Confusion trying to order Pilot Sports 4s

[Nocturnal LE]

*EDIT: I’m going with generic option as opposed to BMW star because the rear tire width in the star BMW is almost an inch less than generic. Also, the 4S wasn’t designed for the Supra, like the stock MPSS were. Here are the major difference I found on tire rack:

FRONT: 255/35ZR19
Generic: 24# and 8.5” tread
BMW Star: 25# and 9” tread

REAR: 275/35ZR19
Generic: 27# and 9.8” tread
BMW Star: 26# and 8.9” tread

*Somethings up with that rear BMW star spec. It doesn’t come up when you search by car - only comes up if you search by tire size. The tire width doesn’t make sense to me (0.1” less than the front??). Lastly, it doesn’t have the “Z” in the title. It’s only listed as 275/35R19. That shouldn’t make a difference because they are all Y rated for speed. Tire rack rep didn’t know why either. The Z is meaningless, but again, something doesn’t seem right with this rear tire. Generic for me.

Tire rack offer two options in stock sizes for the 4s. Standard blackwall, and then a combination of Star BMW spec (rear 275/35ZR19) AND M01 Mercedes spec (front 255/35ZR19). Star BMW spec is not offered for the fronts.

To add to the confusion, if I search by tire size I CAN find the front 255/35R19 in Star BMW spec. The only difference is there is no "Z" on it. My understanding is the Z means nothing now b/c the speed rating of the tire is Y, which is higher than Z.

Does anyone understand this? I'm going to try to call Tire Rack but I'm guessing they're not going to have a clue.

EDITED the pictures to show the differences with circles around them. First picture is the combo front/rear that comes up when you search by car. The second picture is when I searched by tire size and found the bmw star spec in the front size...

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[VA90]

Wondering about this too. If you search for full sets, their site doesn’t always show you everything that is actually available if your car has staggered sizes. You just have to manually order front and rear pairs manually.

 

[Nocturnal LE]

Wondering about this too. If you search for full sets, their site doesn’t always show you everything that is actually available if your car has staggered sizes. You just have to manually order front and rear pairs manually.

Yeah - but it makes me a little uneasy that there is something different about those fronts, and that's why it doesn't come up when you search by Supra. No idea what not having that "Z" in there could mean, but it the only thing that is different.

 

[XtremeMaC]

Mercedes one is manufactured for a specific Mercedes vehicle per Mercedes specs for that vehicle, hence the logo. They're offering it for any car.
BMW one, again is manufactured for a specific BMW vehicle other than a Supra!
You cannot know the differences. They can be different, or they can simply be the same exact spec, but different logos as OEMs request it.. I'd venture that they're the same exact tire.
Pricing difference can be attributed to many things. Inventory, sales figures, etc..
Z - depends on what tire global spec they're using. ETRTO, TRA, etc.. It's as you put it means not much as speed/load rating is specified already.

Don't let the below screenshot fool you. Could be for a 10,000lb AMG model. So, can be designed for a different car or SUV...

ow and if you put your vehicle in tirerack, it gives you front/rear options like my below screenshot, unless you're changing OE size..

 

[Nocturnal LE]

Mercedes one is manufactured for a specific Mercedes vehicle per Mercedes specs for that vehicle, hence the logo. They're offering it for any car.
BMW one, again is manufactured for a specific BMW vehicle other than a Supra!
You cannot know the differences. They can be different, or they can simply be the same exact spec, but different logos as OEMs request it.. I'd venture that they're the same exact tire.
Pricing difference can be attributed to many things. Inventory, sales figures, etc..
Z - depends on what tire global spec they're using. ETRTO, TRA, etc.. It's as you put it means not much as speed/load rating is specified already.

Don't let the below screenshot fool you. Could be for a 10,000lb AMG model. So, can be designed for a different car or SUV...

ow and if you put your vehicle in tirerack, it gives you front/rear options like my below screenshot, unless you're changing OE size..

Thanks for the info. Based on the search results, would you go for the “generic” first set that came up, or for the second set with MO1 front and star bmw rear combo? Sounds like there’s no real way to know.

 

[XtremeMaC]

Hmm hold up.
Generic is US made. Others FR made..
FR tread widths 0.4 higher..

seems they are a bit different:

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1799906

pure speculation: Michelin FR company. FR made could be better . AMG tire and perhaps M-tire. Probably is the case..
Or could simply be designed mostly for EU customers, hence selection for close-by facility..

damn. it's difficult. voids are larger on BMW spec vs generic so are the grooves. more likely NVH/dampening and bit improved wet traction..

Also to consider: front/rear both generic or front Mercedes, rear BMW spec..... couldn't find Mercedes picture.. dunno..

 

[kyippee]

I would go for generic front+rear in this case. It doesn't seem like those customized versions are designed for the Supra, so the benefits of customization probably aren't there..

 

[Loco38SUP]

I went with standard up front and MO1 spec. for the rear. I wanted the maximum traction offered in the back. Here are some reference pics for the tread pattern, hope it helps.

-RJM

 

[Bundy]

Generic and * are not the same.
This Is Why You Should Fit OE Tires To Your Car! [Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs 4S*] - YouTube

 

[Nocturnal LE]

Update on differences for front:

Generic: 24# and 8.5” tread
Mercedes: 24# and 8.5” tread
BMW Star: 25# and 9” tread

differences for rear:

Generic: 27# and 9.8” tread
BMW Star: 26# and 8.9” tread
Mercedes: not carried by tire rack

so 1/2” wider tread in front, but 1” narrower tread in the rear for bmw star

 

[Nocturnal LE]

I edited my first slide with this info in case anyone comes across this topic in the future. Maybe it will be different in the future, but for now, here is my thought process:


I’m going with generic option as opposed to BMW star because the rear tire width in the star BMW is almost an inch less than generic. Also, the 4S wasn’t designed for the Supra, like the stock MPSS were. Here are the major difference I found on tire rack:

FRONT: 255/35ZR19
Generic: 24# and 8.5” tread
BMW Star: 25# and 9” tread

REAR: 275/35ZR19
Generic: 27# and 9.8” tread
BMW Star: 26# and 8.9” tread

*Somethings up with that rear BMW star spec. It doesn’t come up when you search by car - only comes up if you search by tire size. The tire width doesn’t make sense to me (0.1” less than the front??). Lastly, it doesn’t have the “Z” in the title. It’s only listed as 275/35R19. That shouldn’t make a difference because they are all Y rated for speed. Tire rack rep didn’t know why either. The Z is meaningless, but again, something doesn’t seem right with this rear tire. Generic for me.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

In case someone is still interested, just had my BMW spec PS 4S’s delivered (275/35/R19) and can confirm the tread is 9.8” (or damn close).

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