Hey all,
Been a lurker for a long time now, just about to buy my 3rd set of tires for my '02 WRX w/ 16" stock rims.

I currently have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's on, and have been pretty happy with them. Of course, since I got those tires, lots of new tires have come out and I've basically narrowed it down to these two tires.

Has anyone tried both and can give me some opinions? I live in the Chicago metro area, so i drive on a good combination of nice suburban streets and rough downtown urban streets.

Also, a 17" wheel upgrade could be possible, but the tire/rim package needs to cost less than $900. Should I consider it? I don't autocross or anything, but I do do some extended driving and a considerable amount of spirited driving...
Thanks all,
--Dyn

the Pilot SPort is a better tire but, the P-Zero is very good but, ca not keep up with the Pilot SPort A/S and the Pirelli is much less expensive

What are your opinions based on? I know you are from tirerack, but judging by the test results and review on tirerack, both seem very similar. There are no tests or reviews directly comparing these two tires, the only real difference that I see is that user surveys show that the pirellis actually have slightly better marks (though, with about 300 less survey submissions).

when I was testing the two tires in question I found

1.) the ride quality of the Michelin to be better as well as lower road noise.
2.) The steering response was similar
3.) the Michelin was better under hard braking while cornering
4.) the transition in the slalom was better in the Michelin
5.) the Michelin offered more predictable break away characteristics
6.) Michelin was more comfortable on the edge in the wet
7.) the Pirelli was a little stronger in dry steady state cornering

lower road noise? wow...i figured the pirelli's would, due to the tread pattern.
This is the stuff I need to hear, thanks a lot Luke!

oops, one more thing. Any experience with the pirellis in snow? I know how the pilots are in the snow, im wondering if the neros are any better. Chicago winters tend to be unpredictable, so its important for me.
thanks in advance

Both are good tires... it's just a matter of making the move on either one. Once you have those, you wouldn't care the very minor differences between the two.

It makes your life easier.

i had pirelli pzero nero's on my GTI. for a FWD making 215whp+ and 230wtq, it gripped and did its duty.

I had the Pirelli M/S on my 02 WRX and they worked great in the snow. Not as good as a dedicated snow tire, of course, but for how well they did in the dry it surprised me how good they were in snow also.