aslan Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 My Cayman 2.9 has 19" wheels fitted (no PASM). The ride is on the firm side which isn't an issue on smoother roads but it's a bit too much on bumpy B roads. I'm thinking of switching to 17" wheels which should improve the ride and help it flow down those B roads a bit better. As the fronts would be narrower it should also improve steering feel. Has anyone made this switch? The general feeling of some on Pistonheads is that this improves the feel of the car. Would appreciate any further thoughts? I know some people think they need the biggest wheels possible but looks are secondary for me to the way it actually drives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987Monkey Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) Ok, so I'll dig into this here open can of worms first shall I It's a tricky one, because I think it's a 50/50 between ride quality and aesthetic appeal. I agree that the 19" wheel without PASM on the Cayman can give a hard ride for some people's tastes, stepping down to a 17" though I think (my opinion only) looks too small, there's too muchd tyre and the wheel arches look empty. You also lose the planted feel, which again I prefer rather than feeling the car dancing up on skinnier wheels, however some like that MX5esque type of handling. If it were me I would go with an 18" wheel, which I think is the perfect combo on a non-PASM Cayman, the perfect balance between comfort, handling and aesthetics. I realise that doesn't help at all Edited January 25, 2016 by 987Monkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJMC Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) Tyres make a difference too. Toyos on my TTS were firm, GY F1 A2s improved the ride no end. I too was thinking 18s, but tell us what tyre you're thinking about too? Edited February 11, 2016 by Uncle Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 987Monkey Posted January 25, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) ditto! Edited February 11, 2016 by Uncle Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslan Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 (edited) Regardless of that, my own impression is that it feels a bit over wheeled on 19's, yes it feels incredibly planted but it is firm but also think the steering would improve with narrower front wheels. Maybe this a result of having a lotus previously. Current tyres are N rated continentals. If I change, I'll be going to Michelin PS2s. I think I'll find a second hand set of 17s with tyres to try and see how I get on. I could then change back if I dont like it. Edited February 11, 2016 by Uncle Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Johnny hs Posted January 26, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2016 I purchased my 06 CS before Christmas and was torn between two cars; one with 19" wheels and one with 18" wheels. I had heard many times that bigger wheels will compromise the feel of the car, especially on uneven surfaces. To be honest, the 19" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza's feel perfectly normal; my fillings were not rattled out and I did not feel much difference in the ride quality between them. Both cars felt very 'planted', though that is probably more down to the stiffness of the chassis and the factory dampers. I went with the 19" wheels in the end (though this was not the only criteria) and am more than happy with the way the car feels! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PorscheGT4 Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 (edited) I went from 19" to 18" on my gen 1 Cayman is was far better in all respects, I would not go 17" As always I only fit super sport tyres, but at that time PS2 was the best so had those. Edited January 28, 2016 by PorscheGT4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcc42uk Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 I have a 987.2 with PASM running 19's. The ride is very firm and quite harsh. I believe the problem to be the rock hard RE050A tyres which will be coming off asap. Had loads of cars in the past with other tyres and I always switch to Pilot Super Sports. They are not only softer riding but more grippy in the wet and dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Beanoir™ Posted February 7, 2016 Founder Share Posted February 7, 2016 1 hour ago, jmcc42uk said: I have a 987.2 with PASM running 19's. The ride is very firm and quite harsh. I believe the problem to be the rock hard RE050A tyres which will be coming off asap. Had loads of cars in the past with other tyres and I always switch to Pilot Super Sports. They are not only softer riding but more grippy in the wet and dry. Love my PSS. Every car i've had with those bleeding RE050A tyres i've cursed and couldn't change them quick enough, even a fresh set on a brand new Audi they were awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcc42uk Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Excellent news...how much difference did you notice when you changed? (I'm hoping A LOT! ) The Re050a's on mine are nearly new, still terrible though. I can't understand how anyone can put up with them. When someone is in the car it's actually embarrasing because the ride it so harsh and noisy ! What were you feelings on the NVH levels with them? For met they seem to transmit any slight bump in the road through the cabin, you find yourself playing 'dodge the pothole' constantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Beanoir™ Posted February 8, 2016 Founder Share Posted February 8, 2016 Depends how old they are and how worn, they're not great when new but they become terrible after a year or so and when they are half worn, I always felt there was a sudden drop in performance. Like you say though, feel hard and they are noisy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslan Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Did my first long drive this weekend, Hampshire to Yorkshire and back and the ride is definitely too firm for me. Stiff back now! It's fine on decent motorway surfaces but that's it. 17s will go on next weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJMC Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 16 hours ago, jmcc42uk said: Excellent news...how much difference did you notice when you changed? (I'm hoping A LOT! ) The Re050a's on mine are nearly new, still terrible though. I can't understand how anyone can put up with them. When someone is in the car it's actually embarrasing because the ride it so harsh and noisy ! What were you feelings on the NVH levels with them? For met they seem to transmit any slight bump in the road through the cabin, you find yourself playing 'dodge the pothole' constantly. I had them on my E46 330ci (18s) when I bought it. Car kept darting left and right. I thought there must be something terribly wrong! Switched to Contis and the problem disappeared completely. You're going 17" then, not 18"? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987Monkey Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Haha, love it. I said it was a can of worms... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslan Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 I'm looking forward to finding out how the 17s change things, both from a ride and steering feel perspective. Will do a before and after weight test on the wheels with tyres on as well, purely out of interest, I have no idea how less wheel/more tyre compares to more wheel/less rubber, although the 19s are wider as well. Is the cars geo set up specifically for a wheel size? I wouldn't have thought it makes a difference but I'm no expert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Uncle Dave Posted February 8, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted February 8, 2016 Lets not turn this thread into a personal affair guys, if somebody wants to put cartwheels or digestive biscuits on their car it matters not, as long as they like it. Horses for courses, we're all different and happy to hear everyone's experience. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dave Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 As you were gents, thread unlocked as the topic is a useful one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslan Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 So had the wheels swapped over today, 19" carrera classic to standard 17 gen 2 Cayman alloys. Took it down one of my favourite B roads nearby after and its definitely an improvment. Ride is still firm in a good way but less harsh. Steering feels better, lighter and I think more feel. Going to see how I get on over next few weeks before I decide to keep them but initially very happy. They do look noticably smaller, other half isn't too impressed with the look! I did a before and after weight test, the 17s are 3.5kg lighter each at the front, and 4.5kg lighter at rear. I don't know ins and outs of unsprung weight benefits but can only be a good thing. Both sets had continental tyres although 17s have less tread, so that would reduce the difference slightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKR_77 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 How does the rear end feel, does it move a bit more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslan Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 It didn't feel much different, but then I wasn't pushing it that hard on a cold, slightly damp road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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