Difference between C1 and MO 275/35/18 PS2

[Parisianviper]

A question for the tire specialist:

Will using a MO (Mercedes) 275/35/18 instead of a C1 (Viper) Michelin PS2 of the same size is a terrible thing to do?
They have the same load and speed rating, the difference is more thread depth with the MO version.
I called Michelin and obviously they said you should stick with OEM, but in the real world?

Tire Specs for Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

[Luke@tirerack]

while Michelin does not disclose the exact differences they are different. Michelin also claims they should not be mixed and matched. I have known several people who have went against Michelins recommendation with littel to no ill effects but, I have also know people you claim the M0 version does not hadle quite as well as the C1 version. Looking at the two applications the logical conclusion is that the Viper version would handle better while the Mercedes version would ride nicer. We have never tested the two versions head to head so, there isn't any concrete evidence to support that supports or refutes what I have heard ....

[Marv S]

The SRT team was pretty clear that Michelin spent many, many hours and went through a lot of tires with them to end up with the best construction/sidewall for the Viper.

The designation on the tire is C1. The C1 Pilot Sport or C1 PS2 will outperform their counterparts that do not carry the C1 tag.

Hats off to the dynamics guys and Michelin for putting in the effort to develop a specific tire for Viper.

[Luke@tirerack]

just so, everybody is clear on 1 thing the original Pilot Sport C1 is no longer produced and the Pilot Sport PS2 C1 is only produced in the SRT10 sizes ...

[ViperGTS]

Thanks for the INFO.
I will have to check the Viper tires we bought from TireRack last month again!

[Marv S]

The C1 tag never came on any 17" Michelin tires so don't bother looking for it on those old mxx3 or xgt tires.

The first it appeared was on the 18" Pilot Sports about 1999.

[Parisianviper]

Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack

just so, everybody is clear on 1 thing the original Pilot Sport C1 is no longer produced and the Pilot Sport PS2 C1 is only produced in the SRT10 sizes ...

Thanks for that useful info.
Luke, if I understand correctly, the 335/30/18 PS2 is non Viper specific, so much for the time and effort of the SRT engineers.

Marv S, My car is a 01 RT/10 with KW shocks and PS2, and it was conceived and tested with PS 1 and with a stock suspension. I would think the delicate balance the engineers found is somewhat compromised...

[Viper X]

That is a good question. Is Michelin planning to make a C1 PS2 in an 18 x 335 so that we can have a good (equivalent or better) replacement tire for our older Vipers? As stated above, the old PS C1 in 18 x 335 is no longer made?

[Luke@tirerack]

Michelin engineers and the Dodge engineers will most likely not go back and address the older cars ... their time is being spent on new and future products

[Marv S]

If the C1 label is available in the size you need it's the best Michelin choice for you. Second choice is get the newest model - now the PS2 - that is available.

There won't be any 335*17 size or 335*18 size that carries a C1 label. Like Luke said, they just are not going to develop specific label tires for a 10 year old car.

The important thing to recognize is that Michelin is making (for lack of a better word - generic) modern tire in those old Viper Sizes. That's what's most important.

It might take Eric to demonstrate it, but a 335*18 PS2 - no C1 tag- will perform better than an original Pilot Sport- even one with a C1 tag-. On an antocross any PS2 is better than a C1 PS1 or runflat model.

[Viper X]

Hi Marv,

I don't usually disagree with many posts, but this one I have first hand experience and knowledge about.

"It might take Eric to demonstrate it, but a 335*18 PS2 - no C1 tag- will perform better than an original Pilot Sport- even one with a C1 tag-. On an antocross any PS2 is better than a C1 PS1 or runflat model."

I'm not talking about autocross events, but I can tell you at road racing events, the new 18-inch PS2 has a softer sidewall than the old 18-inch Pilot Sport C1 and does not take the heat as well nor does it handle as well and is a bit slower around the race track. It can also chunk when very hot.

Now if this were just me, well, I'm only a good intermediate track guy. But one of our local drivers, Terry Rossi, who is extremely fast in a Viper, has the same opinion. John Archer (Archer Racing) also shares this opinion.

I'm sure that the new PS2 in 18-inch sizes is better than the old Pilot Sport C1 in many driving situations, it's just not better at the track, so most of us don't run them at the track any more.

Dan