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Hard ride on 18" wheel.

6K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  raywclark 
#1 ·
My car came as standard with18" 7J wheels with Optima 225 45r18 tyres.
At speed on smooth road a tad noisy but good grip. But not many smooth roads in UK.
By dropping to 17" wheel I could get more air between the road and me using 50 profile tyres.
Searching wheel manufactures web sites I found Wolfrace you can put photo of you car in and add wheel and adjust to size.
Also some sites give maximum sizes for models using different off sets the Kia offsets give max. clearance for larger wheels and I saw 18" 7j fit wheels up to 235 45r 18 for Soul it is gen 2 on tyre site recommendation.
All Tyres - Find your All tyres in 1 min with Michelin[buy_tyres_(nbpp)]--S-[car%20tyre%20sizes%20by%20model]&gclid=CKHPjOCQpMgCFcNCGQodq0wJLA&gclsrc=ds#type=type_2&brand=kia&range=soul&model=soul%20ii&engine=2.0%20l%20154&year=2014&selectedFilter=winter
This site backs up wheel manufacturers for all Souls
The change to new size tyre gives me 1% speedo low reading so would have to remember not to allow for safety margin on speedo.
In UK a set of new wheels will double the price. would it be viable or should I try just bigger tyre.?

Jeff
 
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#2 ·
It's only a suspicion, but I'd think that if you could beg, borrow or steal a set of 15" wheels, with, lets say 215/65/R15 tires on them, and drive it around like that for a week, you'd throw rocks at those 18's.

Just from a simple engineering standpoint, you get less torque to the road with 18's than with 15's. And, 18's have got to be heavier and harder to stop than 15's.
Having worked in Mechanical Engineering most of my life, I look at everything with the eye of an engineer. 18" wheels on a little car like the Kia Soul just don't make any sense. However on a two ton piece of Detroit iron, they do look pretty good and would probably work better than on a Soul.

However, back in the day, I had several cars that weighed over 4000# and they all came with 15" wheels on them. Those design engineers definitely knew what they were doing.

Good Luck Mate!

:cool:
 
#7 ·
hmmmmmmmmmmm......... The 18's on mine are a little lumpy for that first mile in the morning...BUT...they Stick-Like-Cat's-Claws in the Slicing & Dicing we all do out there every day...I'm keeping mine... Besides they L00K Bad-A$$ on the SOUL (iconic SOUL wheels)



 
#3 · (Edited)
Just had a chance to compare a first generation base model Soul (dealer loaner) with my new second generation Soul+ with the 18's. With all the new improvements in sound insulation and suspension, I feel the older base model loaner with 16's to ride and sound and handle quite Badly. Actually, I'm glad I waited for the second generation Soul. Probably, the third generation Soul will surpass mine. I'll stick with the 18's. The dealer would not downsize the wheels. He thought it would lower the value of the special edition Soul. We were touring the British Isles last year at this time . It was great!
Carry On
 
#8 ·
I don't have issues with mine. Then again this is my first Soul and the only one i have ever driven.
That tune may change when it's time to replace the Queen's slippers...$$$$$$
I like the looks and it drives/rides beautifully.
 
#11 ·
The 18's look great.
I'd just change the tires to a brand that will give you a more comfortable ride.

I noted one post offering advice to go from your 45 series to a 50 or 55.
??I'd have to check on 18" selections in a 50 or 55 series. Would not think there
are many. Having driven a Soul with 18's,I agree there is a quite a ride comfort difference
from the 16's I have on my 2013(even with the marginal OEM tires that came on the vehicle).
Again,I'd look at a different brand(better)of tire. I had a similar swap with another of my vehicles.
Except,the results based on the change,went the other way. I had 17's,awful OEM tires.
Bought new wheels. Wanted 19's. Had a fear of a harder ride,feel the bumps etc. Went with
a top line tire,Hankook V12's. The car actually rode BETTER and quieter!
Read tire reviews and select.
 
#12 ·
It's really subjective. What one person believes is a "good ride" may not match another person's definition. As previously noted, I prefer a smaller wheel and a bigger tire. But I also tend to inflate a bit on the high side, especially in the winter. That's the ride I like.

But there also are energy advantages to the "wheels small, sidewalls tall" argument that aren't subjective. Use the search engine of your choice to search on "unsprung weight" if you want to know more. Smaller wheels deliver small, but measurable improvements in torque and MPG. Whether or not they're worth it to a particular driver is, again, a personal thing.

One piece of advice that I strongly stand by, however, is that if you're going to have dedicated wheels for your winter tires, small wheels and high sidewalls are the way to go. Most experts also agree that narrow tires are better in the snow than wider ones because they cut through it rather than sled over it. Having lived all of my life in the frigid Northeast, I happen to agree; but even on that point there are some who differ.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for advice I am leaning to wards 235 45 18 0r 50 if will still have clearance and new Michelins have 68 db with 'A' wet grip
others will have to follow suit soon rather than 72-74 db normal.

Jeff
 
#14 ·
I have the stock 18" rim and tires, I also have 15" with blizzaks for winter, IMHO, better ride with the 15" and when I need new tires I'll look into 16" or 17" for the warmer months. The roads here in the NYC area are just too rough for 18s , the shops that repair bent rims do a good business here!
As has been said before, its all subjective.
 
#15 ·
Oh, absolutely. But in a way the road hazard aspect is even more important up here in the boonies because there's less traffic. That gives the snow more time to fall over and hide potholes (yeah, we get them too) and other road hazards. The tall sidewalls are also better at absorbing that shock when you hit a hazard and maintaining better control. In the winter, they're just the way to go.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Obviously I like the smaller wheel larger tire setup and maybe as some of us get older the more comfortable ride is much more important than the more modern look. With roads around here in MA. and the condition they are in a much preferred less teeth rattling ride is in order. From another thread if you have 17s or 18s you can increase the tire size and obtain a more comfortable ride while not diminishing performance and they look good IMHO. The below will fill the wheel well and give a much better ride and if you go with a speed rated tire handling will still be better such as W, Y or Z but H will do if you can't find the others.

Mark

Stock: 195 65 15 Dia: 25"-- Tread width: 5.7" Section width: 7.9"
Max: 225 70 15 Dia: 27.4" Tread width: 6.9" Section width" 9.0"

Stock: 205 60 16 Dia: 25.6" Tread width: 6.7" Section width: 8.2"
Max: 235 60 16 Dia: 27.1" Tread width: 7.6" Section width: 9.5" (My current setup)

Stock: 235 55 17 Dia: 26.3" Tread width: 6.1 Section width: 8.9"
Max: 235 55 17 Dia: 27.2" Tread width: 7.8" Section width: 9.7"

Stock: 235 45 18 Dia: 26.3" Tread width: 6.6" Section width 9.3"
Max: 225 50 18 Dia: 26.9" Tread width: 8.0" Section width: 9.2"
 
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