Deep in your heart... are the 18" rims the way to go on the GT?

[pantheman75]

Yes... the 19" rims look cooler. Yes... they have better performing tires for summer use. I've seen several threads about pothole damage and 19" rims... likely because of the thinner profile rubber. When you add it all up... are the 18" rims with the all season tires the way to go? Year round use... I'm assuming that they also have a nicer ride too due to the thicker sidewall size. Weigh in... what do you think?

 

[app_master]

I don't have winter (snow) to deal with myself, so I might not be the best judge for you. But my vote is 19s all the way as it just completes the look of this car, regardless of ride, form, risk etc. Don't deny yourself the vanity of the Stinger's great looks, it is part of the reason we are all in one. I'm sure you could always get some 18s later if you still feel the need.

 

[GRStinger]

Yes... the 19" rims look cooler. Yes... they have better performing tires for summer use. I've seen several threads about pothole damage and 19" rims... likely because of the thinner profile rubber. When you add it all up... are the 18" rims with the all season tires the way to go? Year round use... I'm assuming that they also have a nicer ride too due to the thicker sidewall size. Weigh in... what do you think?

It's personal preference. I definitely wanted AWD (in my neck of the woods, no dealer within 100 miles had RWD anyway). I test drove both 18 & 19. I went with the 18"s because:
1) The car is my D/D and I drive a lot (23K miles since May 2 purchase). 18"'s have a more compliant ride on our notoriously lousy roads. And, I believe the 18"s are just as good a fit (if-not better ) than the 19"s for the true GT nature of the car.
2) The long term cost of tires. You can do proper rotations with the 18"s.
3) The OEM Pilot Sports are great for summer, but I knew I would have to buy a proper set of winter tires / have 'em on for c. 4 months/year. (I ended up buying winters anyway, because the Bridgestones suck in snow.) So happy I did. I plan on a better summer/performance tire once I replace the A/S's. Something for you to consider over there in Wisco.
4) I'm not going to track the car.

Now, I realize that I'm compromising a bit of handling performance, but not much. Also, I don't see much of a cosmetic difference 18 vs.19 n the OEM wheels. Again, it's personal pref/how you dirve/where you live. My $.02.

 

[ScottE]

Yes, for all the reasons GRStinger says above. I prefer more rubber and air between the wheels and the pavement, and non-staggered 18s give much better tire and rotation options. I don't know what I'm going to do when my GT2 AWD needs new rubber, but I'll seriously consider switching to 18s.

 

[lucif3r]

In the end the diameter of the wheel+tire will be the same, so it wont detract from the look of the car too much. I prefer 19 for summer but the OEM rims are so god awful ugly!

 

[Ucinn]

I went with the 19's for the higher top speed. Took off the summers and put all seasons on it. Went through 3 inches of fresh powder this morning with no problems.

 

[Metalmania82]

I originally wanted a RWD GT in blue or black. My only options at the time (in PA) were to dealer trade a RWD from over 300 miles away or go with the Blue GT AWD that I ended up getting. I didn't want a new car with over 300 miles on it already. That being said, she's in the garage now that the road salt is everywhere, I have a '99 Cherokee that's my dedicated winter vehicle. I would really like to trade up to 19's and reduce the wheel gap, it looks a lot better that way I think.

 

[KiaWill]

It's personal preference. I definitely wanted AWD (in my neck of the woods, no dealer within 100 miles had RWD anyway). I test drove both 18 & 19. I went with the 18"s because:
1) The car is my D/D and I drive a lot (23K miles since May 2 purchase). 18"'s have a more compliant ride on our notoriously lousy roads. And, I believe the 18"s are just as good a fit (if-not better ) than the 19"s for the true GT nature of the car.
2) The long term cost of tires. You can do proper rotations with the 18"s.
3) The OEM Pilot Sports are great for summer, but I knew I would have to buy a proper set of winter tires / have 'em on for c. 4 months/year. (I ended up buying winters anyway, because the Bridgestones suck in snow.) So happy I did. I plan on a better summer/performance tire once I replace the A/S's. Something for you to consider over there in Wisco.
4) I'm not going to track the car.

Now, I realize that I'm compromising a bit of handling performance, but not much. Also, I don't see much of a cosmetic difference 18 vs.19 n the OEM wheels. Again, it's personal pref/how you dirve/where you live. My $.02.

I'm with you. The older I get, the more sidewall I want.

How noticeable are the non-staggered 18 wheel/tires on the GT? Is it still flush with the body/fender panel?

 

[TODDK]

Never had a car with out two sets of wheels.

Dedicated summer wheels and tires

Dedicated winter wheels and tires

Best of both worlds here in PA

 

[MerlintheMad]

I would really like to trade up to 19's and reduce the wheel gap, it looks a lot better that way I think.

Eh? the od is the same within mere fractions of an inch.

OP: 19" AWD (and of course RWD) have the vaunted 167 MPH top speed. 18" AWD from the factory have 130 MPH top speed. That is a yooge factor to many in deciding. And I can say with empirical certainty that more than once I have had my car over 130 MPH and glad of it.

If I go to 18" rims and less high aspect ratio (aka as higher sidewalls) I will not be giving anything up; because there are plenty of 18" UHP tires, summer and A/S.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

19s all the way. The 137 limiter (though I dont go past it) is a buzz kill for a GT.

 

[white03]

So why not buy 19s with more sidewall, if higher sidewalls is what you want?

 

[SavageVariant]

So why not buy 19s with more sidewall, if higher sidewalls is what you want?

That would throw off the speedo.

My understanding in getting the best of both worlds would be to get a GT with 19's and swap to 18's after. The top speed limit is ECU based, not tire based. They set it lower on the little wheels, because the larger wheels have the Pilot Sports which are rated to exactly 167 MPH. That said, I'm something like 90% sure that the AWD 19's are not staggered. It's drivetrain based equipment, at least from my reading of the literature. I have a RWD GT2, so my own experience can't confirm this for certain.

 

[Metalmania82]

Eh? the od is the same within mere fractions of an inch.

OP: 19" AWD (and of course RWD) have the vaunted 167 MPH top speed. 18" AWD from the factory have 130 MPH top speed. That is a yooge factor to many in deciding. And I can say with empirical certainty that more than once I have had my car over 130 MPH and glad of it.

If I go to 18" rims and less high aspect ratio (aka as higher sidewalls) I will not be giving anything up; because there are plenty of 18" UHP tires, summer and A/S.

I can definitely see a difference, and yes, it's definitely minute but the 19s fill in the wheel gap very well.

 

[ScottE]

That said, I'm something like 90% sure that the AWD 19's are not staggered. It's drivetrain based equipment, at least from my reading of the literature. I have a RWD GT2, so my own experience can't confirm this for certain.

I have a 2018 GT2 AWD with staggered 19s.

 

[TwinSnails]

I’m 100% sure the AWD w/19’s are staggered lol. Overall diameter is almost equal on the stock tires....

That would throw off the speedo.

My understanding in getting the best of both worlds would be to get a GT with 19's and swap to 18's after. The top speed limit is ECU based, not tire based. They set it lower on the little wheels, because the larger wheels have the Pilot Sports which are rated to exactly 167 MPH. That said, I'm something like 90% sure that the AWD 19's are not staggered. It's drivetrain based equipment, at least from my reading of the literature. I have a RWD GT2, so my own experience can't confirm this for certain.

 

[SavageVariant]

I have a 2018 GT2 AWD with staggered 19s.

Glad I didn't commit that last 10% then, lol.

I’m 100% sure the AWD w/19’s are staggered lol. Overall diameter is almost equal on the stock tires....

Yeah, I was going based on reading spec sheets from some time ago. Though, on the overall diameter portion, I was referring moving to higher sidewalls on the 19's. No way of knowing how much OD will change without some tire specs. % changes get wonky at speed, so I usually hesitate to add a lot of variance there.

 

[MerlintheMad]

That would throw off the speedo.

My understanding in getting the best of both worlds would be to get a GT with 19's and swap to 18's after. The top speed limit is ECU based, not tire based. They set it lower on the little wheels, because the larger wheels have the Pilot Sports which are rated to exactly 167 MPH. That said, I'm something like 90% sure that the AWD 19's are not staggered. It's drivetrain based equipment, at least from my reading of the literature. I have a RWD GT2, so my own experience can't confirm this for certain.

Just a couple of clarifications. The Michelin summer tires are "Y" rated, i.e. 186 MPH plus. They are OEM on 19" only. And as already said, the AWD 19" are 100% staggered with the 167 MPH speed limiter. So yes, if you swap to 18" and lower aspect ratio to maintain the od, the 167 MPH limit will still be there.

19s all the way. The 137 limiter (though I dont go past it) is a buzz kill for a GT.

Kia says the limit on the A/S 18" wheeled set up is 130, not 137.

 

[SavageVariant]

Just a couple of clarifications. The Michelin summer tires are "Y" rated, i.e. 186 MPH plus.

I really need to check my sources when I've been awake for 24+ hours...

 

[Kazz]

I was unhappy to be screwed into the 18" all-seasons because, they simply cost less but you get charged as if you received the 19s. Anyway, I'm one who actually likes the look of the OEM wheels on a GT2, regardless of diameter. So in the end, I have winter wheels and I can buy whatever I want for summer.

In my location, I was buying a second set of tires and wheels anyway. And I much prefer a square setup. The OEM 19s can't be rotated the way I'd like. So, if I find a set of 19s (20s???) I REALLY like, I'll be very happy.