Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 - experiences good or bad ?

[trond]

I had my first track day with the SC this weekend and liked it. Before the event I had the suspension set up with corner balancing and all (to the tune of $1900) and I got new rear tires, Goodyear Efficient Grip that was recommended by the tire shop after I explained planned usage). Total weight was 2500 lbs and balance close to perfect with weight in drivers seat.

On the 9 hour drive to the event the car was handling so poor, even on the road I almost gave up and turned back half way. Problems were vague steering requiring constant work and a unsettling loose rear end in corners. Overtaking round a corner it almost felt the rear were breaking out which never happened even once with the old Michelin Pilot Sport A/S.

On the track I still gave it my best and did fairly well compared to comparable cars, except I was slipping and sliding on every corner, unlike any other car on the track. After 2 hours of madness I got to borrow a set of track day wheels with sticky tires and that completely cured the steering issue, the loose rear end, the constant tire squeeling and the slipping and sliding. Except for one spin the second part of the day was fantastic and at the end of the day I had racked up 225 miles on the track.

Today I went back to the tire shop and they offered to take back the Goodyears (pretty rough now after 2 hours sideways) and instead give me a set of 4 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE which are N0 marked and Porsche approved.

Does anyone on the forum have any advice on these tires ? Will they give me the sharp steering response and handling I now know is possible ?

[billybek]

I have them on my car and they have been durable street tires and not bad in the rain.
The only time they have felt less than up to the task of normal street driving is when they were very cold.
I don't have any comparative data to offer you nor do I really push my car.

[pavegeno]

25k on mine and they are doing great...good in all weather...

[DanielDudley]

You bought Goodyears or Continentals ? And you only put 2 on the rear ?

Never put mismatched tires on a 911. Always replace all 4 at the same time. This has been discussed here and on other forums many times. Whatever else you do, you need to do that.

[darrin]

New tires need a few hundred miles on them before they're ready to show what they're all about. Sounds like yours were likely "too new" before you started pushing them. Pressure is also a HUGE deal, improper (or merely different) pressure can have a significant impact on tire feel and response in our cars.

[gzulli]

I just put a set of the Michelins on my 84 turbo look and the tires are very nice. I didn't have many options with my size so that limited my choices. I can tell you the difference over the old Pirelli's is huge.

I was at a PCA tech event in Easton, PA this winter and the person speaking from Michelin talked about the importance of the N spec tires. These are my first set and I can say the car has had a huge improvement in handling as well as ride quality. I'm not sure how that would translate to track conditions. My feeling is they are absolutely a good tire for street.