Michelin Cup 2 (two)

[Pooky]

As a chassis engineer, and given discussions I've had with the Michelin tyre engineers and the data I've seen, I love the pure subjective completely non scientific speculating conclusions.

As yet nobody has done a proper back to back to test of laptime, wear etc. etc. on a CSL, of the right spec of tyre, and so on.

So until they have all you can do is use the data that does exist to try to suggest what the result might be.

[billyboysm3]

I have fitted cup 2s. Not covered many miles but here are my first impressions over full fat cups.
When staring out over the first mile there is more rear grip. No wheel spin on the usual gentle incline pulling out of a junction or untoward oversteer. Attended a track day, but was not a true test as always came in after one lap, stopped and then out again. Don't think tyres up to temp. Wear definitely better, but front end turn in did did not feel as good & tyres felt hard not biting into the track. To me they feel like a better Michelin super sport. I need more miles under my belt, but given the choice I would go for the full fat version on the few hundred miles I have driven.

I doubt they even got heat into them.

[Trawler]

Has anyone actually tried these yet, as all the people I have spoken to who have, say they are actually WORSE than CSL style Cups?

I have fitted cup 2s. Not covered many miles but here are my first impressions over full fat cups.
When staring out over the first mile there is more rear grip. No wheel spin on the usual gentle incline pulling out of a junction or untoward oversteer. Attended a track day, but was not a true test as always came in after one lap, stopped and then out again. Don't think tyres up to temp. Wear definitely better, but front end turn in did did not feel as good & tyres felt hard not biting into the track. To me they feel like a better Michelin super sport. I need more miles under my belt, but given the choice I would go for the full fat version on the few hundred miles I have driven.

[alexk]

My problem right now is that I need front tyres (rears still ok) and it's tempting to put CUP 2... but who knows how the car will drive :whistle:

[Mike R]

If Cup2's are better than Cup1's, then Cup1's must be equivalent to Nankangs...

That good :bigcry: :hahaha:!?

[knoxville]

I know, but you said you haven't tried OE Cups to be able to know for sure a direct comparison :blalalala:.

If Cup2's are better than Cup1's, then Cup1's must be equivalent to Nankangs...

[Mike R]

Post #40. Talk to your mate Ben, he had some laps round as a passenger. I've got full video from the day but my net connection out here is almost non existent!

I know, but you said you haven't tried OE Cups to be able to know for sure a direct comparison :blalalala:.

[knoxville]

Has anyone actually tried these yet, as all the people I have spoken to who have, say they are actually WORSE than CSL style Cups?

Post #40. Talk to your mate Ben, he had some laps round as a passenger. I've got full video from the day but my net connection out here is almost non existent!

[billyboysm3]

Has anyone actually tried these yet, as all the people I have spoken to who have, say they are actually WORSE than CSL style Cups?

Mine are on rims and aiming to do snetterton on 16th sept. I have used cup1's there so no the crack.

[Mike R]

Has anyone actually tried these yet, as all the people I have spoken to who have, say they are actually WORSE than CSL style Cups?

[Pooky]

I've been chatting to the Cup tyre engineer at Michelin who has explained:


'On front axle for M3 E46 CSL, you need 235/35 R19 ---> this size is available on PS CUP2, I recommande you Porsche spec (with N0 marking)

For rear axle, 265/30 R19 PS CUP2 is available on the market since April of this year

Main benefits are :
- Lap time (PS CUP2 is faster than old PS CUP ---> ex: ~ 2 second faster over 5 laps on Jerez track on a 911-GT3)
- Dry constancy (you keep our lap time constancy longer than old PS Cup)
- Longer life on track (minimum +50% extra laps compared to old PS Cup)
- Better in term of wet performance (wet grip + delay aquaplaning)'

Cup2s for me then I think when I need new tyres.

[knoxville]

Ran a set of Cup2's 265 all round 18" setup at Croft recently. Not great in terms of outright grip but lots of fun even with getting black flagged. They handled the rain soaked drive back down the A1 well enough though.

I've never ran on any other cups but the way people rave about them I can only assume these cup 2's are nowhere near as good. Not bad for 600 sheets but by no means up there with the DZ03.

[alexk]

Trying the Trofeo R is in my to-do list.
It's damn expensive though...

[Clubber]

I didn't try them personally but I recently had a long discussion with some engineers from both michelin and pirelli and they all summed up the Cup2 as the best street/track tire at the moment. Heats up faster for ease of daily use and better wet traction but for dry track use original Cups are still the ultimate Michelin.

Although that doesn't say it is the ultimate semi-slick. I also met and discussed with a few racing teams and highly modded record car owners that the ultimate semi-slick track tire is Pirelli Trofeo R. This is coming from teams whom used them all, tried Cup2 when it came out but quickly returned to Trofeo R.

They are a little on the expensive side but thanks to the production being here in Turkey makes them a tiny bit cheaper than their global prices.

I'll try to make the most of my cups this summer but when the weather cools down during autumn which is when we get our best times, I'll have a go with these highly regarded Trofeo R's.

[Clubber]

They just added 265/35/18 track sizes too. Perfect timing for the season. Will try them once the cups are worn out.