Well here’s another tire question. I seem to find a lot of advice for 17” tires on the forums, but not so much for 18” I have a 2015 JCW 2 door hardtop with factory wheels and 205 40 18 Pirelli run flats tires. This is a second car and I can only take about an hour in it before I take it back home because of tire noise and super jarring ride. I’ve had sports cars my whole life so I’m used to a firm ride but this is super stiff even in comfort mode. People say to switch out the runflats to a summer tire. I’ve called a couple of tire stores (choices ate limited for 205’s) and the response is to go to either a 215 or a 225. I’m confused on these choices. It seems like the taller I go the less precise the steering will be, and the speedometer will be off. Also rubbing on wheel well. My goal is a performance tire that is quite and maybe smooths out the ride.
Any advice on tire size, tire choices? I would like to stay under $175 per tire. Thanks.

 

The larger, "taller", tire will have larger sidewalls, and therefore, more space to absorb the jars in the road.

Though, for reasons you also mention, I would not go for a larger size tire. If you are looking for a solution to the jarring, go for smaller wheels (keeping the same diameter tires).

 

Perhaps this one?

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes

The same 24.8" diameter as your current tire, well recommended, $172 per tire, and will surely ease your pain.

Not suitable for freezing temperatures however, but you did say summer I think.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Thanks, I’ll look it up.

 

I replaced my 205 RFs with 215 Michelins. The 205s looked stretched on the rim, the 215s appear to be what should have come from the factory. You maybe able to see in this pic how the tire give some rim protection while filling out the rim and making the tire more straight up and down as it should be for flex.