Alloy Wheels - How much does size affect ride?

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2776 posts

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# 1240987 17-Feb-2015 17:01

blakamin: Just looking at the recommendations for my car and they stick a 255/55r16 on a 7.5j rim! And when you get to 18's they'll put a 255/45 on a 7.5j, so who knows?? (Mind you, you can get factory 20s for mine, as it has a massive rolling diameter, and they don't look stupid)

Thanks to meeknet.co.uk

I think the bigger the sidewall the wider the tyre can be for any given rim (just a guess - but makes sense). Although, I did a bit more looking and some Audi A4 and S4s came stock with 235/45R18 on 18x7.5 rims.

blakamin

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# 1240991 17-Feb-2015 17:19

I can't really see it being an issue.

Batman

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# 1241021 17-Feb-2015 18:10

i've had a similar sized car. these are what i've found

15" to 17" big difference in handling, ride quality ok, noise ok
18" ride is very firm, noise high.
never tried 19s

so the best was 235 45 17

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

TLD

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# 1241119 17-Feb-2015 21:10

It brings to mind comments Richard Hammond made about Jeremy Clarkson's SL55 AMG, after he buggered his back driving through a wall of loose bricks in one of those crazy stunts they do. Apparently the firmed up Mercedes suspension, and rubber band tires, are agony for poor Jeremy on anything other than motorways, and Hammond loves to remind him of it.

[EDIT] I'm getting the cars mixed up methinks. I'm thinking it was the black CLK63 AMG that was causing him pain — but I might _still_ be wrong.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

richms

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# 1241171 17-Feb-2015 22:49

Also the lower the profile the more critical it is that you dont run underinflated. If you are not the best at checking the pressures dont go for the thinnest one that there is.

Richard rich.ms

Paul1977

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# 1241281 18-Feb-2015 09:08

joker97: i've had a similar sized car. these are what i've found

15" to 17" big difference in handling, ride quality ok, noise ok
18" ride is very firm, noise high.
never tried 19s

so the best was 235 45 17

235/45R17 has a smaller diameter than the Mark X wants, and it's too expensive an upgrade to only go up one inch.

But I looked it up and 235/45R18 have the same size sidewall as your 235/45R17. So 18" on mine is probably comparable to 17" on yours. That makes me feel better about 18" :)

Paul1977

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# 1241287 18-Feb-2015 09:14

richms: Also the lower the profile the more critical it is that you dont run underinflated. If you are not the best at checking the pressures dont go for the thinnest one that there is.

I will have to get into a habit of checking. The car will take up to 20" comfortably. 20" was never on the cards for me, and after several of these comments I think I've ruled 19" out as well. So on 18" they won't be all that thin.

gbwelly

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# 1241326 18-Feb-2015 09:49

Paul1977:
richms: Also the lower the profile the more critical it is that you dont run underinflated. If you are not the best at checking the pressures dont go for the thinnest one that there is.

I will have to get into a habit of checking. The car will take up to 20" comfortably. 20" was never on the cards for me, and after several of these comments I think I've ruled 19" out as well. So on 18" they won't be all that thin.

If you want the opinion of non-boyracers then stick to the factory alloys or get the same size and offset as factory. Sidewalls are good, and you will get years of comfortable driving and reasonably priced tyres.

MikeB4

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# 1241330 18-Feb-2015 09:51

2 people support this post

personally I stick with manufacturer specification, saves a lot of hassles and generally gives the best results.

Mike
Retired IT Manager.
The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

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Paul1977

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# 1241369 18-Feb-2015 10:27

gbwelly:
Paul1977:
richms: Also the lower the profile the more critical it is that you dont run underinflated. If you are not the best at checking the pressures dont go for the thinnest one that there is.

I will have to get into a habit of checking. The car will take up to 20" comfortably. 20" was never on the cards for me, and after several of these comments I think I've ruled 19" out as well. So on 18" they won't be all that thin.

If you want the opinion of non-boyracers then stick to the factory alloys or get the same size and offset as factory. Sidewalls are good, and you will get years of comfortable driving and reasonably priced tyres.

Mark X came stock with either 16x7 ET50 with 215/60R16 or 18x8 ET50 with 225/45R18.

Finding 18x8 rims I like with this offset this big is proving difficult. I'm going to take it somewhere to have a couple if different sizes test fitted to see how much wiggle room I have with the offset.

I have to say i'm learning a lot... a few days ago I couldn't have told you what a sidewall was!

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# 1241492 18-Feb-2015 12:02

gbwelly:
Paul1977:
richms: Also the lower the profile the more critical it is that you dont run underinflated. If you are not the best at checking the pressures dont go for the thinnest one that there is.

I will have to get into a habit of checking. The car will take up to 20" comfortably. 20" was never on the cards for me, and after several of these comments I think I've ruled 19" out as well. So on 18" they won't be all that thin.

If you want the opinion of non-boyracers then stick to the factory alloys or get the same size and offset as factory. Sidewalls are good, and you will get years of comfortable driving and reasonably priced tyres.

i am not a boy racer, i won't stick to factory.

235 45 18 gives you a very optimum 45 profile. the handling is difference is night and day. there are some downsides though

- costs to buy the rims (one off)
- larger rims are heavier, light rims are darn expensive, so your unsprung weight does go up.
- if the offset makes the axle wider the turning circle is larger, will turn tight spaces like a bus, but will handle even better otherwise
- wider tyres aquaplane much better, so watch out when it's wet or make sure you buy really expensive tyres or you will ice skate one day

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

blakamin

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# 1241538 18-Feb-2015 12:38

gbwelly:

If you want the opinion of non-boyracers {snip}

That's pretty offensive really. If someone wants to improve the look and (maybe, depending on model) handling of their car, that makes them a boy-racer?
You know where you can stick that opinion.

blakamin

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# 1241541 18-Feb-2015 12:41

KiwiNZ: personally I stick with manufacturer specification, saves a lot of hassles and generally gives the best results.

What happens when manufacturers specifies 4 or 5 different diameter rims?

Even the OP mentions his comes with a choice of 2.

dickytim

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# 1241543 18-Feb-2015 12:42

I must say that with a back to back comparison between my inlaws Commodore and my Berlina same year and similar mileage the factory 15" rims vs. my 17" rims is very different to drive, my car feels better connected to the road but theirs is near silent and so much more comfortable.

gbwelly

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# 1241601 18-Feb-2015 13:27

blakamin:
gbwelly:

If you want the opinion of non-boyracers {snip}

That's pretty offensive really. If someone wants to improve the look and (maybe, depending on model) handling of their car, that makes them a boy-racer?
You know where you can stick that opinion.

Have a look at the 3rd comment of the thread.

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