Hi Everyone,

I have a build slot for Turbo but can't decide on wheels. There are NO Cayennes to test drive in my area. Can any one comment if there is much road surface feel difference between 20" and 21"?

I just drove the new ML63 with 21" optional wheels and I felt every irregularity in the road surface. I like the looks of the Porsche 21" wheel but afraid of the same problem as the Benz.

Thank you for your input.

 

If you are ordering the car for show - go with the 21s. If looks and comfort are of equal value go with 20s. If comfort and performance is the most important combo go with 19s. Given equal tires less sidewall will always result in a harder ride. The width of the tire versus the sidewall height also dictates likelihood of wheel damage (cracks and rim bends) as well as side wall blow outs. Any feedback from people who ordered one size or another will be too subjective to interpretation to be helpful to you. In the opportunities I've had to compare 19 to 21s on the same car type (Maserati Quattroporte and BMW X5, not a Cayenne) the difference was dramatic in comfort was dramatic. IMHO

 

Thx Ken.

I was not sure of is how much the air suspension and such smooth these things out. We test drove the ML63 and then a V6 Cayenne with 19" (I think) and the ride was night and day. I've had a 997 with 19" and our Audi S4 also has low profile 19" but I don't want the Cayenne to pick up that much road surface feel.

 

Excellent point on the air suspension. Could make a difference. Like most of us it was near impossible to test drive a Cayenne let alone compare the feel of different option combos. I ended up up with a Cayenne S without Air suspension and 19" wheels. I think its wonderful but have no ability to make a comparison.

 

This has been talked about a lot here. There seems to be a misunderstanding of the Air Suspension, many for some reason think it controls ride comfort in the Porsche, it does not. It control vehicle height, PASM(Comfort/Normal/Sport) is what controls the vehicles feel.

Two different things that get confused a bit around here for some reason. Of course 21 inch wheels will ride firmer than 18's, but as an owner of a Cayenne with 21 inch wheels and driving in L.A. frequently, I can tell you that it is completely livable with, but that is subjective. I enjoy a more sporty firmer ride. I usually leave my vehicle in Normal and am happy with that.

 

21's look better and e ride is very good. Gotta go with 21's

 

how do you know other people's priorities? Sounds like great advice for your tastes/priorities - but might not be for everyone.

 

thx for air suspension comment, that makes sense. The PASM selections were noticeable on my 997.

Perhaps there is someone who has done a plus one wheel/tire upgrade who can comment.

Also, maybe someone has a winter and summer setup in different sizes.

It would be great if my dealer had both to try but no luck. I'd have to drive four hours to another dealer.

I have aout a week to complete my order so I have some time.

 

I have the 21 inch turbo wheels for summer and 20 inch spyder wheels for winter with proportional tires for each.
Since there is more rubber in tires with 20 inch wheels vs the 21 inch wheels and tires, there is a difference in ride quality. The 20 gives you a bit smoother ride vs the 21 inch wheels.
Both look nice the 21 inch turbo wheels are definetly sportier looking.

Performance in a 21 inch wheel with corresponding tire is better than that of a 20 inch with the appropriate tire.

Since I can adjust the ride suspension to sport,normal, comfort, that makes a huge difference between each setting.

If I was you I'd get the 21's.
The new suspension in the new cayennes vs the suspension in the pre 2011 cayennes, is so much better.

I remember hating the ride quality of the GTS I had, but each setting in the new CTT I have is more sporty and more comfortable. Wonderful ride in the new cayenne.

If it was a pre 2011 you were asking about, even though I liked the look of my old 21's I'd recommend you go with 18-20's, but in the new cayenne get the 21's.

 

thank you, great feedback My order is for a new 2012.

 

I'll throw in my $.02

I have a 2012 CS with air suspension, torque vectoring, and the anti-roll system.

For those that say the air suspension simply raises and lowers the car with no effect on ride quality must have never owned or driven an air suspension 958. The air height most certainly effects ride quality (obviously as does PASM). For example, if Im driving on "normal level" in "Comfort mode" it will be a nice, plush ride. If I then lower the car to "low mode" but leave PASM in "comfort mode" the ride will get stiffer, obviously because you are lowering the car and therefor limiting the suspension travel. Pretty simple. I love driving the CS in low mode combined with comfort PASM setting....or normal height in the "normal" PASM setting.
As for wheel size....I ordered the CS with ugly 18's...because I knew I would change them the day I got the car. So...I take delivery....18's come off and 20's (with winter rubber) go on. Noticable difference in comfort and handling...although still perfectly acceptable, even on NYC roads. I also have 21's for summer. The combination of the 21's with street tires (not as mushy as winters) combine to equal even less comfort...but substantially better cornering performance.

I see you're in NC....I visit there quite often for business. I know the roads are pretty smooth....so the 21's will be fine. It really comes down to the kind of person you are. Would you prefer a sporty SUV with a slightly more refined ride? Get 20's. Or do you want a sporty SUV with max cornering ability? 21's.

Pic of CS in winter mode (20's):





As you can see...even 20's look pretty damn sporty on a Cayenne.

 

Agreed on the part about ride quality and the air suspension. There is certainly a difference in ride quality between "Normal Height" in Comfort Mode and "Low Height" in Comfort Mode. The car just soaks up the bumps better at the Normal Height setting, obviously becasue there is more room for the suspension to travel. I wish the Low Height setting rode a little better becasue the look of the car at that height is so much better. I guess we can't have our cake and eat it too...

 

I have both the 21 and 20 with winter tires. Agree with Jace, go for the 21.

The ride quality with 21 is excellent with normal ride height and normal PASM. Nothing rough about it. You can also use the comfort tire pressure settings which make it even smoother.

21 look better to my eye, though I do love the 20 Spyder wheels as well.

 

PCCBs are also something to factor in if you are going to get them on the Turbo. 380mm brakes if I remember right and that would eliminate the 19" I think...

 

My dealer has these aftermarket 22" (not 21) Turbo II's. Thinking of these on V6, versus $5600 for OEM ones. He says you cannot tell the difference, and since they would install would be under warranty. What do you think