Ride Quality: 19" vs 20" Rims

[Born2Run]

I'm looking at aftermarket wheels for C4S. Debating between staying with 19" rims or bumping up to 20". Would be changing tires and going from 235/35/19 to 245/30/20 on the front and 305/30/19 to 325/25/20 on the rear. I like the look of the larger rim, but not sure how much of the ride quality would be sacrificed. Anyone have experience in the difference in ride quality?

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[dcentric]

i asked the same question a while back and the general consensus was that the benefit (looks) weren't enough to offset the negatives (ride). it was also mentioned that you have a greater chance of sustaining wheel damage on road aberrations such as pot holes and the like.

[P Diddy]

it's noticeably stiffer. As has been mentioned, increased susceptibility to damage, increased cost for both wheels and tires, and fewer tire options are among other complaints. The opinion of most Porsche owners would most likely be that form follows function for the most part, so stick with 19's. The 20's provide too much of a bling, garage queen look to them, as opposed to a more track-oriented / performance based look from the 19's.

[adias]

The best rim size for a 997 is the 18". The 19" rim is already a looks-driven size. 20" is pure folly.

[justatoy]

IMO I love the look of 20's on my cruiser.Being I do NOT track it,the benefit of ZERO to the speed-limit is not compromised and if it is NOT even measurable!
The ride to me is NO different than my factory 19's,however,I do have good roads where I live.
What you need to do IS decide what your car is(track,daily driver or both) and then make the CHOICE THAT is best for you.
If I did have a track car I probably would still have 20's for the street and stock wheels with some good stickies for track but that is just me and MY opinion!

I wouldn't DO IT any other way and if you do a search you will see many threads on this matter!


Stacy

[///MJFDDS]

I had 20's for a brief while. Switched back to 19's because there was a noticeable negative difference in the quality of the ride. I also attributed this to the weight of the wheel since they were Techart Formula's (a fairly heavy wheel). I have a lightweight 19" wheel that is much better suited to my needs. I have even considered dropping to an 18" wheel.

[avh128996tt]

i have both 18'' and 20'' wheels . 20''wheels look owsome but the ride is very stiff . i like 18'' ride ,also i get better gas mileasge with 18'' . There is 10lbs diffrence between 18'' and 20'' per wheel.

[JoeShark]

One thing to keep in mind is the style of the wheel. A wheel with a deep lip will look smaller than one with no lip. For example, I've had a lot of people think my HRE P40's are 20's because of the design where the spokes come out flush with the outer lip. Just a thought to keep in mind.

In my case, I never even considered 20's as I felt the ride would be much to harsh.

[996CABOVA]

Im in the same boat and am going with 20s. Im going with a set of Rinspeed C5s. The look of 20s on a 997 is pure GORGEOUS. I dont track my car nor do I drive aggressive. On the hwy i might drop the throttle at times but I dont swerve in and out and take corners at ridic speeds. So for me its looks. And like guys have mentioned ride and speed is not affected much at all. GL with your choice man

[Forza Forged]

The car will definitely look better on 20", but it will ride better on 19"

-FORZA TEAM

[og risker]

[quote=JoeShark;2596121]One thing to keep in mind is the style of the wheel. A wheel with a deep lip will look smaller than one with no lip. For example, I've had a lot of people think my HRE P40's are 20's because of the design where the spokes come out flush with the outer lip. Just a thought to keep in mind.

Absolutely correct! My old BBS RSGTs in 19" looked smaller than they actually were.....

[B R A N D X®]

I don't understand any Porsche mod decision made on looks (or sound for that matter) alone. 20" rims are purely for looks and that bling factor comes at the price of performance.

Going to 20's on your car would be a bad move IMO.

I'm not trying to put down those who roll on 20's......to each their own.....just stating my own opinion.

I really like the looks of the 19" Carrera S II wheels that came on my '09 C2S (only bested by the HRE P40's which I'd love to own, but will wait to buy until my car is paid for).

But then I don't get the whole lowering thing either so maybe I'm just getting old.

[obsessed]

Originally Posted by dcentric

i asked the same question a while back and the general consensus was that the benefit (looks) weren't enough to offset the negatives (ride). it was also mentioned that you have a greater chance of sustaining wheel damage on road aberrations such as pot holes and the like.

+1 if looks are everything and you only drive smooth roads, go for the 20's

[rvhpno80]

well, i have the C97's hre's in 19's, and i tell ya, i wouldn't trade them in for any other wheel. I was actually going to go 20's but when i spoke to over several people in the car game as well as Porsche workers, they said one the ride is going to be a little different, but i was willing to do that, and also i could use the tire pressure sensor's on my 20's if i was to buy 20's. I think that right there put a stop to me ordering 20's. I like to stay close to factory as possible, with a little bit of upgrades. Also on my 19's i have now, i wanna say from the handle being upgrade because of the lightness of the wheel,and the response of the car with that extra weight balance,... you cant beat it!!!! The wheels are pretty expensive, but cannot be duplicate in my eyes, i had bbs, asanti( on my truck) and even the hre's 545r 19's on my 996 i had, but nothing quite compares to these c97's.... I'm a fan for life sorry to go on and on..... but thanks for letting me express my thoughts....

[Izwar]

go 20''s not even an option if you go aftermarket