Is your high-performance vehicle in need of a new set of tyres? It can be hard to know which ones to purchase since there are so many different brands and types of performance tyres to choose from. With this in mind, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide for the best performance tyres in Australia.
Check out our top picks now and make a well-informed decision.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tyres
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is an ultra-high performing tyre for performance sedans, luxury vehicles, and sports cars. Born from endurance races, and in particular, the 24-hour Le Mans experience, this tyre has been chosen as the OE tyre(1) for some of the top vehicles in the world
How To Buy The Best Performance Tyres In Australia?
When you need to find the best tyres for performance vehicles, there are a number of things to keep in mind as you make your purchasing decision. Here are some of the considerations:
- Driving type – you need to consider which kind of driving you normally do as well as the conditions you typically tackle. If you drive long distances on a regular basis, you’ll need a harder wearing tyre than someone who only drives a few miles each day.
- Weather conditions – depending on where in Australia you’re located, you’ll need to consider a range of weather conditions when choosing tyres for your performance car. You’ll not only need to consider driving in dry summer weather, but also how a tyre will perform in wet conditions.
- Your driving style – if, like most performance car drivers, you drive aggressively, you’ll need to choose a tyre with excellent grip.
- Cost – even if you drive a performance car you may not want or be able to pay a high price for replacement tyres. Even budget brands produce tyres for performance vehicles, so you can choose one that fits into what you can afford.
- Speed rating – check the sidewall of any tyre you’re considering buying to see the maximum speed at which it can be driven safely.
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tyres |
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Continental Premium Contact 6 Tyres |
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Maxtrek Maximus M1 |
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What Is The Best Performance Tyre On The Market Now? – Our Reviews Help You To Decide
Here, you’ll find our top three picks of the best tyres for performance vehicles in Australia this year.
1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tyres – Best Overall
Specifications
Asymmetric tread pattern for outstanding grip and traction
- Hybrid nylon and aramid belt for dynamic response technology
- Variable Contact Patch 3.0 optimises pressure distribution to reduce hot spots during turns
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is an ultra-high performing tyre for performance sedans, luxury vehicles, and sports cars. Born from endurance races, and in particular, the 24-hour Le Mans experience, this tyre has been chosen as the OE tyre(1) for some of the top vehicles in the world including the Mercedes-AMG E63 S and the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso.
Michelin’s dynamic response technology utilises a hybrid nylon and aramid belt for optimum steering transmission to the road surface. Meanwhile, these tyres have a premium-touch finish on their external sidewall for an enhanced appearance.
The Pilot Sport 4S tyre provides a tread that is up to 9% better than that of other models as it can deliver outstanding traction, overcoming every wear over grip issue. The asymmetric tread pattern (2) also ensures outstanding road grip.
The Variable Contact Patch 3.0 is a feature of these tyres, optimising pressure distribution when turning to reduce hot spots while extending the tyre’s lifespan.
2. Continental Premium Contact 6 Tyres – Best For Smaller Sizes
Specifications
Available in smaller sizes (under 17”)
- Safety silica compounds for better road handling and safety
- An advanced macro-block design ensures improved cornering stability
The Continental Premium Contact 6 tyre offers something virtually unique when compared with other high-performance vehicle tyres in that it can offer a genuine high-performance option in smaller sizes than 17”. Continental has realised that performance enthusiasts may also drive a practical, smaller car, and has released a product to suit the specific needs of this market.
This tyre boasts both touring and dynamic traits. Its braking performance is excellent whatever the weather, and tyre wear is also impressively good. These are great all-round performers with a long lifespan for those with a smaller vehicle but who still want a high-performance tyre.
3. Maxtrek Maximus M1 – Best on a Budget
Specifications
Ribbed blocks for responsive steering
- variable pitch groove design for a quieter ride
- 4 circumferential grooves for outstanding grip during wet weather
One of the best budget performance tyres on sale in Australia today the Maxtrek Maximus M1 offers great road handling at an unbelievably low price. Designed for high-end sedans and luxury coupes, this tyre provides outstanding grip while also quickly draining water from the surface to guard against hydroplaning. Even better, it guarantees reduced road noise for a more comfortable ride.
With its variable pitch groove, passengers and drivers alike can enjoy a quieter journey. Meanwhile, the ribbed blocks ensure greater response to steering and the four circumferential grooves guarantee a better grip on the road surface even when driving in wet conditions.
If you need a truly affordable tyre for your luxury vehicle, this Maxtrek tyre is the one for you.
The Verdict – Which Are The Best Performance Tyres In Australia Overall?
All three of the performance tyres that we have recommended are great for your luxury car, but overall, the Michelin Pilot 4S tyres are our number one pick.
Michelin is one of the best-known tyre brands on the market today and their tyres are tried and tested in terms of safety and performance. When you buy Pilot 4S tyres, you can be confident of outstanding grip, a comfortable ride, and quiet running.
Performance Tyre FAQs
The lifespan of your high performance car tyres will depend on a number of factors. Not only does it vary depending on the type of tyre you’ve chosen but also on your driving style and road conditions. Overall, you can expect the average high performance tyre to last for around 30,000km, although some will last for as much as 40,000km.
Performance tyres are usually made from a softer rubber to improve their grip on different road surfaces. While this leads to a more comfortable and high-performance ride, it also means that the rubber wears down more rapidly, thus shortening the tyre’s lifespan.
You needn’t worry about driving with performance tyres on your vehicle during wet weather conditions as these tyres are designed to prevent aquaplaning with specially designed grooves built into the tread. Of course, some performance tyres will be more effective in wet conditions than others, and this is something you should check out when reading product reviews before purchasing.
Rotating any car’s tyres is always a good idea to ensure even wear and tear across all four tyres. In general, it’s recommended that you rotate your performance tyres around every 5000 to 7000 miles, however this isn’t a hard and fast rule. It will depend on several factors such as the car’s alignment as well as how hard you drive the tyres on different types of surfaces.
References
- VDO – OE Aftermarket Parts – Retrieved from https://www.vdo.co.uk/press-releases/interior/oe-aftermarket-parts/#:~:text=OE%2C%20which%20stands%20for%20original,also%20be%20described%20as%20’genuine
- Brindley Group – Labels – retrieved from https://www.brindley.co.uk/news/pros-cons-tyre-tread/
