fast400

I have a 2000 GS4 with the l-tuned suspension. I have to admit I miss the smooth ride of the stock suspension. I'm thinking about putting 18" rims (current have 17") on.

Will this effect the ride and road noise? Any suggestions on keeping the road noise down?

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

I went from 17 to 18 with my Eibach/Bilstein combo and there was very little difference in ride quality and road noise. I had the same tires on both wheels (Bridgestone S03) .

Suggest if you're concerned about road noise to look into tires that are slightly less performance oriented and promise quiet rides. I've seen some threads on some here in the Tires and Wheels forum. Think the Yokohama AVS db s2 is one.

sung35

Hey Dave, how much tread left on your BS S03? I recently purchase a used wheels with 50% tread life on S03. Hate it since the firs day because the noise from the tire at 50-80 mph is unbearable. It gives me headache after 15 minutes of driving on highway. It sounds like bad bearing but I know it is not because the noise isn't there with the original Goodyear 16" tires. I heard that S03 is loud after some period of use. I noticed you have been with second set of S03. How was and is now with them?

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

I haven't noticed a big increase in sound and it hasn't bothered me, not sure of the miles on these, I'd guess maybe 2 or 3K.

I sold my 17's with about 5 -7K miles on them and didn't have any road noise issues that I recall either.

It might not *just* be the tires, could also be the larger wheels. I recall there being slightly more road noise with my 18's vs 17 and also more when I went from 16 to 17's.

lexforlife

iTrader: (7)

dave , i am upgrading from 18 to 19 in , have driven in other members cars with 19 in on , what diff and road feel to you exp , how was the handling


FASTGS

i changed from 17 to 18 in and even afetr all my upgrades with ltuned susp daizen sways upper lower cb i honestly have to say if you take float out of the equation , their was not any huge diff in comfort just a tighter more responsive feel and of course more road feel

my so3 do tend to howl depending on outside temps humid and road surface but for perf its a acceptable tradeoff

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

LFL, I stopped at 18 (16 to 17 to 18) because I wanted more performance and handling... I believe Bitkahuna has replied to a thread recently with his observations going from 18 to 19 (he went from 17 to 18 Weds to 19 HREs)

mooretorque

fast, if you miss the "smooth ride of the stock suspension", I doubt you'll be happy dropping the sidewall aspect ratio by going to 18s. Like the above posters, I noticed virtually no degradation in ride comfort when I went from stock to L-Tuned springs/shocks (in fact, it was really a subjective INCREASE for me, since I never was comfortable with the queasy, wobbly feeling of the stock suspension, even on the 17s).

If "smooth ride" is your priority, better stick with the 17s or even go to the 16s with a more cushy 55 series sidewall..........there's always a tradeoff.