19's to 18's and winter tyres!

[SkinnyP]

Yes I know it’s still September but tyres are a commodity and the price will only go one way as we approach winter, so I have bought a set of alloys & winter tyres early.

I have to say though as much as I love my 19's I am looking forward to shunning them off for a few months and enjoying (dare I say) a more comfortable ride. The 19's look amazing and make the car look very expensive, especially when in motion at low speed, but I find myself wincing on approach to questionable road surfaces.

There’s an extra 1.18cm of sidewall on the front, and 0.93cm on rear (265 vs 255) not to mention the extra cushion of air.

Out of curiosity they weighed in at 19.7kg and 22.5kg respectively (including 30psi of air ), I'll weigh the 19's when I take them off come November.

Edited by SkinnyP on Monday 29th September 19:10

[SkinnyP]

I’ve tried a 2.9 on 17” wheels and it was wonderful, logic tells me its probably one of the most enjoyable incarnations of the Cayman. Not sure how the 235 section rear tyres will respond to 300 horse power though.

Maybe come summer I’ll have forgotten about the questionable ride quality and wont be able to wait to refit the 19s.

[SkinnyP]

The winters are on, and so far so good.

I must admit however that the difference in ride quality is barely perceptible, there is a subtle difference but not enough to warrant ditching the 19's purely for ride comfort.

It may be worth keeping in mind that I've gone from PS2's to Pirelli's though. Still I am impressed that they dont squirm half as much as other winters I have had, perhaps they are extra tough being N rated or whatever...

[SkinnyP]

No but I will do it tomorrow when its light out.

Interestingly these Pirelli's are much quieter than the PS2's which is weird (its not like they had worn unevenly either).

If only we could get N rated PSS in 18" they must feel revolutionary.

[SkinnyP]

From prior research most people did say the 18"s were much better but I just can't feel it.

Yes there is a subtle difference and the interior rattles are a touch quieter but that's about it.

Maybe the tyres are a significant factor here.

[SkinnyP]

Well its cold and wet, the rear end is certainly more lively. To be expected really though.

[SkinnyP]

A bit more driving today, and yes they do squirm lol.

Even in the dry I've been spinning up the rears in 3rd gear. Ah well, summers go to st in the winter so its just a case of making the most of what grip is available.

Not got round to weighing the 19"s yet I'll do it tomorrow...

[SkinnyP]

18" Winters
19.7kg and 22.5kg

19" Summers
19.3kg and 21.7kg

[SkinnyP]

Redlake27 said:

I have a Cayman S (on 18s in summer) but I purchased a set of Boxster 17 inch rims off ebay . They need spacers to clear the front calipers, but the narrow 17s give the car a completely different character.

I have 215 fronts and 245 rears (Goodyear UltraGrip Performance ) and the car feels delicate, almost Lotus like, on the winter tyres.

Interesting, can you expand on that?

I have driven a car on 17"s and yes it felt great but I didn't push it too hard. Can't imagine 245 rears like deploying 320bhp though!

[SkinnyP]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I almost bought a 2.9 with 17" wheels, but I was kind of put off by the thought of people saying "thats a nice porsche, shame about the toy wheels though".

I've since had a quiet word with myself.

[SkinnyP]

Supple and fluid, yes good descriptive words. I agree, revving the 2.9 out on an open and flowing road with 17"s on felt great.

The ride quality was vastly superior too.

[SkinnyP]

Absolutely stonking cmoose.

[SkinnyP]

I wish I could have found a red car in the spec I wanted, stop posting pictures you are making me jealous.

They would look better lowered, but I enjoy not worrying about speed humps.

[SkinnyP]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thats fine, it really is, and I know being closer to the limit is fun. But for me I enjoy the instant hook up offered by the 265 tyres especially when you are being very naughty and need every fraction of grip.

Not saying I want four wheel drive (that would be dull), but nothing worse than unusable power.

All preference of course.

[SkinnyP]

Would you take the 17"s over 18"s on a track, from either the perspective of fun or chasing lap times?

[SkinnyP]

Re track times, for the sake of argument just give me a straight answer

I feel like I'm missing out now, you lot all having red Caymanz and sporty wheels.

The good news is these 18"s appear to have softened up, as weird as that sounds. Nvh is down despite the switch to winter tyres. Yes I like the 18s.

[SkinnyP]

Car looks nice.

I'm really enjoying the 18's, they feel far more usable and pleasant than the 19's although I could have told you that before I even bought the car. No idea why at first they felt very firm, maybe because they have been sitting around in my conservatory, I duno.