Has anyone downsized from 22" wheels to 19"?

BJBee · Sep 18th, 2020, 14:02

A newbie here! Have left Landrover and seen the light with beautiful XC90. I have a 2017 XC90 T8 on 22's wit 4C Air. I have had it since January, but have not done that many miles since lockdown. It's a great car, but I am regretting the 22" inch wheels that came with the car. I have already had to change two tyres due to pothole damage where sidewalls bulged out. I took out wheel/tyre insurance knowing the cost of repairs could be very high. That has been well worth it. This coupled with the harsher ride even with 4C Air has pushed me to really consider downsizing the wheel/tyre set.

My question is this - has anyone here actually done this? What is difference in comfort/road noise? I am aware that existing set of 22" diamond rims are worth a pretty penny, but does anyone know if professional tyre/wheels shops will trade/buy those or am I better off trying to sell on ebay?

Other than the ride with my current set up, I love the car. Easily the most stylish of the big 4x4's with fantastic understated tech inside.

Any insights/advice much appreciated!

S60RDesign · Sep 18th, 2020, 17:11

I expect it would make a big difference. It’ll be worth checking with your insurer as some don’t let you make any changes at all. As for selling the wheels at a guess tyre places wouldn’t see enough Volvos with 22” wheels to consider it. These forums might be a good place to sell them

BJBee · Sep 22nd, 2020, 15:06

Thanks! yes, this is a big decision - I am going to talk to 2 or 3 proper tyre specialists to get further opinion. Will report back.

Austin160 · Sep 24th, 2020, 09:24

My starting point for this would be to determine what the ‘standard/normal wheel and tyre’ set up was for your particular model.
My feeling would be that that wheel diameter would have been less than 22 inch - but you will need to establish what it was. 22 inch were likely to have been an optional extra, for those who ‘fancied the look of them’, and the tyre profile (the 30, 40, 50 number) would have been low to maintain the overall wheel and tyre diameter to be the same as the standard smaller wheel which the model was designed with. As you appreciate, the lower the profile, the harder the ride, so fitting smaller wheels will dictate using higher profile tyres - which will enhance the ride.
As I see it, notifying your insurers will be a necessary requirement, but if you are armed with the knowledge of what wheels and tyres were the designed norm for the car, and you would be fitting these, then you will have sensible argument.
So, for my homework, it would be back to my opening suggestion!
Kind regards,
Austin.

BJBee · Sep 24th, 2020, 18:01

Thanks Austin - good points.

I need to confirm for sure with Volvo, but am pretty confident that standard T8 is sold on 20" with 275/45 higher profiles. The 22" is definitely an option that is spec'd and runs on 275/35 Pirelli's.

On paper it doesn't look like that much of difference between the two, but the ride is meant to be quite different.

Austin160 · Sep 24th, 2020, 19:08

If 20 inch was the standard and the tyre widths are the same at 275mm, then by moving down to 20 inch wheels with 45 profiles, you would end up with an extra 1 inch of sidewall depth. This should improve the absorption of bumps etc. but of course, the suspension set up will still influence the overall ride quality.
Kind regards,
Austin.

Sep 18th, 2020, 14:02	#1
BJBee New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2021 11:49 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: high wycombe	Has anyone downsized from 22" wheels to 19"? A newbie here! Have left Landrover and seen the light with beautiful XC90. I have a 2017 XC90 T8 on 22's wit 4C Air. I have had it since January, but have not done that many miles since lockdown. It's a great car, but I am regretting the 22" inch wheels that came with the car. I have already had to change two tyres due to pothole damage where sidewalls bulged out. I took out wheel/tyre insurance knowing the cost of repairs could be very high. That has been well worth it. This coupled with the harsher ride even with 4C Air has pushed me to really consider downsizing the wheel/tyre set. My question is this - has anyone here actually done this? What is difference in comfort/road noise? I am aware that existing set of 22" diamond rims are worth a pretty penny, but does anyone know if professional tyre/wheels shops will trade/buy those or am I better off trying to sell on ebay? Other than the ride with my current set up, I love the car. Easily the most stylish of the big 4x4's with fantastic understated tech inside. Any insights/advice much appreciated!

Sep 24th, 2020, 18:01	#5
BJBee New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2021 11:49 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: high wycombe	Downsizing wheel size Thanks Austin - good points. I need to confirm for sure with Volvo, but am pretty confident that standard T8 is sold on 20" with 275/45 higher profiles. The 22" is definitely an option that is spec'd and runs on 275/35 Pirelli's. On paper it doesn't look like that much of difference between the two, but the ride is meant to be quite different.

Sep 18th, 2020, 17:11	#2
S60RDesign Member Last Online: Jan 27th, 2024 16:28 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Lincoln	I expect it would make a big difference. It’ll be worth checking with your insurer as some don’t let you make any changes at all. As for selling the wheels at a guess tyre places wouldn’t see enough Volvos with 22” wheels to consider it. These forums might be a good place to sell them

Sep 22nd, 2020, 15:06	#3
BJBee New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2021 11:49 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: high wycombe	Thanks! yes, this is a big decision - I am going to talk to 2 or 3 proper tyre specialists to get further opinion. Will report back.

Sep 24th, 2020, 09:24	#4
Austin160 Master Member Last Online: Oct 29th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cardiff	My starting point for this would be to determine what the ‘standard/normal wheel and tyre’ set up was for your particular model. My feeling would be that that wheel diameter would have been less than 22 inch - but you will need to establish what it was. 22 inch were likely to have been an optional extra, for those who ‘fancied the look of them’, and the tyre profile (the 30, 40, 50 number) would have been low to maintain the overall wheel and tyre diameter to be the same as the standard smaller wheel which the model was designed with. As you appreciate, the lower the profile, the harder the ride, so fitting smaller wheels will dictate using higher profile tyres - which will enhance the ride. As I see it, notifying your insurers will be a necessary requirement, but if you are armed with the knowledge of what wheels and tyres were the designed norm for the car, and you would be fitting these, then you will have sensible argument. So, for my homework, it would be back to my opening suggestion! Kind regards, Austin.

Sep 24th, 2020, 19:08	#6
Austin160 Master Member Last Online: Oct 29th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cardiff	If 20 inch was the standard and the tyre widths are the same at 275mm, then by moving down to 20 inch wheels with 45 profiles, you would end up with an extra 1 inch of sidewall depth. This should improve the absorption of bumps etc. but of course, the suspension set up will still influence the overall ride quality. Kind regards, Austin.

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