Ride quality going from 14->17" wheels

[prepared]

My Sundance came factory with 185/70/14. I'm considering 205/45/17. Should be very close to the same diamter.

This isn't a sporty car - just my daily TBI driver. I'm positive the ride quality will suffer. Just wondering how bad it will be?

[89FerrariShelby]

i can tell you 16 -> 19" sucked balls.

i'm actually going down to 17 this winter, expecting a much needed improvement.

at 17 you can still get some tire on them, so it shouldn't be too horrific....

[contraption22]

It really depends on how heavy the 17" wheels and tire are compared to the original wheel/tire package. The closer they are in weight, the less it will effect ride quality. Of course, the stiffness of the tire sidewall will have some effect as well.

[Turbo3Iroc]

I've run 225 45 17 and 225 40 18. The 18's with a shorter sidewall were not that harsh, of course that depends on your tire selection. They also have about the same sidewall your 205/45's will have. I ran General Exclaim UHP's and they are a great overall tire. They are listed on most sites as summer only but they have the M+S on the side meaning they are an all season tire if you have to run them year round.

[OmniLuvr]

if you dont have any other suspension mods, then the 45's should be fine, but i had coilovers on my omni, 15 to 17" was a little harsh, im running the 16" acr bbs wheels now, much better ride and i think the tires are cheaper...

[tryingbe]

I have to send two 17 wheels to be straighten because they are bent. 215/45/17 tires. What they don't tell you is that, the bigger the wheel and smaller the tire, the easier the wheel will get damage.

I'd stay with 14, if you must, go 15.

[turbovanman²]

Shouldn't be too bad but if stock, then go 16's, a nice 225/50r16 will do the job,

[prepared]

I have the wheels in the garage. I guess since many say it won't be too much of a terrible ride, I'll buy some tires and try it out!

[Polygon]

Going from 14s to 17s aren't going to change your ride quality based only on size. Dramatic changes is weight can effect the ride quality. However, tire profile makes the biggest difference. The lower the profile the less side wall flex. This means a harsher ride.

This will also contribute to causing damage to the wheels. Both my cars have 17s. One with 40 and the other with 45 profile tires. Neither have ever bent. Just remember that the profile of the tire is just a percentage of the width. So, a 225/40 is not the same profile as a 255/40.