F56 JCW unimpressed with the car/handling?

[GT4P]

So we have had the car since new and done nearly 5k miles. It has passive dampers and 18" wheels with Dunlop run flats . When driving on other than very flat surfaces ie motorway at speed the car never feels planted and you feel it will throw you into a ditch anytime, also when hooking up from speed the car gets out of shape ie not pulling up totally straight (plus not overly impressed with brakes) My initial thoughts are the tyres but surely it can't all be down to the tyres or is it me after driving to many Porsches but then our little 1.0 fiesta feels more stable at speed on less than perfect roads?

[Drekly]

GT4P said:

So we have had the car since new and done nearly 5k miles. It has passive dampers and 18" wheels with Dunlop run flats . When driving on other than very flat surfaces ie motorway at speed the car never feels planted and you feel it will throw you into a ditch anytime, also when hooking up from speed the car gets out of shape ie not pulling up totally straight (plus not overly impressed with brakes) My initial thoughts are the tyres but surely it can't all be down to the tyres or is it me after driving to many Porsches but then our little 1.0 fiesta feels more stable at speed on less than perfect roads?

Option 1. Fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 non run-flats
Option 2. Fit 17 inch JCW wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 non run-flats

And get alignment checked.

[GT4P]

Drekly said:

Option 1. Fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 non run-flats
Option 2. Fit 17 inch JCW wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 non run-flats

And get alignment checked.

Wheels tyres have already gone through mind especially PS4 on 17s, but surely the alignment shouldn't be so bad from factory(car never bumped up kerbs etc). But the fact it doesn't brake well under hard braking from speed says damping/ alignment!

[un1eash]

100% ditch the runflats, our JCW clubman came with P Zeros which seem great, will try pilot sports when they need changing.

[elisered]

Specced mine with 17” to deliberately avoid the run flats - and adaptive in case it was too harsh for running round in.
Can’t complain really, it’s fun to drive, nippy when needed but practical too - not the same as my Spyder but then it’s a run of the mill hatch so I think your expectations have to be set accordingly. To me it feels a bit like my old 1.9 205 gti in character - not the last word in refinement or behaviour but enjoyable none the less.

[Bungleaio]

Runflats are rubbish. I'll be swapping mine out once they are worn to Michelin Pilot sport 4.

It's worth getting the alignment checked though.

[GT4P]

elisered said:

Specced mine with 17” to deliberately avoid the run flats - and adaptive in case it was too harsh for running round in.
Can’t complain really, it’s fun to drive, nippy when needed but practical too - not the same as my Spyder but then it’s a run of the mill hatch so I think your expectations have to be set accordingly. To me it feels a bit like my old 1.9 205 gti in character - not the last word in refinement or behaviour but enjoyable none the less.

Use to have a 987 spyder fantastic car! I wanted the 17s with passive on the car but if I remember correctly was unable to order 17s with chilli pack so ended up with 18s and run flats ! I just expected after everything I read something special in the handling department but I am left a little underwhelmed, must say though that the engine pulls like a train and as a package great as a run around!

[GaryF]

My R58 JCW was terrible under spirited acceleration/braking, especially on broken surfaces.
Replacing the OE Continental runflats with Michelin Pilot Super Sports, and laterly Michelin Pilot Sport 4 completely resolved / transformed it. Can't recommend them highly enough.

[GT4P]

Thanks for the replies, anyone swapped out tyre width/profile on the 18 wheels or is it better to stick with the 205/40x18 as fitted standard?

[blue al]

Fitted 17/215/45 on bbs wheels, much lighter