QUOTE(autodriver @ Jan 12 2021, 12:15 PM)
General speaking softer sidewall less suit for heavy car, if choosing it then driver should pump higher air pressure to make the tyre harder like 3-5psi. Do not afraid the tyre will explode since the tyre can hold up to 50psi maximum. Usually the optimum pressure is around 35psi or below depends on sizes and softer tyre for heavy car use is recommend to pump at least 38psi in cold air (before 8am if possible). It is completely safe even though driving in hot sun for several hours and maximum the tyre pressure may go up to 43-45psi.
The tyre load index is mean of the maximum weight the tyre withstand. I mentioned the word of not suit for "old BMW, Mer or Audi", I never mention "cannot" if you were picky. Nowadays Continental cars are lighter but body rigidity is higher due to using ultra high strength steel which is lighter but stronger. And if one is using F30 or W205 the stock tyre is runflat which is very stiff sidewall tyres. If these vehicle change the tyres to non-runflat S1N2 the handling of the car will seriously being affected despite increase of air pressure. It is because the car designed to use runflat tyre, if using non-runflat it is highly recommend to use sport tyre with stiffer sidewall with increase of air pressure needed.
If budget is not an issue I will recommend Michelin PS4 as it has fantastic performance in all aspects. Otherwise we can stay tune for the arrival of S1 evo3 or someone who using BMW 320i G20 can give their comment about the tyre since it is stock tyre.
i think you're mistaken in a few areas...
the tyre doesn't care about conti or jap, new steel or old... it just care about the weight sitting on it, let say 400kg per wheel, and for this a load/speed index of 95w and 35 psi inflation for normal driving... this will be the manufacturer's specification plastered on the car
hard or soft sidewall doesn't matter, because technically a 95w tyre will be able to support the 1600kg weight of the car...the index also specify different tyre inflation if you have extra weight, say 500kg per tyre, this changes the contact patch's geometry and pressure point to sub-optimal with the extra weight, and in order to compensate this you need to inflate a few psi more... the specification also says if you drive very very fast, you need to inflate more, this is also to compensate for the dynamic forces, because when you corner hard, the 400kg static load is now more like 500kg dynamic load... these are the engineering, to keep you safe on the road
hard or soft sidewall determines ride comfort and handling (steering feel/cornering roll)... so, a heavy bmw even with very soft sidewall is very well suited to uncle style of driving... that is why manufactures have uhp/high performance 95w and touring/comfort 95w to help people select... these are the characteristics, to match personal preferences, performance expectations and driving styles
obviously, if you put soft sidewall tyre and drive like a mad hatter around corners, you gonna have more body roll and feeling of unsafe handling... this is where all the generalization of soft sidewall unsuitability, and higher inflation without understanding the dynamics comes from
i had ne03 on my small and light suzuki swift and driven it mad around corners and boy does it roll but i like the fun... whereas s1n2 doesn't roll much at all on my heavy conti because there's only about 3.5" height of rubber... with a little bit more knowledge and experience, someone can mix and match without problems...
This post has been edited by dwRK: Jan 13 2021, 05:48 PM 
Oct 21 2020, 04:34 PM
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