How much worse is your ride in 19s and 20s?
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Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 236
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From: Canada
2017 CLS63-S
How much worse is your ride in 19s and 20s?
can we get some realistic opinions...most guys could live with a worse ride, as long as the rims shine!!!
but come on, how bad does it get going 18-20 especially with the various suspension modes....and preferbly cars not lowered which wont be too many....
we drive in the city with crappy streets so would like some idea please....
thanks!
but come on, how bad does it get going 18-20 especially with the various suspension modes....and preferbly cars not lowered which wont be too many....
we drive in the city with crappy streets so would like some idea please....
thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Maryland
a Rivera...via a Custom 24, Strat and Les Paul
Car is not lowered - have 19's for a summer set up - 18's for a winter set up (but had summer tires on before I switched to the DWS's).
as simple as I can put it:
18 summer tire to 18 all season - big difference
18 summer tire to 19 summer tire - little difference
18 summer tire to 20 summer tire - don't know because I run 19's but the consensus seems to be worse ride and a degradation in performance.
My advise, if the ride is your primary concern and you want the best of both worlds (ride and looks) go with 19's with Conti DWS's (they have a softer side wall than dedicated summer tires which makes them more compliant and they are sticker than any all-season has a right to be - that and they come with a 50,000 mile warranty and are supposed to be pretty good in the snow - they are PHENOMENAL in the rain!).
as simple as I can put it:
18 summer tire to 18 all season - big difference
18 summer tire to 19 summer tire - little difference
18 summer tire to 20 summer tire - don't know because I run 19's but the consensus seems to be worse ride and a degradation in performance.
My advise, if the ride is your primary concern and you want the best of both worlds (ride and looks) go with 19's with Conti DWS's (they have a softer side wall than dedicated summer tires which makes them more compliant and they are sticker than any all-season has a right to be - that and they come with a 50,000 mile warranty and are supposed to be pretty good in the snow - they are PHENOMENAL in the rain!).
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,664
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From: SoCal
W221
One could say I've been through a few set of wheels. I've had all 3 sizes...
18's...
19's...
20's...
Let me tell you that there is a difference. The difference becomes even bigger if you go from 18's -> 20's or vice versa. I will be the first to say that the bigger you go, the better it looks. If looks is what you care for, then 20's all the way.
Just remember that performance will be directly affected. Think of it this way...
More go => 18's
Compromise on both =>19's
More show =>20's
Just my humble 2 cents...
18's...
19's...
20's...
Let me tell you that there is a difference. The difference becomes even bigger if you go from 18's -> 20's or vice versa. I will be the first to say that the bigger you go, the better it looks. If looks is what you care for, then 20's all the way.
Just remember that performance will be directly affected. Think of it this way...More go => 18's
Compromise on both =>19's
More show =>20's
Just my humble 2 cents...
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
19s arent too bad honestly.
handling improved due to smaller tire side walls, steering is much more responsive and such. less tire wall roll compared to stock 17s.
i def benefit a lot form the 265s vs stock 245s lol
lowered on H&Rs. NOT bad, but just seriously have to start watching out for pothots and such.
handling improved due to smaller tire side walls, steering is much more responsive and such. less tire wall roll compared to stock 17s.
i def benefit a lot form the 265s vs stock 245s lol
lowered on H&Rs. NOT bad, but just seriously have to start watching out for pothots and such.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
given the SAME tires an proper aspect ratio, I have found the larger you go, the more sensitive the the steering wheel to vibrations/balancing but the ride itself is not that far removed from one another. The largest issue for me with 20s are the real world potholes, road conditions, etc that bent my rims 7 times in months. These were forged wheels. Now with 19s, not a single issue.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Some people care about looks, some about performance and handling. The bigger wheel you run on your car, the lower the sidewall will be on the tires. The more likely you are to suffer a bent wheel, or blow out. 19" are a nice compromise, that's what I run. Lateral stability is improved, steering is sharper. The car echanges direction faster. Tires not roll as much. Wheel and tire combination are less expensive as compared to 20" it's really what you prefer. With 20" some have had issues with rubbing, as they want to fit the biggest, widest tire on the rim. offset can be an issue as well, finding the right offset for your wheel and tire combination. IMHO 19" is the way to go.
