Hi all, I'm switching from a Mercedes C63 to a JCW vert very soon. Obviously a JCW comes with summer tires from the factory, and run flat at that.

Now, first why am I giving up a 500hp/tq car for the JCW? Let's keep going...

So the first thing I want to ask, is there any sense in going with an ultra high performance all season tire? I live in Chicago and the snows are cleared pretty quickly. I'm used to swapping from summer to winter wheels with my cars, heck with 500tq and rear wheel drive I'd be insane not to. But now with a FWD car, UHP A/S tires seem to make sense.

I live in a condo and don't really have easy access to store the extra wheels so this is a big plus for me to have one set only.

Next on the agenda, run-flat vs. non. I've never had run flats. But I've always had a spare. I drive long runs on the interstate and not having a spare is a bit scary, though the run-flat aspect softens the issue.

I'd go with standard, ultra high perf all seasons if I had a spare. But can a spare be bought that fits JCW brakes? Will it stow cleanly in a convertible where space is at a premium already?

I'd love to hear some thoughts on what y'all have done.

Thanks
Peet

 

Runflats=Rocks.

 

Well hardly helpful, especially the context of rocks as in boulders or rocks as in woohoo! Original questions stand.

 

I will go buy you a brand new JCW and trade you for the c63

That was my first choice but still way too much for 09s. I'm guessing you got the kleeman tune to unlock the stupid factory hp limit?

 

well, i'm sure he meant to say the tires are rocks, not that they rock. they arent horrible tires, but it will make a WORLD of difference to run a decent set of shoes.

BTW, you didnt mention in your original post why you were switching, just that you had 500hp in your c63. unless your reasoning is that you COULD run one set of tires year round... I'd say move to SoCal and dont worry about the month it rains

 

From what I've read on these forums, the problem with the 15" donut spare not fitting on a JCW, doesn't apply to the rear wheels. So if you get a flat on the front, you would have to move a 17" rear wheel to the front and put the spare on the rear.

I have the Continental runflats and am happy with them. The car rides and handles just fine. The only reason I'd change them for non-runflats is the price of replacing them when they wear out.

Dave

 

I live in a one bedroom apt and have room to store extra wheels and tires so don't let that even enter the equation.

 

It's not about the storage. I currently have a dedicated set of 17's for winter to go with my 18's in the summer. I've been swapping wheels for the last 15 years, just now I have to drive to my parents' house to do so which is less than convenient, so a single set of wheels would be ideal. Having been a RWD car guy all my life (with one excursion to an Audi S4 with quattro), I know that AS tires just don't work in snow. But I test drove the JCS on a 20 degree day with the sport tires and because of the FWD it was actually ok. I know that if any white stuff was on the pavement, I'd be SOL. Hence even the consideration of going with ultra high perf AS tires.

I haven't written a snow set off btw, but would sure love to hear some good stories that in a similar situation to mine it would work.

As for why? cost. Plain and simple. Downsized the wife which downsized my budget :(

As to Kleeman, no this car was individually dyno tuned. I spent a few solid weekends with the lads in Plainfield IL who now sell that tune to other C63 owners. It's a phenomenal tune. No driveability issues and pure growl. Heck, I've been through three sets of summer tires in 16,000 miles (AND I use a dedicated winter tire set to boot).

So let's hear some more thoughts. I guess with no spare option the only remaining question is two sets or UHP AS.

Thanks gang.

 

up until 3 months ago I lived in a very romote area and runflats were a must as there was no cell coverage. Now I am living in the city, but find the convinence of run flats too good to abandon.

 

17" or 18"
wheels on the JCW?

Non runflat Ultra High Performance All Season should be OK. If you get a flat you can still take it to a shop to repair if you have caught it early and don't have a full flat tire. Otherwise you can do AAA and get a tow or use fix a flat but that isn't good for the TPMS valve.

Using the Continental ExtremeContact DWS, 540 treadwear
tire test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=124

For 17" wheels then
205/45-17 $105 each
215/45-17 $106 each

For 18" wheels then
215/40-18 $143 each

Other good UHP All Season tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ort+A%2FS+Plus
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+Pole+Position
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....NVigor+%28W%29

 

Hi Peeti, don`t sweat the use of 4 season tires. On a mildly hot-rodded Neon I ran Pilot all-seasons. They warmed up fast in all weather, were way more than expected in snow, were magic on wet roads, so grippy in fact that wheel-spin on take offs almost disappeared. If you never do track days Pilots will easily do the job on a light Mini. You know what`s wrong with real high perf tires? They almost never get up to temperature on street.

 

Hi guys. The last set of tires I got for the c63 were UHP a/s. Not for the weather though, for the wear. I went through 3 sets of HP summer tires in 14k miles! So I'm familiar with the grip, or the slight loss thereof on a big beast, figured the mini would be better still. Though the run flat option keeps banging around in my head. The missus drives to and from Springfield from Chicago 3 times per month. I don't want her to be without a spare or relying on AAA somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Looking at the options available, I think I only have 2 that meet the bill even remotely and neither is an UHP A/S. Kinda bummed. I may go with two wheel sets after all, as much of a PITA as that is, I'll have the right rubber for the right condition - even if RF.

P