Ride Quality of 16" vs. 17" wheels

[BlueCrush]

Since I got rid of my 18" wheels and I've been on my stock 16" wheels I have really been enjoying the softer ride. I just wondering for those that went from 16" to 17" wheels, did you suffer much ride quality after switching? Thanks.

[Mrizzle05]

Hey BC... i think the 17's fill in the gaps and look better on the vibe. but i noticed a difference from 16's to 17's. Its harder and with roads out here... i hear a lil more road noise. it could just be the tires but i have noticed a difference.With my STB, springs and 17's the handling is noticably better, but i guess its a preference.GOOD LUCK... those wheels looks sweet.*side note: I got a buddy whos gonna sell me his TC wheels cheap! Which is good!

[BlueCrush]

The gaps stay the same since the overall tire diameter doesn't change, but I know what you mean about the rim size looking better at 17" vs. 16". I'm not too concerned about the handling since it handles pretty well with the stock springs and I don't plan on doing any autox. I'm just wondering is the decline in ride quality worth it?

[Mrizzle05]

Right... and like i said i guess its preference. if you would rather have 17's, then you gotta give up the comfort or just buy some darn good tires. Or stick to 16's and still have your good looking rims with good comfort...

[Mavrik]

Better handling but a slightly rougher ride. Also they might have a bit of a pull in the ruts... my 17" tires seem to follow grooves in the road very well...

[AKLGT]

i always had 17's so i can't say. but when you go up in rim size, the diameter stays the same so you are losing some of your cushy sidewall. i can only imagine how rough it was on 18's! especially from a 16" rim!

[ZubenElGenubi]

Considering that you've also "undropped' your ride, you might as well stay with the 16's and save yourself a few bucks down the line with less expensive tires+wheels.

[meistees]

Quote, originally posted by Mrizzle05 » i hear a lil more road noise. my car came with the stock 17's but I have aftermarket wheels and new tires the road noise is horrible so I just turn the stereo up louder

[NUBlackshirts]

Those 16's in the pic are the same ones I put on my wife's Sunfire. They look really good.

[BlueCrush]

Mavrik: My 18's pulled pretty good in ruts and highway grooves also. I don't have that problem now with the crappy OEM Conti's.TRDVibe: Yeah the 18's I was getting tired of how rought they were towards the end (of course I was lowered then also). But even when I was lowered and had the 16" on I noticed quite a difference in the ride.Zuben: I was thinking the same thing. Although these wheels and the Falken Ziex ZE-512 together are about a $25 difference per wheel. But $100 is $100.Meistees: I didn't have too much road noise when I ahve my 18" with Falken Ziex tires. I think it is all in the tread design.NuBlackshirts: Do you have a pics of those wheels on your wife's Sunfire that you could post?Thanks!

[NUBlackshirts]

Won't be able to get a pic until Friday. She is working Mids (nights for you civilians) for the next couple of days and I won't see her. Will post a pic as soon as I can.

[Katscan]

I was contimplating that as well. To get 17" wheels or stay with the 16" and just get better looking rims. On another note, the offset of the stock wheels is 35? or was that what BC was going to get for his Vibe?

[damronjr]

I just read that 17's are actual recommended for most cars to get the best performace.

[Mrizzle05]

^^since you have friggin 19's you must have the best performance huh???

[slvrvibes]

I notice a little difference. You can feel the bumps a little harder, but it isn't that big of a difference. I also upgrade to much better tires (Kumho) instead of those friggin Goodyear Eagle tires.

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by Mrizzle05 »^^since you have friggin 19's you must have the best performance huh??? Actually they said anything over 18's is bad. Kinda knew that though, bigger than 18" is just for looks, no performance there.

[xssiv1]

I have a base Vibe that came with stock 16. The ride was ok. I changed them to Enkei 16 with better tires and loved it. Now I have the same Enkei in 17 and the same tire and it rides harder. Debating lowering might help with the ride.Dont know if this helps or not

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

my comfy rating system will help here... you usually lose about 25% comfort each +1 size of rimso... OEM 16" 100% (as comfy as it gets in our cars)+1 17" 75% (looks better... rougher but tolerable)+2 18" 50% (looks great but you feel every bump)+3 19" 25% (just too rough to drive daily, fillings coming loose, etc...) +4 20" (your joking right)i think a 17" rim on our cars is a perfect balance of comfort, performance and looks

[cmhj2000]

Before buying my Vibe I had the opportunity of several test drives. When I drove the 16" versus 17" wheel I felt the difference at once.Since the purchase I've replaced the junk contis with Good Year comfort treds plus went up one size from std. Now it's night and day difference.Some may not like the way the Vibe handles with the comfort treds but I have no issues with handling. Most of my driving is simply from point A to B and my hot rodding days are far behind me.

[cybermob2]

were your 18s really that bad? i think 17 is a pretty good compromise, but honestly, i put 18s on (up from the 16 steelies) and on eibach sports i really dont notice that much different. what little difference there is, is more than made up for in looks. wheels on vibes look so tiny...if i got 17s i'd get them purely for maybe a lil softer ride, but primarily just a longer lasting less expensive tire.

[vibe04]

i have 17's and my ride is pretty good, no complaints yet and I agree that 17's do fill the gap better.

[Tazz]

All I have are the 16" factory steels and am thinking of the Scion TC 17's I see on ebay. I am worried about ride comfort as I already find the ride harsh...but that has been on winter roads and havn't had a chance to expereince the vibe in summer. Anyone have any comments on these or the seller. How about the price? 669US + 159US shipping.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1TAzz

[WaveAction]

it's not always about the rim size u have..it's also ur suspension set up..with a stiffer spring rate and struts..u'll feel every lil pebble in the road..compared to stock suspension.