Ride Comfort

Mendez · Nov 6, 2013

Hi Guys...I've read quite a few posts relating to this subject and quite a few guys would recommended 16" over 18" wheels because of the extra rubber / sidewall giving a cushioning effect.

Currently I've got 18" wheels with the General Grabber AT 255/55/18 running at 32psi in the front and 38psi in the rear. The ride comfort is ok ish and in fact even better when the wife and kids + a bit of gear are on board.

I'm considering taking even a bit more out of my tires to squeeze every last bit of ride comfort out of them, so I've got 2 questions:

1) How low (pressure) can I go with those tires?
2) Has anyone switched over to 16" from 18" and is the ride comfort difference really any better?

Changing to 16" is something that's not easy to experiment with due to the cost and if the benefit is negligible then its money wasted.

Thoughts appreciated.
Cheers...Tom

pilot1 · Nov 6, 2013

hi i changed my disco 2 from 18ins to 16ins wheels and found it more comfortable and a better ride plus my seemed to follow uneven surfaces with 18ins 55,s on

discodrivercumbria · Nov 6, 2013

my last one had 16's i went the other way to 18's, ok it was a 5 seater with ace and coil springs, ride was ok, bit heavier on the steering, this 1 now i have is 16's no ace with air springs, bit of a rowing boat compared to one with ace, but ok, no real noticeable difference to me really, i think a lot of it is in the tyre, whether it be 16 or 18, had michelins latitudes on the 18's, have general grabbers on rear, michelin xpc front now, but that's my opinion, it's not a sports car, nor a limo! but goes really well in the snow with 16's, better than 18's must say, but 4-5 days of snow?? good luck

musky81 · Nov 6, 2013

I changed mine from 16s to 18s last year. My disco feels better now but I did also change to " road orientated " tyres as I spent very little time in mud, its more a towing vehicle for me. If you spend most of your time on the road I would reccomend this. If you do a bit of off roading id stick with the 16s and a more regular 4x4 tyre such as the good year wranglers I had fitted to my 16s. I have tried my road tyres on some mildly muddy ground and had no problems, however if I havd any problems with snow I shall be reverting to 16s with real tyres for the winter

NeilT · Nov 7, 2013

I have 7 seats, air suspension and no ace. I changed from 18s with wrangler HP tyres to 16s with Grabber AT as I needed a more off road tyre and I wasn't happy with the ride quality.
The main improvement was the stability on the motorway which was vastly better.
The ride was less harsh but still not brilliant but it is much better if there is some weight in the car.
Road noise and general handling were not significantly different.
Also the 16 inch alloys (off ebay) and new Grabbers were cheaper than the 18 inch Wranglers.

thebiglad · Nov 7, 2013

Mendez said:
Hi Guys...I've read quite a few posts relating to this subject and quite a few guys would recommended 16" over 18" wheels because of the extra rubber / sidewall giving a cushioning effect.

Currently I've got 18" wheels with the General Grabber AT 255/55/18 running at 32psi in the front and 38psi in the rear. The ride comfort is ok ish and in fact even better when the wife and kids + a bit of gear are on board.

I'm considering taking even a bit more out of my tires to squeeze every last bit of ride comfort out of them, so I've got 2 questions:

1) How low (pressure) can I go with those tires?
2) Has anyone switched over to 16" from 18" and is the ride comfort difference really any better?

Changing to 16" is something that's not easy to experiment with due to the cost and if the benefit is negligible then its money wasted.

Thoughts appreciated.
Cheers...Tom

Hi Tom, I would strongly advise you NOT to reduce the tyre pressures in search of comfort.

The pressures you are running right now are correct - in spite of what the book says! - because you have a vehicle which weighs 2250kgs and needs some real air in the tyres to keep them stable and safe.

If you let them down a lot they will go wallowy, wear more and risk coming off the rim.

Your choice of course.............................

Dave

Mendez · Nov 7, 2013

Thanks Chaps....some good advice and ok I'll stick to the 32/ 38 like Dave says. I'm happy the vibe seems to be that switching to 16" in search of ride comfort is not all its cracked up to be.

I think I'll get a tyre pressure monitor and make sure I've got 32 / 38 when cold rather than after a 20min drive to the petrol station.

Looking forward to getting some snow to see if 750euro for the Grabber AT's was worth it! Bring it on.

Cheers...Tom

Mendez · Nov 11, 2013

Chaps...just an update I've settled on 30psi in the front and 42psi in the rear as a compromise and it seems to not have adversely affected the ride comfort.

Both pressures are mid way between recommended.

Tom

Ride Comfort

Mendez

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pilot1

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discodrivercumbria

Well-Known Member

musky81

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NeilT

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thebiglad

Well-Known Member

Mendez

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Mendez

Active Member

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