90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
73/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
92/100
2,239 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
89
/ 100
Objective (60%)
92/100
17 professional tests
User signal (40%)
92/100
2,273 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 are within 2 points overall. Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 is stronger on noise and comfort. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is stronger on dry.
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Category breakdown
6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 89 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 93 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 90 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 96% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 87 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 87 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 89% | 97% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 97% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 3 PS3 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 78 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 3 PS3 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 74 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 67 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 74 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 84 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 90 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 90 | 89 |
| Dry | 88 | 92 |
| Wet | 88 | 89 |
| Comfort | 92 | 87 |
| Noise | 92 | 81 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 88 |
| Handling | 94 | 94 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
90
/ 100
Tire A
89
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 98% #3/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test | -3.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 96% #1/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test | +1.4 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 80% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 97% #4/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test | -17.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 100% #10/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 100% #1/11 · 2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre Test | -66.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 100% #1/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 89% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 97% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -7.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | 97% #3/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) is widely regarded as a high-performance summer tire that excels in wet-weather confidence and ride comfort. While many users praise its ability to transform vehicle handling and provide a quiet, stable driving experience, a significant portion of the user base reports concerns regarding rapid tread wear and soft sidewalls that may feel less precise during aggressive cornering.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Predictable and progressive handling characteristics
- Strong dry-weather traction for daily spirited driving
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly on high-torque or front-wheel-drive vehicles
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a 'squishy' or vague feel during extreme cornering
- High price point relative to longevity
- Performance degradation as the tire reaches the end of its tread life
Observations
- Users with hot hatches and performance-oriented FWD vehicles frequently report faster-than-expected front tire wear.
- Drivers transitioning from run-flat tires to the PS3 consistently note a dramatic improvement in ride quality and noise reduction.
- Some owners of heavier, high-torque vehicles noted that the soft sidewalls can feel less stable under heavy load compared to dedicated track-focused tires.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is widely regarded as a premier high-performance summer tire, praised for its exceptional wet-weather traction and balanced daily-driving characteristics. While many users report a significant improvement in ride quality and noise levels compared to OEM run-flats or older performance tires, some enthusiasts note a softer sidewall that can feel less precise or 'darty' during aggressive cornering compared to dedicated track-focused rubber.
Pros
- Class-leading wet weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- Excellent balance of comfort and road noise reduction for a performance tire
- Predictable and progressive handling characteristics
- Strong dry-weather traction and braking performance
- Significant upgrade over OEM run-flat tires in terms of ride quality
Cons
- Softer sidewalls can lead to a less 'sharp' or 'darty' steering feel
- Tread wear can be rapid, particularly with spirited driving or on high-torque vehicles
- Performance can drop off noticeably as tread depth decreases
- Higher price point compared to many competitors
- Some reports of increased road noise as the tire ages
Observations
- Tesla and EV owners frequently report a measurable decrease in range due to higher rolling resistance compared to OEM 'eco' tires.
- Users with heavy, high-torque vehicles (e.g., tuned sedans, performance wagons) often praise the tire's ability to put power down, though this comes at the cost of faster rear-tire wear.
- Drivers switching from run-flat tires on luxury vehicles (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) consistently report a transformative improvement in ride comfort and cabin noise.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) is largely viewed as an older generation tire, often overshadowed by its successor, the PS4. While some users consider buying discounted warehouse stock for daily driving or note limited size availability, others strongly advise against choosing the PS3 when newer iterations are available. (Note: Several posts in the discussion confuse the tire with the PlayStation 3 gaming console.)
r/tires
·3 upvotes ·2025-08-02
“Michelin PS3 MO1 vs Pirelli Pzero MO About to order 4 new tires for this 2012 Mercedes CLS500 SB (X218), but tire choices are quite limited. Sizes: 255/40R18 99Y front 285/35R18 97Y rear Currently running Pirelli Pzero MO on all corners, which are in desperate need of replacement. Unfortunately, Michelin PS4, PS5 or PS4S are not available in both these sizes in Europe. The PS4 has been quite an improvement over the PS3 iirc, so it feels wrong to go for the PS3. However, the Pirelli Pzero MO isn’t the newest PZ5 iteration nor the previous PZ4 I suppose. So… Should we go for another set of Pirelli Pzero or the Michelin PS3? (PFA) Read more”
r/tires
·1 upvote ·2026-04-09
“Is the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 a good choice for a daily driver? I've been considering changing my tires to Michelin Primacy 4 for my Mazda 2. I've been quoted with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 ones with manufacturing date of mid 2024 for 25% less, that the garage wants to clear from their warehouse. Is this an overkill? Edit: Thank you all for your help. I went with the PS3 and it seems that it was a good choice. Read more”
r/tires
·2023-08-29
“~2000 miles into a set of PS3 all seasons, plug or leave in?”
Top themes
#PS3 vs PS4 comparison#Limited size availability#Discounted warehouse stock#Daily driving suitability#Tread life expectations#Console confusion
Based on 10 community posts
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (and its variants) is widely praised by the community as a massive upgrade over stock run-flats and budget tires, offering exceptional dry and wet grip, precise steering feel, and improved ride comfort. While users frequently note trade-offs in tread life due to the softer rubber compound, and higher pricing, it remains a top-tier recommendation for spirited street driving and performance cars.
r/BMW
·26 upvotes ·2024-09-23
“Surprised by Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires - 2024 M440i Hey, BMW community. A year ago, I was lucky enough to order a 2024 M440i GC Xdrive. Spent hours driving different BMW's, tweaking my order sheet before my allocation was filled. Got the adaptive suspension, with 19's on Pirelli run-flats. After a few months, my San Remo GC was delivered. GREAT car. Now with ~17k miles, it was time for a routine service. And, apparently, new rear tires. Decided to just replace them all at the dealer. Went with what they recommended; Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (Star marked). What an upgrade! Steering feel, precision, comfort AND quiet. Anyone on the fence about the Pilot Sport 4 - highly recommended. Read more”
r/BoltEV
·5 upvotes ·2026-04-29
“Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires are noisy (a followup) I have been asked on this sub if the PS4 tires on my wife’s Bolt are noisy, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. Well, we made two 60-mile round trips this past weekend, mostly on highways with 55 and 70 mph speed limits, and I have to say that the tires are kind of noisy. Certainly not as quiet as EV-oriented tires are. The grip is fantastic, so we really like them. If you are sensitive to noise, though, these Max Performance class tires are probably not for you.”
r/ft86
·3 upvotes ·2022-01-09
“I just installed A/S PS4 from Michelin on my BRZ recently & man they are so nice. How quiet it is, is wow, night and day. They handle quite nice except when it's still cold (sub 40F) on highway, traction control triggers but it may bc I'm lowered and yet to do my alignment. I don't know compared to stock, I was on Falken prior. I am using different tire set-up then stock however. I have 245/35 at the front and 265/35 in rear. My only regret is not going up to 40 on the sidewall for more meat. This is on 18" wheels.”
r/tires
·2 upvotes ·2026-07-28
“Those are Pilot sport 4 (all season). If it had s after the 4 it would be the summer high performance version. I put the pilot sport 4 on wife's GTI autobahn 2016. Great handling tire, stiff side walls, not the smoothest ride but best overall.”
Top themes
#grip and handling performance#ride quality and comfort#tread wear and lifespan#wet weather capability#comparison to runflats#noise levels#temperature limits and cold weather
Based on 117 community posts
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
90
/ 100
Michelin
89
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 are within 2 points overall. Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 is stronger on noise and comfort. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is stronger on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 scores 92 vs 81 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 scores 92 vs 87 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 92 vs 88 on dry.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.