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From: croy on 2 Jun 2010 21:08
I've read a number of reviews that talk about larger wheels
and tires producing a less comfortable ride. I would have
thought that the opposite would be true.

What do the engineering minded folks here say?

--
Thanks,
croy
From: Jeff Strickland on 2 Jun 2010 22:53

"croy" <hate(a)spam.invalid.net> wrote in message
news:cvvd06lmbr91u6gtthv75a2e1dl43irbm6(a)4ax.com...
> I've read a number of reviews that talk about larger wheels
> and tires producing a less comfortable ride. I would have
> thought that the opposite would be true.
>
> What do the engineering minded folks here say?
>


The taller sidewall is more pliable than a narrow one. Therefore, the
reasoning is that when you take off a 15 inch rim and replace it with an 18
inch rim, the resulting tire will have a sidewall that is so narrow that it
will have no flexibility at all. This should translate to a harsher ride.







From: ron on 2 Jun 2010 23:36
I had an 02 Highlander with 16" wheels and currently an 08 with 19" - I
agree with Jeff - the larger wheels seem harsher. oh yeah the 19" cost
substantially more too - it was about 1200 for 19" toyo open country when I
put new ones on last year (I bought it in 08)

From: Jeff Strickland on 3 Jun 2010 00:01

"Conscience" <nobama@g�v.com> wrote in message
news:86oknsFm2lU1(a)mid.individual.net...
> On 2010-06-02 19:53:47 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff(a)yahoo.com>
> said:
>
>>
>> "croy" <hate(a)spam.invalid.net> wrote in message
>> news:cvvd06lmbr91u6gtthv75a2e1dl43irbm6(a)4ax.com...
>>> I've read a number of reviews that talk about larger wheels
>>> and tires producing a less comfortable ride. I would have
>>> thought that the opposite would be true.
>>>
>>> What do the engineering minded folks here say?
>>>
>>
>>
>> The taller sidewall is more pliable than a narrow one. Therefore, the
>> reasoning is that when you take off a 15 inch rim and replace it with an
>> 18
>> inch rim, the resulting tire will have a sidewall that is so narrow that
>> it
>> will have no flexibility at all. This should translate to a harsher ride.
>
> Another consideration is the heavier weight of larger wheels, particularly
> the "replicas" of factory performance rims.
>
> This amounts to what's called unsprung weight which is harder on
> suspensions components, as well as delivering the harsher ride you
> mentioned. The only solution is to buy a better quality, lighter wheel
> that most closely matches the weight of the smaller one you're replacing.
> But the smaller sidewall issue remains.
>

I drive a 3 Series BMW that came stock with 15s. I changed them to 17s, and
to be honest, I can't tell any difference, and if there is a difference, I'd
have to say it makes the car handle better. I can't say there is any
difference in the ride, but cornering is crisper, it that is an accurate
discription.

I'd have to tell anybody that they can easily move from 15s to 17s based
solely on the single sample that I have in my data set.








From: Jeff Strickland on 3 Jun 2010 11:43

"Conscience" <nobama@g�v.com> wrote in message
news:86oo6gF64bU1(a)mid.individual.net...
> On 2010-06-02 21:01:54 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff(a)yahoo.com>
> said:
>
>>
>> "Conscience" <nobama@g�v.com> wrote in message
>> news:86oknsFm2lU1(a)mid.individual.net...
>>> On 2010-06-02 19:53:47 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff(a)yahoo.com>
>>> said:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "croy" <hate(a)spam.invalid.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:cvvd06lmbr91u6gtthv75a2e1dl43irbm6(a)4ax.com...
>>>>> I've read a number of reviews that talk about larger wheels
>>>>> and tires producing a less comfortable ride. I would have
>>>>> thought that the opposite would be true.
>>>>>
>>>>> What do the engineering minded folks here say?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The taller sidewall is more pliable than a narrow one. Therefore, the
>>>> reasoning is that when you take off a 15 inch rim and replace it with
>>>> an
>>>> 18
>>>> inch rim, the resulting tire will have a sidewall that is so narrow
>>>> that
>>>> it
>>>> will have no flexibility at all. This should translate to a harsher
>>>> ride.
>>>
>>> Another consideration is the heavier weight of larger wheels,
>>> particularly
>>> the "replicas" of factory performance rims.
>>>
>>> This amounts to what's called unsprung weight which is harder on
>>> suspensions components, as well as delivering the harsher ride you
>>> mentioned. The only solution is to buy a better quality, lighter wheel
>>> that most closely matches the weight of the smaller one you're
>>> replacing.
>>> But the smaller sidewall issue remains.
>>>
>>
>> I drive a 3 Series BMW that came stock with 15s. I changed them to 17s,
>> and
>> to be honest, I can't tell any difference, and if there is a difference,
>> I'd
>> have to say it makes the car handle better. I can't say there is any
>> difference in the ride, but cornering is crisper, it that is an accurate
>> discription.
>>
>> I'd have to tell anybody that they can easily move from 15s to 17s based
>> solely on the single sample that I have in my data set.
>
> Are the 17s factory wheels? Even if not, I'll bet they're not
> heavyweights. The rough ride doesn't usually kick in until you go to 18
> or 19" wheels.
>
> We have 18s on our 330 with ZHP, but they're light weight. The ride isn't
> cushy, but that's also due to the differences between ZHP and normal 330
> suspension.
>

Yes they are factory wheels. My 17s came from a '95 M3.

What's ZHP?

There is a BMW newsgroup, but they don't ever talk about this option -- I'm
assuming it is a Sports Package Option. I go to e46fanatics.com -- an
excellent forum by the way, if you haven't been there -- and they talk about
ZHP alot. They also talk about pre-facelift and facelift -- and these are
terms I never heard of before going there.

I think, but I am not positive, that the 330 should be expected to have a
stiff ride, especially if it has been fitted with 18s or 19s. Both of my
kids drive '00 323s, one has 15s and the other has 16s. They ride soft but
firm, if that's not a serious contradiction.

The Ultimate Driving Machine should not feel like you're driving a basket of
pillows, it should feel like a slot car on rails. I would expect anybody
going into a new relationship with a BMW -- or Porsche or Audi or <insert
performance car here> -- to be wanting a ride that's not cushy. I see people
complaining that their BMW follows the rain grooves that are cut into the
freeway, and they don't like the twitchiness that results. My car follows
those grooves, and I think to myself, "Man! I can really feel the road. I
like it. This is what driving is all about."

Enough about BMWs, lets get back to off topic politics ...

Did you hear the one about the african american that walked into the white
house?









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