Who doesn't like big wheels?
Discussion
When I got my E60 550i is it had some 19" M6 wheels on it. They did look good to be fair but were barely contained in the arches due to the low offsets and were always at risk of kerbing. Plus every bump made me wince and the steering just didn't feel right.
I'm much happier with the 18s on there.
I'm much happier with the 18s on there.
monthefish said:
It's funny, PH seems to be full of people sayng they don't like big wheels, but then when presented with a car with big wheels such as the Weissmann for example, everybody seems to love it.
I don't. That's a lovely car ruined by its wheels. It needs at least another two inches of sidewall. kambites said:
monthefish said:
It's funny, PH seems to be full of people sayng they don't like big wheels, but then when presented with a car with big wheels such as the Weissmann for example, everybody seems to love it.
I don't. That's a lovely car ruined by its wheels. It needs at least another two inches of sidewall. monthefish said:
Have you fitted 16"s to your elise yet, or are you still on the bigger wheels?
They come with 16s on the front by default, nothing smaller will clear the brakes; fitting with significantly higher sidewalls to the back than the front would do rather odd things to the handling and anyway the Lotus specific split-compound tyres aren't available in any other sizes. I've fitted 16s to the wife's Octavia - again the smallest that will clear the brakes. kambites said:
monthefish said:
Have you fitted 16"s to your elise yet, or are you still on the bigger wheels?
They come with 16s on the front by default, nothing smaller will clear the brakes; fitting with significantly higher sidewalls to the back than the front would do rather odd things to the handling and anyway the Lotus specific split-compound tyres aren't available in any other sizes. I've fitted 16s to the wife's Octavia - again the smallest that will clear the brakes. 
monthefish said:
And rears? Still on 17s?
I think having 14s on the rear with huge sidewalls and 16s on the front with relatively low profile ones might make it handle a little oddly. Would look a tad odd, too It made a world of difference to the Skoda though, swapping out the god-awful 18s it came with for a set of 16s.
Sir Fergie said:
I personally wouldn't be a fan of big wheels.
but the suspension is definitely another factor to consider - as the modern trend - is to have not only big wheels - but stiffer sports suspension to go with it.
I don't get how people tolerate a hard ride - surely a car is so much more pleasant when its not crashing from bump to bump - and instead gives a decent ride that makes for more relaxed enjoyable everyday driving.
Certainly one can to the other extremes and make suspension too soft - you've then got potential for excess body roll - and passengers getting car sickness - although imo - having suspension that's too stiff won't help the latter either
You are dead right: there is a balance to be struck. It is also right to remember that the low profile tyre was developed (by Pirelli) to offer improved ride characteristics, not improved road holding or grip levels. Personally I like a long spring travel with relatively firm damping and decent depth of tyre sidewall; I'm not a big fan of very wide tyres (at least at the front) as they are less satisfactory in most driving scenarios. Much though I like fast driving, I don't like to find myself on the ragged edge on the public road.but the suspension is definitely another factor to consider - as the modern trend - is to have not only big wheels - but stiffer sports suspension to go with it.
I don't get how people tolerate a hard ride - surely a car is so much more pleasant when its not crashing from bump to bump - and instead gives a decent ride that makes for more relaxed enjoyable everyday driving.
Certainly one can to the other extremes and make suspension too soft - you've then got potential for excess body roll - and passengers getting car sickness - although imo - having suspension that's too stiff won't help the latter either
Totally depends on the car. People also seem to forget that it isn't just the wheel size that contributes to ride quality and cornering ability.
My 2003 745i BMW is running 19 inch wheels which many PHers would deem massive and too big. Well, it has a ride quality which matches a 1990 Mercedes W124 300e I went in which was on 15 inch wheels. The only difference being that despite the extra mass and size of the 745i over the W124, my car (whilst it's not a sports car!!) didn't go round corners like it was a complete boat.
My dad has a new BMW M6 (the TT V8 model) which is running 20 inch wheels. The ride quality is absolutely fantastic for something which goes round corners the way it does, and it rides better than the E92 M3 it replaced which rode on 19 inch wheels.
Go figure
My 2003 745i BMW is running 19 inch wheels which many PHers would deem massive and too big. Well, it has a ride quality which matches a 1990 Mercedes W124 300e I went in which was on 15 inch wheels. The only difference being that despite the extra mass and size of the 745i over the W124, my car (whilst it's not a sports car!!) didn't go round corners like it was a complete boat.
My dad has a new BMW M6 (the TT V8 model) which is running 20 inch wheels. The ride quality is absolutely fantastic for something which goes round corners the way it does, and it rides better than the E92 M3 it replaced which rode on 19 inch wheels.
Go figure
Obviously tyre profile isn't the only thing that effects ride quality. I suppose the question is whether the individual cars in question would be better on smaller wheels. I suspect that the M6, at least, also has reasonably light wheels even if they are huge.
Out of interest, did you dad drive the M6 on both sets of wheels before making his decision or was it a styling-led choice?
Out of interest, did you dad drive the M6 on both sets of wheels before making his decision or was it a styling-led choice?
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 24th September 11:49
kambites said:
Out of interest, did you dad drive the M6 on both sets of wheels before making his decision or was it a styling-led choice?
Neither really, it was an approved used car with around 5k miles on the clock; he drove it on the 20" wheels and was amazed at the ride quality. Honestly, it really is rather good! How a sporty GT should be IMO. It's better than my old E38 7 series was on 18" wheels. My only criticism on the refinement of the M6 (and I am being picky) is that there is more tyre noise than on my 7 series; whether that's the tyre he's running (Michelin Pilot Supersports) or the car itself. Otherwise, it's a remarkably quiet, comfortable and refined car.Edited by kambites on Wednesday 24th September 11:49
E65Ross said:
Neither really, it was an approved used car with around 5k miles on the clock; he drove it on the 20" wheels and was amazed at the ride quality. Honestly, it really is rather good! How a sporty GT should be IMO.
I'm sure it is, I was just wondering whether it was better or worse on the other wheel choice. 
Given the cost of the option, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the 20 inch wheels on the 6 actually weigh less than the 19s. Are they forged?
Not sure if this has been posted but this is just ridiculous!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwb9KcSDEfQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwb9KcSDEfQ
kambites said:
E65Ross said:
Neither really, it was an approved used car with around 5k miles on the clock; he drove it on the 20" wheels and was amazed at the ride quality. Honestly, it really is rather good! How a sporty GT should be IMO.
I'm sure it is, I was just wondering whether it was better or worse on the other wheel choice. Given the cost of the option, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the 20 inch wheels on the 6 actually weigh less than the 19s. Are they forged?
panholio said:
Just a minor point but the "sidewall" figure in your tyre size is a percentage of the WIDTH of the tyre. Lots of people seem to be missing this.
Agreed, hence it's possible to have a larger sidewall on a lower profile tyre. E.g. 255/35/18 has a larger sidewall than 215/40/17.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff