Harsh ride!!! Can i bear anymore than 17" wheels!?

**Jow20** · 3rd January 2011, 17:55

Ok my car is on 35mm apex springs and 17" sri alloys with 45 profile tyre on rather than 50's. I wud really like bigger alloys but i already find 17" alloys to give a really harsh ride! I can feel every bump, so it must be horrific with snowies on!!!! Anyone share my thoughts?

**paulvectrac** · 3rd January 2011, 17:58

er i am on 18s and i can fell a penny when i run over it

**Jow20** · 3rd January 2011, 18:16

I know the apex springs are part to blame for stiffness, they are alot better than weak standard springs, but i doubt i cud cope wi 235/35/19 tyres!!! Think ill be goin back to 215/50/17 neva mind 225/45/17!!!

**dilan** · 3rd January 2011, 19:58

i'm on eibach springs and 19 inch snowies and to be honest other than it being a little bumpy at times, i think the ride and handling is better, get it 4 wheel aligned and you'll be fine...just swerve round all the potholes though

**rushy** · 3rd January 2011, 20:42

Originally Posted by Jow20

I know the apex springs are part to blame for stiffness, they are alot better than weak standard springs, but i doubt i cud cope wi 235/35/19 tyres!!! Think ill be goin back to 215/50/17 neva mind 225/45/17!!!

The 45 or 50 profile really doesn't represent the actual depth if the profile in a actual measurement mate. The 45 on a 225 is pretty much the same as the 50 on a 215. The profile measurement is a percentage of the width, so as the tyre gets wider the profile percentage has to get smaller to keep the same profile if you see what i mean. What your probably finding is you have Extra Load tyres on now. I think all my 225/45/17's have been extra load. The tyre wall is muck thicker so has less flex = harsher ride. Try finding the 45's but without Extra load.

**Jow20** · 3rd January 2011, 23:23

cheers rush, ill look out in future for this extra load thing, ive learnt something. what is 4 wheel alighned? how do you know if it needs this?

**damers2000** · 3rd January 2011, 23:27

I'm on 19's with lowered suspension but all to factory set up and it feels ok to me considering there is only a 35 wall of rubber

**paul_sri150** · 3rd January 2011, 23:33

I have 19's with 35's on, standard springs and shocks, and is a little bumpy on residential roads an speed bumps, but smooth as anything on motorway

I used to have a focus and I had 17's with low profiles on and the ride was ridiculous!

**John LE** · 4th January 2011, 00:43

I run 18" snowflakes with 235/40/R18 tyre and there is no difference in ride compared with the 17's I had before. The car is also lowered with eibachs

**TopRod** · 4th January 2011, 11:38

If you worry about the harsh ride you wont have bigger alloys, it's as simple as that really. It's like worrying about buying a 4.0 Jag because of the fuel economy. If you worry you just wont buy one.

I like the ride of 19" alloys. I like to be able to feel the road. Their not that bad, my last vectra had the standard 17" alloys and when I changed over I did notice a difference but not loads like everyone goes on about to be honest.