non LTS Cup2s on Evoras had a tread wear rating of 180.

 

[Speedy Emira]

I’ve swapped various tyres for cup 2s for years and have highly rated them. Even in the wet they were not as good but not dangerous. The difference was using them on FWD and AWD cars and not on a mid engine RWD car.
On a cold damp road I’ve already had my first scary moment in the Emira with Goodyears and Sports suspension so after reading all the comments I’m not sure what to do again.

 

[virtualmacho]

On a cold damp road I’ve already had my first scary moment in the Emira with Goodyears and Sports suspension so after reading all the comments I’m not sure what to do again.

You gotta do it again !

 

[TomAce]

It‘s a different game when it‘s cold and slippery outside with a mid engined rear wheel drive car, especially with 62% weight at the rear.

I think when you want to drive it all year long get some decent winter tyres, like Michelin Alpin 4 or 5 in this cold period of year. It just needs one incident in the end tbh.