Michelin Piot Sport 4s - tire tread different

[grahamh84]

Hi

Anyone else had this trouble ? Just bought a replacement MPS4S tire as I had a manufacturer’s fault In the last couple of weeks and black circles are not stocking MPS4S -(think Covid Michelin shutdown) normally change four tires at a time. Just that I have noticed when the new one has been delivered it has a different channels and they are much wider than the set on the car. I have avoided buying BMW fit and F1. (There is stock every where)

275/35/20 both on the car and one tire replacement

Michelin Product code 276849 - 275/35/20


Plus I’m not sure if you are supposed to change all 4 at the same time due to possibly negative impact grip and car handling?

[welwynnick]

They're not quite like brakes, springs or dampers - you can change one at a time if you like.

I'm sure your tyre Shop would LIKE you to change all four at the same, but that's money motivated.

Is your new tyre N1 fit?

Nick

[HPsauce]

Have you checked the sidewall marking to confirm it's definitely the correct tyre?
I just did a Google search on that code and that threw up this ambiguous Costco listing that has pictures of a 4, not 4s and the tread looks like yours…. https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automoti ... e/p/276849

[grahamh84]

https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automoti ... e/p/276849

This one I have also verified with Michelin and Camskill

[grahamh84]

The gaps a lot bigger

[HPsauce]

Still looks like a 4 tread pattern though, what's on the sidewall, 4 or 4s? And where did you get it?

[grahamh84]

Definitely MPS4S

[HPsauce]

Interesting. I bought one quite recently to replace one with apparent sidewall damage, slightly narrower at 255/35R20.
This is the tread and it pretty much matches the partly-worn rest of the set which are a few years old now (bought at launch in early 2017 IIRC).

[HPsauce]

This is the old one. The damage wasn't as much as first appeared (though the alloy needed expensive work!) so it might find its way back as the spare as that's currently a PSS.
(None in use as the car is still on 18" winter wheels/tyres and probably going nowhere this summer!)

[IanH755]

There is two versions out there -

The design with close tread channel pattern - image is from 2017



Alternative style with wider channels - Image is also from 2017



As to "mix and match" both designs "should" provide the same level of grip etc but looking at how much less rubber would be in contact with the "wide channels" version I can't believe that would be true. I'd contact Michelin and get the definitive answer from them!

[HPsauce]

Mine all seem to be the wider-channel version. Every day's a school day.

[HPsauce]

Definitely MPS4S

They've also changed the logo somewhat since I got mine:

[grahamh84]

At least not just me then - stuck between having a go at Blackcircles and Amazon who’s sent me the right one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01N6S ... prod_image

I am assured these are correct product even if the table is not quite correct. This only stock of standard fitment left - COVID-19 - I’ve request a replacement from amazon see if was mistake or turns up and it’s the same tread pattern

[grahamh84]

New Tire Dot code 6UB4 00BX 0720
Existing Dot Tire code 4MB4 00GX 1419

[HPsauce]

New Tire Dot code 6UB4 00BX 0720
Existing Dot Tire code 4MB4 00GX 1419

Mine are:
Old: F3PN 00CX 5016 (made late 2016, bought early 2017)
New: F3PN 00JX 4519

I believe the codes show Manufacturer, plant, mould, batch, year and week.
So I conclude mine were made almost 3 years apart but probably only the batch number and manufacturing date have changed.
They came through a completely different supply route though, the initial ones direct from Europe (Pneus-online) and that latest one from a local tyre chain (Merits).