r/TyreReviews

Hey everyone!

​I moved to Detroit from down south a couple of winters ago, so I’m still fairly new to driving in serious snow. I drive a VW Atlas Cross AWD, and my current Kumho Crugen HP71s are finally due for a replacement.

​I’m currently shopping around and facing a big price gap debate:

​The Michelin CrossClimate 2s: Sitting at around $1,300 all-in. Everyone on Reddit seems to swear by these as the holy grail of all-weather tires.

​Replacement Kumho Crugen HP71s: Sitting at around $650, which saves me roughly $650.

​My Situation:

I primarily work from home, so I’m not forced to commute in the middle of unplowed 6 AM blizzards. Most of my winter driving consists of running errands, grocery trips, and general local driving once the plows have at least made a pass.

​My Questions:

​For drivers in Metro Detroit: Are the Kumhos "good enough" on mostly plowed/slushy roads with AWD, or will I immediately regret saving the $600 the first time I hit a patch of black ice or unplowed side streets?

​Is the CC2 splurge worth it regardless? Do they actually live up to the hype and peace of mind for someone with limited snow-driving experience?

​Is there a solid middle-ground tire? Something that bridges the gap between the budget Kumhos and the top-tier CC2s—like a Falken Aklimate, Bridgestone WeatherPeak, Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, or Pirelli WeatherActive—that gives me true All-Weather (3PMSF rated) traction without breaking $1,300?

​Would love to hear your thoughts, especially from anyone driving a midsize/large AWD SUV in Michigan winters! Thanks in advance.

I’m buying new winter tires which brand would be best suited for my car ? I will also drive a lot on the backroads.

Clarification: * means BMW star-marked OE homologation. PSS*, PS4S* and PSS5* refer specifically to those BMW versions, whose compound and construction can differ from the standard aftermarket tyre. The exact size and BMW application matter; I am not assuming every star-marked variant is the same.

I own an F82 M4 Competition (ZCP) on OEM 666M wheels: 265/30R20 front and 285/30R20 rear.

My driving is mostly in dry conditions: city driving plus spirited driving on mountain roads. I think the original BMW-star Michelin Pilot Super Sport (PSS*) has great dry handling, and I want to retain that character. Where my current PSS* leaves me wanting more is wet grip and confidence. My priority is to preserve or improve the dry handling I enjoy while gaining better wet-road confidence.

Although the title highlights PSS5*, I'm interested in BOTH of these combinations as separate options:

• Front: Continental SportContact 7, 265/30R20

• Rear option A: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S BMW * (PS4S*), 285/30R20

• Rear option B: Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 BMW * (PSS5*), 285/30R20

Sizing clarification: the original PSS* is a separate option. The gap I've found is a complete newer PS4S* or PSS5* set in my 666M sizes, especially the 265/30R20 front. Both newer BMW-star models are listed in 285/30R20 rear for the G8x, paired with a different front size (275/35R19). I can source PSS5* rears, but haven't found corresponding PS4S* or PSS5* fronts in 265/30R20. Sharing the rear size doesn't make a G8x-homologated tyre F8x-specific; I'd welcome confirmation of the exact rear specifications.

Why SC7 at the front? Jonathan's 2022 UUHP test in 255/35R19 described delayed steering and limited feedback from the standard, non-star PS4S, while praising SC7's linear steering, communication and progressive handling, alongside its strong wet performance. That is why I'm interested in SC7 for front response and wet confidence while preserving the dry character I enjoy on mountain roads. These were different sizes, and the comparison was with standard PS4S, not PS4S*. It supports my hypothesis, not a conclusion about this mixed F82 setup. Test: https://reviews.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/2022-Tyre-Reviews-UHP-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

My hypothesis is to pair SC7 fronts with a newer BMW-star Michelin rear for traction. But strong individual tyre performance doesn't establish that they work well together, and PS4S* and PSS5* should not be treated as interchangeable. I'm especially interested in carcass compatibility, transient response, slip-angle build-up, dry handling balance and wet breakaway. Keeping the nominal OE sizes also doesn't guarantee identical actual rolling circumferences.

Has anyone actually tried SC7 fronts with either PS4S* or PSS5* rears on an F80/F82? Please share exact sizes and OE markings, what you ran previously, and observations on dry steering and balance, sustained spirited mountain driving, wet predictability, rear breakaway and DSC intervention. Experiences with a matched modern set would also provide a useful comparison.

Jonathan, this feels like a follow-up to your OE-versus-aftermarket and BMW-star PS4S tests. How would these two mixed setups compare with a matched modern set and the original PSS* on the older F8x? Could this make an interesting controlled comparison or technical video?

I've emailed Jonathan and submitted a question through the Tyre Reviews Q&A. I'd love to hear both owner experience and engineering objections. This is an untested idea for discussion, not a recommendation.