"Comfortable" tyres for a MCS

[CycleSi]

I want to replace the awful runflat tyres on my wife's MCS R53 which give a harsh, uncomfortable ride.

Are there certain tyres that offer a more comfortable, softer ride in size 205/45 x 17.

Performance isn't as important as comfort and safety.

Many thanks.....

[Defcon5]

I currently have Kumho something or others on the other halfs, much much better than the RFs

[hyperblue]

Any tyres will feel like you're floating on air compared to the crashiness of runflats.

[nickfrog]

Conti Sport Contact 3 (non-RF) are superb and only 20% more than cheapo tyres while lasting considerably more than 20% more miles.

Edited by nickfrog on Friday 4th May 09:16

[Justin S]

Got Falken 912's on the front of ours, quite a budget tyre but cant see/ feel any downsides yet.

[Hartge220]

^^ Same as Justin

Also had Falken 452's in that tyre size, very good all weather tyre for a reasonable price too

[JAM35F]

Also have the Falken 912's, just on the front at the moment. Transformed the handling and ride, less crashy and the turn in feels tighter.
Bargain at £62 each.

[CycleSi]

Many thanks for your replies - I'll take a closer look at those Falken's in that case.

[Eviltad]

I've got 4 x Kuhmo's on mine atm. No problems.

My favourites have been AVON's I think but I've not been a massive tyre geek.

[Miglia 888]

Ditching the harsh & horrible heavy runflats will indeed make a dramatic difference.

Here's a useful recent tyre test with 15 tyres in 225/45 R17:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2012-Auto-Bil...

This one from last year also has ratings for comfort, which should help you choose one that's best for you:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Zei...

[70proof]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

u might find this thread useful....

[hillchilly]

Hi - just changed from the Dunlop Sport runflats - same tyre size as you quote on my JCW to Conti SportContact5.

Absolutely transformed the ride and road noise.

[CycleSi]

Thanks - I like Conti tyres so they might be the answer.

[nickfrog]

Only issue with the Conti Sport Contact 5 is that they don't come in the correct load rating of 84 but only in 88. The Conti SC 3 on the other hand, do come in 84 load rating and that's why it also has the BMW/MINI approval star, which is nice. This is what the factory fit on JCW cars when on non-RF.

Pedantic of Sussex.

[hillchilly]

Point taken nickfrog hadn't spotted that. However I think as long as load rating is higher then it is OK - also reading "the reviews" wet weather performance seems to be a bit better than SC3 which was important to me too.

[ArsE92]

I've read people's comments on run-flats over the years and had this impression that they are god-awful creations that should be ripped off immediately. I was quite surprised when I got my 335i to find that they are actually ok and not that crashy at all. Obviously I've never driven a 335i without RFT's so I've nothing to compare it to directly.

However, we picked up a 2005 MCS for my wife last week and lordy they are harsh! It doesn't help that we're in Edinburgh at the moment so spend a lot of time on cobbled roads, but I end up holding onto my 'nads to stop them bouncing around.

They'll be getting changed for non-RFT's as soon as they are showing signs of wear!

[nickfrog]

hillchilly said:

Point taken nickfrog hadn't spotted that. However I think as long as load rating is higher then it is OK - also reading "the reviews" wet weather performance seems to be a bit better than SC3 which was important to me too.

Yeah, the slightly higher rating is not a biggy, won't make much difference, it might even sharpen turn-in.

[scotty_d]

I changed all mine to avon zz3's find them great.

[SLacKer]

scotty_d said:

I changed all mine to avon zz3's find them great.

+1 and they look good to

[Onemcs]

I use 205/45/17 Toyo T1R

Fanatastic tyre. Low Road Noise and good in the wet.