Finally decided to go with the JCW 105 18" Black wheels. Live in NYC, so am going to go with 215/40/18 instead of the 215/35/18 for ride comfort.

Looking for recommendations for the softest riding tire in this 215/40/18 size.
Performance is not an issue, just ride comfort.

 

If you're looking for ride comfort, why did you go with 18" wheels?
But, according to TireRack surveys, the Yokohama AVID W4S got
best marks for ride comfort in that size

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=y&sortValue=0

or for summer tires, the Yokohama S Drive
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=y&sortValue=0

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=y&sortValue=0

 

Ha! Good question! I was willing to sacrifice some ride quality for the look of the 18's. But, now that I've committed to them, I'm looking to maximize relative comfort. That's why I'm going with 215/40 versus 215/35. The 35's would look a bit better, but I'm willing to sacrifice that small difference to get a somewhat better ride, with the 18" look. If I just wanted comfort, I'd stick with the 195/55/16 the car was delivered with. Man, they ride nice...but look like

 

More info needed.

Do you have a budget?

Do you have any snow? Will you use these tires for any cold weather driving or in light/moderate snow? Or do you have winter tires for cold and snow?

Are you thinking of any suspension upgrades? Any lowering? JCW suspension might be an option or perhaps Koni FSD shocks- both would improve ride quality and not be much lower for snow clearance and to work with 215/40-18 tires.

Two approaches-

One is look at 215/40-18 tires since 40 series tire offers a little more sidewall than 215/35-18.

Another is to look at other sizes based on the tire itself, sidewall contruction and tire design. Open the search to the best comfort tires and see what sizes still might be possible.

Check with Alex@tirerack.com for the best overall comfort tires then cross check for 18" sizes.

For 215/40-18 some are summer tires that would not be good in cold weather or any snow. All Season tires would work for NYC.

Note that tests and scores are not directly comparable but do indicate relative performance in respective test groups at the time.

In Max Perf Summer tires
Pirelli PZero Nero $814 closeout 220 treadwear XL load rated
see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=43
Ride Comfort/Noise: 7.29/7.28
Sumitomo HTR Z III $105 each 300 treadwear
see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=93
Ride Comfort/Noise: 6.57/6.42

Ultra HP Summer tires
BF Goodrich g-Force Sport $112 each 340 treadwear XL load rated
see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=78
Ride Comfort/Noise: 6.56/6.51
Kumho Ecsta SPT $116 each 320 treadwear
see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=97
Ride Comfort/Noise: 6.62/6.68
Yokohama S.Drive $137 each 300 treadwear XL load rated
tests same as Kumho SPT
Ride Comfort/Noise: 6.95/6.70

Ultra HP All Season tires
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S $147 each 400 treadwear
see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=87
Ride comfort 7.44
Noise comfort 7.46
Yokohama Avid W4S $120 each 400 treadwear XL load rating
see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=88
Ride comfort 7.14
Noise comfort 6.97

(note XL load rated tires can have a slightly stiffer sidewall for a given tire size).


At edgeracing.com
Falken Ziex Ze-912 for $107 each 360 treadwear Ultra HP all season tire.

 

Thanks. I'm definitely opting for the 40 series as opposed to the 35. All Season versus Summer. Not much snow driving. Am I correct in assuming that a 215/40 would add a bit more cushion than a 205/40?

 

I don't equate 18s to "ride comfort" either but...the other issue you'll have now is that few if any big brakes fit that wheel from what I recall seeing of it at AMVIV when we tried to test it some. Might want to rethink this if you have further plans.

 

Thanks, but this is strictly an every day driver. No performance mods. Just want that big wheel look.

 

Softest riding 18s is kind of like sexiest ugly woman, innit?

 

Id be careful too much of a good riding tire. Soft ride usually means it will have a soft sidewall, which unfortunately means your more likely to bend your rims if you hit a pothole.

 

Nah, more like a sexy woman with a good heart