19" staggered wheels in the North East?

[RLittle]

The 2018 GT1 I'm looking at has 18" all seasons.
There is a 2019 on the way in that has the 19" staggered summer tires.

For you N/E owners, do you feel I can live with 19s in pothole infested NJ NY PA area?
I'm not going to race the car. I value highway comfort. Don't the 19s run rougher?

I am prepared to buy an extra set of 18s for winter but I'd prefer not to spend the extra $2k on wheels and tires.

 

[Grizzog]

I've got the 19s in CT. My 18" snows don't seem to ride any softer. Just enjoy playing avoid the pothole!

 

[RobW77]

I got the 18s for stock wheels. I am fine with them compared to the 19s (roads in Philadelphia can be atrocious), but I was unhappy they came with the crappy all season tires. I ended up replacing them with pilot sport 4s tires.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The 2018 GT1 I'm looking at has 18" all seasons.

Are you considering the speed limiter differences between the OEM 18s and 19s? The 18s have A/S tires (Bridgestone/Potenzas) which have a manufactured top speed rating of 150 I believe. The top speed in any Stinger with those tires as OE will top out at 140 MPH. The 19s with the Michelins are rated at 186 MPH+ (Y rated) and the Stinger GT trims so equipped have a limited top speed of 167 MPH.

 

[Johnni]

Are you considering the speed limiter differences between the OEM 18s and 19s? The 18s have A/S tires (Bridgestone/Potenzas) which have a manufactured top speed rating of 150 I believe. The top speed in any Stinger with those tires as OE will top out at 140 MPH. The 19s with the Michelins are rated at 186 MPH+ (Y rated) and the Stinger GT trims so equipped have a limited top speed of 167 MPH.

Good Point there MerlintheMad for the new people who consider buying a Stinger GT with that come with the 18 or 19 wheel.

 

[StingerNYC]

I am running 19's in NYC. I have hit a few rough potholes that make you cringe but no issues.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I am running 19's in NYC. I have hit a few rough potholes that make you cringe but no issues.

Back in the summer, I hit a raised (c. 2") edge on a bridge with my RF wheel, in Sport mode (stiffer) and the "WHAM!" was palpable; I felt almost certain that I'd done some damage to the rim and/or the alignment. Nada. I think that you really have to hit something super hard or big to reach the rim through the tires on a 19" rim. Now, a 20" rim? I don't even want to think about it.

 

[GRStinger]

The 2018 GT1 I'm looking at has 18" all seasons.
There is a 2019 on the way in that has the 19" staggered summer tires.

For you N/E owners, do you feel I can live with 19s in pothole infested NJ NY PA area?
I'm not going to race the car. I value highway comfort. Don't the 19s run rougher?

I am prepared to buy an extra set of 18s for winter but I'd prefer not to spend the extra $2k on wheels and tires.

End of the day, IMO, it's about driving needs and preferences. I'm not in the NE, but in W. Mich - we also have notoriously bad roads, and lousy winters. Before I purchased, I test drove two GT2 AWD's - the 19 staggered with the Mic Pilots, and the other with 18 squared AS Potenzas. The 19's give a bit more 'sport' feel/performance, but a harsher ride over uneven roads; the 18's give a bit more 'compliant' ride. I preferred the 18's. For me (as I've posted elsewhere here), I really appreciate the "GT-ness" of the Stinger. I'm not going to track it. I use it as a DD and take quite-a-few long/weekend trips with it. So I purposely chose the 18's. In the long run- even paying for a set of winters - I believe it's less expensive to go this route. The staggered' can't be rotated so they'll last about 1/2 the life of the squared. I also purchased/mounted a set of winter tires and 'lower-end' wheels. I want/need the traction in our winters; plus I'm saving those nice OEM wheels from a lot of salt, grime, and "curb rash". I paid about $1350 for a nice set of wheels and Michelin Ice-X, mounted, balanced and TPMS installed from TireRack. Well worth it IMHO.

 

[daver913]

hmm, I thought the 19" staggered wheels only came on 2wd models. Wouldn't staggered wheels on AWD mess with the gearing?

 

[MerlintheMad]

hmm, I thought the 19" staggered wheels only came on 2wd models. Wouldn't staggered wheels on AWD mess with the gearing?

Not a bit. The vaunted 167 MPH is on all the 19" wheeled versions; that's because the 19" rims have Michelin summer UHP Pilot tires. Any AWD that has 18" wheels has Bridgestone A/S tires (see my earlier post). Being AWD has nothing to do with either setup.

 

[rocket23]

hmm, I thought the 19" staggered wheels only came on 2wd models. Wouldn't staggered wheels on AWD mess with the gearing?

all a staggered tire does to an awd car is make it look like a rwd......it will handle and turn just like a ''squared'' set. For those of you that haven't reached 35 yet.......staggered wheels were the rage for dragstrips in our chargers,chvys' and 'stangs...purely a ''grip'' advantage off the line, and yes they were all rwd cars.....the same set up (but less severe) on an awd car makes no difference whatsoever......but oh the memories!!!

 

[Waynerm002]

hmm, I thought the 19" staggered wheels only came on 2wd models. Wouldn't staggered wheels on AWD mess with the gearing?

The tires are only a few millimeters off and the system gearing can handle that so it hasn’t been an issue. I prefer a squared setup for ease of rotating tires but as of now, I like the OEM wheels an until I can get a pair of the rear wheels for the front, i’m sticking with the staggered setup.

 

[RLittle]

End of the day, IMO, it's about driving needs and preferences. I'm not in the NE, but in W. Mich - we also have notoriously bad roads, and lousy winters. Before I purchased, I test drove two GT2 AWD's - the 19 staggered with the Mic Pilots, and the other with 18 squared AS Potenzas. The 19's give a bit more 'sport' feel/performance, but a harsher ride over uneven roads; the 18's give a bit more 'compliant' ride. I preferred the 18's. For me (as I've posted elsewhere here), I really appreciate the "GT-ness" of the Stinger. I'm not going to track it. I use it as a DD and take quite-a-few long/weekend trips with it. So I purposely chose the 18's. In the long run- even paying for a set of winters - I believe it's less expensive to go this route. The staggered' can't be rotated so they'll last about 1/2 the life of the squared. I also purchased/mounted a set of winter tires and 'lower-end' wheels. I want/need the traction in our winters; plus I'm saving those nice OEM wheels from a lot of salt, grime, and "curb rash". I paid about $1350 for a nice set of wheels and Michelin Ice-X, mounted, balanced and TPMS installed from TireRack. Well worth it IMHO.

I have X-ice tires on my Chevy Trax.
They are super tires. No noise or vibration. Love em.

Are they quiet on the Stinger too?

 

[GRStinger]

I have X-ice tires on my Chevy Trax.
They are super tires. No noise or vibration. Love em.

Are they quiet on the Stinger too?

No vibration at all. They do feel a bit softer than the OEM Potenza's - to be expected. They 'sing' a little on really smooth blacktop. But, you don't really hear/notice under normal driving conditions (plus we have very little smooth blacktop anyway ). Very happy with 'em so far.

 

[only1harry]

I am on a 2nd set of Michelin X-ICE on my 335i xDrive (AWD) which by the way also comes with a staggered setup (225/40-18 front and 255-35-18 rear), since you were talking about same size vs. staggerd. As long as the circumference of the front & rear tires is very close, staggered setup is fine with AWD. You just don't want a taller tire in the rear and shorter tire in the front, or vice versa.

The X-ICE is definitely softer and less sporty/sticky than any good Summer tire, but they are better than the OEM Bridgestone Crapenza's, in the dry, wet and snow. Much better tire but it's still a winter tire, so it will be a little noisy. Should not be more noisy than the Potenza though. However, it is a LOT less noisy than Bridgestone Blizzak and all the other winter tires - and I have tried them all. The X-ICE is not as good in the snow as those others (dedicated snow/winter tires), because it's still a high/ultra performance tire and the others aren't, but X-ICE offers really good performance in both dry and snow, and it's worth the $.

BTW, when buying aftermarket wheels like through TireRack make sure they are NOT heavier than the OEM wheels. Heavier wheels will make your car accelerate slower and also affect handling, and put more stress on suspension components. Get lighter wheels and you will feel the difference. Steering will be sharper and turn-in faster. Anyone know how much the 18" OEM wheels weigh?

 

[RLittle]

I am on a 2nd set of Michelin X-ICE on my 335i xDrive (AWD) which by the way also comes with a staggered setup (225/40-18 front and 255-35-18 rear), since you were talking about same size vs. staggerd. As long as the circumference of the front & rear tires is very close, staggered setup is fine with AWD. You just don't want a taller tire in the rear and shorter tire in the front, or vice versa.

The X-ICE is definitely softer and less sporty/sticky than any good Summer tire, but they are better than the OEM Bridgestone Crapenza's, in the dry, wet and snow. Much better tire but it's still a winter tire, so it will be a little noisy. Should not be more noisy than the Potenza though. However, it is a LOT less noisy than Bridgestone Blizzak and all the other winter tires - and I have tried them all. The X-ICE is not as good in the snow as those others (dedicated snow/winter tires), because it's still a high/ultra performance tire and the others aren't, but X-ICE offers really good performance in both dry and snow, and it's worth the $.

BTW, when buying aftermarket wheels like through TireRack make sure they are NOT heavier than the OEM wheels. Heavier wheels will make your car accelerate slower and also affect handling, and put more stress on suspension components. Get lighter wheels and you will feel the difference. Steering will be sharper and turn-in faster. Anyone know how much the 18" OEM wheels weigh?

i agree with your comments on the X-Ice. I love 'em. Worth the $$.
i believe I heard the stock 18" rims are 34#, or maybe that was the 19".
Anyway, they are pretty heavy.
I'm looking at Rohana 19x8.5 @ 21# for summer.

 

[westcoastGT]

hmm, I thought the 19" staggered wheels only came on 2wd models. Wouldn't staggered wheels on AWD mess with the gearing?

The AWD GTs are rear iased , 50/50 max to front 80/20 max to rear , staggered is ideal !!

 

[only1harry]

The AWD GTs are rear iased , 50/50 max to front 80/20 max to rear , staggered is ideal !!

I would have to agree with that statement. The bigger the tire in the rear the better with that kind of power distribution.

 

[PythonNF]

Kia threw in a set of Pirelli sottozero 3 staggered tires when I bought the car. I put them on a set of 19x8.5" wheels & they look good. We've has a mild spell here lately so there's no snow left on the roads , but they were good on the dry highway.