Has anyone ever grown to like an auto?

[RobM77]

JamesRR said:

RobM77 said:

Thanks for the tip on tyre wear PC - I'll make sure I reach right in and check the inside edges.

I find the ride on the 19s ok, just a bit jiggly in secondary ride; which reminds me of my Z4 Coupé. Just a big wheeled BMW thing I guess; personally I always preferred them on smaller wheels (me last car was an E90 ED on the 16s), but when you buy secondhand you can't pick and choose! I wanted the HK stereo, and that came with 19s in an 'M Sport plus' package...

Any recommendations on tyres? I don't care about grip or traction, I just want something quiet on the motorway that won't soften the ride too much on the lanes near where I live and work. The motorway noise is leaning me towards ditching runflats, but past experience is making me worry it'll become too soft if I do that.

I recently replaced the factory Conti runflats on my 320d M Sport with Maxxis VS01 non runflats. This is an F30 on 18” wheels. Marked improvement in ride quality and NVH characteristics. Plenty of grip too, no doubt PS4S or Cup 2 Michelin’s etc are grippier but I think they are overkill for normal road cars really.

Thank you. I think it may well be worth trying non RFTs (provided my wife’s aware we met her stranded if we get a flat!).

I agree; I think most modern cars have more than enough grip. On track it doesn’t matter cause you drive flat out regardless, but on the road you’re far more limited by speed limits, other cars, etc. As such, I actually much prefer the feel of a car that has lower grip to one with more grip. As such, if I’m buying 275 tears or 245 fronts for my 5 series, even the crappiest tyres are going to be fine for grip. On the flip side, sportier tyres do generally respond better, but the net effect is I’m not really bothered about grip in a road car, because I know they’ll be more than enough.

[RobM77]

xjay1337 said:

But between modern cars with modern suspension systems there are not any differences, certainly that I nor any of my other car buddies, Mrs or relatives can tell.

Of course if you start testing out the limits of grip or enjoy seeing your esp light flickering away, then you can tell pretty rapidly. But you do not do that on a NORMAL DRIVE.

That's my opinion.

As long as you're aware that is just your opinion. To me at least the differences are obvious, even at normal sensible speeds, to the extent there's no way I'd want to drive a front wheel drive car every day; I just don't like it. It's a matter of balance and poise (and yes, I'll freely admit the weight distribution has at least as much to do with it as the wheels that are driven).

If you're interested, our cars at home are

xjay1337 said:

an Mgb and then a Civic Type R.

, a 530d and a Citroen C1. I drive all four on a reasonably regular basis, often at sensible speeds because I'll have my wife and baby son aboard and yes, the differences are very clear.

ETA: How clear exactly? I think the best analogy is with engines. The above cars are a 3.5L V8, 2.0L I4, 3L I6, and 1.0 I4. I'd say the differences between front, four and rear drive are similar to the differences between those types of engines. So yes, I suspect Joe Public might not notice unless you pointed stuff out, but to most petrolheads (I assume) the differences are quite clear from the off, and certainly enough to generate a preference.

Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 27th August 08:19