18" vs. 19" wheels

[goldsax]

thanks for the replies..
its and SE spec.
looking at the 2006 brochure, 2 options

1) 8.5J x 18 ‘5-arm’ design high-gloss alloy wheels
with 255/45 R18 Y tyres

2) 8J X 18 ‘9 spoke’
with 235/50 R18 Y tyres

what ET would i need?

i presume the second option would be the most comfy...any disadvantages?
i bought the 4.2 due to its power/torque, would it be wasted with 235 tyres? at which point the 255 may be considered?
thanks again for the input..
raj

[Johnmed]

My SE 3.0 has 17"s with a 235 and 55 profile on. And I'm currently in the process of buying 19"s with a 255 and 45 profile. I drove a sport with 19"s on before I bought my car, and found it rode a lot better oddly. So I'm interested to see how mine will ride with 19"s. If it's harsh I guess I'll be using comfort more often than now, which is pretty much never.

[audifin]

ET for 8.5J wheels is 45. I have the 18" 12-spoke wheels, they are not on 2006 brochure (only 19"). Not sure if they were available before or after 2006?

As it happens there is a refurbished set on ebay at the moment http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-re...gAAOSw2GlXG~zO

My tyres are 255/45/18. Difference in the profile height is marginal compared to 235/50 so I wouldn't think there is much difference in comfort.

[Burnzybubbles]

Try fitting a 45 profile tyre on your 19's it should make them less solid, I have a 45 profile on mine, the speedo is spot on now too.

[goldsax]

had a look at the front disc.
there is about an inch between the wheel and disc.
so there is no way a 17” is going to fit.
18 or 19 it is then
thanks for the link re. the 18” .
interesting idea re. 255/45 R19 tyres. and as mentioned does not mess with speedo may opt of this option in the next couple weeks
will keep updated..
thanks
raj

[audifin]

Originally Posted by goldsax

had a look at the front disc.
there is about an inch between the wheel and disc.
so there is no way a 17” is going to fit.
18 or 19 it is then
thanks for the link re. the 18” .
interesting idea re. 255/45 R19 tyres. and as mentioned does not mess with speedo may opt of this option in the next couple weeks
will keep updated..
thanks
raj

255/45/19 and 255/40/18 have the same circumference, and 255/45/19 is bigger, so that's the one that will "mess" with speedo, i.e. instead of showing a few % more than actual speed it would be spot on

[goldsax]

following another thread :

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthrea...t=11571&page=4

i reduced pressure to
front 35
rear 30

wow what a difference.
that skittish feeling has gone and the car now drives smooth and with reduced tire roar.
how on earth you can get a smooth ride with a pressure of 40 on the rear is beyond me.
to push the boat out, i am getting a set of 255/45/19 over the weekend. i am sure it will be even smoother.

[Burnzybubbles]

As with the other thread i'v just posted in, when was the last time you had a proper 4 wheel alignment done?

I run 40psi all round and have never even had the slightest skittish feel, my car was aligned on a hunter machine about 12 months ago and I haven't done anything to knock it out yet so it should still be Bob on.

[goldsax]

thanks for the suggestions re. alignment.
i will get that done that done this weekend when i get the new tires on.

[Johnmed]

I know the question wasn't directed at me but to add, I had my geometry checked about a year ago. It was spot on and only got charged half the fee cos no adjustment was needed. (Mine feels a little skittish with 37 and 40 PSI on 19s)