I have the stock 17" wheels on my JCW R53 MCS....with the crappy run-flat Continental 205/45/17 tires. They right SUPER hard, and feel like I'm driving around on tires filled with concrete. VERY rough ride.

I'm ready for some new non-runflat tires, and I'm looking for some suggestions for some tires that will give a good ride, good grip, and good life. I do mostly highway driving...to and from work. Also, can I go to a slightly wider tire with the stock wheels....or am I better off sticking with the 205/45/7 size?

Any suggestions would help. Thanks guys!!

 

After much research I have a set of Continental Extreme Contact DWS's in my garage waiting for my MCS to arrive in a couple of weeks. I got 215/15/17 as everyone here said that there were no rubbing issues and no spacers necessary for that size.

 

Could you post up some pics of what they look like on the wheels?

Thanks!

 

Yes, but it might be a while. The tires are in my garage, but the car is out in the Atlantic at the moment. I expect it will be about three weeks before I have it, but my plan is to drive from the dealer to the tire store to have the tires put on. I've had RF's before on a BMW and I won't drive any farther than I absolutely have to with them on the car. Worst concept in tires ever created!

 

you got a sidewall of 15%? are you sure that's right? my 215/45/17s are pretty good, but being low by about an inch I can't really go over bumps with people or too much weight in the back without rubbing

 

What are the width and diameters of the 205/45/17 vs 215/45/17? How much will it affect my speedo?

With the 205/45/17's that are on there now...I'm always reading about 5mph faster on the speedo compared to actual GPS speed. Just wondering if the 215/45/17 would help that, or make it worse.

 

Oops! Typo. Yes, I meant 45's. 15's would be very interesting to see! Virtually invisible tires! LOL I'm not lowering my car and others here who have stock suspension say there's no rubbing with the 45's. Since I'm leasing all my mods are going to be cosmetic and easily reversible.

 

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I have been running the 215 45 17 DWS with no rubbing issues at all, stock suspension. i have had at least 8 different sets of rubber on this car, so far I have found these to be the best for daily driving, they are quite, run smooth, great in the rain, not for track or autocross use as they have a soft sidewall.

 

I have no idea what the consensus is, and I don't have anything but Nokian snows to compare them with, but I like my Yokohama S-Roads. I'm also about 30mm lowered on stock 17s.

 

You can run the 215/45's and it will tend to correct most of the speedo error.

I would suggest you take a very serious look at the Hankook Ventus tires.

 

I will try the new Michelin Super Sports next in the 215 size. Supposed to have better grip and wear than the Bridgestone RE-11's that I have now (on another car)

 

those RE-11s are great tires, but i've never run into a Michelin that I didn't like. The 215 tire will cure the speedo error a bit, but you will still probably read about 2-3mph fast on the highway

 

I put 215/45/17 Michelin Primacy MXM4s on mine. I love them. 95% of my driving is highway, so i wanted a good long lasting, quiet tire....this one is perfect.

 

Yes like others have stated 215/40-17 is the sweet set-up!!!!!

 

I just got about 3 mo ago a set of Goodyear Eagle GT's 245/45/17 and i love them.... with the 215's you get extra rubber that sticks out over the rim and helps from getting curb damage.... wish i had them before

 

I love my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus 215-45-17's. 45k mile tread warranty. Good turn in, good grip both wet and dry, very smooth and quiet. Had same tire in 205's and the 215's grip even better. You can check rpm/circumference of various tires at tire rack.com

 

Another vote for the Continental DWS 215/45/17. I have had these mounted on my stock S-Lites for about a month and love them. I previously had run flats and I just can't believe how much different these ride. Good Luck!

 

I was looking around on tirerack.com...and it looks like there are a bunch of tires in the $100-$130 each range. Probably at least 30 different types/brands.

I'm just looking for a tire that will give good grip, ride better than my run-flats (that should be easy), and last a long time. There are several Firestones, Contenital, Hankook, Kumho, BFG, and Yokohama tires that all look good. Is there one brand/type that would be better than the rest??

Thanks for the info guys!!!

 

Chalk another one up for the Continental DWS 215/45/17.

 

Preference/Opinions on the 45's vs 40's. I'm tire shopping now.