Ride Quality with 22" or 20" Wheels

[Neuro300C]

The following is my personal experience and opinion. Many will disagree. Most will ignore it anyway.

If you really want 22" rims you are going to get them no matter what it means. Why? Because they do look good to many people and many of those people are here to convince you to make the same decision. Going so far as to convince each other that their cars ride the same or even better by plus sizing their wheels 4-5 inches and adding up to 80 lbs in unsprung weight.

I understand that some find them irresistible. But all of you who are here saying that you notice no difference have long forgotten or buried the memory of the stock ride either through time or necessity.

A friend has a 06' 300C with 3-Piece 22" wheels. No suspension or brake modifications were done. I ride with him quite a bit as we go to Giants games together all the time and take turns driving. It is the main reason I own the car I do now. His car looks beautiful but it is absolutely NOT a comfortable ride by any stretch of the imagination and he knows it.

Vibration especially over uneven pavement is almost constant. Bumpsteer is pretty bad. The road noise from the additional tread on the road is very evident. The overall ride is harsh and the tires due to the already fairly stiff suspension leave the rode quite often.

He too thought his ride was really not changed from stock until he rode in my new 300C prior to the wheel upgrade. He was trying to convince me to get the 22" wheels as well. I knew I was not for all of the above reason and more but I do not want to insult him or his automobile so I never have told him how I really feel. I didn't have to.

The first time he rode in the new 300C with stock setup he was floored. He kept saying over and over again that he couldn't believe how little of the road he felt compared to his car and how much quieter it was.

Since then I have upgraded to 20" wheels. Prior to doing this I rode in two other 300s with 22" wheels. Hated the ride in both. Along with the issues of ride I also wanted a classic look for this car. The width of the tires and total lack of sidewall with the 22" killed the look for me.

For many the 22" are the only way to go. They love the way they look and I get that. We each have our own preferences. But to say that the ride is the same or better is simply not true unless you have made significant suspension modifications to compensate. You may have convinced yourself of that but you are fooling yourself. And in the end if you can live with it who cares

I just think it is important for people on the fence between the two choices to understand the truth before they spend their hard earned dollars.

The ride with my 20" wheels has changed. Partly for the better and partly for the worse. The handling is better and the look is better. However I have lost some of the smoothness of the ride and gained a bit of bumpsteer and road noise

Again all my opinion of course and I know I am going to get alot of responses that I am wrong. That is to be expected. My experiences prove otherwise to me.

-Neuro

[300CUL8R]

Very good post, thanks for the honesty. A few comments:.

From what hear many 22"s are not much heaver than the stock SRT wheels so 80 lbs. may be in the high side in my case even with the larger tires.

I already have stock 20"s so hopefully it won't be as drastic a change as going from the 'C' stock to 22"s.

I wonder if the stiffer SRT suspension will lessen the blow with 22"s

If you referenced the NY Football Giants, I feel your pain. I'm a transplanted NY'er in LA and have to pay to watch the GMen lose.

[Neuro300C]

Originally Posted by 300CUL8R

Very good post, thanks for the honesty. A few comments:.

From what hear many 22"s are not much heaver than the stock SRT wheels so 80 lbs. may be in the high side in my case even with the larger tires.

I already have stock 20"s so hopefully it won't be as drastic a change as going from the 'C' stock to 22"s.

I wonder if the stiffer SRT suspension will lessen the blow with 22"s

If you referenced the NY Football Giants, I feel your pain. I'm a transplanted NY'er in LA and have to pay to watch the GMen lose.

San Francisco Giants but the pain is there my friend.

When I referenced 80lbs I was making a blanket statement regarding the overall added weight of a set of 1 piece forged 22" wheels over stock on a 300C. Your situation is certainly different. Most I think will be upgrading base - C versions and it is reasonable to assume that the majority will not be buying 3 piece wheels which are of course much lighter.

I cannot speak to the ride quality of an SRT8 as I have never ridden in one. I would think it would not be as great a difference however. Good luck to you.

-Neuro

[fatchance]

I'm in agreeance, if you are running a 22" cast wheel your are adding at least 20lbs per wheel. I've had cast wheels on my car and there is a big difference in ride and performance, not doubt. A 20" SRT wheel is about 61lbs, my 22x10 with a 295/25/22 is 62lbs. Keep in mind that I have KW V2 coil-overs and have the ride dialed in. I've driven plenty of SRT's and with a minimal wieght change the ride is not really afffected as they have a better suspension than a C. But it's all about what you want at the end of the day.

[300CUL8R]

Originally Posted by fatchance

But it's all about what you want at the end of the day.

John, I want it all. Is that too much to ask?

[fatchance]

That was funny....no kidding, Never to much

Originally Posted by 300CUL8R

John, I want it all. Is that too much to ask?

[JeDiHemi]

Originally Posted by millertimelv

It all depends what you're going for. If you're going for all show, get 22s. If you want a little more go, better gas mileage, AND a cheaper set up... Go 20s! Personally, if I had an SRT, I would go 20s and the more drastic drop (sprint springs) . That's just my opinion though. Everyone has different goals with their ride.
My is all for show, but at the same time the 22s are a decent ride. However they DO cost more money and they DO eat up my gas more than 20s would. This all besides the fact that with a 20" rim the sidewall of the tire will be bigger allowing for a normal size curb to not damage the rim in case of an accidental rub.

gr8 post! helping me with my decision... thx

[3733H]

Originally Posted by fatchance

I'm in agreeance, if you are running a 22" cast wheel your are adding at least 20lbs per wheel. I've had cast wheels on my car and there is a big difference in ride and performance, not doubt. A 20" SRT wheel is about 61lbs, my 22x10 with a 295/25/22 is 62lbs. Keep in mind that I have KW V2 coil-overs and have the ride dialed in. I've driven plenty of SRT's and with a minimal wieght change the ride is not really afffected as they have a better suspension than a C. But it's all about what you want at the end of the day.

Hey fatchance,
Great post. I pretty much made up my mind with your posts.
Do you recommend 295/25 as opposed to 285/30? If you do, can I ask why?
I don't know if I should get INVO or Proxies4.

[millertimelv]

Originally Posted by JeDiHemi

gr8 post! helping me with my decision... thx

Anytime! Let us know what you decide.

[Neuro300C]

Wheel Size & Power - Tech Review - Turbo Magazine

And a bunch more stuff here on how icreasing wheel size and consequently wheel weight will effect performance.

Effects of Wheel Size/Weight on Performance - Mazda Forums

-Neuro