| ben805 |
The stock 18" rim with Goodyear LS tires are not too good to drive around DC area, I have long commute to work everyday, and driving around uneven road with pot holes everywhere is not very pleasant. I love the independent suspension but I think the 18" rim is the culprit of the very rough ride around city, my tire pressure is 33psi at all time, dropping it down to 30psi did not help either.
I'm thinking about getting 5-spokes 16" rims (16x7.5, 35mm offset, 5-114 bolt pattern) with 235/75TR16 tires, revs/miles is only off by 0.5% (60mph on speedo but actual is 59.7mph) so I can live with that. Have anybody attempt going to 16"? |
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| pob312 |
| Wanta cushy ride? Trade the MO for a Buick Enclave. |
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| njjoe |
Ben-
All other things being equal, increasing the sidewall width by 1" should result in the following: more comfort and less-precise handling.
However, 16" wheels most likely will cause interference problems with the front calipers. The smaller wheels may not be a viable option on the MO.
Is your MO new? If so, the suspension should loosen up a bit as the miles accumulate.
-njjoe |
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| SIM |
Experience from many members here is that the stock LS is the most comfortable tire for the MO. I have personnally tested many alternatives to the MO before buying a second one (2007 in February, 2004 in May 2004) and none of them had a smoother ride than the MO (SL).
The MO is no Mercedes but if you go drive test an Explorer, you'll fall in love again with your MO... :p |
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| Lightninrod |
Nothing will make driving over/through potholes more comfortable...nothing. Think about it.
Dan |
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| mgthe3 |
yeah Joe has it again, I don't think the front calipers would fit.
You wouldn't want squimy tires on da Mo, it might even be dangerous.
My Dad's 92 crown vic (16 inch wheels) glides over bumps but the frame vibrates for another 3 seconds, kinda gets on my nerves. |
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| GripperDon |
| I ran mine so low I don't want to put it here. It really gave me a greaat ride. |
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| Eric L. |
| I agree with joe - 16" will likely not clear the calipers but I've seen 17" wheels on snow tire applications from Tire Rack for the MO so I suppose you can go for a -1. In reality though, it takes away from the character of the MO, which has sharper handling than other crossovers at the expense of ride comfort. |
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| ben805 |
quote:
Originally posted by GripperDon
I ran mine so low I don't want to put it here. It really gave me a greaat ride.
How low? 28psi? how is your mpg? :D
On a side note, I didn't buy the Murano to whip around corner nor do I plan on auto-x with it, handling performance is definitely not top priority, we bought the Murano for its functionality, to haul kids and stuff around, without getting stuck with typical boxy looking van or truck-style SUV. There are many things that I like about this crossover, I thought a smaller rims with thicker sidewall would provide more cushion on rough pavement, maybe I'll look into some 17" instead. Handling wise it's a trade off I'm more than willing to make for extra ride comfort, I always drive within speed limit anyway. ;-) |
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| GripperDon |
I ran mine so low I don't want to put it here. It really gave me a greaat ride.
In those days i never really cared about MPG but it did not go down more than 1.
Do some experementing! It will be fun and lots cheaper than any thing else you have been discussing. Takes lots of gas to buy a set of wheels and tires. |
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| Kris |
Stock GDY Eagle LS - I run 35psi front and 33 psi rear. I think it is still on plushy side and the ride is kind of soft.....wish had SE not SL.
Lowering psi to below 30 will adversely affect steering response, cornering and general car drivebility. But this is how I feel it.
ben805
start from cheap option - lower tire pressure to 30 psi (cold) and then try... |
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| njjoe |
ben805-
I have two questions for you...
What car did you drive before buying the MO? Was that other car affected by the pot-holes in the same manner as the MO?
-njjoe |
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| GripperDon |
| Now you went and told. I ended up with 34 and 32 so as you have said before we have similar tastes. :D |
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| GripperDon |
| I lived in Mich and Va for a total of about 15 years and now I am been in AZ for 20 years and have totally forgotten what a pot hole is. Can't say I miss them. I was driving around the other day with a friend who lives in Switzerland (noted for perfection in everything) and he said you know you have roads down here that are truly swiss quality. So if you can't get the ride cushy enough in the MO we are ready to welcome you to Arizona. |
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| ben805 |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
ben805-
I have two questions for you...
What car did you drive before buying the MO? Was that other car affected by the pot-holes in the same manner as the MO?
-njjoe
I was driving a 96 Maxima GXE, and occasionally stilll drive the 05 Camry SE, both of them have stiffer suspension than MO but much greater handling, Max has 16" wheel and Camry has 17", both of them have 55 sidewall tires and they absorb impact from potholes much better than MO.
As I said though, I like the MO very much, just trying to improve the ride quality and get the best of it. I'll try to drop it down to 30~31psi cold and see what happen. |
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