Talk me out of/into 19" tires

[L-Dude]

I have an AGT with 19" tires on order. I picked the 19s for several reasons. My current car has 20" fronts and 21" rears. I find the 20/21s look great and handle well, but they can be a little harsh and loud, particularly once the tread starts to wear (which happens pretty quickly). So I chose the 19s for the AGT because I wanted the added range and quiet.

Now I'm wondering if that's a mistake. I live in the south, so I don't really need all-season tires. I like to drive fast from time to time, but I don't have a chance to do that very often. One of the reasons I'm getting the AGT is for the range. Thoughts?

 

[hydbob]

The 19s are more fun to drive on because they let loose earlier.

 

[marsarbu]

19 for range and comfort. Everything else for looks, unless you're reckless on the public roads or tracking your Air.

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

I just want to be public that this question has been answered and the thread is closed.




( i love this place ... smart and funny folk )

 

[L-Dude]

I just want to be public that this question has been answered and the thread is closed.




( i love this place ... smart and funny folk )

I just spent 20 minutes searching for similar threads and couldn't come up with something similar to this question. I would be grateful if your could point me to that thread.

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

I just spent 20 minutes searching for similar threads and couldn't come up with something similar to this question. I would be grateful if your could point me to that thread.

You are reading it. The factory 19" All Season tires are far beyond the skills of most buyers... and the "nanny" electronics make you a better pilot than you are. The summer rubber make you as good as any F1 pilot

feeling good:

looking good:

 

[petergottlieb]

19s are what I got. The ride really is better (I have personally verified this through a couple of weeks with loaners with the bigger wheels). You get all season tires - which most of us not in the south need anyway. They look pretty good if you remove the aero covers and spend $100 for the appearance kit that covers up the bolts, etc. I think the 19s are kind of a no brainer unless you just can’t resist the looks of the bigger wheels.

 

[borski]

19s are what I got. The ride really is better (I have personally verified this through a couple of weeks with loaners with the bigger wheels). You get all season tires - which most of us not in the south need anyway. They look pretty good if you remove the aero covers and spend $100 for the appearance kit that covers up the bolts, etc. I think the 19s are kind of a no brainer unless you just can’t resist the looks of the bigger wheels.

19s ride more comfortable. Whether that’s better or not is debatable. The 21s handle very noticeably better, but based on OP’s post, they want the 19s, for sure.

Or the 20s, maybe.

 

[petergottlieb]

19s ride more comfortable. Whether that’s better or not is debatable. The 21s handle very noticeably better, but based on OP’s post, they want the 19s, for sure.

Or the 20s, maybe.

Heh. Well, I suppose it depends on what you want in life and where you are driving…

 

[borski]

Heh. Well, I suppose it depends on what you want in life and where you are driving…

Haha yeah, I was just being cute. You’re right that the 19s are almost definitionally more comfortable.

At speed, however, and in a turn, they’ll squeal like nobody’s business and they’ll give up the goose much faster. The 21s will plant and just go with you, very confidently.

Whether that’s better is personal preference; my wife prefers comfort, I prefer knowing where my wheels are and what’s on the road. Different strokes, that’s all.

But since it’s her Gravity, we’re getting the mid-level all seasons, for example.

 

[L-Dude]

After thinking about this a little more, the worst thing about my current 20/21s is how loud they are on rough/worn pavement. My current ride is so quiet that this tire noise is very noticeable. There have been a few times when I've had the tires at their limit, despite my current ride having only 500hp. But the stability control always makes up for my deficiencies. I'm assuming the AGT will do the same.

 

[L-Dude]

Haha yeah, I was just being cute. You’re right that the 19s are almost definitionally more comfortable.

At speed, however, and in a turn, they’ll squeal like nobody’s business and they’ll give up the goose much faster. The 21s will plant and just go with you, very confidently.

Whether that’s better is personal preference; my wife prefers comfort, I prefer knowing where my wheels are and what’s on the road. Different strokes, that’s all.

But since it’s her Gravity, we’re getting the mid-level all seasons, for example.

Wait--the 19s squeal?? Hell no.

 

[borski]

Wait--the 19s squeal?? Hell no.

No, not on average, please don’t misunderstand me.

*At their limits*, the 19s will squeal. In a launch, for example.

On the highway or a city road when you’re not driving “spirited”? They’re quieter than the 21s.

 

[borski]

Also, I said this just yesterday to @LucidDropkick and apparently in his AGT his 19s don’t squeal on a launch. So it’s entirely possible it was the extra torque/HP of my DE that made them squeal, and you won’t have the issue at all.

 

[LucidDriverPodcast]

I have an AGT with 19" tires on order. I picked the 19s for several reasons. My current car has 20" fronts and 21" rears. I find the 20/21s look great and handle well, but they can be a little harsh and loud, particularly once the tread starts to wear (which happens pretty quickly). So I chose the 19s for the AGT because I wanted the added range and quiet.

Now I'm wondering if that's a mistake. I live in the south, so I don't really need all-season tires. I like to drive fast from time to time, but I don't have a chance to do that very often. One of the reasons I'm getting the AGT is for the range. Thoughts?

19’s were a no brainer for me cuz we are all about range. Must admit though 20’s look better and 21’s look way better

 

[kurious]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned potholes.
I do believe the 19" are more forgiving of potholes.

I need to find a way to measure lateral g forces.
I'm delighted the new 2.6.16 release might slow down less around curves while in adaptive cruise, eager to try that out.

 

[borski]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned potholes.
I do believe the 19" are more forgiving of potholes.

True

 

[knewman]

The 19s are the way to go unless you're tracking the car or it's a garage princess and looks are uber important (although personally I think the 19 inch wheels are the better looking of the choices). The additional sidewall you get with 19s make all the difference in ride comfort and longevity, and the range benefits are tangible.

 

[MGRMLN]

I went with 21" Turbines because I think they look stunning on the car and my needs do not require any more than 80% of the 460 miles they offer on my GT.
Also, I live in the South where most of the year its quite warm. Did I mention I think they look stunning? LOL

 

[lsbuffs]

I have the 20 in set up, with the wider tires in the rear. My front tires are at end of life and thinking of going to a 20 in square set up with Michelin Pilot Sport all seasons. Would allow me to rotate the tires and extend tire life. Hopefully won't lose too much in handling.