[Euro] Question for those upgraded to 17in rims

[Justin L]

I'm a newbie to mods, etc. (as I used to own a white Camry ) and have a few questions about bigger rims.

I feel the standard rims look a bit small and would like to get some 17's. However, my concerns are ride quality and tyre roar. Coming from a Camry, I find the Euro's standard setup firm enough. To me, the Euro has the best handling/ride compromise. Also, I find that there is a bit of tyre roar on coarse chip bitumen roads on the standard 16's. Last thing I want is increased firmness and tyre roar. Will changing to bigger rims with lower profiles mean firmer and noisier ride? Common sense tells me that it will be the case as there is less rubber between the car and the road. I'm happy with a bit firmer ride but I don't want anymore tyre roar. What are people's experiences? Which brand has the quietest 45 profile tyre?

[razaman]

I'm a newbie to mods, etc. (as I used to own a white Camry ) and have a few questions about bigger rims.

I feel the standard rims look a bit small and would like to get some 17's. However, my concerns are ride quality and tyre roar. Coming from a Camry, I find the Euro's standard setup firm enough. To me, the Euro has the best handling/ride compromise. Also, I find that there is a bit of tyre roar on coarse chip bitumen roads on the standard 16's. Last thing I want is increased firmness and tyre roar. Will changing to bigger rims with lower profiles mean firmer and noisier ride? Common sense tells me that it will be the case as there is less rubber between the car and the road. I'm happy with a bit firmer ride but I don't want anymore tyre roar. What are people's experiences? Which brand has the quietest 45 profile tyre?

You pretty much answered your own question. Going to a lower profile tyre will increase road noise and make it a bit firmer ride.

In my 5th gen accord I went from a 195/65/14 to a 215/45/17 and it's noticeably noiser, although I'm used to it now. It took a few weeks to get used to.

Although your change isn't as dramatic.

Raz

[SSML]

yes, common sense: Same model tyres. wider tyre (225) will give u more noise as road contact surface is bigger than 205.

but I think if u choose the tyre carefully, you might be able to get a 225-45-17 with similar/or even quieter than stock 205-55-16.

Gerenally speaking, ultra high performance tyres with larger tyre blocks will be noiser, whereas passenger tyres with more threads and finer blocks will be quieter. But these days with all the new technologies, new material science, u can find some ultra high performance tyre with relatively quiet ride..

e.g.Falken ST115 was marketed as a high performance and silent tyre.. I havent used this tyre personally, so cant really comment, but just give an example of how tyre manufacturers have also realised there r customers care about performance , yet want quietness too.
Michelin "Energy MXV-8" is also another quiet tyre(it also available in 225-45-17). my friend had 215-60-15, was quiet compare to his previous stock B'Stone RE92. much much quieter compare to performace oriented Michelin "Preceda" (next range down from the famous Pilot Sport II). but MXV-8 is a pure comfort tyre, not for hard cornering
Just my 2C.

[Chris_F]

i've upgraded mine to 225/45/R17 and to be honest i couldn't really notice that much of a difference. Then again it was only a month or two before i made the change. I say go for it, i doubt you'll regret it, my ride isn't overly harsh or noisy. Just choose your tyres wisely and your set

[yfin]

I used to have directional silica 225 wide 17" tyres (Falken 512).

Now I have assymetrical 235 wide 17" (dunlop 3000As) - less silica.

The 17" Dunlops are much quieter than the directionals - very similar or quieter than the stock 16" 205 Dunlops I used to have.

[Tobster]

Tyre noise depends on tread pattern and the compound. You're more likely to get a quieter ride from a "touring" tyre than a sticky sports tyre -- but less grip. Ask your tyre dealer and otherwise look at what tyres are used on luxury cars where they tend to use big wheels but aim for that plush ride...

Some of the tyre manufacturers' websites have neat little plans where they arrange them from sports-oriented to comfort.
(e.g. http://www.yokohama.com.au/Tyres/Cat...p?CategoryID=2)

[Justin L]

Thank you all for your comments. Very useful and much appreciated. Cheers.

[Suntzu]

I went from stock 16 to 18 speedy lite 18x7 inch 225/40 . I have noticed no increase in road noise. The ride is a bit firmer. I am VERY fussy in terms of ride quality and have not had a problem with the 18s.

[Chris_F]

suntzu, can you post some pics of your car with your wheels on?

i have the lite-7's in 17" and have always wondered what they would look like on a euro in 18"

[Suntzu]

Im happy with the look and performance of the these 18x7 speedy lite 7 golds. What do you guys think?

[Chris_F]

thanks suntzu - i think they look great.

interestingly.. mine didn't come with the speedy motorsport decal on the spoke.

I think those gold rims would look great on a white euro too, possibly even blue, they definitely give the red a sportier look.

[Suntzu]

Third photo down. They put the plastic detail on crooked. It makes the car look a lot better than the stock 16s. I'm not able to use the bodykit so I wanted to make sure that the new wheels made the look at the car.