cyoon

What would make for the most comfortable tires on the mustang? I know the larger the sidewall you get, the more smooth the ride. Anyone know what would be the most comforable ride on the stock GT 17 wheels? I realize having wider walls will not run as well for performance, but I was just wondering how much of a difference larger tire walls would make.

Turn2

The dealer originally put 20's on my GT vert. The ride was so bad I thought my fillings would drop out when I would ride on a semi rough road.

I had to buy back the stock wheels. 17 Bullets. the ride is nice now.

cyoon

I wonder if 16s are even more smooth a ride.

KansasCityTim

No offense, but if you aren't into the whole performance, handling, rough ride thing, why did you buy a GT instead of a V6. (As always, no offense intended to V6 owners, just saying the GT is more performance oriented.)

cyoon

No I understand, I dont' think I'd do that, but I would like to know if you can get the GT to be more comforable. I like both, and it would be cool to get both if possible. Not expecting comfort because you get performance is just silly IMO. Besides, I don't know how much having smaller tires would affect performance which is why I posed the question.

KansasCityTim

Well, if you are talking about performance in the strict power sense, then you are right, it has nothing to do with comfort. But if in performance, you include handling, which is usually the case, it just seems that they are inverse to one another. The better handling the car, the harsher the ride is going to be, unless you have an expensive car with adjustable suspension settings. If you go to higher profile tires, the handling will definitely suffer.

Ranger

IMO - based on what it sounds like you want: stick with the stock tires

Stoenr

Get some of the standard size wheel/tires for the V6 215/65/16. maybe even mount some goodyear comfortreds. Vest tire for ride on the market.
The rental V6 i had for a week rode like a caddy, lol. ok a little sarcasm

Thunder Road

YOu can go with 16 inch wheels. A 235/60/60 would be a little more comfortable, and would only slow the speedometer down .3%. The side wall would be 5.6 inches compared to 5.1 on the stock.

a 235/65/16 your speedometer would read 3.1% slow. At an indicated 60, your doing 61.9. The sidewall for this tire is 6 inches compared to the 5.1 on the stock.

you could even go to a 235/70

thing is most tires in this range of sizes are for SUVs, which means the sidewall is somewhat stiffer.

Goodyear Fortera Silent Armor is available in a 70 series advertised as the comfort of a passenger tire.

Your best bet is to talk with a tire dealer. Tell him what your looking for as to ride etc.

Stoenr

haha, and get a set of Wrangler Silent Armors for the Winter.


Actually it would be nice to be able to afford a set of rims with nice riding tires for those road trips, then another set rim/tires for the performance/looks end of driving, then even another set for Winter.
It would be like a regular pit stop in your garage.

RMac

I could be wrong on this, but I thought other posts indicated that 16s can't go on GTs, because the brakes are too large.

I feel I do need to say though... you will most likely be just fine with the ride with the stock 17s.

If not, the Ford Family Plan is available on Town Cars.

MustangDan

1), 16 will not fit.

2), Most major brands of tires offer models for confort.

3), If you go for the confort ride get some retro Grandé or Ghia badges.

dustindu4

I like Nike Air

spaceman12321

I thought the ride was dictated by the thickness of the whitewall, which was why towncars and caddys ride better.

RMac

Yes... it's a combination of the whitewalls, as well as the wire wheel hubcaps. The air gets up in there and gives the car a bit of lift - the "floating" quality.

Stoenr

yeah I think you are right.

lol, not just the thickness of the sidewall (or those wire wheel hubcaps, lol)
but differently tuned suspension plays a major factor. try doing a corner at 30-35 in grandpas caddy, can you say body roll?

RMac

(yes, i know i'm getting way off topic)...

body roll... I was just happy when they finally started putting the load leveling in the caddys. Whenever I see a 1970s or 80s Caddy on the road, it's draggin hiney pretty hard.



The GT vert has a slightly softer suspension than the coupe, so you could go that route too if you're concerned.

If you're dead set on the coupe, you could always head out to Costco, stock up on paper towels and toilet paper, and wrap it around all four tires until the ride softens enough for you.

Lime05owner

Geez....


A guy wants a quality ride and you dudes want to cornhole him for it. As a matter of fact...I have had several comments on how well the GT rides. Corvette guys even like it (kidding...remember the 80's vettes had the switch on the dash...soft/hard). Some people seem to forget...GT means "Gran Tourismo" (or something).....the "GRAND TOURER".

You could also look at softer shocks / struts. I don't remember where but I saw a write up about a air shock setup. They also offer a set with different "hardness" settings.

Jay

RMac

It's all in good fun.

It's a bit odd though - it's like saying "the GT exhaust is a bit loud - what can I do to quiet it down?"

Lime05owner

True...but I got SLP loudmouths on mine !!

Jay