JeffJa

Hi, I would appreciate some input.
I'm close to purchasing a 2014 panny base model. My experience is that I'm very satisfied with the 18 inch tires, I don't drive too aggressively and in a mild California climate. I like the ride on the 18 inch tires but would like the perspective of someone who may be familiar with the differences between the standard 18 inch tire and the upgrade to the 19 inch turbo wheels and that respective tire. Specifically do you notice a difference between the two, do the 19 inch tires transmit more road noise or provide a slightly bumpier ride?
Second question:
A new car I'm looking at has the 19 inch wheels and I asked the dealer if he could switch them out with another new car's18 inch wheels which I had hoped would save me money. He said they can't do that as they need the wheels to match their MSRP sticker. Have others heard the same thing?
Thanks in advance for any insights.
Jeff

Gus_Smedstad

They're not going to switch wheels with another car on the lot. It complicates selling the other car.

Some dealers will switch wheels, but only for new wheels, not wheels currently mounted on another car. Getting new 18" replacements is easy for them, but they'll only want to do this if they already have a buyer for the larger wheels.

You might consider looking around at other cars. Personally, if I were looking at two cars with the same asking price, both with options I didn't want, I'd be more interested in the one with unwanted options that were functional rather than cosmetic.

DES GTS

If it were me, I would definitely go with the 19" wheels. The 18" wheels look undersized especially on that car due to its sheer size. Actually, the 19" wheels that I use in the winter look a bit undersized to me as I use 20" wheels in the summer. Just depends what you're used to seeing.

disden

Agree that 18's are way too small, look really odd on such a massive car. If the car has air suspension get 20s, they look perfect and ride won't be too compromised.

JeffJa

Thanks you guys, I will definitely go with the 19", not 18". I'm trying to stay away from the 20" cause some say that it is a bumpier ride on rougher roads, however I agree with those that say they look great.

clorigo

Funny I just listed the 19" turbos I took off of my car (in lieu of the 20" summers) -- I found the 19" wheels (and the conti tires) to be very smooth and quite. I cannot compare to the 18" wheels, but I can say that it was smoother and quieter than the 20" Pirellis I now have.

Really I almost decided to keep the wheels as I know I'll never get their value, and the ride was very compliant. I like the sporty feel of the 20" but more tiresome on longer journeys.

gtsblue

I want to go the other way around: swapping out the 19" with 18" for all-terrain rubber on a GTS. Could that work with the standard GTS/Turbo brakes/rotors? they are 390mm/360mm vs 360mm/330mm on the 4S and V6.