does it make a difference to ride quality ?

 

It should, the 19's should be a softer ride.


Larry

 

Honestly, I don't think there's a significant difference even though logic suggests there should be extra cushion provided by more sidewall. I went from the 18"s my base was delivered with to 20"s, and I didn't feel a significant difference in ride quality. I did feel that the car seems more "planted" w/ the larger tires.

18, 19, and 20s are all relatively low profile tires, so my theory is that the difference becomes less apparent, the lower the sidewall.

 

Yes, a bit harsher, however if 20's tire warranty is a must depending on where you live. Craters in the northeast!!!

 

Well, a crater that will take out a 20" will also take out an 18" or 19" almost as easily. There just isn't that much extra sidewall to protect against deep potholes . ;-)

 

I wouldn't recommend getting 20 unless you live in a place with nearly perfect roads (like Texas) and going for F-type S with adjustable suspension. Otherwise, the ride will be too harsh.

Where I live, freeze and thaw cycles destroy roads. Pothole galore. I am seriously considering getting base-model vela 18 inch rims over centrifuge wheels it came with.

 

I took the 18" Velas off my car 3 months after I took delivery, and mounted 20" Gyrodynes. I live in metro Washington, DC, which has plenty of nasty potholes, and the roads are generally in poor condition.

I've commuted to DC on those tires and wheels for 18 months, winter and summer without any issues. However, I have a lot of autocross experience, which comes in handy for dodging the potholes.

Before, that I did the same with a C6 Z06, with equally low-profile tires for 4 years. I've never had a tire or wheel damage on any car in this area.

And as I said, 18" isn't really going to help you all that much more.

 

My wife and I enjoy roadtrips, we almost always take one of our classics that came equipped with 14 inch rims (and very, very fat rubber tires) and has surprisingly lots of clearance. Full speed on a gravel road? No problem.

My daily driver was exact opposite. Aside from track days, I always regretted that it came with oversized AMG rims. Sure, it looks great, but you couldn't easily drive it to a hiking trail and getting to some smaller wineries was always painful.

Your use patterns and mileage may wary.

 

just make sure they'll fit over your brakes - which they may not on anything other than the base car...

 

I've got 20" tornados in Virginia. They look great, the car feels planted, and its not an ugly ride. Wife doesn't even complain.

 

+1. I noticed no difference going from 19" to 20" wheels.

 

I have 20s and our roads are far from perfect. It does not ride like a Rolls Royce but then you wouldn't expect it too. It is never uncomfortably harsh.

From an aesthetic perspective I think the 20s look like they fill out the wheel arches better, if you can't legally or don't want to use spacers and or lowering springs then 20s are the way to go.

 

Yeah, you are correct, however in my experience is that potholes typically are kinder to 18's/19's, and rarely so with 20's or higher. In my case 2 weeks ago, I changed the front left (after the huge pothole in PA), rim repair, and they found 2 bubbles in my rear tires. This is more tire changes over the life of the car cumulatively in the past 2 years than any car I have had. 20's are just not loved by the roads in NJ/PA, and I watch. Most were evening and dark road hits...., unavoidable. Thus the point.

 

I think the 19" Orbits are the BEST looking wheel jag has EVER made... Period...

 

LOL - well, they're alright but the centrifuge are much better

 

I hope you each have the wheels you like.

 

Nice except that the 20" blades are the best

 

I got 20s on my x-type, and believe me... it's a huge difference. You don't have a lot of room to play, and you have to be VERY careful with potholes.

 

I like Orbit, but the car came with Centrifuge.

 

We have quite a bit more sidewall on the F-Type OEM 20"s (255/35 front) and 295/30 rear). The second number (sidewall profile) is a percentage of the first number (tire width in mm). 30% of 295mm is taller than 30% of 225mm making your sidewall about 1" shorter or about 2.6".

I was able to read your tire size (225/30) on your picture.

While we're at it, I did a few calculations on the difference between the OEM 18" and 20" sidewall heights:

18"
(245/45-18) 245 * .45 (F) = 110.25mm (4.34")
(275/40-18) 275 * .40 (R) = 110mm (4.33")

20"
(255/35-20) 255 * .35 (F) = 89.25mm (3.51")
(295/30-20) 295 * .30 (R) = 88.50mm (3.48")

So, you're getting a little less than 1" extra sidewall on the 18" OEM tires.