Going from 20"s to 18"s any advice?

G

g0tb00st

Member
Location
Boston, MA
Does anyone have any feedback of how an FX with the sport package drives on the stock 18"s wheels? Is there an overall improvement on comfort that is attained by going with a smaller sized wheel? I live in the Boston area and my commute to and from work is about 50 miles round trip per day which put me in the car for about 1 1/2 hrs. per day. Our roads aren't quite as smooth as California or Arizona so I'd like to improve my overall comfort during my commute. I love the FX, the looks and performance attracted me to it, but as far as comfort goes it does not seem to suite me well. I personally think that the "feel" of the FX is a lot harsher than my 07 G35x which the wife currently drives.

Thanks,
Erik
 
Stay with the 20's and get H&R lowering springs. The car will ride much smoother, the stock springs are a little harsh. Even Eibach's will give a little better ride than stock springs. Best yet, get the coilovers...in a different league comfort/performance wise.

Since you are in Boston...stay clear of eibach's and stay with H&R's or coilovers. There have been reports of failing springs in cold places with Eibachs. H&R's are approx $250 on ebay...and coilovers are $1000 here from vendors.

On the other hand, 18's will soften your ride, but they also take ALOT of the "sport" out of your ride too. I had the 18's, and it was smoother overall...but I couldn't corner anywhere near what I can do today. AND with my H&R's, my ride is actually better with my 22's than with my 18's.
 
g0tb00st said:
Does anyone have any feedback of how an FX with the sport package drives on the stock 18"s wheels? Is there an overall improvement on comfort that is attained by going with a smaller sized wheel? I live in the Boston area and my commute to and from work is about 50 miles round trip per day which put me in the car for about 1 1/2 hrs. per day. Our roads aren't quite as smooth as California or Arizona so I'd like to improve my overall comfort during my commute. I love the FX, the looks and performance attracted me to it, but as far as comfort goes it does not seem to suite me well. I personally think that the "feel" of the FX is a lot harsher than my 07 G35x which the wife currently drives.

Thanks,
Erik
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Are you going to swap your stock 20" to stock 18" rims? I have stock 18" for winter and have always wanted stock 20" or 21"
 
fatlace hippo said:
Gee35fx: I totally agree with you on this.
Are you running TPMS in both sets of rims? does the TPMS dash light come on when you have the aftermarket rims on?
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I just run the sensors in my winter rims and nothing in my 20s. Yes I have the little light on during the summer, but I get used to it and never notice it. I don't mind checking tire pressures when it's warm out but don't want to do it in the blowing snow, that's why I left them in my winter 18s.
 
18"s arent that bad at all. they make the ride much quieter and smoother. your decision isn't bad considering your location. keep some 20"s handy. i am sure you will like the smaller wheels.
 
What kind of tires are you running? The OEM's are generally pretty weak with regards to comfort, a set of Hankook Hr06's can make a big difference and the PSI you are running can also affect your comfort level. If looks DON'T matter roll the 18's, IF they do and you can afford the coil over's buy them and run them way up on the comfort setting, buy a set of Hankooks and lower the pressure slightly. You will have a smooth comfortable ride and you can lower/raise it as you see fit.
 
toy4x said:
Stay with the 20's and get H&R lowering springs. The car will ride much smoother, the stock springs are a little harsh. Even Eibach's will give a little better ride than stock springs. Best yet, get the coilovers...in a different league comfort/performance wise.

Since you are in Boston...stay clear of eibach's and stay with H&R's or coilovers. There have been reports of failing springs in cold places with Eibachs. H&R's are approx $250 on ebay...and coilovers are $1000 here from vendors.

On the other hand, 18's will soften your ride, but they also take ALOT of the "sport" out of your ride too. I had the 18's, and it was smoother overall...but I couldn't corner anywhere near what I can do today. AND with my H&R's, my ride is actually better with my 22's than with my 18's.
Click to expand...

Maybe with the older FX model but my FX is stiffer with the H&R...
 
Springs are the biggest issue. H&R's will make your car ride like budda. I have 22's and 18's and I can tell the difference between them, of course, but it is not as significant as you think. Stay with 20's and maybe 285 50 20 tires plus H&R springs and your commute will be more forgiving.
 
SlightlyStoopid said:
Springs are the biggest issue. H&R's will make your car ride like budda. I have 22's and 18's and I can tell the difference between them, of course, but it is not as significant as you think. Stay with 20's and maybe 285 50 20 tires plus H&R springs and your commute will be more forgiving.
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Stay with the 20"s and go with a wider size tire setup? That probably won't work too well for me considering my location. The FX has enough issues in the snow with the stock 265/50/20 tires that by going to 285s all around would probably worsen the traction in snow.

Thanks,
Erik
 
i had 285 tires installed on my 22" rims for a little while and they kept rubbing on the front shocks. i had to switch to 265 tires. maybe if i stalled spacers the tires would not have rubbed.
 
ocal21 said:
i had 285 tires installed on my 22" rims for a little while and they kept rubbing on the front shocks. i had to switch to 265 tires. maybe if i stalled spacers the tires would not have rubbed.
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Ocal, I just noticed your location, you're in Boston too. Where are you located? I'm in Randolph, 20 mins south of Boston w/no traffic :-)

Are there FX meets in the NE area?

Erik
 
OK, so I bit the bullet and ordered Hancook Ventus ST RH06 tires, they should be here next Thursday and I'll try to get them installed on Friday. From the posts that I've read these tires should improve my ride quite a bit compared to the stock GYs that came with the car.

I got a sweet deal online for these tires, $619 shipped from Performance Plus Tires out in California.
 
g0tb00st said:
OK, so I bit the bullet and ordered Hancook Ventus ST RH06 tires, they should be here next Thursday and I'll try to get them installed on Friday. From the posts that I've read these tires should improve my ride quite a bit compared to the stock GYs that came with the car.

I got a sweet deal online for these tires, $619 shipped from Performance Plus Tires out in California.
Click to expand...

great tires.
 
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