Azir Khan

My car is currently equipped with standard OEM 16" wheels and Dunlop SP 8000 tires, I'm thinking of an upgrade to 17", what impact should I expect on ride and handling ?

Thanks
Azir.
87, 928S4, Auto (Auto. Lock Dif. code 220)

Normy

Ride quality **might** be slightly rougher, though that is a matter of opinion. I went from 16's to 17's and couldn't tell much difference. Be careful around pot-holes...we have good roads here in Orlando, so I really don't have to worry much about bending rims...

N!
'85 S2 5 Speed

Brent 89-GT

I found that my car rode just fine on the stock suspension with 18" rims.

elemental

Hi Azir

I have the same MY auto S4 as yours, with the dunlop sp8000s also, LSD, nowadays normally on 17" 8/9in cup 1s. I don't notice any difference in 'ride quality' (firmer/softer ride) between 16in 7/7in winter wheels currently fitted, (nor the original 16" moons,) and the larger cups, despite the lower walls, nor any difference in acceleration speed (though I've heard there is, despite nominal rolling diameter difference), or 'handling' (turn in speed/feel, stability etc). I thought there was when I first had them fitted, but maybe I ignore it now. Visually I think the cup 1s are fantastic on the car.

I found a new set of dampers all around (I bought bilsteins) transforms the *driving* experience by as much.. If you want to 'sharpen up' the feel of the helm considerably, that would be my choice.
It makes the car a totally different animal, and costs no more than a nice set of wheels. Or do both!

cheers
e

Gretch

What Normy said.........

I did not notice any difference in the ride, however the forged alloy rims that came on my 89 GT NEVER got bent. Cannot say the same for the 17 cup wheels.

......But we have some world class pot holes in Beantown.

User 4221

If you have the 16s with SP8000s you should see no difference or maybe an improvement. I went to 17s with Pirelli's from 16s/SP8000 and the ride quality improved.

Big Dave

I switch back and forth between the stock 16" dish wheels and the 17" cups for winter/summer driving. The ride on 16" wheels is a tad softer since there's more sidewall on the tires.

The 17" cups, with their wider (255) rear tires, provide a good deal more bite, especially on tight turns.

elemental

Big Dave's right, the grip off the wider rears is better. It tends to force the front end to the limit more because, of course, you're using that extra grip! No but it does change the balance of the car ultimately, but then again, so does snow..
I find it amazing but understandable that the track 928s have such wide fronts fitted to compensate.

davor

I'd say the ride is really dependent on road condition. If you're in the south, you'd probably not notice much of a difference. I live and drive in Chicago. When driving in the city (I try to do as little of that as possible), I spend most of my time dodging craters. Highway driving is no problem at all. I bought my S4 with the 17", so I really can't compare with the 16", but I couldn't see having the 16" from a pure cosmetic point of view. I also installed the Koni Externally adjustables. Those are wonderful for "dialing in" a ride.

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best,