Non chrome 18s = sport suspension? 06'
08-19-13, 01:15 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ga
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Non chrome 18s = sport suspension? 06'
I have the Oem 18s on my 06. The common spec with the sports package that I've read indicate the 18s. Does this confirm I have said package or are there other ways to find out?
08-19-13, 02:07 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ga
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the 5 spoke 18s matte.
I'm also curious as to why the 18s are standard with the sport package, does a larger wheel base mean better handling?
I'm also curious as to why the 18s are standard with the sport package, does a larger wheel base mean better handling?
08-19-13, 02:29 PM
#7
The 05-06 17's where standard but.....most all if not all came with 18's ordered from the dealers or simply shipped to the US as an upgrade. 18's are lower profile/wider so yes they do handle better but maybe not as soft of a ride over bumps. I have driven a few, an 04 with 17's and an 05 with 18's both in about the same conditiona and tire dept with same Michelin tires back to back. The 18's are a bit tighter handling. I prefer the 18's with 245/45/18 versus the 225/55/17. Also sport suspension versus standard ......not incluing UL air which I only drove one of and the thing was beat.
There that was about 10 minutes closer to going home from work
There that was about 10 minutes closer to going home from work
Trending Topics
08-19-13, 02:33 PM
#8
Rookie
Longer wheel base, for handling gives stability, slower reactions to turning and higher periods/lower frequency in oversteer (where the car essentially becomes a pendulum).
If you're talking about bigger wheel sizes, they change a little bit of the kinematics, but unless you go to the extreme with the overall diameter changes you won't even understand a difference.
The main differences would come from the tyre wall size. Bigger equals plushier ride, and less responsive steering. Smaller is sportier (aspect ratio makes the tire stiffer and all inputs are translated faster).
If you're talking about bigger wheel sizes, they change a little bit of the kinematics, but unless you go to the extreme with the overall diameter changes you won't even understand a difference.
The main differences would come from the tyre wall size. Bigger equals plushier ride, and less responsive steering. Smaller is sportier (aspect ratio makes the tire stiffer and all inputs are translated faster).
08-19-13, 03:28 PM
#9
I was reading an interesting article in either Car and Driver or Motor Trend where they did back to back handling tests (skidpad, slalom, etc) using the same car, but with progressively larger wheels and lower profile tires.
What was interesting was that after about 17", the handling gains were negligible, even going backwards with some of the larger sizes. The car also became slower (increased weight) harsher ride, more road noise, less fuel economy, etc. To say nothing of how expensive tires are for large wheels, or how easy large rims can be damaged.
The new trend for big rims is all about "the look", (which I think looks silly after a certain point) and would prefer the automakers leave the big rims for the aftermarket.
What was interesting was that after about 17", the handling gains were negligible, even going backwards with some of the larger sizes. The car also became slower (increased weight) harsher ride, more road noise, less fuel economy, etc. To say nothing of how expensive tires are for large wheels, or how easy large rims can be damaged.
The new trend for big rims is all about "the look", (which I think looks silly after a certain point) and would prefer the automakers leave the big rims for the aftermarket.
08-19-13, 04:02 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ga
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After some reading I do take away the majority favoring the 17s overall, interesting.
Also, I see the sport rear sway bar install is pretty painless and cheap, might as well have it.
Also, I see the sport rear sway bar install is pretty painless and cheap, might as well have it.
08-19-13, 04:09 PM
#11
Thats fine with one sest and I do not mean to disagree but comparing for example a 3500k car to a 5k car is huge, there are many many factors involved. I went to 18 from 17's and noticed none of what is mentioned(gas mileage was actually better or equal, noise better or the same, mildly harsher ride in some instances but overall a better ride(now if ya live in the city a difference harsher on potholes and woop do do's). The price of 17's to 18's is minimal but ya start talking 19's 20's ya more rubber more R and D you are right I own a Touareg with 20's tire are 350 bucks. Just a point, not meant o debate just clarify MY experience. I think in the 430 LS I will get 18's all day long.
08-19-13, 07:51 PM
#13
Warminwisc is correct. The 05-06 LS430 (including CL & UL) came standard with 17" alloy (not chrome) wheels.
18" wheels (your choice of alloy or chrome) was an independent option.
The Sport Suspension option included 18" wheels.
Also, the Sport Suspension option was not available on CL and UL cars.
Any car that had the Sport Suspension option had the badges (located just in front of the front doors).
18" wheels (your choice of alloy or chrome) was an independent option.
The Sport Suspension option included 18" wheels.
Also, the Sport Suspension option was not available on CL and UL cars.
Any car that had the Sport Suspension option had the badges (located just in front of the front doors).
08-20-13, 10:43 AM
#15
Rookie
I was reading an interesting article in either Car and Driver or Motor Trend where they did back to back handling tests (skidpad, slalom, etc) using the same car, but with progressively larger wheels and lower profile tires.
What was interesting was that after about 17", the handling gains were negligible, even going backwards with some of the larger sizes. The car also became slower (increased weight) harsher ride, more road noise, less fuel economy, etc. To say nothing of how expensive tires are for large wheels, or how easy large rims can be damaged.
The new trend for big rims is all about "the look", (which I think looks silly after a certain point) and would prefer the automakers leave the big rims for the aftermarket.
What was interesting was that after about 17", the handling gains were negligible, even going backwards with some of the larger sizes. The car also became slower (increased weight) harsher ride, more road noise, less fuel economy, etc. To say nothing of how expensive tires are for large wheels, or how easy large rims can be damaged.
The new trend for big rims is all about "the look", (which I think looks silly after a certain point) and would prefer the automakers leave the big rims for the aftermarket.