I recently changed from 16 to 18. Is is quite different. Not sure what I can say besides that. Not really harsher, at least with the tires I have, but somehow firmer, perhaps lighter(although it is not, at least by much) and the wheels just feel bigger. I have Eibach springs and boge sports, so you would think it would be harsh with the 18s, but it does not feel that way to me. As a disclaimer, you can only drive for a few hours here and the roads are mostly in good shape: if I had a ten hour drive up I5 I might feel differently.

 

I switch between cars with 16 and 18's.

18's are great for pushing car in curves or autocross.

 

I think 'dials lose the old-school card when they are polished. YMMV/
Better than black, at any rate.

As for the stiff bushings- perhaps true but now twenty or thirty years on...they may be truly rock hard but probably have a few mic's of creepage built into that. That could increase harshness in itself.

Something about the shape of the wheel arches, to me, makes 16s look 'classic', 17s look ideal, 18s OK, 19s silly.

 

I think that the whole package of wheel/spring/shock needs to be coordinated for optimum result - different usages will need different packages. People remark on the 928 (M474 Bilsteins, factory, stock 225/50x16s) having a harsh ride (average suburban roads), but nobody mentions My Suby gt as being harsh on 215-45x18s - running across a rail crossing is a just a rumble inside. I suspect a street package on 18s could be developed, but few would bother to go to the trouble.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k

 

I put some 18's on my car 8-1/2wide and it felt like a new ride. I matched them to the stock tires and they were the same height. 225/40/18.yokohama z-rated tires.you real a bit more of the bump but the handling is twice as good,you would really have to pull the wheel to get even a tire screech from them. Providing your streets are decent,and you want a great look thats the way to fly.but if your looking for a good performance street and track id prefer some 17's 8-1/2 wide with 50series tires.if mostly track go 40

 

My 1981 4.5 still has the standard 15's on the front, and 16's on the rear - those sidewalls look huge on the front!

The ride is really nice considering the roads where I live - I even have a cattle grid that on my driveway! By comparison, I recently had an Audi S3 and it was a bone shaker; a combination of hard suspension, hard riding low profiles and a light vehicle - if you hit something at speed it felt like the rim might shatter!

I do like the look of the later 928's with their bigger wheel combo's though!!

 

Interesting about the Audi. My brother is a vet in northern Ireland
so covers a lot of distance on country roads. He got rid of his new
Audi after having to replace seven alloy wheels in as many months.
Just as you say, a combination of hard suspension, very low profile
tyres and poor roads.

 

Totally agree, Panamera wheels look as if they were made OEM for the 928.

 

How is the ride and what id you have on before you put them on your car? If you don't mind me asking what do consider a decent deal for a set?

 

The fitment of the Panamera wheels is good, but I'm not a big fan of the look for some reason. I think some of the other Porsche 5 spoke options look better.

 

To each his own. I love em.

 

Turbo Twist II look great to me.

 

Ride is fine by me. My DD is an E-Class with 19"s. The OEM 16"s were on it when I purchased it. But I drove from the front of my driveway to the back of my house which is about 200 ft. I had ordered the Panamera wheels and immediately installed them. Purchased my set with tires from Wheel Enhancement. Ask for Dave Martin. I have purchased multiple times from him.

 

That does look nice

 

You need to define the 'ride' part of the question...

Are you talking about putting the cruise control on, sipping Starbucks and listening to Vivaldi? Then go with the 16's... your a$$ won't feel the irregularities in the road. Just be careful not to nod off... zzzzzz.

Or... are you talking both hands on the wheel, music off (or Wagner) and making the suspension come to life through the twisties (Tail of the Dragon comes to mind)? Then, by all means go with the 18's. Those and lower profile tires (even in same circumference) will make the 928 feel and handle like a real sportscar.

It all depends on what you want the car to do...