sixspdbrd

with my 05 on order, I cant decide whether to get 18s or 19s. I know 19s will look tight, but I dont really want to sacrifice ride that much. I put eibachs on my 02 and it destroyed the ride. If I do get springs they will be comptech or the aspec suspension if my dealer is willing to sell it seperate.

So my questions are:

1. how is the ride comprimised between the stock 17s and 18s or between stock 17s and 19s?
2. The 04 looks like it fits around the stock wheels better than my 02 did, thats why I had to lower my 02. Can you get away with 18s and not lowering? 19s and not lowering? pics??
3. Would you get 18s or 19s?
4. would you get springs to lower it about an inch after the 18s or 19s?

Thanks!!

caball88

18's would fit fine since they do offer the a-spec wheels as an option and those are 18s. i would not get 19s because the ride will probably get worse and plus the performance will take a bit of a crapper. depending on how the roads are where you live i would not lower it if there are crappy roads. the stock suspension is pretty sporty and is not like a maxima where it is somewhat softer and more sedan like. i personally would go with the 18s.

GoBig

If you do decide on getting 19's make sure they are from a good company and that they are forged; there's not much tire between the road and the rim so they tend to bend quite easily if the rims are cheap.

sixspdbrd

no one else has comments on this??

automata

I've got 19's and comptechs and live and work in Orange County. The ride quality is fine IMO. It is not as comfortable as stock but it is still comfortable. If you do go with 18's or 19's you'll want to lower it. The fender well gap will make the car look raised.
Before Comptechs:

After Comptechs:

Aegir

Consider tire cost, selection, and availability too. 18's vs. 19's with the same tires may not be a big difference in ride, but 18's with good tires vs. 19's with cheap tires would be a pretty big difference. That could influence your decision. I think both 18's and 19's look very good.

sixspdbrd

would it be possible to put 40 or 45 series tires on 19 x 8.5 w/ a slight drop (aspec or comptech)? I think that would help with the ride a bit. the guy at the wheel store said it had to be 35 series. thanks!

automata

A while back somebody put either 245/40 or were they 45's, on 19" work wheels. His car wasn't lowered though. Those tires would most likely rub if the car was lowered. Also, you want to get tires that are closer to spec.

johnny--2k

I am running 19's with stock suspension, and honestly it does not look jacked up at all. i was quite surprised. Im still lowering it just because, but otherwise it looks OK. The ride is stiffer than stock, and slower! I'm running 245/35/19.

ed99

Go 19's!!! 18's look ok but 19's are hot.

mrn970

I just got 20" on my TL and the ride is the same I cannot tell any difference.

Adamo0926

This is the same dilemma I had. If I lived in Arizona or somewhere where the roads don't get torn up by bad weather, I would get the 19's. However, after consulting several tire businesses in my area I have opted for something that still looks great but is a little more practical...the 18's. The bigger the rim the more likely it is to be damaged when hitting a bad area on the road. One place told me that he had seen bent rims on and bubbles on the sidewall on 19's and 20's just by driving over the lip of a parking lot or driveway a little too fast. As it is, I will have to be more careful with the 18's when I get them on....so I don't want to feel like I have to drive like a grandma to protect 10 inch rims. The average person will look at a car and would not be able to tell the difference between 18's and 19's. Plus...on the 18's I will use 235/40/18 tires which will keep the total diameter of the wheel and tire almost exactly the same as the OEM 17's, thus it will not screw up the instruments of the car. Plus the tires in 245/35/19 cost about 200.00 more plus tax.

I made a list of pros and cons....and the only pro that came down on the side of the 19's was that they looked more striking and aggressive....other than that the choice was a no-brainer for me.

22cowboy

Yes, I'm a new guy...

I have an '05 TL (6MT) w/18" Roja R2-5's (18 X 8)+ Goodyear Eagle F-1's @ 235/40/ZR18's. I've received many complements on the appearance and was happy w/ the performance overall. Handling in turns was outstanding. Overall I was very happy until recently. I had always noticed a slight pull to the right from day 1. I had the vehicle realigned several times at 3 different places over the first 20,000 miles but at about the 14,000 mile point it suddenly got a lot worse. I can't say that I never hit a pothole, but today when I went in for new tires, (Dunlop SP9000's) they had to address the front alignment SIGNIFICANTLY. Everything seems to be fine now but I guess that only time will tell. They mentioned that they may need to add a camber kit if the alignment drifts again so keep that in mind if you opt for 19" rims.

Consider Roja's for your rims...they are a true 2 piece wheel, they are lightweight (approx 23lbs @ approx $500 each) and when coupled w/a good tire...the handling kicks ass! But beware of your performance tire choice! The Goodyear F-1's are very "sticky" as the sales guys like to say, but that also means that they wear out FAST! I got approx 18,000 miles and they were TOAST! I am told that the Dunlops I just got today can go 25,000 or more miles and still perform almost as well as the F-1's. Given that the F-1's and the SP9000's are each about $200 each, my "yearly tire budget" prefers the SP's. It has only been about 55 miles so far, so good.. the ride is a bit softer than what I can remember about the F-1's when they were new...but the ride still feels "tight".

neuronbob

This is an old thread but the issues are still relevant. I bought good-quality 18's (thanks Rondog!) because with 19's and 20's I'd have to worry about awful ride quality and dented rims here in Cleveland.

The ride quality with 18's compared the 17's is comparable. There is a bit more choppiness but it is tolerable. I use my wife as my guage as she is sensitive to these things. She doesn't complain about it, meaning she doesn't notice it. WAF assured here!

Adamo0926

Obviously, in my previous post, I meant I would have to drive like a grandma to protect the 19 inch rims and not 10 inch rims...lol.

I think when you make a list of pros and cons and include, cost, ride, styling, road conditions, etc.....the 18's are the way to go. The average person will not be able to tell if you have 18's or 19's. While the 19's will look great while sitting in your driveway or in your parking spot at work....once the car starts moving you might wish you had 18's.

kimacuratl

What do you mean by slow?? I'm thinking of getting some 19' Jaz trinity, but don't want to feel that the car is slower due to the wheel size.
Can you be more especific with that pleasE??

Thanks

Revolutions

1. feels the same to me...i guess you slightly feel more bumps...i have Falken GRB FK-451 tires...tires play a huge role in comfort

2. 19s without lowering....2 finger rear, 3 finger front, it's about to be no finger this weekend


3. 19s all the way...just make sure you get 245/35/19...dont' be a sissy and buy 235/35/19 cuz that shiet is thinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

4. no springs for me....

johnny--2k

there is extra weight, no doubt about it. You will be able to tell that the car is a bit more sluggish off the line.

It's just like throwing a bunch of luggage in the trunk. Extra weight = slower car. It's not tons slower, but it is noticeable. I have had them on for a while now though, and can't even tellt he difference anymore. I will probably shit my pants when I put the stockers back on for winter!

cjhurtado2

Same as johnny-2k. It has a noticable sluggish acceleration. I have almost 500 miles on my PIAA Super Rozza 19x8 with 245/35/19. I have no drop and the car looks great. Since my TL is my everyday car, I notice right away that the ride quality is almost the same as the stock ones. I was suprised that it wasn't a big night and day difference.

Only call outs. Gas mileage was a little bit off, I usually get 24mpg city driving and now its down to 22mpg. Also, I don't drive that fast anymore, especially in city streets due to some potholes. I live North of Seattle not that much potholes but just being careful, don't to waste $$$.

ding069

in RI a 19" wheel is tough. On my old CL i cracked 2 rims and i am a VERY careful driver, it is assured you will wreck 19's in RI. I decided to go with the chrome a-spec 18's, The slightly bigger wheels along with the chrome color change the look of the car and i love it. 18's dont sacrifice ride quality and you dont have to drive like your on egg shells with the 19's.