Michelin Cup 2 Variants

[RugbyBro]

On the subject of new gen Cup 2s, it's a bit confusing as there seem to be a few distinct versions:

Cup 2 Connect * Spec

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tandard+Brakes

This specific fitment uses a 265 front, is this the M2CS rear tire that you were referencing CanAutM3? I *think* these are supposed to be sets of 245 & 265, 275 & 285. Edit: for clarity, when searching for 265, tire rack allows the 265 tire to be used in front. The link shows 275 front though.

Cup 2 Connect

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&affiliate=HM5

Cup 2 Track Connect

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...+Track+Connect

Based on the available sizes the Track Connect seems to be optimized to Porsche fitment even though it is not N-Spec and explicitly discloses it can't be utilized with N-Spec.

I wish there was more clear information from Michelin as to what the differences are between all these designations, but they only list their normal Cup 2 Connect on their website as an offered variety.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

On the subject of new gen Cup 2s, it's a bit confusing as there seem to be a few distinct versions:

Cup 2 Connect * Spec

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tandard+Brakes

This specific fitment uses a 265 front, is this the M2CS rear tire that you were referencing CanAutM3? I *think* these are supposed to be sets of 245 & 265, 275 & 285. Edit: for clarity, when searching for 265, tire rack allows the 265 tire to be used in front. The link shows 275 front though.

Cup 2 Connect

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&affiliate=HM5

Cup 2 Track Connect

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...+Track+Connect

Based on the available sizes the Track Connect seems to be optimized to Porsche fitment even though it is not N-Spec and explicitly discloses it can't be utilized with N-Spec.

I wish there was more clear information from Michelin as to what the differences are between all these designations, but they only list their normal Cup 2 Connect on their website as an offered variety.

You have to look at the tread wear as an indication. The older spec PSC2 have s a 180 TW while the newer spec PSC2 have a 240 TW.

Tire Rack has the 240TW under "Extreme Performance Summer" and the 180TW under "Streetable Track & Competition", even though the 240TW is a better tire. The only fluke is the 992 GT3 PSC2 that is listed under the "Track" category, but is an oddball being the only one with a 240TW in the list.

The links above don't seem to work...

[phoenx]

Currently on the sport cup 2 connects and they've been nothing but great!

[ash4390]

Thank you both! CanAutM3 hellokitty

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

You have to look at the tread wear as an indication. The older spec PSC2 have s a 180 TW while the newer spec PSC2 have a 240 TW.

Tire Rack has the 240TW under "Extreme Performance Summer" and the 180TW under "Streetable Track & Competition", even though the 240TW is a better tire. The only fluke is the 992 GT3 PSC2 that is listed under the "Track" category, but is an oddball being the only one with a 240TW in the list.

The links above don't seem to work...

Got it, so basically look out for the 240TW Cup 2s. Weird about the links, they work for me still, but basically out of the 240TW selection there is a BMW * selection of 245/35/R19, 265/35/R19, 275/35R19 & 285/30/R20 - that 265 appears to be intended as a rear for M2CS, so buyers should instead go for the regular 240TW 265/35R19? Let me know if I have that wrong.

I'll update the OP with a lot of this info once it's aggregated

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Got it, so basically look out for the 240TW Cup 2s. Weird about the links, they work for me still, but basically out of the 240TW selection there is a BMW * selection of 245/35/R19, 265/35/R19, 275/35R19 & 285/30/R20 - that 265 appears to be intended as a rear for M2CS, so buyers should instead go for the regular 240TW 265/35R19? Let me know if I have that wrong.

I'll update the OP with a lot of this info once it's aggregated

Yes, that 265 is the rear M2cs spec, I would not go for that. If it were me, I would go with the 275/35R19 G8X spec for the front as it is an ideal match for the 285/30R20 G8X spec rear.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

On the subject of new gen Cup 2s, it's a bit confusing as there seem to be a few distinct versions:

Cup 2 Connect * Spec

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tandard+Brakes

This specific fitment uses a 265 front, is this the M2CS rear tire that you were referencing CanAutM3? I *think* these are supposed to be sets of 245 & 265, 275 & 285. Edit: for clarity, when searching for 265, tire rack allows the 265 tire to be used in front. The link shows 275 front though.

Cup 2 Connect

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&affiliate=HM5

Cup 2 Track Connect

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...+Track+Connect

Based on the available sizes the Track Connect seems to be optimized to Porsche fitment even though it is not N-Spec and explicitly discloses it can't be utilized with N-Spec.

I wish there was more clear information from Michelin as to what the differences are between all these designations, but they only list their normal Cup 2 Connect on their website as an offered variety.

OK, the links now work for me. It seems to me like it is TireRack that is creating confusion. If I go on the Michelin.ca website, they simply separate between the base PSC2 (with 180 TW) and the newer gen PSC2(240). In the details, they mention that the new 240 TW allows the tire to be used in the “street category in many race associations”. That in itself could have been the incentive for the revised TW rating.

Then, within the PSC2(240) selection, most sizes can also be specced with the “Connect” option, which allows the installation of the “Track Connect” pressure and temperature sensors (sold separately). The sensors also come with the “Track Connect” app that allows for lap time data logging.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Yes, that 265 is the rear M2cs spec, I would not go for that. If it were me, I would go with the 275/35R19 G8X spec for the front as it is an ideal match for the 285/30R20 G8X spec rear.

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

OK, the links now work for me. It seems to me like it is TireRack that is creating confusion. If I go on the Michelin.ca website, they simply separate between the base PSC2 (with 180 TW) and the newer gen PSC2(240). In the details, they mention that the new 240 TW allows the tire to be used in the “street category in many race associations”. That in itself could have been the incentive for the revised TW rating.

Then, within the PSC2(240) selection, most sizes can also be specced with the “Connect” option, which allows the installation of the “Track Connect” pressure and temperature sensors (sold separately). The sensors also come with the “Track Connect” app that allows for lap time data logging.

Ahh okay I get it now. I also see the * specs and everything on their website now. So the 275* has a section width of 10.9in vs 10.7in for 265 non*, both measured on 9.5in rim. Both pretty close and looks like 9in width is within Michelin's range (albeit it is the low of the range - 9.0 to 11.0). I'd be totally on board to run the 275 front, I had just assumed it wasn't recommended on a 9in wheel.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Ahh okay I get it now. I also see the * specs and everything on their website now. So the 275* has a section width of 10.9in vs 10.7in for 265 non*, both measured on 9.5in rim. Both pretty close and looks like 9in width is within Michelin's range (albeit it is the low of the range - 9.0 to 11.0). I'd be totally on board to run the 275 front, I had just assumed it wasn't recommended on a 9in wheel.

I think what is even more telling than the section width is the tread width. The front G8X 275 actually has a narrower 8.9" tread than the M2cs 265 of 9.2". It is even narrower than the 9.1" of the F8XCS/GTS 265. Tires designed specifically for front axle application usually have a narrower and rounder tread shape for improved steering response and turn-in characteristics.

By contrast, the rear 285 of the G8X has 10" wide tread. So it has 1.1" wider tread than the front despite having only a 0.6" wider section and sits much squarer for improved traction.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I think what is even more telling than the section width is the tread width. The front G8X 275 actually has a narrower 8.9" tread than the M2cs 265 of 9.2". It is even narrower than the 9.1" of the F8XCS/GTS 265. Tires designed specifically for front axle application usually have a narrower and rounder tread shape for improved steering response and turn-in characteristics.

By contrast, the rear 285 of the G8X has 10" wide tread. So it has 1.1" wider tread than the front despite having only a 0.6" wider tread and sits much squarer for improved traction.

So would these G8X spec PSC tires work well with the staggered 763M setup of 19" front 20" rear?

Might need a new set soon

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

So would these G8X spec PSC tires work well with the staggered 763M setup of 19" front 20" rear?

Might need a new set soon

As I posted earlier, if I would still have my M4cs, the staggered 19”/20” G8X spec PSC2 are the tires that would be on my car

[HC700]

Anyone have thoughts on mixing the old 180tw and new 240tw SC2?

I have a set of older bmw star 265 for the front but since the 180tw is discontinued I can only source a set of 240tw SC2 connect for the rear.

Thinking to run it for this track season before throwing away and getting SC2 connect fronts after

[jdhiro]

Huh. Has anyone put these G80 SC2 Connect tires on their CS yet? Mine are dead now and I'm probably just going to go with another set of GTS Cup2, but I might go this way if we know they are good.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

Huh. Has anyone put these G80 SC2 Connect tires on their CS yet? Mine are dead now and I'm probably just going to go with another set of GTS Cup2, but I might go this way if we know they are good.

The cup 2 connect with 240 TW IMO is superior to the GTS cup 2 with 180 TW.

[ash4390]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

Huh. Has anyone put these G80 SC2 Connect tires on their CS yet? Mine are dead now and I'm probably just going to go with another set of GTS Cup2, but I might go this way if we know they are good.

Been looking for some but all our suppliers here in Vancouver are out of stock. Might get GY Supercar 3Rs for now until things come back.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

Huh. Has anyone put these G80 SC2 Connect tires on their CS yet? Mine are dead now and I'm probably just going to go with another set of GTS Cup2, but I might go this way if we know they are good.

I'm very likely going to go this direction after spit-balling in this thread. Probably not for a couple months tho since it's no where near Cup 2 season up here yet. I've only been hearing good things about the 240 tires (a lot outside this thread) so it's probably a pretty safe bet. The only practical consideration between the two is that the 240s are about 20% more expensive than 180s.

Originally Posted by ash4390

Been looking for some but all our suppliers here in Vancouver are out of stock. Might get GY Supercar 3Rs for now until things come back.

If you end up venturing down south for a road trip you can pick some up from the Tire Rack distribution center here in Seattle.

[cobra2814]

So we ZCP guys with 20 inch wheels all around are out of luck it seems.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by cobra2814

So we ZCP guys with 20 inch wheels all around are out of luck it seems.

Not out of luck! There are 265/30R20s in regular Cup 2 Connects. Just can’t run the * spec front

[cobra2814]

Ah ok cool! Good to know.

[windnsea00]

How about for a M2CS, PSS BMW Spec or General P4S?

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by windnsea00

How about for a M2CS, PSS BMW Spec or General P4S?

PS4S >>> PSS any day of the week.

However personally I would run the Cup 2 (240) on a M2 CS.

[MineralWhiteF80]

I'm trying to figure out Cup2 fitment for the 437m 19" inch wheels.

These would be replacing PS4S tires and the car is only driven a couple thousand miles a year in dry, nice weather and will see 1 to 3 track days this year.

The only normal fitment Cup2 option I can see for my wheels is the 255/35/19 MO1 and 275/35/19 MO mercedes tires.

I can get a good deal on the original 180tw Cup 2 tires. I don't see proper fitment for the 437m wheels in the newer 240tw Cup2 Connects.

Am I going to regret this over new set of PS4S tires?

I was also thinking the option of a 265/35/19 M4 GTS front Cup2 tire (or the MO or MO1) and then pair it with the 285/35/19 Cup2R rear tire.