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There is a difference. When my OEM’ MPS4S were up for replacement. I went with the BMW Star variants of the same tire. The appearance and handling was much improved. Unfortunately, I caught a nail on one of my rear tires and had to go back to the generic MP4S. Observation, the tread width and profile of the Star version is more aggressive with improved handling. I tried to source the MPS4s Star version again but they are on back order with the Tirerack until June 2026. My fronts (BMW Star) which were replaced about 6 months back are in great condition are still mounted. I truly believe the star versions provide better acceleration and grip. And for what’s it’s worth, improve the 0-60 times and outright handling. Lexus should have equipped the RCF with the BMW Star versions. They appear to be wider - especially on the rear with a slightly firmer ride. The improved performance is worth it IMHO!!!
I noticed the same with Goodyear and Pirellis when I got the car the old Ps4s were bad and had to go with Pz4 Mo for Mercedes they were not wide enough and shown gap from rim even though on paper fitment is fine, had no option at that time as no Ps4s and only Ps5 available which is not good. last week after waiting for a month finally changed the Pirellis to Sc7 Continental and the fitment is exactly the same as the original Michelins.
Tyre manufacturers better go generic better than specific for car make like old days.
I believe the * on the BMWs is that they are rated as run flats so that equates to a much stiffer sidewall which is why you are likely seeing a difference.
I have had the high load rating PS4S since 2020. I went from the OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sport with front load rating of only 92Y and 96Y rear to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S with 96Y front and 100Y rear. I believe, mine were OEM to some AMG model. It was a night/day difference. Ever since I bought my RCF, I complained about the sidewalls being too squishy on the OEM PSS and causing way too much drag once load them up. They would simply collapse once suddenly I loaded them up resulting in body roll even if the rebound damping was doing its job perfectly. I could tell the difference in how the car behaved completely different when the temperature would drop below 7 C and suddenly everything became very tight and responsive. It was drastically improved with the PS4S 9Y and 100Y rear where they seem to hold their shape when you suddenly load them up, which translates to much crisper responses and as if the car is suddenly 200 lbs lighter. Despite the high load rating and kevlar reinforced sidewalls, they still are pretty much on the softer side, but still way more sharper and crisper than the OEM PSS tires. They seem to have much less rolling resistance as well, which translates to faster acceleration response as well.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; Mar 14, 2026 at 09:09 AM.
I believe the * on the BMWs is that they are rated as run flats so that equates to a much stiffer sidewall which is why you are likely seeing a difference.
Not True
Lou
Last edited by flowrider; Mar 14, 2026 at 03:03 PM.
Lol at the guy using some AI output as proof for anything. The run flats are the PS4S "ZP" and don't even come in the sizes needed for the RCF.
Also, just to make things more confusing, there's like 4 different PS4S tires in the stock size. There's the Lexus SL rated, then a few XL rated versions - of which one is the BMW compound. I've been happy with the "regular" XL rated tires for a few years now.
Edit: there's actually 5 versions. Mercedes, 2 BMW stars, standard XL, and the Lexus SL rated. That's wild.
Lol at the guy using some AI output as proof for anything. The run flats are the PS4S "ZP" and don't even come in the sizes needed for the RCF.
Also, just to make things more confusing, there's like 4 different PS4S tires in the stock size. There's the Lexus SL rated, then a few XL rated versions - of which one is the BMW compound. I've been happy with the "regular" XL rated tires for a few years now.
Edit: there's actually 5 versions. Mercedes, 2 BMW stars, standard XL, and the Lexus SL rated. That's wild.
There’s also this, or does it just fall into one of the five versions? Noticed it when I got them for my IS F.
That is a weird PS4S tire. The shoulder blocks are so small. One of the things I noticed when I put both my PSS and PS4S tires together, was how much bigger then PS4S (XL) shoulder blocks were compared to those of the PSS tires (and also the PS4S tire was about 1/2 inch wider even with the same size), but that picture below seems to have even smaller shoulder blocks than the OEM PSS tires.
Originally Posted by JT2MA71
There’s also this, or does it just fall into one of the five versions? Noticed it when I got them for my IS F.
I believe the * on the BMWs is that they are rated as run flats so that equates to a much stiffer sidewall which is why you are likely seeing a difference.
The Star rating for BMW tires are typically reserved for the ///M cars which are specifically equipped with “non” run- flats. All of my cars have come equipped as such.
Last edited by CarFan110; Mar 16, 2026 at 07:13 AM.
A little fun fact, BMW* PS4S 275/35/19 tread width at 8.9" is smaller than BMW* PS4S 255/35/19 at 9". The 275 were meant to go on m2/3/4 front, while the 255 were meant for m240/m340/m440 rear.
Personally I went with CLA45 AMG 255 PS4S (MO1, 8.5" tread width) on the front and CT5V blackwing 275 PS4S (TPC, 9.8" tread width) in the rear, I like having the tread width slightly smaller than the rim width with .5" difference max for better handling.
Last edited by Jhang300; Mar 16, 2026 at 07:53 AM.
That is a weird PS4S tire. The shoulder blocks are so small. One of the things I noticed when I put both my PSS and PS4S tires together, was how much bigger then PS4S (XL) shoulder blocks were compared to those of the PSS tires (and also the PS4S tire was about 1/2 inch wider even with the same size), but that picture below seems to have even smaller shoulder blocks than the OEM PSS tires.
I’ve had nothing but PS4S on my IS F and RC F. Didn’t really notice the TPC spec until after they were installed on my most recent set of wheels and when I was de-nibbing the tires. I ordered XL and they are still XL, then I looked it up and found out they were GM spec.
Interesting. Considering the GM-spec are supposed to be more aggressive version with a faster steering response and more stiffer shoulder than the XL versions I have, bigger blocks does not mean more aggressive tread pattern? See old picture below when I got the XL versions in 2020 and the size of those blocks (I used to have wider 20 mm spacers in the rear at the time, but now have dropped to 15 mm)
Originally Posted by JT2MA71
I’ve had nothing but PS4S on my IS F and RC F. Didn’t really notice the TPC spec until after they were installed on my most recent set of wheels and when I was de-nibbing the tires. I ordered XL and they are still XL, then I looked it up and found out they were GM spec.
Michelin Pilot 4s fittaments
