So I finally have a flat tire, and the Hallalujah Chorus breaks out because I can lose the RFs after a year.

So with non-RFs the ride will be more comfortable. What are you guys recommending (you expert tire folk, which I so am not) to replace the RFs (currently 195/55/16) for better comfort, decent handling, at a ratio that doesn't look goofy?

In my current size there seem to be a few good options. I was really interested in the Potenza RE-01Rs because they are supposed to be so awesome, but the sizes are pretty limited (205/45 and 205/55), and I don't understand the changes in performance/handling/ride that changing the size might make.

Your expert advice is appreciated!

 

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 are rated higher in the Tire Rack survey:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=EP

They're available in 205/50-16 which is the most appropriate size.

 

or just search the marketplace and see if there's anyone local selling their
runflats to replace the one that went flat.

the summer tires i would try in 205/50/16 size would be:
RE750
SportMaxx
S.drive

..or stick to GS-D3's which i know are great sticky
tires from previous experience.

i am planning to run S.drives on my daily driver in
the future. it would be that or the SportMaxx just
to try it out.

for someone like you that do lots of x country, i would
stick to runflats.

 

I hate my runflats. Not an option. I have a spare, it's no biggie.

So I've refined my selections based on what I can get locally tomorrow morning (which sucks...I'd love to order from Tire Rack but in this case I just can't wait).

In 205/50/16 I can get:

Kumho ECSTA ASX - $87
BF Goodrich G-Force Sport AS - $92
Kumho ECSTA SPT - $105

Or if I stay stock size (195/55/16):
Michelin Pilot Primacy - $132 (why is stock size so much more $$$???)

I can't get what I WANT, which is a set of ContiExtremeContacts in any size that makes me happy.