2015 Denali 1500 - 22"/20" vs 18"

savaytse66 · August 25, 2015

Wondering what everyone's thought are here. I was all set to close a deal on a White Diamond 6.2L Denali 1500 at a good price, and then a Bronze Alloy version popped up nearby. It's currently in transit to the dealer, so it's brand new off the line. The truck was ordered with 22" wheels, which I honestly have no interest in. The dealer is offering to give me a $2,500 credit in exchange for 18" wheels.

While I like the elegant look of the 20 and 22" wheels on a high end trim like the Denali, I think I like the long term cost of 18" tires. But what I don't know is how the ride and economy differ between 18" and 20/22"s. My dealer is clearly not giving me the full cost benefit of the swap, but I'm not overly concerned if I am going to make up the difference in a smoother ride and possibly better fuel economy.

Thoughts?

Rawyzf · August 25, 2015

Honestly, 18/20 tires are priced very close. 22s are a bit more, but with them gaining popularity, they are coming down a bit in price as well.

I went from 18 to 20, really didn't notice any difference at all (MPG or Ride Quality). I have no experience on 22s. I think the GM 22s look good as far as a wheel looks, but I do like more fluff and sidewall, so will never end up getting a set.

I'd take the credit and run with it either as $ off the truck, or to buy a set of 18/20 wheels that you like with the tires you like, then turn around and sell the takeoff set of 18s for around a grand on craiglist.

Luster · August 25, 2015

Denali is the flagship of the GMC Sierra fleet.

I wouldn't take the deal. 18's are going to ruin the looks of the Denali.

(My opinion only... I like the looks [and ride quality] of the 20's and 22's)

Stevens03 · August 25, 2015

More rubber, should will offer a better ride. Your selection of 22" tires is also somewhat limited and will cost more. Also the 22" lower profile tire will have better handling than your 18" option but trucks aren't sports cars.. so does it really matter? Thats up to you.

6D9 Matt · August 25, 2015

Denali is the flagship of the GMC Sierra fleet.

I wouldn't take the deal. 18's are going to ruin the looks of the Denali.

(My opinion only... I like the looks [and ride quality] of the 20's and 22's)

Couldnt agree more.

SMiller · August 25, 2015

Wait until the truck comes in, you will fall in love with the 22's.

You will not feel a difference between the 18's 20's and 22's and ZERO mileage difference.

savaytse66 · August 26, 2015

Wait until the truck comes in, you will fall in love with the 22's.

You will not feel a difference between the 18's 20's and 22's and ZERO mileage difference.

Oh, I like the look of the 22s. I just don't know that the look is worth $3,000 plus the long term cost of new tires. When I'm using my truck, I spend way much more time looking at it from the inside.

I can swap from the 22s to the 20s also for less of a credit; around $1,800. Unfortunately, the dealer isn't giving back the full credit. In the end, I may very well pass anyway. When I compare apples to apples, I'm not getting as much of a deal on the vehicle that I'd like anyway. Such hard choices...

Luster · August 26, 2015

Wait until the truck comes in, you will fall in love with the 22's.

You will not feel a difference between the 18's 20's and 22's and ZERO mileage difference.

The first time I saw my truck with those SEY 22's, I literally said... "Holy Sh*t! That's the best looking truck I've ever seen!" Customers at the dealership were taking pictures of it!

DanMan_S · August 26, 2015

Wait until the truck comes in, you will fall in love with the 22's.

You will not feel a difference between the 18's 20's and 22's and ZERO mileage difference.

Having lifted both the 20" and 22" wheels back to back, there is guaranteed to be a mileage and acceleration difference, whether or not the average driver notices it. It's simply physics, adding weight is bad, but adding more rotational weight that is further away from the axis of rotation is even worse. This results in more horsepower being used just to turn the wheels, and longer braking differences. There is no way around this. In some driving, you may not notice it but the effect is always there.

Car and Driver actually did a neat comparison awhile back showing how increasing wheel diameter influences acceleration and fuel mileage:

Neither is a huge surprise, but we measured a 10-percent drop in fuel economy and a four-percent degradation in 0-to-60-mph acceleration from the 15s to the 19s, which is worth considering should you be thinking about “going big.”

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/effects-of-upsized-wheels-and-tires-tested

galliher_nc · August 26, 2015

Oh, I like the look of the 22s. I just don't know that the look is worth $3,000 plus the long term cost of new tires. When I'm using my truck, I spend way much more time looking at it from the inside.

I can swap from the 22s to the 20s also for less of a credit; around $1,800. Unfortunately, the dealer isn't giving back the full credit. In the end, I may very well pass anyway. When I compare apples to apples, I'm not getting as much of a deal on the vehicle that I'd like anyway. Such hard choices...

I'd go 20's if I were you.

TxTruckMan · August 26, 2015

You're buying a Denali and worried about long term tires costs? That makes no sense.

Big_D · August 26, 2015

You're buying a Denali and worried about long term tires costs? That makes no sense.

x2

I'd stick with the 22s, or at least 20s. You could sell brand new 22" denail takeoffs on craigslist/kijiji, get aftermarket or replica 20s with upgraded AT rubber and still have money in your pocket. Don't trade the 22s to the dealership lol

savaytse66 · August 26, 2015

You're buying a Denali and worried about long term tires costs? That makes no sense.

What doesn't make sense? Trying to save a few dollars on something I don't care too much about? Sorry, but $3,000 premium for the wheels, plus the added cost of tires adds up. No offense, but why in the world wouldn't you consider true cost of ownership when buying a vehicle? If I can pocket five thousand dollars while I own the vehicle, whether it's from tire savings or gas mileage, why wouldn't I? That savings could mean an easy upgrade from a 5.3 to a 6.2 some day. With your line of reasoning, why even bother negotiating the price of a vehicle? The MSRP is $60k, why worry about a couple thousand dollars?

Don't get me wrong, the 22" wheels look great, and to some (most?) people, that's an important feature. For me, it's worth the premium for the 6.2L, and the extra cost of fuel is okay. But the wheels? I just don't care. I don't see them when I drive, and I still get that premium Denali ride.

savaytse66 · August 26, 2015

x2

I'd stick with the 22s, or at least 20s. You could sell brand new 22" denail takeoffs on craigslist/kijiji, get aftermarket or replica 20s with upgraded AT rubber and still have money in your pocket. Don't trade the 22s to the dealership lol

I do agree that the dealer is trying to screw me over with the trade from 22 to 18. In fact, I told him to take a hike earlier today, a that was the main reason. Tried giving me a line of BS about handling 8 tires, and couldn't give me full MSRP, etc. Sleazy dealer IMO.

Rawyzf · August 26, 2015

I do agree that the dealer is trying to screw me over with the trade from 22 to 18. In fact, I told him to take a hike earlier today, a that was the main reason. Tried giving me a line of BS about handling 8 tires, and couldn't give me full MSRP, etc. Sleazy dealer IMO.

LOL, get real on expecting to get full retail from a dealer on wheel trade in. If you want it a specific way, build it that way, or take what you can get.