Okay here's the deal. I bought some m-par replicas (non staggered 18") but they were wrapped in 235/40s. :( I put them on for two days and the ride was horrible so I had to put my 16s back on.

Now, I've been a little spoiled with the smooth ride on the 16s especially with all the potholes and jacked-up streets in Chicago so here's my dilemma.

I want to put the 18s on. I know the stock tire size on the front tires of the "sport" is 235/50. I'm sure I'll loose a little of the cushion ride by going to that size. Has anyone tried to go with a size taller like 235/55 or 245/50?

BTW, I know it will throw off the speedo but not by much.
235/55 = speedo reads 60 but actually traveling 62
245/50 = speedo reads 60 but actually traveling 60.9

What are your thoughts?

I didn't notice much of a difference from 16 to 18" M-Pars, I did notice a difference from M-Pars to the 20" alpina's with rubberband tires...

I noticed alot of difference from my vomitweaves to my 20's.

But I don't even notice it anymore after a few weeks.

I actually like feeling the road more. I'm sure if I put back on my 16's it would feel like I'm driving soused up on vicodin since I wouldn't feel anything.

With my 19's I felt every road imperfection imaginable before I went up a little on the sidewall. 35 to 45 is a HUGE difference in ride quality and comfort to me.

When i switched my 16s for my m-pars i didnt feel any difference

Goddamn I can't wait to get my new tires

Goddamn I can't wait to get my new tires

What kind you getting? Do you mean tires or wheels since i know that your getting new wheels, when you getting them.

Goddamn I can't wait to get my new tires

What happened to the prodigy avatar? That was one of the first CD's I bought. I really miss hearing Breathe and Smack my B|tch up...

When i switched my 16s for my m-pars i didnt feel any difference

Well, that's good to know. :)

Im wrapped in 275/30/19 rear and 245/35/19 front..I like the 16s better of course but the way it looks now is hot..The comfort aint that bad for the size. I only put the 16s back on if Im doing a loooong trip.

The ride was a whole lot smoother with the 16s but now i'm running 235s up front and 265s with 19s in the rear. Like most have stated, you feel the road a lot more, but, personally, i like that lol

Went from stock to 255/45/18...does feel little rougher but you get used to it really quick.

What happened to the prodigy avatar? That was one of the first CD's I bought. I really miss hearing Breathe and Smack my B|tch up...
Haha that was one of the first cd's I ever bought too, up there with Sublime and Metallica's self-titled albums. My new one is to pay homage to Layne Staley, I'm a huge Alice In Chains fan, and he died 6 years ago this month.

When i switched my 16s for my m-pars i didnt feel any difference

+1 I just installed staggered M Par (replicas) and although the ride is a TAD firmer it's barely noticeable. My wife doesn't notice (and we all know "happy wife = happy life!). :redspot
ettore38

+1 I just installed staggered M Par (replicas) and although the ride is a TAD firmer it's barely noticeable. My wife doesn't notice (and we all know "happy wife = happy life!). :redspot
ettore38
Did your Sport not come with M-Parallels when you bought it?

The previous owner must have sold the tires before selling the car. All I had was the spare :(.

ettore38

The previous owner must have sold the tires before selling the car. All I had was the spare :(.

ettore38
What wheels were mounted when you bought it? I sold 4 of mine, I only have the spare left too

Okay here's the deal. I bought some m-par replicas (non staggered 18") but they were wrapped in 235/40s. :( I put them on for two days and the ride was horrible so I had to put my 16s back on.

Now, I've been a little spoiled with the smooth ride on the 16s especially with all the potholes and jacked-up streets in Chicago so here's my dilemma.

I want to put the 18s on. I know the stock tire size on the front tires of the "sport" is 235/50. I'm sure I'll loose a little of the cushion ride by going to that size. Has anyone tried to go with a size taller like 235/55 or 245/50?

BTW, I know it will throw off the speedo but not by much.
235/55 = speedo reads 60 but actually traveling 62
245/50 = speedo reads 60 but actually traveling 60.9

What are your thoughts?

First, you can't have it all - you will sacrifice some level of comfort for an improvement in overall performance. Of course for most of us, that's fine.

What is the width on your m-par reps? That will dictate the max width of tire you can use...I'm going to guess they are 8.5", and if so, I think you could put a 255/45-18 on them (someone will correct me if I'm off). That is the OEM Sport size and should provide a nice level of comfort and agility...

BTW, and to answer your original question, the speedo readings you mention aren't bad, you're right, and it's more important to keep the front and rear close to each other than to worry about the speedo readings (within reason, of course).

For example, my tire sizes are 275/30-19R and 245/35-19F. These are within 1% of each other, but are 5+% off of the original tire size. This is my second set at that size (the price is right, frankly) and there were no issues with the first and I learned to account for speedo diffs, which result in my actual speed being less than indicated...

Finally, these 19s are smaller than ideal, so my ride is even more firm. Every now and then I hit a hole and the car really shudders, but going back to 16s is not even a consideration for me...

What wheels were mounted when you bought it? I sold 4 of mine, I only have the spare left too

I think they're called "Ellipticals"? I attached a pic. They looked ok but the M Pars are so sweet.

I went from 16" basket weaves to 18" mpars staggered with stock size contentials To me the feel fine but i have driven alot of car with low profile tires. The major problem i had was i aquired the 45-55 shake after going 18". I fixed my lower contrtol/thrust arms and all is good now.

The brand of tire you buy is going to affect the ride quality also. For relative comfort at these low profiles, I'd recommend looking at Dunlop and Michelins.

I think they're called "Ellipticals"? I attached a pic. They looked ok but the M Pars are so sweet.
Ugh those are bad, good thing you got rid of them. Don't get me wrong, I love M-Parallels, but since they're stock on our cars (Sport models that is), and 75% of people upgrade to them, they had to go. And I feel like 19's are a must.

Ugh those are bad, good thing you got rid of them. Don't get me wrong, I love M-Parallels, but since they're stock on our cars (Sport models that is), and 75% of people upgrade to them, they had to go. And I feel like 19's are a must.

I agree. the ellipitcals sucked. They look like they are great with gas economy though

The brand of tire you buy is going to affect the ride quality also. For relative comfort at these low profiles, I'd recommend looking at Dunlop and Michelins.

Thanks for that info. That's one of the reasons why I put up this thread. I do know what you mean. On my Acura, I had a set of Firehawks and they rode a little rougher and were louder so I had to change them out. I can read reviews all day long from tirerack, discount tire, etc. but i wanted feedback from the "7" community first. :D

I went from 16" basket weaves to the factory 19" 745i 10 spokes... They have the factory 745 size pirelli tires. I noticed a slight difference in ride quality but what's making me think twice about the swap the most is the fact that it really slowed the car down with the heavier wheels.

I went from 16" basket weaves to the factory 19" 745i 10 spokes... They have the factory 745 size pirelli tires. I noticed a slight difference in ride quality but what's making me think twice about the swap the most is the fact that it really slowed the car down with the heavier wheels.

True, the Style 95s are not a light wheel (I have the same). I was more concerned with looks, price, and fitment - plus the handling improvement inherent in a plus-3 conversion...