When running low profile tires, the protege's handling and appearance are undoubtedly improved. However, this usually occurs at the sacrifice of ride quality. I would like to ask others to comment on how their car rides compared to stock, with their aftermarket rims and low profile tires. Please specify tire size if you can.

I just went to 205/40/R17 W-rated Yokohama AVS ES100 this week on my '00 ES sedan. This size is good because it keeps the rolling diameter of the rim and tire the same (very very very close) as stock. Road noise increased dramatically and ride quality has deteriorated a lot. On smooth roads this is not a problem but city driving has become a chore as you can feel every road surface imperfection (and I do mean everything).

 

unfortuantely, what you are experiencing is the sacrifice you make to run low profile performance tires....if you lower your car with springs or coilovers to improve the handling...it will get even worse as the springs are stiffer.

 

I am running kumhos on my 17" wheels. Handling is great, but ride quality does suffer. I feel every little bump and the car is much noiser. You have to weigh the options, I guess. I don't car that much about ride quality as long as performance is good.

 

Ran Nankang's in 205/40 with mine. Did a little research and knew somebody that ran these tires to find out about cabin noise and such.

Tires were great and was very quiet. Ride quality suffered as I went with 17's and Eibach springs the same time It was expected.

But very quiet. I loved them.

 

Im running on 16s with 205/45 tires. The ride is really good. Slightly stiffer than the stock 15s, but I cant say that I ever notice it except when I am taking corners and I stick better to the asphalt.

I was warned about 17s, thats why I went with 16s.

 

whats wrong with 17"s?

 

There is nothing wrong with 17'' wheels. You just have to weigh the positives over the drawbacks.

Positive
1. Your car will handle better in curves
2. Your car will probably look much nicer with them on

Negatives
1. They will probably be heavy unless you pay a good amount for light wheels. This will slow you down in a car that doesnt need to be slowed down.
2.The ride will be harsher since you have less rubber between you and the asphalt.

It all depends on what you're looking for. I just didnt want to worry about hitting a giant pothole and dinging my wheels.

 

oh. that makes sense.

 

I'm running Yokohama Avid H4's. On 17" wheels.

The ride is much rougher but I expected it. Going back to stock for the winter is like night and day.

The reason I went for the H4's was because they were rated as quiet. I can't stand the howling of some tires at highway speeds. The H4 are not much louder if at all than stock.

If you are worried about ride quality, cross off lowering springs and thicker anti-roll bars from your list because these things are just going to make it rougher.

 

pollax, I am not so much worried about ride quality as I am trying to find out what is normal to expect and what is unique to a given product, for example a certain model of tire being much noisier or rougher riding than another tire of the same size.

this is off topic, but may I ask where you got the AWR rear bar, whether it was difficult to install, and how you like it? also, is there any problem with the "clunk in the trunk" as with the mp3/msp bars?