How does wheel size effect the drive quality?

Sorry for the slightly newbie-ish question, but anyone have any input as to how the drive quality will change with 19" wheels versus 20" wheels?

On the Evoque, choosing a 20" wheel over 19" means a lower profile tyre which results in a slightly harsher ride. Mainly, it's a trade-off for appearance over comfort if larger wheels look better to you (I like the 20" wheels).

I know someone who had 18" wheels on their FL2 and now have 19" on their RRE and have found the FL2 was more compliant on the road over potholes etc. Higher profile rubber offers a more comfortable ride and rim protection. I've found the lower profile wheels feel better in the corners too though so it really comes down to: softer ride, rim protection vs aesthetics and (very) slightly better cornering ability.

So 19" will give a more comfortable ride but 20" will be better in cornering ability?

(25-06-2012 09:01am)EvoqueNorCal Wrote:  So 19" will give a more comfortable ride but 20" will be better in cornering ability?

I’m very keen on a smooth ride (I have 19”) and find on some surfaces the 19”s are harsh and jiggly, I expect 20’s would be worse.
20’s very much look sportier but I couldn’t take the hit of the harder ride. I mean, how fast do you need to go round a corner ? !!

(25-06-2012 09:01am)EvoqueNorCal Wrote:  So 19" will give a more comfortable ride but 20" will be better in cornering ability?

In my experience, yes - as in, it feels a bit more stable. The actual difference is very likely to be small in reality but it certainly feel's better to me.

Drive both options and see how they ride for you. The difference is obviously greater with 17" vs 20" but there is a slight difference between 19" and 20" too.

I had a Disco and went from 18" to 20", now 19". It all depends on the make, model of tyre, but overall the 20" we're a harsher ride, but better looking alloy.

(25-06-2012 09:14am)Belvoirbloke Wrote:  I mean, how fast do you need to go round a corner ? !!

Haha. You don't know how I drive. I got pulled over by a cop before for fishtailing around a corner in my SUV. I drive safe and controlled (I *know* how to drive), but I like to take corners as fast as possible. I get more thrill from that than from driving fast in a straight line so cornering ability is important to me. I realize the Evoque isn't a race car, but neither is my Jeep and that hasn't stopped me from driving it like one.

And the cop let me off once he understood I was in control of the car.

(25-06-2012 11:16am)EvoqueNorCal Wrote:  Haha. You don't know how I drive. I got pulled over by a cop before for fishtailing around a corner in my SUV. I drive safe and controlled (I *know* how to drive), but I like to take corners as fast as possible. I get more thrill from that than from driving fast in a straight line so cornering ability is important to me. I realize the Evoque isn't a race car, but neither is my Jeep and that hasn't stopped me from driving it like one.

And the cop let me off once he understood I was in control of the car.

Fishtailing around a corner on a public road is in no way controlled as you dont know whats around the bend and if there is something such as a child you can not stop

(25-06-2012 12:36pm)speary Wrote:  Fishtailing around a corner on a public road is in no way controlled as you dont know whats around the bend and if there is something such as a child you can not stop

Totally depends on the corner. If the ground is flat and nothing is on the land between you and the other side of the corner, you can see fine.

I have both 20" wheels and tyres and 19" winter wheels and tyres for my Dynamic. No difference whatsoever in ride comfort, huge difference in road noise of the Continental 20" tyres over the Pirelli Ice and Snow tyres - the pirellis are significantly quieter and I wish LR would scrap the Contis once and for all, they are Rubbish tyres, hugely expensive and don't wear well in my experience with them on an RRS