Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

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Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Ricksy1121 »

Just got my caddy maxi and new to the forum so cant access the correct section but Iv been told 18in wheels feel better to drive but but 19’s look better. What are the opinions of people who have experience with this.

Thanks..
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by torque777 »

When I first bought my maxi 3 years ago it came with 19's fitted but not lowered, I thought it looked worse at standard height with big wheels than smaller wheels, I also found the ride hard but wallowing, I kept these for about 6 months, I actually bought a coilover kit but never got it on before selling the 19's and buying 18's, the first reason I did this was cost, tyres are cheaper on 18's plus I found most 19" tyres were not the correct load rating for a maxi, but when I fitted them I thought the ride better than on 19's, I then lowered it and felt much happier with the look, I would of liked to see how it looked when I had the 19's and lowered but not been tempted to go back to 19's, tbh I still think 18's give a firm ride with the correct size 225-40-18 tyres, but did think of going upto 235-45-18 to see if that improved things but that was only a thought, I think 18's give the best compromise between looks and handling and cost

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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Ricksy1121 »

Thanks for that, I’m going to get coilovers and wheels fitted at the same time so height won’t be a problem, I found some tyres for £150 each 225-35-19 with load rating of 96. Thinking of the v- maxx coilovers or ap at the moment. Need to make some calls to find out what kits are available.

I was set on 19’s after looking through the photo thread on wheels but might re assess if there’s a big comfort difference.
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Barbel330 »

The suspension you use has far more bearing on ride quality than the tyre profile or diameter does in my experience. Plus 19's just plain look better :D
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Ricksy1121 »

Is there any recommendations on suspension then? Btween £500-£700 Mark.
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Barbel330 »

Slightly above your suggested budget but well worth the extra.

For full damper and height adjustment I'd personally go for bc racing front coilovers (£504) or my second choice would be Gaz coilovers for slightly less.
Gaz adjustable rear shocks (£150)
Darkside rear axle kit (£150?)
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Ricksy1121 »

Can you still get height adjustment on the rear with shocks and axel kit ?
Thanks
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Barbel330 »

Yes, height adjustment will be exactly the same as if you were to buy say the v-maxx kit. The adjustment is done via the numerous holes in the shackles.

You'll need the centralising plates so the rear wheels align in the middle of the arch but I believe they come in the Darkside kit (check that before you buy as I'm not 100%)

If you don't use them your wheel will not be central in the arch when lowered.
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Ricksy1121 »

Rite thanks, the v-maxx kit has shackles in the picture but the ap kit I was looking at didn’t I was wondering if it was a stock photo, I got ap coilovers for my s3 and they seem fine on there but do you think a phone call to dark side would be a good idea.

So do you think with a good suspension set up 19’s will be ok, they do look better but it’s going to be my daily drive once Iv sold the s3 so needs to work well in every day situations.
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by torque777 »

I found on a maxi you don't need centralising plates like you do on a swb, I tried vmaxx for about 6 months and I didn't really like the ride, it was comfortable but under damped especially at the rear, I went for spax rsx front coilovers and gaz rear dampers with darkside rear lowering kit, both the spax and gaz have adjustable rebound and I found this perfect for setting the ride to how I wanted it, I went further and fitted Powerflex complete rear kit, and will be doing the front next year, when you lower you will find the rear wheels move more side to side due to having longer rear shackles, so you can get a spacer block kit from fb that helps limit that, the Powerflex bushes really help also but that's a mod that can be done later on when funds allow
I've added a photo of mine to show the height I run on a daily basis Image

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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Barbel330 »

Sits just nice Torque Image

Mine is my daily work van and it rides fine on 19’s.

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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by torque777 »

Looks spot on that

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Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by RKDesigns »

Image

Vmaxx xxtreme , height adjustable but also 20 stands adjustable from comfort to hard on the shock absorbers. Even on 20” Nice to drive as low as the set Goes. Underneeth my prevoius Caddy.

Image

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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Ricksy1121 »

Thanks for the reply’s guys, I think I will stick with 19’s if there fine with a good suspension set up..
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Re: Opinions on 18’s vs 19’s

Post by Gaj69 »

I was in the same position as you but with my swb life. I’ve not gone mad with the lowering and fitted an Eibach pro kit, the ride is firmer but it does sit much better and cornering is much improved. I have just gone from 17 - 19 inch wheels and I’m amazed how little it’s affected the ride, I went for 235/35/19. Only problem now is I’m parking 3 feet from the kerb so I don’t scratch them.Image


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