Ride quality with 19" wheels?

[kirkendall]

I just lowered my car 1.25" all around with some new springs. I plan on getting a set of 19" wheels but I'm worried about have bad ride quality. Can some people with 19"s drop some of their knowledge and review of driving with 19's.


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[budgetboostin]

Here's mine lowered about 2.5 from stock sport suspension. The ride isn't too bad considering I have a 235/35 tire but compared to the oem 17 split 5 with a 225/40 tire I didn't notice a big enough difference to make me want to go smaller.


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[LINDW4LL]

Just like with a performance summer tire versus a comfort-oriented tire with a softer sidewall, you are giving up some level of compliance when switching to a smaller sidewall. The B7 rides well to begin with and 19s do not ruin the cars comfort, IMO.

[Okedokey]

Cannot agree. The 19's on mine made a massive difference in ride quality over rough roads to the detriment, however over smoother surfaces, bloody nice.

[malathion]

Can't agree either, after putting on the S5 spec peelers(19x9 +33) from the Titanium package wheels(18x8 +43) I noticed a huge difference.

Not a positive one either, you definitely feel the road more, steering wasn't as responsive nor was the steering wheel as easy to manipulate.

Even now I always feel like I'm driving on a flat tire or something, that's probably the best description I can offer.

In my opinion of course, granted I am using 235/35/19s rather than the factory size tire 255/35/19s.

The urge to go back to 18s is pretty strong but I just love the aesthetic of the 19s

[aluthman]

The increase in tire cost made me decide to go with 18s. The ride quality wouldn't have helped either.

[LINDW4LL]

I'm surprised about the complaints. I guess I may have understated it a little too much in my post, but my view is that while the ride is firmer, I would not consider it harsh or say that it ruins the ride quality whatsoever. I see that you guys still disagree which is interesting to me.

I don't mind a sporty/direct feel, but still; you don't really see anyone complaining about the ride quality on the plethora of cars that come with 19" wheels from the factory.

Cannot agree. The 19's on mine made a massive difference in ride quality over rough roads to the detriment, however over smoother surfaces, bloody nice.

Can't agree either, after putting on the S5 spec peelers(19x9 +33) from the Titanium package wheels(18x8 +43) I noticed a huge difference.

Not a positive one either, you definitely feel the road more, steering wasn't as responsive nor was the steering wheel as easy to manipulate.

The two latter symptoms have to do with the wheel weight (and/or possibly wider tire width) more than the wheel diameter. All else being equal, the smaller sidewall of the 19s should give a more direct steering feel.

[vce1232000]

I on 255-35-19's and I can say they around here in NJ. I blew one on a railroad crossing with sidewall damage. The other on a NJ famous pothole road bending rim and cut sidewall. The ride itself is firmer then the stock 17's. the only reason I went bigger was to clear brakes. If I had knew 18's would have cleared them I would have went that route. As my winter set up is on 18's and them. Also there is big price difference from 17's to 18's to 19's

[JDillon15]

I actually started with 19s and moved down to 18s after like 3/4 of the wheels were bent and I ended up with a flat (not related to the wheel size).

19s look sharp but expect you may also have to pay to play. I don't remember ride quality being that dramatic.


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[kirkendall]

Thanks for everyone's input. This basically clears things up for me and confirms that I should stick to getting 18's. The roads here in PA are harsh and I do not want to have to deal with a bad ride or a bent wheel. Thanks everyone


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[ontariob7a4]

i started on 19's on my mkv vw tdi. after constantly busting tire belts on pot holes and brutal ride i went to 18's. much better

[Chapinn]

I have 19x10 et25 love it on 255/30 and it's the best you guys already drive a Audi not a cheap car so just do what you want with it !

[DanKing]

I just went from 19s to 18s the ride quality is definitely better on 18s but it's nothing crazy on 19s

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[cwill401]

Tire tires tires . The more meat you have between the whelk and the tire the more comfortable the ride , also depends on the type of tire most sports tires or "summer tires" are much harder than all season tires . Good tires will give you a better ride quality but once you start getting into lower profiles of sidewalls you lose the ride quality .... Buy good tires !


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[b7_Andy]

I have 19x10 et25 love it on 255/30 and it's the best you guys already drive a Audi not a cheap car so just do what you want with it !

Do you drive a b7 a4? That's a fat wheel and tire, I could only dream of running those specs on my a4.

[vwblackb5]

OP Get the 19's and slap some PSS 255/35/19's on them and call it a day #becauseracecar

[vvenom800tt]

The increase in tire cost made me decide to go with 18s. The ride quality wouldn't have helped either.

X2, 19"tires are just way to much money for my budget since i run a dedicated summer and winter setup.

[vvenom800tt]

Do you drive a b7 a4? That's a fat wheel and tire, I could only dream of running those specs on my a4.

I have an A4 with 255s, its not hard to fit 255s. 265s and up and the fronts require some magic to fit

[JPT]

Where you live makes a big difference in the feel of your tires. Here in the NY Metroplex, we have endless potholes, where people bend 16 and 17 inch wheels. If you live in states with smooth roads, you will have a different opinion than those of us in pothole city.