20" wheels without PASM

[jimbo761]

Does anyone here run on 20" wheels without PASM ? Am considering at some point switching my 18"s onto winters and buying a set of 20" wheels to fit the new n-rated Michelin PS4s. On 18"s with no PASM the ride is firm but not unbearable, on 20"s I do wonder how bone jarring the result will be, particularly on UK roads which will no doubt be a lot worse after the snow thaws.

[Koln-RS]

What model Porsche?

[jimbo761]

718, but will happily take advice on similar.

[tcs0tm]

it would be a no from me, I have 20s with PASM and its great but I didnt enjoy the extended test drive without PASM

[rgj1964]

I'm looking to get a Cayman with Boxster S 19" wheels without PASM but will have no easy way to try it out. Every 718 Cayman/Boxster demo or sale car at my dealer is fitted with 20". Annoying as it's not just the ride you want to get a feel for but also the road noise with each version. Guess I'll just have to assume that dropping to 19" wheels with improve ride and noise levels slightly..

[Koln-RS]

I don't detect much difference on Cayman or 991, although do find tyre brands and age can make a difference. GY F1s particularly good.

On the Macan and Cayenne, Air Suspension is more important as you go up in wheel sizes.

[DJMC]

I had a day and a half 981 loaner on 20's with no PASM and it was OK. Better than my TTS on 19's with mag ride in normal setting. I happened on one with PASM and that's what I bought. I would rate PASM as a top option although it's not as comfortable in comfort mode on the 718 as it is on the 981. Porsche factory technician explained this is due to 718's stiffer suspension. In which case perhaps only consider opinions of those with 718 info.

[1964]

I have a Cayman 718 S on 20" without PASM - it seems fine to me. Have had it for 16 months and done about 6000 miles in that time. Slightly firmer than my Golf R but not a lot

[overunder12g]

718 on 20 inch here too. 12k miles so far and no problem at all. Previous 918 on 19 inch was a firmer ride by some margin.

[DJMC]

overunder12g said:

718 on 20 inch here too. 12k miles so far and no problem at all. Previous 918 on 19 inch was a firmer ride by some margin.

918 to 718!?

Don't you miss the performance? Or did you switch for economy?

[Milnsey]

Should be fine , my CGTS has x73 , ride is acceptable

[bcr5784]

What is acceptable in terms of ride will vary from driver and will depend on where you regularly drive and what your benchmark is. Roads near me are poor and my benchmark is lotus. I found the 981 on 20" wheels marginal on ride, and that on the 718 (which is stiffer) unacceptable - on PZeros and no PASM in each case and standard (opposed to comfort) tyre pressures. I am therefore surprised that some are finding the opposite unless they are running different tyres or pressures.

[SkinnyPete]

And here was me thinking the 981 on 20's with no PASM (which mine is) is far too soft! Definitely a comfort orientated suspension, feels like sitting in a warm bucket of wallpaper paste.

[overunder12g]

DJMC......Typo from me! Should read 981. Had been a long day,

[ATM]

I have a 981 with standard passive dampers.

It came with the p zero n0 turds. I put some none N rated MPSS on the rears which stopped it sliding around so much.

Then I got some 19 winters with Michelin Aplin n0 tyres and these were a revelation. So then i got some 19 Goodyear Eagles for them.

Now I'm using some 18 with Pirellia sottozero n0 rated. They're ok but can go off a bit when they get warm from pressing on in the dry when temps are not cold - as in before this beast arrived.

Best bit about the car now on 18 is you can attack speed bumps at ridicolous speeds like they're not there.

Also i can park the front over curbs without interference.

I'd be tempted to try 20 again with decent tyres as I've read people talk about steering feel with the newer n1 tyres. Its an expensive experiment though.

To answer your question the ride is acceptable on 20 without PASM but its very personal.

[bcr5784]

SkinnyPete said:

And here was me thinking the 981 on 20's with no PASM (which mine is) is far too soft! Definitely a comfort orientated suspension, feels like sitting in a warm bucket of wallpaper paste.

Each to his own. I'm a firm believer in Chapman's philosophy of adding lightness And softness. I'm glad to see Alpine are disciples.

[DJMC]

ATM said:

I have a 981 with standard passive dampers.

Best bit about the car now on 18 is you can attack speed bumps at ridicolous speeds like they're not there.

Also i can park the front over curbs without interference.

Do you mean bumping the car up onto the curb due to the higher profile sidewalls? Otherwise, how do 18s make the car higher at the front? A bit confused, probably me being thick!

[bcr5784]

DJMC said:

ATM said:

I have a 981 with standard passive dampers.

Best bit about the car now on 18 is you can attack speed bumps at ridicolous speeds like they're not there.

Also i can park the front over curbs without interference.

Do you mean bumping the car up onto the curb due to the higher profile sidewalls? Otherwise, how do 18s make the car higher at the front? A bit confused, probably me being thick!

You aren't being thick at all. If the tyres are to Porsches spec, then the higher profile of the tyres on the smaller wheels means that the diameter and therefore the ride height remains almost exactly the same. The extra compliance of the higher profile tyres might make speed humps more comfortable, but I wouldn't putting your nose over higher curbs.

[ATM]

bcr5784 said:

DJMC said:

ATM said:

I have a 981 with standard passive dampers.

Best bit about the car now on 18 is you can attack speed bumps at ridicolous speeds like they're not there.

Also i can park the front over curbs without interference.

Do you mean bumping the car up onto the curb due to the higher profile sidewalls? Otherwise, how do 18s make the car higher at the front? A bit confused, probably me being thick!

You aren't being thick at all. If the tyres are to Porsches spec, then the higher profile of the tyres on the smaller wheels means that the diameter and therefore the ride height remains almost exactly the same. The extra compliance of the higher profile tyres might make speed humps more comfortable, but I wouldn't putting your nose over higher curbs.

PASM sits lower. Passive dampered car has higher ride height. So the nose easily clears curbs. For urban driving and parking its much easier to live with.

[bcr5784]

ATM said:

bcr5784 said:

DJMC said:

ATM said:

I have a 981 with standard passive dampers.

Best bit about the car now on 18 is you can attack speed bumps at ridicolous speeds like they're not there.

Also i can park the front over curbs without interference.

Do you mean bumping the car up onto the curb due to the higher profile sidewalls? Otherwise, how do 18s make the car higher at the front? A bit confused, probably me being thick!

You aren't being thick at all. If the tyres are to Porsches spec, then the higher profile of the tyres on the smaller wheels means that the diameter and therefore the ride height remains almost exactly the same. The extra compliance of the higher profile tyres might make speed humps more comfortable, but I wouldn't putting your nose over higher curbs.

PASM sits lower. Passive dampered car has higher ride height. So the nose easily clears curbs. For urban driving and parking its much easier to live with.

I think djmc and I both thought you were suggesting that wheel size affects ride height. As you say PASM lowers ride height by 10.mm