Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Vs. Pilot Sport A/S 3+
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ are great options if you want your car to perform well under all conditions. Michelin’s Pilot Sport family offers high performance tires designed for road and track use.
While both tires provide similar features, one is better than the other in terms of its longevity and performance. Both tires have different compounds and make use of different technologies to offer the best handling, traction and stability for drivers across seasons.
But which one trumps the other? Let’s find out.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
For sports car drivers, Michelin has always been a brand they can trust. Coming from a long line of high performance tires for high-end vehicles, the Michelin family of Pilot Sport series is well known as the tire of choice for most auto manufacturers.
The latest iteration builds on that reputation too, as the 4S is a better version of the already popular Pilot Super Sport series.
The key difference between the two tires, if compared side by side, is probably the use of enhanced rubber compound, developed to provide more stability and traction in normal and track conditions.
Product Information
The tread design is where the 4S comes into its own. While testing a sports car on the track, the construction of the tire is showcased when the car is thrown into corners at high speeds.
The Dynamic Response Technology introduced with the 4S allows the car to remain stable and provides better road traction.
But the compound needs time to build and retain heat to work efficiently. The asymmetrical tread pattern on the 4S is why drivers can run their cars at high speeds.
Another important aspect of this tread design is that, it works in all conditions and surfaces. If heavy snow is avoided, you’d still be in control of your vehicle at high speeds.
It is amazing how Michelin has managed to provide so much versatility in just one tire.
Pros
- This ultra-high performance tire is the tire of choice for most notable automotive manufacturers in the world, especially known for providing seamless grip in high performance vehicles
- Superior grip, rivalling slick tires which are not road legal, along with great tread life
- An all-season tire that provides the best handling characteristics of any tire in this price range
- Only second to brands like Pirelli P-Zero, which is only meant for ultra-high performance vehicles
- The tire delivers precision steering, outstanding stability and exceptional grip on dry and wet surfaces
Cons
- The only con is that other manufacturers in this range are providing the same, if not, the exact same features
What We Liked About The Pilot Sport 4S
- The tire of choice, only second to the Pirelli P-Zero range
- Unmatched grip and traction for track use
- Priced better compared to the Pirelli range
- An all-season tire
What We Didn’t Like About The Pilot Sport 4S
- Ride quality is not as good
- Road noise could be improved
- Tread life could be better for the price
- Cannot be used on snowy roads
- Loses grip on wet roads
- Doesn’t fit most vehicles
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+
Another high performance all-season tire by Michelin, the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is built for sports cars drivers.
The tire also provides good cornering grip at high speeds through the use of a Helio+ compound, which is infused with higher amounts of silica, to promote longevity.
The tread of the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ was inspired by the Pilot Sport summer tire, to be a better rounded all-season tire.
The introduction of the Contact Patch 3.0 technology used in the tire may result in road noise, but helps improves traction.
Product Information
Michelin uses the Helio+ compound that gives more longevity and better treadwear through its life. The tread life is better compared to the Pilot Sport S4 series.
This tire also uses Michelin’s variable Contact Patch 3.0 technology that reduces heat distortion — to help improve responsiveness of the vehicle.
Pros
- Great handling dynamics for dry and wet tarmac
- Superior control and stability in wet conditions
- Better tread life compared to the Pilot Sport S4
- Cheaper alternative to an ultra-high performance tire
- Better in terms of value for normal sedans and sports cars
- Better ride quality compared to the S4
Cons
- The only con is that it is marginally better in terms of ride quality, but not as good in providing vehicle grip at high speeds compared to the Pilot S4
What We Liked About the Pilot Sport A/S 3+
- Better value for money against the Pilot Sport 4S
- Much better in terms of ride quality
- Tread wear is better compared to the Pilot Sport 4S
- An all-season tire with superior control and traction
- Performs well in wet conditions as compared to the Pilot 4S
- Is available in more sizes
- 6-year or 45,000 mile tread warranty
What We Didn’t Like About the Pilot Sport A/S 3+
- Ride quality could be better
- Cannot perform as well as the Pilot 4S on dry tarmac
- Great for high performance vehicles
- Priced higher against some of its competitors
- Poor winter season performance
Tire Size Comparison
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ |
| 18″
245/40ZR18 (97Y) BLK | 16″
225/50ZR16 92Y BSW
|
| 19″
225/35ZR19 (88Y) BLK
| 17″
245/40ZR17 91Y BSW
|
| 20″
235/35ZR20 (92Y) BLK
| 18″
245/35ZR18/XL 92Y BSW
|
| 19″
275/30ZR19/XL 96Y BSW
| |
| 20″
285/30ZR20/XL 99Y BSW |
Our Verdict
Michelin’s high performance tires have come a long way. Both tires have been developed after years of research and testing.
We found out that the Pilot Sport 4S is more focused toward track driving and dry conditions, even though it is an all-season tire. But our tests showed that in wet conditions, you are better off using the A/S 3+, since it is a better all-rounder compared to the 4S.
Our tests also showed that the A/S 3+ lasts longer than its counterpart in terms of tread quality. If you are looking for a Michelin tire with all-season capability, good ride quality and moderate track response, you can go for the A/S 3+.
However, if you have an ultra-high performance vehicle and you go on the track often, then the 4S is the tire to choose since it is specifically designed for tracks.
This is comparing apples to oranges. As mentioned already in the replies the 4S is not an all season tire. WTH.
Too much old info here!
I am running the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S All Weather, in 245/40/18 size having recently replaced the Michelin A/S3+ All Weather at 32,984 miles, of which 23,748 miles was fast country back road runs made 3-day a week as weather permitted.
The new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S All Weather is EQUAL in performance as the A/S3+ was and appears to perform identically to the A/S3+ based on our current low mileage runs to date. I’ll report further after we have 5K or more miles of fast back road runs in our 2019 Audi RS 3.
Thanks to the commenters for reiterating that the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is a ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE SUMMER TIRE that should not be driven below about 40-43°F unless babied as tire damage and traction issues can be serious.
The A/S on the Michelin Sport A/S stands for all season (obviously) and the 3+ might designate 3+ seasons but that’s a guess. It’s an okay tire for winter but if you get lots of snow or ice and want a true performance tire for that, winter tires would be a better option if you can swap tires or tires/wheels seasonally.
So… Some of the article is helpful but the comments help more.
Is the PILOT SPORT AS4 255/45ZR20 105Y XL BSW UHP ALL SEASON TIRE a run flat tire?
Got to be careful with the 4s since tire isn’t rated for less than 40 F driving. Cracks will form apparently. This is why I moved to the AS3.
245/40/18 A/S3+ on our 2019 Audi RS 3 now with 16,698 miles of fast country back road use and a total of 23,192 miles to date. Have 245/40/18 Michelin Power Sport 4S waitingh in the garage also on Neuspeed 18×8.5″ RSe10 wheels to be installed soon. Will report on their performance after some time has been accumulated.
Old info! Todays Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is an ALL WEATHER tire which has repalced the Michelin A/S3+ which is no longer sold. We’re currently running the A/S3+ in a 245/40/18 size on our 2019 Audi RS 3, having replaced the Pirelli tires that came on our RS 3 within 3 days! Terrible tire.
Our A/S3+ 245/40/18 on our 2019 RS 3 are at their near end at 20,458, with 14,730 miles being fast country back roads 2-3 weekdays weather permitting, No weekend runs due to too many others on these roads then. Our original Pirelli’s 235/35/19 lasted 3 days due to back raod surface issues which killed two of them! Now have new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 All Weather which will install soon and will report what they are like and doing as we continue weekly back road run as weather permits.
Our 2019 Audi RS 3 is certainly an excellent performer, having run such roads the past 63 years in many different high performance automobiles, starting in the Malibu Canyon roads in CA and now country back roads in northern VA.
The Pilot Sport 4s is not an “All Season” tire as the article says, it is a “Max Performance SUMMER” tire. Not sure how much this article can be trusted when they do not know what kind of tire it is.
Most reviews comparing the 4S with the PZero say that for almost all driving conditions, the 4S is better.
Hi, this is a great review however I’m a bit confused as I didn’t think the Pilot 4S was an all-season tire. It is listed as a maximum performance summer tire on other web-sites. Can you please clarify. Thanks.
My thoughts exactly. The 4S is considered summer tires and the A/S 3+ is considered all-season tires. Got a set of A/S 3+ myself.
Yes, you are correct.