I recently purchased a 2005 MCS with 30k miles. The tires on the car are Zexius Ohtsu XI 326 in a 215/40/ZR17 on stock rims. My biggest complaint is the car seems to ride really rough. I realize the suspension on an MCS is going to be really tight, but compared to my wife's Honda Fit (sport model), it rides like there is no suspension at all.

The tires had 36psi and I just dropped them to 32psi to see if that will help at all (haven't taken it out yet). So, I'm just curious if it's the brand of tire, the size of tire (different from stock), or just the suspension that is making this a rough ride?

Travis

 

Never heard of the tire. But it is not a name brand. Tires are very important as they are your only contact with the road. Perhaps you can consider changing them to something else that has good track record.

 

There isn't anything notable about the size or brand of your tires that would make it especially rough riding. I think you're just not used to the stiff suspension of the MCS. Dropping the tire pressure should help a little.

Zexius is a private label at Les Schwab and it is the same as Falken. Yours are Z rated which would be stiffer than say H rated, but it isn't unusual and the runflats that originally came with the car would have been even more rough riding.

 

What is the lowest tire pressure I could run and still be ok?

 

I wouldn't dip below 30 psi. I would say 32 psi would be where I would cut it, but 30 would be my bottom number.