I've been getting more annoyed with the jarring ride of my MCS recently.

However, one of my tire pressure indicators just tripped and the air pressure on all of my 17" run flat tires was about 31psi. Of note, the weather just turned quite a bit cooler and the outside temp is probably about 60F lower than when the air pressure was last checked a few months ago. So, I suspect that I shouldn't be surprised that the tire pressure is low.

Anyway, after reinflating to 38psi, the ride seemed better - as in possibly quite a bit better. Maybe it's just my imagination, or is the ride quality with run flats that sensitive to the air pressure?

 

If you think the ride quality improved with the higher psi, just imagine how good it would feel if you ditched the run flats altogether! Probably the mod that makes the biggest difference in the car, IMHO. Check out the Tire subsection for more info.

 

The same thing happened with me... I noticed that the ride had become downright brutal, and about then the tire pressure light came on. It makes sense; the runflat sidewalls are quite stiff, as they need to be to support the weight of the car when pressure drops, and road impacts were being driven through those hard sidewalls right into the suspension. As Veggivet suggests, I'll probably go with conventional tires when these wear out. Regular ones cost less, too.

Spridget

 

i would think its the opposite. less air = softer tire. i know the sidewalls on the run flats are stiffer but i cant imagine how adding more air would make it ride better? its crazy that mini wants 38psi in a 17" tire. i would run 36 psi cold on my 18" with my previous car.im currently running 35psi cold on the run flats and no complains. i feel like the tire skips around less

 

Yup, I'll go with Michelins when the Conti SSRs wear out.

 

yes, the ride improves dramatically with higher pressure

i am running 42f/37r in my cms all4 with pirelli p7 cinturato summer 225/45-18 rf tires, up from 32f/32r stock pressure

i used a tire pyrometer to set the pressures at about 200 miles on the car from new

all 4 tires are wearing evenly with each other and are wearing evenly across the tread

the ride changed so much, my friends thought i had changed the tires

scott

 

Depending on the tyre manufacturer and model, the stiff sidewalls do not necessarily run the full depth of the profile. If the pressure is low, then the car will be riding on the steel sidewalls. On higher pressures, the pressurised air does more of the job.

 

I have the Conti SSR's - if I remember correctly.