Poor Traction/Wheel Hop on Stock Summer Tires - But Great on Winters

[nycaudioma2]

I have an 18 M4 and have noticed that the stock tires cause me two main gripes:

- Poor traction when accelerating from a stop: even when only at half throttle, I can fishtail easily
- Excessive wheel hop: the tires seem to get caught up under themselves, again even only at half throttle

My summer tires are the Continentals, so I was not as lucky as those of you who get the MPSS setup in the factory lottery.

Just switched to my winter tires (Michelin PA4's) and the issues above are not completely gone (both are well documented on this forum as realities of the M4) but both are significantly better.

Are the Conti's just that bad, or do others with the MPSS tires notice this as well?

[cwazy1]

I'm on 666M PSS' and it behaves similarly. It just comes down to front engine rear wheel drive vehicle with high torque numbers. I've found the only time it doesn't skip or break traction is if its 90 degrees outside and the tires are very warm and very dry.

I can't speak for the 19" Contis, but I've also noticed that on the 666Ms the 285/30/20 PSS' are slightly stretched and lose some of the contact patch. I've opted for 295/30/20s in the rear, which are not only wider, but also have a more rigid sidewall offering even more contact patch.

Haven't put them on yet, but am eagerly awaiting finishing out the last 4/32s of my PSSs heh.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

As many of you know I used to be a huge advocater of driving on summers. But you better be damn well sure they aren't near spec or unevenly worn. Or the slighest drop of rain and error will kill you. Honestly a set of winters put on and off +the less miles on the M. you can easily justify a beater and drive the M only above 50s.

[cwazy1]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

As many of you know I used to be a huge advocater of driving on summers. But you better be damn well sure they aren't near spec or unevenly worn. Or the slighest drop of rain and error will kill you. Honestly a set of winters put on and off +the less miles on the M. you can easily justify a beater and drive the M only above 50s.

I don't quite agree with your statement here, I think that yes, if you drive like its summer during the rainy or winter season, you'll probably die if you're on summer tires. But controlling your vehicle is something that can be taught/learned/adjusted.

In terms of cost, a set of winters wheels, a jack and a torque wrench will run about 2k$. I don't think I'd want to get a beater for 2k$ and expect it to do very well in winter, let alone going up to ski passes.

Also - the M's aren't a collectors car. Milage does not make or break the value of the cars. If you look at pre-owned pricing thread, two '17s in similar spec, one with 7k miles and one with 19k miles only has a 2k$ price difference. Thats pretty much a wash right there if you really think about long term.

[gunsmoker]

Similar experience here. Pilot Sport A/S 3+ get better traction in cold and wet than PSS in warm and dry weather. Go figure. PSS are an old model though. The 4S tires have the new compound and I hear they have better traction than MPSS. I have no space in my garage for another set of tires and I intend to do my 3-4 sport events next year with the A/S tires. Did so last year with another car and it was OK.

[daltonnnn]

I get a similar experience with the continentals. I fishtail when shifting gears.

[swifty]

OP, I experienced wheel hop on the stock Contis as well.

Moved to PS4S and even after a tune I have yet to experience the same.

[Dallas Yas M4]

Anyone experience wheel hop at the drag strip?

[NYG]

You should only be getting wheel hop with MDM or traction on.

Definitely no wheel hop with DSC off.

And don't consider super sports as lucky, lol. It's a horrible tire but better than Conti.