Author Topic: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?  (Read 5473 times)

Top Down

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15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« on: October 15, 2011, 11:10:41 PM »
Anyone have experience of driving both 15" and 16" alloy wheel equipped 1.4 Vtec Jazz's?

Just curious to know whether there was a perceptible difference in ride quality and if so, which was better. I'd expect it to be the 15" - but is it sufficiently different to be worth downsizing?

Ozzie

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2011, 12:56:46 PM »
Given the choice I would opt for the 16"s had it been available on the options list, but having owned my Jazz for 7 weeks and 2500 miles, I am glad that I have 15s, as I have had a pupil clip a kerb and with 16" wheels I am certain I would have had a grinding of alloy against kerb, but with 15s I have escaped scratch free.

Ozzie

olduser1

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2011, 02:02:25 PM »
I have driven Jazz with 15 & 16 wheels, on the later model Jazz the ride has improved. I couldn't detect much difference so went for an EX model which came with 16" wheels as standard.

I have a spare set at a bargain £ if you are interested - they will be advertised elsewhere shorlty

Top Down

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2011, 06:26:24 PM »
Ah! That's what I was wanting to hear. Little difference between the 15's and 16's. I have an EX too. We had the choice of a slightly younger (6 months) ES and the EX. Both with almost identical mileages and the same price. The ES was Cerulean Blue, the EX Deep Sapphire Blue Pearl. To be honest I wanted the one with all the toys but I left the choice to my wife - and fortunately she loved the Sapphire Blue  ;D

The only slight reservation I had was talk of the ride being a bit harsh - but I'd call it taught.  ;)

I love it.
« Last Edit: October 16, 2011, 06:27:59 PM by Top Down »

monkeydave

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2011, 11:24:58 PM »
thats my colour too deep saphire blue on my 1.2s new shape :D

guest869

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2011, 06:12:08 AM »
The tyres with the highest side wall should give the better ride with all other things being equal. So 15" should give  better ride.

Apparently if you speak to the ride and handling departments of most car manufactureres they would return to high profile tyres, but styling now dictates that low pro looks better.

Rory

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2011, 10:26:08 AM »
I just put 15" wheels and winter tyres on our EX.  Winter tyres have deeper tread wich moves more than on a summer tyre so tend to be a bit "squirmy" compared to summer tyres, so this helps too (as well as the deeper sidewall).  The winter's are Michelin and Michelin's generally tend to be a bit softer riding - especially compared to Bridgestone summer tyres which are noted for stiff sidewalls.

I reckon the bump absorbtion on our car is instantly noticeably better. 

Top Down

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2011, 12:48:10 PM »
I appreciate that 15" wheels give a better ride than 16's but significantly enough to warrant buying new wheels and tyres?

Rory

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Re: 15" & 16" wheels - which give the better ride?
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2011, 02:10:28 PM »
I appreciate that 15" wheels give a better ride than 16's but significantly enough to warrant buying new wheels and tyres?

Probably not - the main reason I got a set of 15" wheels was I wanted to put winter tyres on and smaller / narrower is better for winter's, plus the 15" tyres are a lot cheaper.  I was also interested to make the comparison though.

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