[IMCWORTH]

What is with all the codes on these tires and which one is the right one?

BSW I guess is Black Side Wall


MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4 S 305/30ZR20 (99Y) TPC ZP BSW


MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4 S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL FP BSW


MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4 S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL N0 BSW


MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4 S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL BSW


MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4 S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL AO BSW

[JSH]

You're going to have to answer those questions yourself as it's very subjective

[arpad_m]

ZP = zero pressure (runflat)
AO = Audi OEM tire
N0 = Porsche OEM tire
FP = Ford Performance OEM tire

I usually buy the cheapest (well, let's just say least insanely expensive) non-OEM specific model, which is denoted by just BSW (black sidewall). The others are optimized for the suspensions of specific OEMs and have slightly different tread patterns as well as minor compound differences.

Oh, and runflat tires for a Camaro are non-starter with me.

[DevilsReject97]

99Y & 103Y are the speed rating - higher number means that they can tolerate higher speeds

BSW - you guessed it, Black Sidewall

N0 - first approved version of the tire

AO - tells you which auto manufacture the tire is designed for which in this case, is Audi

ZP stands for Zero Pressure aka run flats

FP stands for Fringe Protection - these are tires designed to contour around the rim to help with protecting the rim instead of just going straight up - usually seen on lower profile tires

XL stands for Extra Load

TPC stands for Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) Most OE tires designed to GM's specific tire performance criteria have a TPC spec code molded onto the sidewall. GM's TPC specs meet or exceed all federal safety guidelines.



The tires that you will want are MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4 S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL BSW.

[IMCWORTH]

I really appreciate all the decoding of the different options

Now It's time to buy some new tires.

MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL BSW.

[DevilsReject97]

Originally Posted by IMCWORTH

I really appreciate all the decoding of the different options

Now It's time to buy some new tires.

MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT 4S 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL BSW.

Just a reminder, the fronts are 285s (if you weren't aware)

I would however recommend going with a 285/35ZR20 instead of the factory 30/20 as the Michelin's run a lil smaller imo on the front (from previous experience) and this gives you just a smidge more sidewall for those pesky potholes. These also come in a 104 YXL too.

[IMCWORTH]

Originally Posted by DevilsReject97

Just a reminder, the fronts are 285s (if you weren't aware)

yes thanks
the fronts didn't have all those different codes

[Bumbleboy92]

Adding onto the list, tires with a * after the 4s on them are BMW OEM’s. The TPC is technically the right one as someone said it’s GM’s spec and what is used on the vette and Camaro

There’s also different tread variants for run-flat and non run-flat I believe. Fun little dive to find why I kept finding different tread 4s tires for sale few months ago

[Stephen12ZL1]

99Y and 103Y are load ratings and ZR is the speed rating

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by DevilsReject97

Just a reminder, the fronts are 285s (if you weren't aware)

I would however recommend going with a 285/35ZR20 instead of the factory 30/20 as the Michelin's run a lil smaller imo on the front (from previous experience) and this gives you just a smidge more sidewall for those pesky potholes. These also come in a 104 YXL too.

This is bad advice. First, if one goes for the 35 aspect ratio in front, it has to be done in the rear as well, because it increases circumference by 4.5% and leaving the rears alone may well result in ABS and Stabilitrak issues; and second, 285/35/20 will rub a little on the driver side at full left lock, which is okay with hardcore folks who don't mind replacing wheel well liners, but OP may not fancy that.

[CTRifecta]

I thought the better move with non Goodyear supercar tires is to increase the tire width slightly.


For example on a 1LE if you are getting Michelin tires, go with 305/30/20 front and 325/30/20 rear. This is because when comparing actual tread width, the OEM GYs are much wider then any other tires in that size.

[WhiteMale]

Originally Posted by DevilsReject97

Just a reminder, the fronts are 285s (if you weren't aware)

I would however recommend going with a 285/35ZR20 instead of the factory 30/20 as the Michelin's run a lil smaller imo on the front (from previous experience) and this gives you just a smidge more sidewall for those pesky potholes. These also come in a 104 YXL too.

I like how youre trying to help and you think that you are doing that but increasing circ on the front and not in the rear is just not good advice.

[DevilsReject97]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

This is bad advice. First, if one goes for the 35 aspect ratio in front, it has to be done in the rear as well, because it increases circumference by 4.5% and leaving the rears alone may well result in ABS and Stabilitrak issues; and second, 285/35/20 will rub a little on the driver side at full left lock, which is okay with hardcore folks who don't mind replacing wheel well liners, but OP may not fancy that.

Originally Posted by WhiteMale

I like how youre trying to help and you think that you are doing that but increasing circ on the front and not in the rear is just not good advice.

The diameter of the factory rim/tire with the Goodyear Cup3 is 27.2 inches.

The diameter of the factory rim/tire with the PS4S in 285/30/20 is 26.8 inches

The diameter of the factory rim/tire with the PS4S in 285/35/20 is 27.58 inches

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by CTRifecta

I thought the better move with non Goodyear supercar tires is to increase the tire width slightly.


For example on a 1LE if you are getting Michelin tires, go with 305/30/20 front and 325/30/20 rear. This is because when comparing actual tread width, the OEM GYs are much wider then any other tires in that size.

Correct. The PS4S run a bit narrower at the contact patch than the GYSC3 tires, so increasing treadwidth one step is the play.