A question for you 17" to 20"+ wheel size owners

[bull]

Do you notice a rougher ride from the 17" and larger wheels compared to the more standard 14" and 15" wheels with a decent amount of sidewall flex? I've heard that the thinner the sidewall the rougher the ride which would seem to make sense.

[bill440rt]

Yes, the rougher ride is caused due in part by less tire sidewall to "cushion" the bumps.

However... it is certainly not what I would call unbearable. Not sure if the stiffness is mostly caused by the wheels/tires or suspension, but I am also running KYB shocks and from what I am told they already contribute to a stiff ride.
Still, I find it comfortable and handling is MUCH better than my other car with 15" wheels/tires. (Again, most likely due in part to suspension upgrades, etc...)

I chose tires that still have a decent sidewall to avoid a really harsh ride and that "rubber band" look.

[Finn]

 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Try the Bilsteins Bill, they seem pretty good so far

[bill440rt]

Try the Bilsteins Bill, they seem pretty good so far

Maybe next year, Chris. Too many other little projects going on with the cars right now I'm buttoning up. 
You'll have to give me a ride to do a comparo. 

[Budnicks]

Yes rougher ride with the bigger rims & low profile tires, especially when you add O/S front & rear sway bars, O/S torsion bars & better performance Gas shocks, all add to the stiffer ride...

[Dino]

If I would take the Charger out on an occasional cruise on smooth asphalt, I wouldn't mind low profile tires but I drive it quite a bit and Michigan roads are pretty bad so I'll stick to 15" wheels with thick tires.

My daily driver is a newer Accord ex with 17" rims and my coworker has an lx with 16" rims.  You wouldn't believe how much of a smoother ride hers is and you can barely see a difference between the two. 

Figure out what you want to do with the Charger, how much you'll drive it and what shape are the roads in where you live.  The last to me is key, my low profile tires do just fine on good roads but I have a whole lotta potholes and patches to go through on the way to work and it's no fun.

[440]

Try the Bilsteins Bill, they seem pretty good so far

Billsteins are really nice but expensive. I sold a new set to a buddy and the ride in his 67 Chevelle was great. Firm but not harsh. When I bought them they were described as having a "euro ride" and I'd agree.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again. Kyb are known for being stiff but are cheap.

[myk]

I put on the factory optional 17" rims from the stock 16" rims on my '99 T/A, and even that minimal of a reduction in sidewall/aspect ratio (275x40, instead of 245x45) created a more harsh ride.  I'd easily say it's worth it though-handling's much improved with 275/295's over 245's...

[Dino]

I put on the factory optional 17" rims from the stock 16" rims on my '99 T/A, and even that minimal of a reduction in sidewall/aspect ratio (275x40, instead of 245x45) created a more harsh ride.  I'd easily say it's worth it though-handling's much improved with 275/295's over 245's...

My wife's T/A came with those 17" and it's not as harsh as my Honda.  The T/A sticks to the road like glue though. 

[74calicharger]

i was running 15" rims 235/60 and 255/60 with gr-2 shocks. i am now running 17" 245/50 and 275/50. same shocks. i think it actually rides smoother with the 17s! to my amazement as well. i wouldnt go any smaller than a 50 series sidewall though on any car i own because the roads suck out here and bent rims are a real bitch.

[Kern Dog]

I run 275-40-18 tires up front and 295-45-18 out back. The car rides firm but NOT bone jarring. I've had lowered cars and trucks that rode near the bumpstops, and THOSE rattled your teeth. The Charger was set up to be a fast car that handled well. Mission completed.