I was also set to order the below Bridgestone tire but was told that the XL load rating might yield a rough/harsh ride. So..... not sure where to go now.....

I currently run BFG G-Force Sports (Ultra High Performance ... w/ SL load rating) that are nearly used up after 15K miles and I want to move up to something with a bit more grip (but not too harsh or noisy!!) so I am looking at MAX performance summer tires.

Here are the current finalists: (all 215x45x17 size)

1) Bridgestone RE050A Pole Position

- I had this tire on my much heavier Audi A4 and really like them
- but.... 91 XL load rating...... and they are a bit heavy at 23 pounds (my current tires is 21 pounds)

2) ContiSportContact 3

- Reviews looks good overall........
- Available in three different tires.... 87W SL, 87V SL and 91 W XL (same as Bridgestone...)
- Tires weigh much less at 19 and 20 pounds (vs option #1)

3) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymentric

- same 91 XL load rating as Bridgestone?
- 22 pounds each

Questions:

1) Should I be concerned with the XL load ratings? My MINI runs on JCW springs/shocks and BBS wheels that weight about 15 pounds..... I don't want to make the ride any harsher.....

2) Otherwise.... which tire would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

I just put new summer tires on Boris and I had similar concerns based on the TireRack warning. However, after a season of driving on snow tires which were as floppy as a half flat basketball I was looking forward to getting some harshness back into my ride.

I'm running Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110s which have an 88W XL load rating, and I have absolutely no complaints about ride harshness. It's like buttah.

I was truly amazed how much smoother the ride was compared to what I was running before even with the switch to 17s from 16s. (Switching to a much lighter wheel and non-runflats also helped I'm sure.)

 

Thanks for the feedback Modnar. Does anyone else have feedback on the load ratings or the tires listed?

I need to pull the trigger pretty quickly as I have a trip coming up and I have decided to buy new tires before heading out.

 

I'm about to buy the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 tires as well for my new wheels. TireRack says they only weigh 19 lbs with an XL load rating. They're the cheapest ones though, which is the only thing that makes me a little worried.