GR86 First sketchy moment

Conscript said:
Basically felt like I was driving on rather cheap tyres the whole time, despite being warm (10-11 degrees) and dry. We did have some very light rain yesterday and the roads are still salty so I hope that's why, as it wasn't very confidence inspiring, to be honest.
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Totally had this today.

Out this morning in 11c weather, but cold tyres and an ever so slightly damp road? ... Back end will very happily step out without much provocation at all.

On the way home though, sun out and the roads had properly dried out... Grip was SO much better everywhere. I'm not massive fan of these tyres so far, but I won't be using my car in the winter / cold much beyond this run in period so hopefully it won't be an issue.
 
I had a bit of a moment on my test drive last week - 2nd gear pretty slow tight corner. Road was a bit damp I guess but no more than that, and it totally caught me off guard (felt like I was on ice!) I think the throttle map is very aggressive for the first part of pedal travel and I think this matches very well a fairly good wedge of low down torque. Made me super wary for the rest of the test drive, and I’m usually pretty confident with a front engine RWD setup. I’d be very surprised if the GR doesn’t catch a few of us out on UK roads. Those 2 Everyday Driver guys must be driving gods in all that snow and salt - or else their winter tyres are magic
 
I've had PS4 on my 993 for the past few years and I've always felt they were super planted in wet, dry, cold and warm conditions including track days. I also found they were pretty quiet and comfortable compared to other tyres I've used in the past, so I would definitely buy them again and was happy when I found out they would be standard on the GR86.

I don't quite know what to make of that fact that people (including me) are finding them skittish and noisy on the GR86 so I wonder if other tyres are better or not.
 
leosayer said:
I've had PS4 on my 993 for the past few years and I've always felt they were super planted in wet, dry, cold and warm conditions including track days. I also found they were pretty quiet and comfortable compared to other tyres I've used in the past, so I would definitely buy them again and was happy when I found out they would be standard on the GR86.

I don't quite know what to make of that fact that people (including me) are finding them skittish and noisy on the GR86 so I wonder if other tyres are better or not.
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On your 993 did you have the PS4....or the PS4S?

This seems to be a subtle distinction. If I remember rightly, the Michelin PS4 was the replacement for the Michelin Pilot Sport 3, and the PS4S replaced the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Both are excellent tyres, but the PS4S is aimed to be a tier above, especially in the dry I think (then you get to the Cup 2s which area really dry-weather only I believe).

The GR86 comes with PS4 tyres, and while there shouldn't be much in it, perhaps we're feeling that difference in these specific conditions?

Good comparison here.
 
Conscript said:
On your 993 did you have the PS4....or the PS4S?

This seems to be a subtle distinction. If I remember rightly, the Michelin PS4 was the replacement for the Michelin Pilot Sport 3, and the PS4S replaced the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Both are excellent tyres, but the PS4S is aimed to be a tier above, especially in the dry I think (then you get to the Cup 2s which area really dry-weather only I believe).

The GR86 comes with PS4 tyres, and while there shouldn't be much in it, perhaps we're feeling that difference in these specific conditions?

Good comparison here.
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PS4.

PS4S wasn't available in 993 sizes .
 
PS4's I run for years on the vRS. A car with too much power and torque through front wheels with no LSD and I'd get decent mileage and once warm they are brilliant. Could cover ground very quickly and have full confidence in them. Then I drove the GR Yaris with the PS4S in damp conditions and they were like witchcraft. It's a lot more money though, sizes are limited but I'll probably go 225-40-18 anyway as the 215 is more expensive generally and a touch more width would be good and works well on a GT86
 
I 'accidentally' forgot to purchase some tomatoes for tonight's gigantes plaki dinner recipe, so was 'forced' to pop out in the car to get some.

It's a positively balmy 14 degrees and the greasy dampness on the roads mere days ago has vanished. The car felt so much better; far more confidence inspiring when pushing on. I'm closing rapidly on my 1,000 miles so stretching the car more. Lots of grip everywhere.

Roll on spring!
 
KobayashiMaru86 said:
PS4's I run for years on the vRS. A car with too much power and torque through front wheels with no LSD and I'd get decent mileage and once warm they are brilliant. Could cover ground very quickly and have full confidence in them. Then I drove the GR Yaris with the PS4S in damp conditions and they were like witchcraft. It's a lot more money though, sizes are limited but I'll probably go 225-40-18 anyway as the 215 is more expensive generally and a touch more width would be good and works well on a GT86
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Just remember to declare it to insurance, it is a mod.
 
Has anyone tried varying tyre pressures to see if it makes any difference to grip and/or ride quality? I’d thought that running a RWD car a few PSI softer at the rear would increase grip?? I’m more familiar with v old school machines, but isn’t 34PSI kind of high for a lightish car?
 
I think 35 PSI is too high and was probably done for safety on occasions when the car is fully loaded with 4 people and their luggage.

I'm running 32 / 2.2 bar and it certainly feels more pleasant to drive but I can't say whether it has improved grip.
 
leosayer said:
I think 35 PSI is too high and was probably done for safety on occasions when the car is fully loaded with 4 people and their luggage.

I'm running 32 / 2.2 bar and it certainly feels more pleasant to drive but I can't say whether it has improved grip.
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My old BMW used to have 2 advised pressure levels, one for low loads, one or two passengers + no luggage, and another for 4 passengers and full luggage.
 
v8s said:
My old BMW used to have 2 advised pressure levels, one for low loads, one or two passengers + no luggage, and another for 4 passengers and full luggage.
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Yes, most cars have that eg. my wife's A3 and my Mum's Nissan Note.

But my 993 doesn't and neither does the GR86 - go figure!

Then again, my 993 does have pressure recommendations for 16", 17" and 18" wheels.
 
leosayer said:
Yes, most cars have that eg. my wife's A3 and my Mum's Nissan Note.

But my 993 doesn't and neither does the GR86 - go figure!

Then again, my 993 does have pressure recommendations for 16", 17" and 18" wheels.
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Ah yes I forgot there were yet more recommendations from BMW based on wheel/tyre size combinations.
 
Mine feels planted as hell tbh...

I think you just have to scrub off a lot of the new tyre, before it becomes actually grippy. I'm 1200 miles into mine... and I drive hard and never slip about... was just driving now and its wet and was hitting corners hard in track mode, never slipped...
 
James-UK said:
Mine feels planted as hell tbh...

I think you just have to scrub off a lot of the new tyre, before it becomes actually grippy. I'm 1200 miles into mine... and I drive hard and never slip about... was just driving now and its wet and was hitting corners hard in track mode, never slipped...
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You are a brave man for driving it 'hard in corners' on 'wet' roads in 'track mode' :)
 
Tushki said:
You are a brave man for driving it 'hard in corners' on 'wet' roads in 'track mode' :)
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Dunno, it never seemed to let go... I don't think I'm doing anything special...

Lets say I'm hitting a corner at 50-55mph..... i come off accelerator, wait to hit the corner, and then back on the power as soon as my front wheels are pointing the right way, and pow. Car pushes onwards.

haha I did feel some slip when the car was new and not broken in... but since then, nah its stable. Really stable tbh. I think it will become more stable still once I change to PS5 tyres and increase width to 225.
 
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