Can anyone tell me if there is a noticeable difference in ride quality between 18" wheels and tires and 16" wheels and tires? I have 18's, rides pretty smooth. Would 16's ride that much smoother?

 

i dont think it would make a world of difference.would look kind of funny though.

 

Prolly 2 inches they would be noticably softer, handling would be sacrificed. Don't do it.

 

Yes, I believe you will have a very much smoother ride. But, the 430 already drives like silk man!
Don't sacrifice the beautiful rims for even more smoothness. And remember, no one can out do the Lexus engineers in what they think is best.

All luck!

 

I switch to Hankook Optimo 16" from November to May.
May to November I mount the stock Dunlop 18" wheels and tires.
This is on my 2006 Modern Luxury.

A very very subtle difference in ride quality, if any, that I think is probably due more to the extra age and miles on the 18" Dunlops. However, the Dunlops make more noise.

Bottom-line: Don't change to 16" for ride quality. I think brand of tire and tire pressure can do just as much, or more, to influence ride quailty.

I also think that springs and shocks are the real determiners of ride quality.

 

I hear the 16 inch wheels give a smoother ride, but the car is already pretty smooth on stock 18"s. It really comes down to if you want a little bit smoother ride or if you prefer the better looks of the 18"s. Both will ride smooth with the right tires.