Downgrading from 20" to 19" on GTPE for ride quality improvements

[danperson1]

Hey Mach-E Community,

First post here, I’m looking for some advice on improving the ride quality of my new to me '21 Mach-E GTPE. I love the car, but the bouncy and firm ride has been my only real complaint on these midwest roads. I’m considering swapping the stock 20-inch wheels (30ish lbs) and 245/45 R20 tires for these 19x8 SPORT EDITION A15-2 wheels (23.25 lbs) with 235/55 R19 tires I found at tirerack, assuming they fit.

This change would reduce the unsprung weight by about 8 pounds per wheel and give me a taller sidewall for an ideally smoother ride. I’m also hoping that this setup will work well with the MagRide system to further enhance comfort without sacrificing too much handling. I am not sure if it will help with the fore and aft bouncy feeling over uneven roads though.

Have any of you made similar changes? How did it impact your ride quality, handling, or efficiency? Any potential downsides I should be aware of? I’d appreciate any feedback or advice before I make the switch.

Thanks in advance!

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[B177y]

I don't have a GT, but other threads about changing wheel sizes on a GT say to check the clearance of the new wheel to the brake calipers. That seems to be the biggest issue.

 

[AliRafiee]

I don’t think smaller wheels is going to change the suspension.

 

[tuminatr]

Well, my setup is similar, 2021 GTPE with 19x8 Volvo XC90 Recharge Aero rims and UHP summer Vredestein Ultrac Pro 255/50/19. Your tire choice will make as big of a difference as the wheel size changes. I picked those tires because I wanted steering precision, and handling but did not want to lose range. Also, they are designed to be on EVs and be extremely comfortable. I can report range has gone up and it's an absolute blast to drive. The car is also much smoother. I would say these tires made as big of a difference as the sway bar. My car is now less jarring than my wife's Audi TT

Bigger tires have a higher load rating so they can be safely run at lower pressure. I would do a 245/50/19 107 xl and run them at 35 psi.

I recommend you do the sway bars first or if you want to be cheap change the sway bar bushings to energy suspension bushings. You would need to measure the sway bars and then buy and install the correct-sized bushings. Here is an example of style. The factory bushings on the MME are very restrictive and transfer force from bumps into the chassis so you feel it.

Also, try using whisper mode

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNB4U...HFQUUBUZ&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Mach-Lee]

The wheels aren't going to significantly change the overall ride quality. The only minor thing that will feel different with fatter tires is the sharpness of road joints and small bumps. The bounciness or porpoising and firm ride over larger bumps will still be there. That's a spring and damper issue.

Just curious, what drive mode do you run? That changes the ride quality a lot on the GTPE.

I would try swapping the sway bars for ride quality before doing anything else. People have reported the Eibach bars improve the ride quality the most, especially on bumps that only affect one side.

 

[HuntingPudel]

If you are experiencing a bouncy feeling, that’s probably an uncontrolled harmonic. I would suggest trying Unbridled drive mode, as that stiffens up the dampers, offering more control over the spring oscillations. It’s pretty rare that someone complains that their car is “bouncy and firm” at the same time. Can you offer a little mor insight into the specific symptoms? In saying frim, is it impact harchness you’re feeling? Is it that the car just doesn’t seem to “give” and heaves over undulations? Is the firmness an issue with bumps on one side of the road upsetting the car? ??

Everyone has their own idea about what’s comfortable or not. I’m just trying to get an idea about what specifically is irritating to you. ??

 

[Larry Paul]

I went from the OEM summer Pirelli P zero tires to the all season P zero EV tire and found the ride became quieter and a slight bit softer. Taller sidewalls should also make an improvement.

 

[N1naz]

Go with EV rated tires. From what I have read they will be quieter, better miles per charge, last longer, and will give you the best ride.
JMHO

George

 

[Mach1E]

Go with EV rated tires. From what I have read they will be quieter, better miles per charge, last longer, and will give you the best ride.
JMHO

George

FWIW, there are multiple threads and comparison videos that all come to the same conclusion on EV rated tires and the conclusion is “not necessarily.”

Either way, I agree with the majority here, I don’t think a tire and wheel swap will solve your problem.

If anything it might make the bounciness worse.

Plus those narrower tires will be worse for traction in a GTPE.

I did the opposite and went wider (255). Definitely helped traction. Rides better too, but that could just be new tires vs worn down ones.

 

[HuntingPudel]

FWIW, there are multiple threads and comparison videos that all come to the same conclusion on EV rated tires and the conclusion is “not necessarily.”

Either way, I agree with the majority here, I don’t think a tire and wheel swap will solve your problem.

If anything it might make the bounciness worse.

Plus those narrower tires will be worse for traction in a GTPE.

I did the opposite and went wider (255). Definitely helped traction. Rides better too, but that could just be new tires vs worn down ones.

Yep. Wider tires on the same rim width you run a lower pressure in order to gain the proper tread contact due to increased load rating and geometry. I went wider on both the wheel and tire so I could keep the pressure up. The car is still too soft for me, but it’s more precise now (and I expect to get more lifetime mileage out of these all-seasons than I did out of the Summer tires). ??

 

[spartan]

19" should clear the brakes, but that's all the smaller you can go. I don't recall the specifics off the top of my head, but I know there were some updates in later model years (MY23?) to address the "bouncy" ride. Maybe that would be a good place to start.

 

[4sallypat]

The wheels aren't going to significantly change the overall ride quality. The only minor thing that will feel different with fatter tires is the sharpness of road joints and small bumps. The bounciness or porpoising and firm ride over larger bumps will still be there. That's a spring and damper issue.

Just curious, what drive mode do you run? That changes the ride quality a lot on the GTPE.

I would try swapping the sway bars for ride quality before doing anything else. People have reported the Eibach bars improve the ride quality the most, especially on bumps that only affect one side.

Correct wheels and tires won't affect the ride much.

I changed the springs and added Eibach sway bars - made a huge difference in ride quality.

Now it's actually enjoyable having a planted sports EV.

 

[HuntingPudel]

19" should clear the brakes, but that's all the smaller you can go. I don't recall the specifics off the top of my head, but I know there were some updates in later model years (MY23?) to address the "bouncy" ride. Maybe that would be a good place to start.

Depends on the wheel. Some 19” wheels won’t clear the calipers. Many will. ??

The GT-PE pretty universally hasn’t been subject to the bouncy issue since it has active suspension. The non-Magneride cars are all under-damped in rebound (not enough damper for the spring chosen), making them over-oscillate over many common bump profiles. Since @danperson1 has a GT-PE, he should not be subject to the bouncy ride issue. ?‍?

 

[danperson1]

Thanks for all the replies!

I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions.

I usually drive in Whisper mode since it feels the smoothest, though I’ve noticed that Unbridled is firm in comparison but does help reduce some of the floatiness.

I didn’t know about the sway bar and bushing upgrade option—thanks for that suggestion! Is that something I can tackle as a DIY project, or would it be better handled by a dealer? Eibach also says not compatible with magride GTs

One of the main issues I’m dealing with is how the repetitive minor bumps and the tilt of the road get translated to the driver’s body and head more than I expected. For example, I find my head bouncing against the headrest a lot more than in my 2018 Mustang GT or our X3. Strangely the ride feels worse with passengers.

That said, the suspension does work well for handling larger impacts, like railroad tracks, and the overall handling and road holding are quite good.

I’ve already tried lowering the tire pressure from 39 to 35 PSI, but it didn’t make much difference, which is why I’m considering the downgrade to smaller wheels. However, I’m also starting to think that the root cause might be the overly damped suspension on such a heavy vehicle, so I’m wondering if the wheel swap will fully address the issue. (as some suggested here)

I am also considering switching to the new Rally edition which supposedly has a great ride quality, or something with an air suspension like the Audi E-tron.

Really would love to improve this because I absolutely love everything else about the car.

 

[azerik]

This is the downfall of this vehicle sadly.

Since you have a GTPE, drop the tire pressure on your stock tires to about 36 psi warmed. I find it enough to at least take the sharpness off the road cracks, but it doesn't eliminate the front back bounce. That's a tough one in the GTPE. (I've spent much time and money trying to resolve this cars attitude on the road. There's only so much you can do with 1.5 inches or less suspension travel and 5000lbs) Drawback of anything lower than 36psi is the right pothole or rode bump could bend the wheel. (I have also lived through this as well)

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