Why the heck are so many using ride-killing 20" wheels??

I have been looking for a few months to buy a used Mustang and am AMAZED at the number of cars that are equipped with 20" wheels. I have passed up a fair number of cars just because of the 20" wheels. They ruin the ride AND handling, and I even think they look crappy on top of it (JMHO of course). I'm not the only one that thinks so. Below is copied from American Muscle. I think they agree with me, LOL.

So what gives? Why are so many Hell-bent on using ride-ruining 20" wheels? What's the magic appeal?

From American Muscle:
"Mustang Wheel Sizes

One of the questions we get most often is: what size wheel will fit my car? It’s a good question to ask, and all of the wheels we carry are made specifically for Mustangs. As long as you purchase a rim meant for your year Mustang, it will fit. To see a list of tire sizes that fit on stock wheels click here.

• 16 Inch: These rims are the standard stock size rim on most Mustangs. Purchasing these wheels will give you the same handling and ride quality you already have
• 17 Inch: Going up to 17s will give you better handling without changing the ride quality of your car
• 18 Inch: These rims will give you better handling than 17s, with only a very slight decrease in ride quality. The change in ride quality will be barely noticeable, if at all.
• 19 Inch: Once you reach 19 inch territory, you start really messing with your speedometer readings. If you already have a tuner this is a non issue. The decrease in performance and ride quality is more noticeable with 19s, and are recommended for later model Mustangs which have more room in their wheel wells.
• 20 Inch: Getting 20” rims is less about ride quality and more about looks. Putting a wheel this size on your Mustang will give your car the appearance of being lowered because the wheel well will be filled. However, you may experience poor handling and ride quality in exchange."

It looks cool?

Mine came with 20" wheels in the rear, 19's in the front. I'd rather have a low profile tire for handling instead of 5 or 6 inches of sidewall that will fold at high speed.

Because they be ridding durty brah.


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All these 19's and 20's can't really be helping with handling since most of the crowd-eating variety of Mustangs are newer ones with those wheels. I don't see Fox-bodies Mustangs on a human diet.

You could always buy some new wheels to your liking. I have 20"s because I like the look. The stockers were 19" with the Brembo brake package I have which barely cleared them, so not a huge difference from stock for me.


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Lol at someone who passes on a car because of wheels. You know they're removable, right?

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crfrider16 said:

Lol at someone who passes on a car because of wheels. You know they're removable, right?....

Click to expand...

Ummm, you sure they're removable? I didn't know that. I guess I shoulda read the owner manual....

But seriously, new wheels and tires could easily be $2k to $3k. That's enough of a hit to make me pass on the car, unless it's truly spectacular in other regards.

It totally depends on the car OP. Sn95 is quite different than s197 and s550.

The more sidewall you have, the more "comfortable" the ride is but the less handling ability.

For handling, you want a lower profile tire.
For soft ride, you want more sidewall.

The 20's on mine are kind of like your casual daily shoes, when you go to work you change in to your work shoes, your 17's.

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Which Mustang? SN-95, New Edge, S-197 etc...

Some can pull it off, but the older ones just don't look right with bigger wheels IMO

Different strokes different folks

My 20s looked pretty good imo

Zemedici said:

Different strokes different folks

My 20s looked pretty good imo

Click to expand...

I agree

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I really need to take more pics of my baby, only have 3

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For new edges, id stick to 17s.... maybe 18s.

For 05-09 id stick with 18s.... maybe 19s.

For 10-14 id stick with 19/20s....

For 15+ id go with 20s

it depends on the chassis. on a SN95 chassis, inclined to agree with the statements below. S197 or newer, not so much.

also, it depends on the wheel. some of the shit on AM weighs more in a 17" size than some 20s.

going to a lower profile tire doesnt necessarily mean a harsh ride. suspension can be tuned to deal with that for the most part. the issue is that people are lazy or broke so they slap on shitty 20s for the lulz and put up with the feeling of a tractor driving over train tracks, because stance.

Mojo88 said:

I have been looking for a few months to buy a used Mustang and am AMAZED at the number of cars that are equipped with 20" wheels. I have passed up a fair number of cars just because of the 20" wheels. They ruin the ride AND handling, and I even think they look crappy on top of it (JMHO of course). I'm not the only one that thinks so. Below is copied from American Muscle. I think they agree with me, LOL.

So what gives? Why are so many Hell-bent on using ride-ruining 20" wheels? What's the magic appeal?

From American Muscle:
"Mustang Wheel Sizes

One of the questions we get most often is: what size wheel will fit my car? It’s a good question to ask, and all of the wheels we carry are made specifically for Mustangs. As long as you purchase a rim meant for your year Mustang, it will fit. To see a list of tire sizes that fit on stock wheels click here.

• 16 Inch: These rims are the standard stock size rim on most Mustangs. Purchasing these wheels will give you the same handling and ride quality you already have
• 17 Inch: Going up to 17s will give you better handling without changing the ride quality of your car
• 18 Inch: These rims will give you better handling than 17s, with only a very slight decrease in ride quality. The change in ride quality will be barely noticeable, if at all.
• 19 Inch: Once you reach 19 inch territory, you start really messing with your speedometer readings. If you already have a tuner this is a non issue. The decrease in performance and ride quality is more noticeable with 19s, and are recommended for later model Mustangs which have more room in their wheel wells.
• 20 Inch: Getting 20” rims is less about ride quality and more about looks. Putting a wheel this size on your Mustang will give your car the appearance of being lowered because the wheel well will be filled. However, you may experience poor handling and ride quality in exchange."

Click to expand...

As already stated, it depends on the model. The larger current generation Mustangs with larger wheel wells are perfect for 20's. The previous generations are not. My car rides and handles very nice with 20's.

I have 20's mine rides sweet as hell

I wouldn't even look at 18s for my new edge but it's the only option for bigger brakes

lol @ anyone that buys a Mustang for ride quality. GTFO of here with that crap.