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- 14 Cruze 1LT and 16 CX-5 Touring FWD
I am looking at two sets of wheels/tires for our CX-5. Both are steel wheels...one set is 16" the other is 17". The tires are Blizzak DM-V2. The price is pretty negligible...about $32 cheaper to get the 16" wheel/tire set. Tires are 225/65 17 (stock 17) and 225/70 16.
The reasons I'm considering the 16" setup are as follows: Price is cheaper even if only a few bucks. Lighter total weigh (3lbs per corner). The wheels are .5" narrower which will effect contact patch even on same 225 width tire. Narrower of course being better for winter according to some research I've read.
My question is for anyone who has stock 17" wheels and has gone with a 16" wheel for winter or daily driving, how is the ride? Is the ride much worse with 16"? I downsized my Cruze from stock 16 to 15 for winter driving and it does quite well, but my car is lowered with a lot of suspension work so it feels very soft and off handling wise. The CX-5 is completely stock for now (eventually will be lowered). If they make the ride more soft without affecting the cornering/body roll then I'll go 16". Otherwise I'll stick to stock size wheels/tires.
Thanks.
The reasons I'm considering the 16" setup are as follows: Price is cheaper even if only a few bucks. Lighter total weigh (3lbs per corner). The wheels are .5" narrower which will effect contact patch even on same 225 width tire. Narrower of course being better for winter according to some research I've read.
My question is for anyone who has stock 17" wheels and has gone with a 16" wheel for winter or daily driving, how is the ride? Is the ride much worse with 16"? I downsized my Cruze from stock 16 to 15 for winter driving and it does quite well, but my car is lowered with a lot of suspension work so it feels very soft and off handling wise. The CX-5 is completely stock for now (eventually will be lowered). If they make the ride more soft without affecting the cornering/body roll then I'll go 16". Otherwise I'll stick to stock size wheels/tires.
Thanks.