Wheel size versus ride quality

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Mar 17, 2012 | 05:16 PM
  #16  
- I do not think i have heard anyone complain or wish they did not choose the 21" wheels after getting them.

- Another great thing about the Turbo II is that you do not have to worry about the brake dust that much. I have had the car for 5 weeks and have not needed to hand wash the wheels once yet (i only spray down the car or go through a touchless car wash. I do not use any wheel cleaner on them). The dark grey color of the inner wheels hides the brake dust and never really looks dirty so far for me.

- one important factor for the wheel size/comfort would be the conditions of the roads you live in. If you live somewhere where the winters are harsh, then the roads may be problematic from all the pot holes on the main streets and especially in alleys.
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Mar 18, 2012 | 06:57 AM
  #17  
Update
Thank you everyone for feedback. Our dealer finally got a Turbo in yesterday so I was able to drive one. It had 21' wheels. So, having tested the ML63 with 21", Cayenne V6 with no air 18" and Turbo with 21" I feel much better.

Let me say that the difference between the ML63 and Cayenne Turbo is night and day. Even though the new ML63 has air suspension and active roll it does not soak up road problems like the Porsche. I would not hesitate to get the CTT 21" except for the higher risk of curb damage when my wife drives it.

I finalized my order yesterday (May build) with the 20" Spyder wheels but can still change it. I ordered the Sport Pkg and I doubt there is much performance difference with summer tires between 20" and 21"??? So for me now it's mostly about which wheel looks best and lower damage risk. The 20" seems like a good compromise. Unfortuantly, my favorite wheel so far is the gray colored one on the ML63
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Mar 18, 2012 | 10:15 AM
  #18  
Quote: Thank you everyone for feedback. Our dealer finally got a Turbo in yesterday so I was able to drive one. It had 21' wheels. So, having tested the ML63 with 21", Cayenne V6 with no air 18" and Turbo with 21" I feel much better.

Let me say that the difference between the ML63 and Cayenne Turbo is night and day. Even though the new ML63 has air suspension and active roll it does not soak up road problems like the Porsche. I would not hesitate to get the CTT 21" except for the higher risk of curb damage when my wife drives it.

I finalized my order yesterday (May build) with the 20" Spyder wheels but can still change it. I ordered the Sport Pkg and I doubt there is much performance difference with summer tires between 20" and 21"??? So for me now it's mostly about which wheel looks best and lower damage risk. The 20" seems like a good compromise. Unfortuantly, my favorite wheel so far is the gray colored one on the ML63

You won't be able to change it in a week or two once the build gets locked. Keep in mind, with the 20" Spyders, you'll have to clean it a lot unless you got the ceramics and it's sometimes a pain to clean. You will not regret gettting the ML63. It's a big heavy beast that probably gets the worst gas mileage out of any SUV next to the Hummer.

haha. And these numbers are usually over estimated and you get worst:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find....n=sbs&id=32307
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Mar 18, 2012 | 03:08 PM
  #19  
Quote: You won't be able to change it in a week or two once the build gets locked. Keep in mind, with the 20" Spyders, you'll have to clean it a lot unless you got the ceramics and it's sometimes a pain to clean. You will not regret gettting the ML63. It's a big heavy beast that probably gets the worst gas mileage out of any SUV next to the Hummer.

haha. And these numbers are usually over estimated and you get worst:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find....n=sbs&id=32307
cool site, I did not realize the CTT had better mpg than the new ML63.

I am concerned about dirty wheels as I clean my own cars and the wheels are the worst part. I agree the Spyder wheels look hard to clean. The Turbo wheels look the easiest but I don't care for them. I prefer the other 21" Sport Edition. The only help with the Spyder, my dealer said they are darker than the other silver wheels.
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Mar 18, 2012 | 04:16 PM
  #20  
Quote: cool site, I did not realize the CTT had better mpg than the new ML63.

I am concerned about dirty wheels as I clean my own cars and the wheels are the worst part. I agree the Spyder wheels look hard to clean. The Turbo wheels look the easiest but I don't care for them. I prefer the other 21" Sport Edition. The only help with the Spyder, my dealer said they are darker than the other silver wheels.
If you have 8k laying around, then get the ceramics. You won't need to clean the brake dust :-)

And re: ML63. Obviously, it gets worst gas mileage. If it still had the 6.3L in it, it would be even worst. But compared to the CTT...ML63 Heavier, bigger engine 5.5 vs. 4.8....Of course it will get worst gas mileage vs. the CTT..Faster in the straight line, but not on the twisties.


By the way, I have the Spyders. They are absol. beautiful. What I like about them: not as flashy as the Turbo IIs and very classy looking.
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Mar 19, 2012 | 07:08 AM
  #21  
Since someone mentioned the ML63, would love to see a comparison with the Cayenne. Did not realize they were out yet.
Anyone driven one?
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Mar 19, 2012 | 06:39 PM
  #22  
Quote: Since someone mentioned the ML63, would love to see a comparison with the Cayenne. Did not realize they were out yet.
Anyone driven one?
I did, read back in the thread. I drove one with 21" wheels and perf pkg at 550hp. Seats not as good as CTT. Nice interior but prefer CTT. We decided on CTT.
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Mar 20, 2012 | 05:51 AM
  #23  
Did see your mention of the MB, but was hoping for a Woot length review with beaucoup details!
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Mar 20, 2012 | 06:30 AM
  #24  
Quote: cool site, I did not realize the CTT had better mpg than the new ML63.

I am concerned about dirty wheels as I clean my own cars and the wheels are the worst part. I agree the Spyder wheels look hard to clean. The Turbo wheels look the easiest but I don't care for them. I prefer the other 21" Sport Edition. The only help with the Spyder, my dealer said they are darker than the other silver wheels.
I ordered the 21" SportEd wheels. I saw the Spiders in person and immediately (and last minute) made a change right before the lock date. The wheels are a dark titanium finish. Some love it, but it wasn't to our tastes. The Porsche Stock Photos and Online Site is really really BAD in conveying true colors of wheels. The catalog photos makes the wheel look much more silver-y than they really are. Even the SportEd wheels are a little darker than I would have guessed gauging from their pics. Dunno why they have to photoshop and color correct that drastically. Not saying that the Spiders look bad, just didn't want dark rims.

Having a black car, I don't take it to car washes. So it's touchless all the time or my own elbow grease. I got a soft brislted wheel brush and the prewash the wheels before taking it to touchless. Simple hose and soap takes off 95% of the dust and the takes about 3 minutes per wheel. Obviously, the inner barrel of the wheel doesn't get as clean. But the way I figure it with German Brake dust, it comes back within 1 day anyway, so 90-95% clean is good enough.

EDIT: Here's an example taken from a member's own pic of the RS Spyder vs Porsche's Photoshopped catalog photo of the same wheel.

   

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Sep 13, 2012 | 12:29 PM
  #25  
I just purchased a new 2012 V6 with the 20" spider wheels. the ride was very good but i wanted the looks of the bigger wheels. I purchased 22" Turbo replica wheels and the look is 1000 percent better. The ride difference is probably 10-20% firmer, but still a nice ride in the city and on the highway. the roads are pretty decent in my area. I have included before and after pictures.

I sold the 20" wheels and tires on ebay and purchased the new set including TPMS and tires for about 750 dollars more.

  

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Sep 13, 2012 | 01:02 PM
  #26  
Quote: I just purchased a new 2012 V6 with the 20" spider wheels. the ride was very good but i wanted the looks of the bigger wheels. I purchased 22" Turbo replica wheels and the look is 1000 percent better. The ride difference is probably 10-20% firmer, but still a nice ride in the city and on the highway. the roads are pretty decent in my area. I have included before and after pictures.

I sold the 20" wheels and tires on ebay and purchased the new set including TPMS and tires for about 750 dollars more.
Do you have PASM or Air suspension? What is the tire spec you put on the 22"?

The replica Turbo II wheels have 20" and 22" variant, I can't decide which one to get. The 22" looks nice on your car, by the way.

Thanks.
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Sep 13, 2012 | 01:08 PM
  #27  
Where do you get the replica wheels from?
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Sep 13, 2012 | 01:16 PM
  #28  
I don't have PASM. I went with the 285/35/22 yokohama parada spec. I wanted the continentals but couldn't find them in my area in the size needed. I have only had them on for 2 weeks and the ride is pretty good. So far I am happy.
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Sep 13, 2012 | 01:38 PM
  #29  
Quote: Where do you get the replica wheels from?
Here is a link to the wheels. I did a lot of research on the replica wheels and this company seemed to have the best quality. I know a lot of people on this forum don't recommend replica's but you can buy 3-4 sets of these compared to the 6500.00 (includes tires) 21" factory porsche option.

http://www.modbargains.com/Porsche-C...yle-Wheels.htm

Their service was great and the wheels showed up in perfect condition. I have attached another picture of the wheel and tire close up. its raining now so sorry for the wet picture

 

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Sep 13, 2012 | 05:14 PM
  #30  
The 20" Spyders are a great choice,perfect balance between sporty&elegant in my opinion
I ordered them on my CT and am happy
I thought I would keep them on forever,though to complete the go-fast look i did have a desire in the back of my mind for rims just a tad wider and more aggressive and also was in all honesty bugged by the plastic look of the arches from the start :-(
Picking up on that,my parts advisor(knowledgeable, with a great eye and taste) suggested-even if they were larger than I had ever thought of- some Champion Porsche 22RG5Bs
I thought they were a bit too big at first,but quickly realized they are an awesome way to complete the sporty look and make my SUV look more like a sedan
I would not say the ride is stiffer,but rather firmer..helping make steering more precise which is welcome at any speed,and even more so at 175
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