16s are more comfortable than 17s, right?

[Inter State Man]

It’s new tire time for the Stato. I only use it for long (>500km) runs on country roads. It only ever comes up to the city (from its garage in the country) for servicing. I have been looking at s/h 17” (Caprice) wheels which are available at pretty reasonable prices. Am I right in assuming that the original 16” set up will be more comfortable and quieter. Or are 17” lower profile tires of a superior quality that make up the difference. I imagine 17” tires are more expensive too. Does anyone have an informed view about this? I don’t treat the Stato as a performance handler- I have smaller cars I get my tear-arse jollies in.

[Micks]

You wont notice much difference going from 16 to 17's depending on your suspension. Generally 19 or 20's give a harsher ride.

[Inter State Man]

so there would be no upside in staying with the 16s except that they might be cheaper
I see the rolling diameter is not much different, presumably I wouldn't have to get the computer changed to account for a change this small (?)
[IMG][/IMG]

[white lie]

Rolling diameter should always be pretty close. Around 1% difference is fine.
I think there's still loads of sidewall for a smooth ride, you're looking at around 10mm difference looking at those figures. A 10% reduction but not a great deal in the scheme of things. As said 19" and 20" usually only have 75-90mm of sidewall and that's where you'll start to feel the harshness.

[motomk]

Might find there is more choice of tyre in the 17, pity the wider 235/45/17 is a bit too far out as that has even more choice and would probably be cheaper.

[Inter State Man]

Thanks. I will go and have a chat to he guys in my local tire shop soon, I’ll post what they tell me about range and prices of 16s vs 17s. I guess another advantage of 17s is that I might be able to get bigger front brakes in there when they are next due.

[Micks]

Thanks. I will go and have a chat to he guys in my local tire shop soon, I’ll post what they tell me about range and prices of 16s vs 17s. I guess another advantage of 17s is that I might be able to get bigger front brakes in there when they are next due.

You could go the 320mm SSZ front/rotor caliper upgrade with the 17 inch rim either that or pay fair $$ for Harrops.

[VXSS346]

Can tell you from experience,17s will always ride a bit harsher than 16s. No question about that. But will grip/handle better possibly too because they are generally 8 inch wide over 7. You'll have to check tyre prices, but I think theres not a lot of difference these days. In the end, its all about personal choice.

[whitels1ss]

so there would be no upside in staying with the 16s except that they might be cheaper
I see the rolling diameter is not much different, presumably I wouldn't have to get the computer changed to account for a change this small (?)
[IMG][/IMG]

Been in exactly the same boat with my daily tow car. (It had 16's on it when I bought it.)

I fitted (OEM optional) 17's & first time I fitted 235/45/17 tires,
the ride was certainly a bit harder & the speedo was over reading by around 10% (was reading 100kmh when actual road speed around 90kmh)
but the lower profiles looked good & the steering & traction was noticeably improved.

Biggest thing I hated was the speedo error so I changed to 225/50/17's. (That was around 4 years ago.)

This made the speedo correct again & the car rode softer & it was nice to drive.

I go through 2 sets of tires a year in this car as it gets a fair bit of use & I will be sticking with the 225/50/17's.

[keith reed]

Generally when you go up a wheel size you go down a profile size. As an example my vh has 235/40/18 tyres. The speedometer reads very close to perfect.
I have owned the car for over 21 years and can't remember what wheels it had on it when I bought it, possibly 15's.

[Inter State Man]

I heard it said (at least 20 years ago) that the biggest contributor to overall performance of sedan cars (incl safety comfort and reliability/durability) since 1960 was the technical improvement in tires. I guess the advancements in tires has gone on, and the relative performance difference between the wheels/tires Holden fitted to the Statesman and Caprice in 2003 was much greater then than it is now.

I reckon probably thinking about it that the only good reason to go up would be to fit brakes. The car’s standard brakes (10000k old, as new) are not confidence inspiring. But adequate for my long country drives, where comfort is king.

There will come a time when the older spec tire will become more expensive. I need to replace the 155/85 15s on my Alfa soon, they were 280 each 15 years ago

[whitels1ss]

I need to replace the 155/85 15s on my Alfa soon, they were 280 each 15 years ago

Is that a typo?

That would handle like a wet cake of soap in a bath.

[Inter State Man]

I prefer the term “knife edge handling”.

[BLACK 346]

Is that a typo?

That would handle like a wet cake of soap in a bath.

The fact that they are 15 years old is equally as scary.

[Wonky]

It's a wonder they haven't perished - be bloody dangerous to drive on now due to risk of failure no matter how little kms they may have done.