[quirkySquirt]

I've searched and following threads provided me with good comments:

15" Wheels & 205/65R15 Tires

Has anyone mounted 15" wheels with 205/65R15 tires? I've ordered a 2017 Bolt that will be delivered in a month or so, but there are some great deals going on for 205/65R15 winter tires where I am right now. That tire size carries the same 25.5" overall diameter as the factory standard...

www.chevybolt.org

Lightweight Wheels and Tires combo (38lbs vs 46lbs Stock)

After admiring the Cruze Eco wheels swaps on this forum, I looked around for some good quality, used and cheap Cruze Eco Wheels, I was able to find some “B” Quality wheels without any surface scratches for $99 to $110 a wheel, add to that media blasting and powder coating for $50 a wheel and I...

www.chevybolt.org

Cruze 16" steel wheels and 205/55-16 Nokian R2s for...

For the first time in fifty-five years, steel wheels and tires were lighter than the OEM aluminum wheels and tires. I literally couldn't believe how heavy the Bolt OEM tire/wheel combination is. I've been bucking tires for more than fifty years and those are some of the heaviest little suckers...

www.chevybolt.org

Bbbbuuummpy-- Ride

So there are two 'issues' commonly discussed, 1) Seats, and 2) Stiff suspension. I've already modified my seats and now they are fine. But that suspension is really stiff. I was running errands with my wife yesterday. We were driving through a parking lot with some rather abrupt speed bumps...

www.chevybolt.org

My 15" Sonic Steel Wheel + 205/65-15 ~$145 spare...

My 15" Sonic Steel Wheel + 205/65-15 ~$145 spare tire solution - test fit with pics So I know there are a few threads already talking about spare different spare tire solutions for the Bolt for those of us who don't feel comfortable relying on the self sealing OEM tires and roadside assistance...

www.chevybolt.org

but I'm still on the wall after talking to colleagues who have owned more cars than myself and perform actual car mods themselves.

I'm looking to buy new Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus for my Bolt primarily for less road noise. If I'm interpreting right, it primarily will change the frequency response of road noise entering the cabin so I won't notice it as much. It will provide some absorbtion to reduce levels, but mainly it's the frequency response. My colleagues have mentioned for bumpy rides at low speed, only suspension changes can significantly dampen the shock. Tire sidewall wouldn't do much.

What I'm not sure about is if downsizing to 16" wheels will justify the $300 wheel cost. I can't go down to 15" because the P7 doesn't come in that size. Anyone who went down to 16" find it helped (or didn't)? I'd hate to spend another $300 on wheels. I can somewhat justify it by using my OEM 17" wheels with winter tires but that's another $400 dollars later and I'm not sure I need winter tires for Seattle winters (just stayin' home, have you met Seattle drivers!?).

UPDATE: Forgot, I'm running the OEM Energy Savers and LT wheels. Ambients I have right now are 65F to 90F and the tires are running 35 PSI cold. I had previously ran them at 38 PSI cold and can't really sense the difference at 35 PSI. So I'm betting the 16" wheels won't be noticeable by me. I'm still curious about others' experiences, though.

 

[sparks]

Have considered all suggested maybe more.
Abandoned different wheels, tyres etc because of little payback and consideration that I can't outsmart the GM engineers

 

[Packard V8]

For Spokane winters, we use 16" Cruze steel wheels with Nokian Hakkapilitta tires. They're great in the snow and somewhat quieter and the taller sidewalls lessen felt impact. They're about the same weight as the ton-heavy Bolt/Michelins.

Watch craigslist. We got these wheels for $100, still like new.

jack vines

 

[quirkySquirt]

Thanks sparks. I was worried the difference would be lost on me after spending so much cash.

Packard V8, are you able to detect 3-5 PSI differences in ride quality? I have been going down and up between 35 and 38 PSI repeatedly over the same streets and I can't tell the difference. I even had family deflate or not deflate my tires from 38 to 35 PSI and "hide" the TPMS readout on my Bolt. 2 out of 6 times I guessed the tire PSI based on ride.

I think I'm just not sensitive enough to detect suspension difference. I think the 16" wheels benefits suspension-wise would be lost on me. The noise difference from the P7, however, I think I will more likely notice and benefit from.

 

[Packard V8]

The noise difference from the P7, however, I think I will more likely notice and benefit from.

As far as road noise from the Michelins, it's just not there for me. I don't find them objectionable at all. What evidence do we have suggesting Pirelli P7s will be noticeably quieter? We can be certain, however, they will result in reduced range.

jack vines

 

[quirkySquirt]

I don't have any evidence the P7s will be significantly quieter, I'm just basing off anecdotes from owners in the gm-volt forums who went from similar Michelin Energy Savers (non-puncture resistant) to P7s. Looking at the tirerack reviews, the P7s had 15m miles and comfort rating of 8.9/10 while the Energy Savers had 7m miles and comfort of 8.1/10. I'm thinking at the minimum, I'll notice less road noise with the P7s. I don't think I can do anything regarding ride comfort w/r bumps in the road without actual suspension changes versus increase tire sidewall.

 

[jimschoice]

I am wondering how this turned out? Did you ever go with the 16" wheels? I am contemplating the same thing, with the exact same tires!! I had the Pirelli's on my Cmax. They are a bit quieter than the Michelin Energy Savers. You notice a big difference when they are new. After a couple of years, I think they are not quite as quiet.
I think the self sealing tires ride harder in general. I would not put those back on my car ever.
I was looking at the aero Fast Wheels EV01+. but it seems getting them shipped to the USA makes them super expensive. I might try out the steel wheels and see how they ride, and then get some aluminum wheels later, if I like them.
Since it has been years since you started this thread, you may be cruzing around in a plush ID4 instead. I'm going to test drive one of them soon, but not sure I can buy one at this time. Probably stuck with the Bolt for a couple more years. I like the Bolt, but the ride and seats just make me not want to go anywhere that is more than 15 minutes away!

 

[sparks]

Have considered all suggested maybe more.
Abandoned different wheels, tyres etc because of little payback and consideration that I can't outsmart the GM engineers

Sorry.
I take back my comment about gm engineers. Maybe battery guys do tires too.⁉🔥🔥🔥⚡💥

 

[PLP]

Comfort or noise? Which one is more important?

Assuming comparison of same tyres - noise increases with the WIDTH.
Comfort increases with sidewall height.

But then you will drop some range. More sidewall, more flex. More flex takes more energy.
Next is responsiveness.
My experiences: 2019 Bolt and 2016/2015 KIA Forte5 SX.
Bolt: OEM 215/50x17 vs 205/60x16
Forte5: OEM 225/40x18 vs 205/60x16
Both smaller size winter tires are General Arctic

In Bolt there is some difference. Not huge, but noticeable. Handling is slightly worse (it is more wiggly, but nothing excessive).
In Forte5 it was huge improvement on comfort, little on noise, but handling was heavily impacted.

What I am thinking, but not really able to test, is to see if narrower tire would help fight the noise and improve range.
When I read VW ID 4 has 235 front and 255 rear - I was like: no way, that is performance tire. not EV like. Of course, Tesla is even wider...

so, is it possible to put 185/65x16 or even 175/75x15?

I bet noise would be much lower, mileage vastly improved. But I am afraid the grip would suffer and handling could be bad.

 

[blimo]

I switched OEM wheels to my former Volt tires & wheels: Michelin Premier A/S 205 65 16s.
I think the OEM ride comfort was unacceptable on concrete streets.
With the tire swap, ride comfort was barely acceptable, the noise was much better, both the wet and dry weather performance was greatly improved. 205 65 16 tires rub a little bit at turning extremes.

I replaced the rear shocks with adjustable Konis set at the softest setting, and that tamed the rear end's jarring ride.
If adjustable Konis were available for the front, I think I'd be very satisfied.

Right now for my next tire replacement, I'm looking at Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II 215 60 16s because of their wet and dry performance + ride comfort ,and noise performance ( Tire Rack feedback).

 

[PLP]

Right now for my next tire replacement, I'm looking at Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II 215 60 16s because of their wet and dry performance + ride comfort ,and noise performance ( Tire Rack feedback).

What about rolling resistance?