So I just purchased my 2012 JCW Hardtop, but I'm sure that I don't want to keep my runflats because I want a much softer and smooth ride...

Was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on any tires that are good for daily driving (I doubt that I'm gonna go to the track with my car)

Alot of people were saying that the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 were pretty good.

And also what size tire should I get for a comfortable ride?

Sorry I'm new to all of this....

 

are you running 17" wheels, or 18" ?

Cheers,

Charlie

oh, and while I am asking questions - what defines a "great tire" in your view?

ultimate traction?
mileage, durability?
quiet at highway speeds?
good rain performance?
price?

and even before you answer, here's another tire that seems to draw very positive reviews.

 

Thanks for the reply Charlie,

I'm have the stock Challenge 17" wheels right now. I plan on keeping these for a while. A great tire for me would be one that creates a pretty quiet and smooth ride with excellent rain performance. Since I'm from Houston, we normally have pretty hot summers and cool winters with no snow. Mileage isn't really an issue to me if I can have a good performance and a softer forgiving ride. I'm not sure if I can have all this, but getting close to it would be nice Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be sure to look at the ExtremeContact.

 

I am running Bridgstone RE11s on my Challenge wheels and I love them. They are non-runflats and the stick factor of those tires is insane. They are a 180 treadwear, so they are soft, but they are worth it. The sidewall is super stiff, so the handling is incredible. I just bought a replacement set that is sitting in my garage, I haven't mounted them yet. The old tires still stuck even when they were 90 percent worn.

 

Given your interest in ride quality and wet handling, and excellent match would be the Bridgestone RE970 AS Pole Position. It will last longer, and offer a compliant ride being a non run flat, and all season. I feel that a pure summer tire may loose track of the volume, trading it for grip. Its also pretty

cool looking!

It did very well in our last test, and has excellent position in our customer survey as well.

 

Thanks for the recommendation Alex!

I had a question though... what size would be appropriate for a stock JCW? I was think of getting the 215/45, but would there be any rubbing?

 

Alex knows his stuff.

I'd toss in another two cents though, which is that the 215s will give up some rain performance. Wider is worse in that case.

I've experimented with 225s and 205s for the last five years, looking for the best racing performance with a 7" rim width. Despite my prejudice towards wider tires I've discovered that the 205 works best on that rim.

How wide are those Challenge 17" rims I wonder?

Cheers,

Charlie

 

215/45 may only run a bit on the rear bumper brackets. You can fix this with a sanding drum on a dremel. It also will rub itself clear.

I agree with racing perspective for narrower sizes. My old track car used to run 205/50/15's on a 6.5" wide wheel. I love the light feel, it promoted smooth shuffling.

On the street I use a wider tire. I try and offset the width by using a highly directional tire with higher inflation pressure. Its personal preference. & pressures are an entire conversation on their own.

Narrower is certainly better in soft conditions. I run a much narrower winter tire.

 

I'm in a similar situation with dphan913 & was looking at Continental ExtremeContact DWS.

Alex- How do you think the Conti's compare with the Bridgestones?

 

The Conti's get the snow and road noise advantage. Bridgestone is the king of wet and dry between the two.

 

I am in love with my RE11s

 

Thanks for the feeback Alex!

 

Sooo... I'm finally ready for new tires... Just wondering if these tires that you suggested are still the best on the market for what I'm looking for?

 

If you wish to consider OEM 205/45-17 tires then-

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...wws=N&showcm=N
All of the top 5 tires listed are decent. The top 2 being good choices according to owner surveys.

Tirerack test result-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=165
Shows that for comfort the Continental ExtremeContact DWS is tops and for handling the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS is tops but doesn't come in 205/45-17.

215/45-17 is a workable size with minimal risk of rubbing.

 

Have you looked into any Nitto tires? It sounds like they may be what you're looking for. I use Nitto Neo Gen 205/45/17 and they have the most insane amount of grip wet or dry. It's the kind of grip that gives you the confidence to take much quicker corners ;]. I had a set of Hankook Ventus V12s on a few days ago before putting the Nittos on and the difference is night and day. The Ventus still had 90percent tread left too.

 

Michelin pilot super sports are great so far. Could not ask for anything better or of a street performance tire.

 

V12's are decent.

I'd suggest the Dunlop Star Spec ZII. Even if you don't track/autox it, you'll appreciate it so much more with a proper tire.

 

205/45ZR-17 Michelin Pilot Super Sport XL

/thread

 

If you don't see snow, I'd go for Conti DW tires. That's what we have on the JCW. If you do see snow, the Conti DWS are pretty good but don't ride as well as the DW.

Bridgestone RE-11 have been mentioned a couple of times in this thread, if you're at all concerned about comfort steer clear of them. They make the MINI ride like its got square wheels. I know, because we use them as the autocross/track tire, brilliant performace tire, but terrible ride. For street use the DW has "enough" grip and great manners.

 

I am going to be on my third set of Bridgestone RE11s. I love them. I only get about 25000 miles out of each set, but the grip, the ride, and the rim protection are what I love about them. I will admit, they are noisy as they wear but I am convinced, I would have destroyed some wheels if it wasn't for their protective capabilities. I won't say they are the best, I will only say, I am very happy with them.

 

this.