Anyone found a good interesting to drive but still comfortable practical daily?

ScottH

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Have you looked into spending on aftermarket suspension? Must be cheaper than swapping if everything else is good!
 

Oneball

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11,071
Imagine my disgust this morning when replacing the rear discs and pads on the bmw to find some heathen has put 4x MOE tyres on it! How dare they.
They’re run flats. You really don’t want those!

My question was based on the fact that MO (not MOE) spec tyres are usually quiet a soft construction.
 

DLax69

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Also works in the "drinks" thread...and the "differences" thread...

FnkjGFoXoAATV67
 

Oneball

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They are but I don't think if they weren't it would make much difference to the ride comfort.
My mate who actually does tyre development says if you want a comfortable tyre pick MO ones as Mercedes prioritise ride comfort.
 

Oneball

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I’ve not got in a car made in the last few years where I’ve not thought “this is shockingly uncomfortable”. It’s the current fashion.
 

rockits

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Well I took the Alfa out tonight over the same roads, and bumps that the E43 made a bit of a mountain out of last week. What a joy in the Alfa. Feels like it has tyres and compliance. Chalk and cheese. Progress between a 2005 Italian sporty Coupe and 2017 German Wagon. Bonkers really.
 

rockits

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9,167
So a little update to my issues and an interesting post by someone on the MBClubUK forum.

It's likely to be the tyres you are running when it's cold in Winter. I had a S213 E63 for 3 years and ride in the winter was awful, just as you describe above.
I invested in a set of Conti Winter Contacts TS860 and the ride was transformed.
I only used the summer tyres in the summer and the ride then was fine.

Mercedes engineer there cars (especially the E-Class) for Germany / Europe and this means Winter tyres in Winter and Summer tyres in Summer. If you follow suit you will find ride and handling are massively better.

I have never experienced that and not heard that before but it could make very valid sense. Has anyone else come across, heard or experienced anything like this before?
 

safrane

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I have, and run winters on all the cars that are not reserved for summer use (Maser and SLC).

You do get a little more road noise, but the handling and extra security is worth it... esp in the country as we have lots of standing water, mud and none-gritted roads. A set last us >4 years, so the extra price is not bad over their lifetime.
 

rockits

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9,167
I have, and run winters on all the cars that are not reserved for summer use (Maser and SLC).

You do get a little more road noise, but the handling and extra security is worth it... esp in the country as we have lots of standing water, mud and none-gritted roads. A set last us >4 years, so the extra price is not bad over their lifetime.
Interesting. How about ride quality and comfort? Do you think it is possible the ride comfort on my E43 might improve on the summer tyres when temps are consistently higher?
 

Guy

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1,999
Interesting. How about ride quality and comfort? Do you think it is possible the ride comfort on my E43 might improve on the summer tyres when temps are consistently higher?
markedly! Afew years ago I fitted Pirelli Sottozeros to my wife's BMW 130i and the ride was greatly improved. I used the original rims but many have separate winter rims and tyres for ease of change and most reduce one or two inches so there is more sidewall too. That could save you a small fortune on car changing and give you much more grip sub 7C.