Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (OE): OE or Replacement Tire Showdown for Tesla Model S? As a Tesla Model S owner, the choice of tires plays a crucial role in optimizing your vehicle’s performance, safety, and overall driving experience. In the world of high-performance tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport series stands out as a popular choice among electric vehicle enthusiasts. However, deciding between the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, which debuted in 2022, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (OE), initially introduced in 2010 specifically for Mercedes vehicles, can pose a challenge. This article will delve into an OE vs replacement tire showdown, highlighting the significant age gap between these two exceptional tires. By the end of this comparison, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision about which tire best aligns with your Tesla Model S and driving preferences.
Table of Contents
New Feature Highlights:
Michelin Pilot Sport 5: Enhanced spirited driving that lasts for more miles
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tire offers a thrilling and responsive driving experience with high performance and increased longevity. It provides optimum responsiveness of steering instructions to the road with the use of Michelin Dynamic Response Technology. The MaxTouch Construction evenly distributes the forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering, providing a longer tread life and allowing for extended periods of high-performance driving.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5: Command the road confidently with long-lasting tire grip
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tire provides maximum grip and reliable wet and dry braking, allowing drivers to confidently command the road. The Dual Sport Tread Design features an internal side with large longitudinal grooves that flush water away for better wet road traction, as well as an external side with rigid blocks for improved grip on dry roads. With this tire, drivers can enjoy a fun and confident driving experience.
Results
Results below were taken from the 2023 Auto Bild’s “Do you need specific tires for your EV vehicle test”. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (OE) based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is 245/45 R19 which is a common tire size for Kia Sportage and BMW X4. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Tesla Model S packed with the capability of 442hp.
Wet
Undoubtedly, safety remains the paramount consideration when it comes to wet performance demands. In the past, it was common for OE manufacturers to focus more on dry performance, particularly in handling, while placing wet performance at a lower priority. The Pilot Sport 3 (OE), despite being launched 13 years ago, was not far behind the Pilot Sport 5 in wet braking distance, trailing by just 1.5 meters. A similar advantage was observed in wet handling, with the Pilot Sport 5 achieving a 1.5 km/h faster average lap speed compared to the Pilot Sport 3 (OE). Nonetheless, it is genuinely surprising how well the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) performed, given its relatively older technology.
In the area of aquaplaning, the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) held an advantage, boasting a considerably higher slipping speed of 3 km/h compared to the Pilot Sport 5. In summary, the Pilot Sport 5 has the edge in wet braking and wet handling, with the only saving grace for the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) in wet conditions being its aquaplaning performance.
Pilot Sport 3 (OE) :
- -3.1% in wet braking
- -2% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- +3.2% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, safety generally presents fewer challenges, as braking distances are considerably shorter compared to wet conditions. This is where the Pilot Sport 5 demonstrates its clear strength, outperforming the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) by reducing braking distance by 1.7 meters in dry conditions. This advantage extends to dry handling as well, with the Pilot Sport 5 achieving a faster average lap time by 3.2 km/h compared to the Pilot Sport 3 (OE). Essentially, on dry surfaces, the Pilot Sport 5 takes a commanding lead in both dry braking and dry handling performance criteria.
Pilot Sport 3 (OE) :
- -4.8% in dry braking
- -2.9% in dry handling (lap time)
Rolling Resistance
Typically, rolling resistance is one of the primary performance targets for tire manufacturers when developing OE tires. Recently, with the increasing emphasis on sustainability, rolling resistance has become a competitive marketing tool, as it is easily discernible in label values. The older Pilot Sport 3 (OE) had a notably higher rolling resistance value of 7.8 N/kN. In contrast, the Pilot Sport 5 registered a slightly lower rolling resistance coefficient value of 7.7 N/kN, making it a more efficient choice.
Pilot Sport 3 (OE) :
- -1.4% in rolling resistance
Noise & Comfort
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5, being a newer addition to the Pilot Sport series, has garnered praise for its increased comfort in comparison to the Pilot Sport 3 (OE). Tests have shown that drivers experience a smoother and more enjoyable ride with the Pilot Sport 5, attributed to its cutting-edge design and innovative features. Interestingly, both tires have achieved comparable rankings in terms of noise levels. This highlights Michelin’s ability to maintain a consistent noise profile across the two generations, ensuring a quiet and peaceful driving experience irrespective of your tire selection.
Comfort
- Pilot Sport 5 > Pilot Sport 3 (OE)
Noise
- Pilot Sport 5 = Pilot Sport 3 (OE)
Price
As Michelin is widely recognized as a technology leader in the tire industry, it commands some of the highest price points in the market. Although the older Pilot Sport 3 (OE) was specifically designed for Mercedes vehicles, it boasts a significantly lower price tag—£29 cheaper than the newer Pilot Sport 5.
Pilot Sport 3 (OE): £215
Pilot Sport 5: £254
Difference: -13% more cheaper for Pilot Sport 3 (OE).
Summary
In summary, the considerably newer Pilot Sport 5 demonstrates progressive improvements, surpassing the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) in a series of small but significant steps. It outperforms the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) in wet and dry conditions, comfort, and rolling resistance. The only advantage the Pilot Sport 3 (OE) holds is its lower price point and a slight edge in aquaplaning resistance. Overall, it’s clear that the Pilot Sport 5 emerges as the winner in this head-to-head battle!