Been searching away for days trying to figure out what direction to go.

Currently on step rim 19 inch Work XSA 04C, 10 inch wide front and 11 inch rear, and I want to downsize. Same rim, just slightly narrower, and getting the custom offset to pull the outer edge in a bit. Would prefer the "flush" look rather than the annoying camber look it needs to run to minimise the tyre rub

What are the road noise differences like between 18s and 19s though, anyone with experience with both here?
I really like the step rim look with the 19, but running 370z sport brakes means the 18 inch barrel on the step rim is already a snug fit. So if I go 18, it has to be the flat lip look.

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Road noise is a product/function of tire choice not the diameter of the wheel.

 

For those wondering, here is the step rim version







And here is the flat type lip.

 

If you're plus sizing and reducing the sidewall height, I know it's usually found that ride suffers, and noise can be worse. I haven't driven a Z with stock rims though, so I'm unsure of any difference if there is one.

 

Mic is correct, its the tire choice. If you're worried about noise, the z isn't exactly the best platform for a quiet cabin.

 

OK so the major difference is in the tyre construction, compound, etc. Going narrower might help with noise anyway, go from a slightly stretched 285 to a proper fitting 265 or 275

​​​​​Im not really worried as such, it was just something I was thinking about while going for new wheels. Driveline mounts are all urethane and hard nismo bushes in all locations, so she's plenty noisy as it stands
I've driven it on our shitty *** roads for 3 years odd, and was thinking it might be good to go smaller if the benefit is big enough.
Lighter, cheaper tyres and more tyres, less noise, etc, just a worse look to my eyes with this rim type

 

I have run various brands of summer/performance tires, all-season tires, and studless snow tires on my 2003 350z car. My experience is with 17”, 18”, and 19” tires.

Comfort: The smaller the wheel the more comfortable the ride (i.e., 17” wheels are more comfortable than 18” wheels, and 18” wheels are more comfortable than 19” wheels).

Noise: There is no perceptible difference in noise level form 17” to 18” to 19” wheel/tire setups. Tires (and the tread) make noise; wheels do not.

Tire Size: We are probably most interested in tire width when discussing noise level. The answer here is that wider tires definitely make more noise. Wider tires have more material in contact with the road and therefore produce more noise.

 

Smaller does not make less noise. As a topical example, on my Z, I ran a set of stock sized BFG KD-something-or-other that were mounted on my first set of Track V1s years ago. They were so loud (AND uncomfortable), I took 'em off inside of two days and didn't even try to sell them, I GAVE THEM AWAY, they were so bad. Not to mention, performance was the worse I've had on my car, EVER.

At the other end of the spectrum, my largest (width and wheel size) on the car, 19x10.5 and 285/35 Kumho PS91s were among the quietest and best riding tires I've ever owned.

Tire noise is a function of (in order):

1. Tread design

2. Compounding

3. Tire type (construction method, e.g. radial v bias ply as an old example, type of belt and belt overlap as a more recent example). "Load" is a factor in this segment. A higher load tire tends to be a little noisier than average but it's a secondary consideration and not always the case.

4. Then size.