Downsize for comfort

[westcoastGT]

You have "reverse remorse". That is to say, everyone who expresses any regret about the 18" wheels is on about the reduced top speed that they missed. And here you are, being a maverick about it.

I see you are changing your Christmas Avatar like your underwear .............................

 

[stingerbeagle]

You have "reverse remorse". That is to say, everyone who expresses any regret about the 18" wheels is on about the reduced top speed that they missed. And here you are, being a maverick about it.

LOL. Ya, I'm realizing that I am not the typical Singer buyer (or at least not typical for this forum). One of the reasons I picked the Stinger is because I saw all the youtube reviewers complain that the car is too soft, too quiet from the exhaust, etc. Usually that's a good thing for me, but I'm finding it's still too sporty for me.

 

[Ozstung]

LOL. Ya, I'm realizing that I am not the typical Singer buyer (or at least not typical for this forum). One of the reasons I picked the Stinger is because I saw all the youtube reviewers complain that the car is too soft, too quiet from the exhaust, etc. Usually that's a good thing for me, but I'm finding it's still too sporty for me.

Maybe the Optima might have been a better choice.

 

[Nasscar]

I see you are changing your Christmas Avatar like your underwear .............................

Is that a glimpse inside the Merlin cave we can see on your avatar. We are humbly honoured.

 

[Never thought]

Maybe the Optima might have been a better choice.

My 2013 Optima SX had a much stiffer ride than my Stinger GT.

 

[OriginalRobby]

I was thinking of downsizing to 18" wheels as well, what would be the ideal setup, should I stagger or just go all around the same? What is this top speed limitation about if you reduce the rim size? Also would it still be considered low profile at 18" rim?

 

[westcoastGT]

I was thinking of downsizing to 18" wheels as well, what would be the ideal setup, should I stagger or just go all around the same? What is this top speed limitation about if you reduce the rim size? Also would it still be considered low profile at 18" rim?

There is generally no speed limit impact in moving to 18s BUT all tires have speed ratings , if you go for a square set up you can rotate wheels for xtra tread life , wheels are not low profile , tires are ,so you can define you ride objectives and search for the best tire to meet you needs

 

[OriginalRobby]

Thank you, that helps. My winter rims and tires from Fastwheels appear to have more rubber on them which I would like to have for non winter setup as well but not sure where to look. Is it possible to put non low profile tires on our 19" rims then? I'm still a little confused. I always thought you have to drop rim size to get more rubber.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Thank you, that helps. My winter rims and tires from Fastwheels appear to have more rubber on them which I would like to have for non winter setup as well but not sure where to look. Is it possible to put non low profile tires on our 19" rims then? I'm still a little confused. I always thought you have to drop rim size to get more rubber.

Outside Diameter is the core requirement. If you put taller sidewall tires on your 19" wheels you'd mess with the speedometer at the very least; and probably mess up the calibration of the other related electronics. It could get ugly.

18" wheels all around (squared setup) would give you your higher sidewalls in order to maintain OD within two or three percent (acceptable variation). I don't think that a staggered setup with 18" wheels would improve the handling or looks, which is what staggered setups are all about.

Our S. Korean friend, @xot1 has gone to 17" wheels.

 

[Bauser]

Thank you, that helps. My winter rims and tires from Fastwheels appear to have more rubber on them which I would like to have for non winter setup as well but not sure where to look. Is it possible to put non low profile tires on our 19" rims then? I'm still a little confused. I always thought you have to drop rim size to get more rubber.

I like running staggered 18's, the ride is more comfortable and for Canada they are a lot more forgiving with all the giant potholes everywhere. If you go with a 235/45r18 Front and 265/40r18 Rear they are almost identical outter diameter as the factory staggered 19's but with more sidewall. That setup is also within 0.07% OD front to rear. I have been leaning towards getting 245/45r18 Fronts and 275/40r18's for the rear for my next set to fill out the wheel wells a bit more and add a bit more sidewall.

 

[stingerbeagle]

I have been leaning towards getting 245/45r18 Fronts and 275/40r18's for the rear for my next set to fill out the wheel wells a bit more and add a bit more sidewall.

Coincidentally I just asked in another thread whether this would be ok. It's a 2.3% increase in diameter. Think that'd be ok?

 

[Bauser]

Coincidentally I just asked in another thread whether this would be ok. It's a 2.3% increase in diameter. Think that'd be ok?

Yeah there are a lot of people on here running slightly larger OD than stock. The only things to consider are: If you are lowered it may rub on the fender liner and your speedo will be out just a bit with the taller tire. With the size increases were are talking on these cars the speedo change will be negligible.

 

[Bauser]

For sidewall reference here is a shot of the 225/40r19 vs 235/45r18. The 18" setup is also ~13 Lbs per corner lighter than the factory 19's

 

[OriginalRobby]

You guys have been so helpful, thank you very much and the pic is appreciated. I believe that rim might be the FC04 titanium finish? If so then it's what my winter tires are setup on and I find those rims very good looking and practical. I will now just need to decide if it should be staggered or not, I guess if they are not I won't be able to rotate them but I think I would like the wider tires in the back. 275 would be pretty wide I take it...

 

[Bauser]

Stock rears are 255/35r19 and in my opinion wider is always better, from a looks and handling perspective anyway. The inability to rotate tires will cost you a bit in terms of tire life, but because of the power split in sport mode on the AWD's being 80% rear 20% front I would not want to run anything narrower on the rear.

 

[OriginalRobby]

Thanks, I went and saw the specs on the sidewall of the tires lol. Anyways, thanks again, you've been very helpful. I'm thinking about following your setup, Front: 235/45r18 Rear: 265/40r18

 

[xot1]

Our S. Korean friend, @xot1 has gone to 17" wheels.

I went 18 not 17.
I did it for performance but I must say the comfort is much better!

My setup is:
235 45 18 (front)
245 45 18 (rear)

 

[MerlintheMad]

I went 18 not 17.
I did it for performance but I must say the comfort is much better!

My setup is:
235 45 18 (front)
245 45 18 (rear)

How did I get that wrong? I recall (always a dangerous condition, but inevitable) you saying that you have 17" wheels now, so that your drag racing (or zero to sixty times) would be better. I thought it was you. So, either I got that wrong or the member who did this wrong (either way, it's annoying, as always, when this happens; it wasn't even that long ago, within a month, I think).

 

[xot1]

Nope, not me. I don't do drag racing.

 

[moinmoin]

search for the best tire to meet you needs

After our return from Florida in March, the rear tires, after 30,500 km, were worn down to slicks, while the fronts were still useable.
I got a set of OEM rims (2 @ 8" & 2 @ 8.5" 19"dia) and combined with the rims that came with the car, now use the 8.5" rims from spring through fall and the 8" rims will wear snow tires.

The current set-up is square and a slight increase from the factory 255 35 19 to 255 40 19 (front & rear) with 15mm spacers in the front and 5mm spacers in the rear, the front for mechanical, the rear for cosmetic reasons. The overall diameter of the wheels increased from 26" to 27".

The difference in driving is not light & day, but a little more comfortable and looks beefier, in addition, Michelin warrants this set-up for 70,000 km!