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

Dunc · August 26, 2015

Which model of 22s did you get?

savaytse66 · August 26, 2015

Which model of 22s did you get?

Nothing yet. I walked away from the deal earlier this morning. He just couldn't get anywhere close to where I needed to be, especially because the truck had a few other features that I would simply never use, like the rear entertainment stuff. I am still considering a White Diamond Denali with the standard 20" wheels that I have a really good offer on (under $49k on $60k MSRP). I just don't know if I can spare the day to fly out of town to go get it and drive home.

If only I could find a Bronze Alloy built like I want it. That was the only thing keeping the 22" wheels in the game. But between the $3k for the wheels and the $1,500 for the rear entertainment system, it pushed me beyond where I want to be, with or without the brown paint.

robvas · August 27, 2015

I would not want 22's. I'd switch my 20's for 18's if I could make $1500 on the deal

krzyd · August 27, 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)

This

SMiller · August 27, 2015

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.

BS on the mileage difference, the tire height is the same and the weight is not even worth mentioning nor can you feel the difference in sidewall stiffness.

If a guy likes the way the standard 20's look and doesn't want to pay 3k for 22's then great but no reason to try to act as though they kill the mileage because that simply isn't true.

TxTruckMan · August 27, 2015

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.

Then take the 22" wheels and tires, sell them on craig's list for $4k, and put shitty-looking 16" black steelies on your $55k Denali. I don't care.

My point was that if you're that concerned about long-term cost, then buy something else. The Denali package is basically an appearance package. If you don't care about the appearance of your Denali, then what's the point of buying one? Buy an SLT and save $10k. Or buy a used vehicle and save $30k.

And no, I didn't haggle and negotiate for days over the cost of my Denali. I went in with my Supplier Discount, took the incentives they offered, asked them if they could do any better, and then signed the paperwork.

TxTruckMan · August 27, 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.

Oh the humanity! A business that actually tries to make money! Freaking sleeze balls! Everything should be free!

savaytse66 · August 27, 2015

Oh the humanity! A business that actually tries to make money! Freaking sleeze balls! Everything should be free!

Woah. No one suggested that. I'm not looking for an argument, and I certainly respect your opinion. All I'm suggesting is that the extra $3k + replacement tires isn't worth it to me, and if the dealer was able to swap out the wheels for even the 20s and still sell the wheels at a profit (on another vehicle), then everybody wins. Instead, he's giving me less money back for the 22s, charging me for the 18s, and not giving me a good price on the vehicle otherwise. So I walked. Simple as that. That's his business model, and I'm sure someone else will buy the truck.

And it's not that I don't care about the appearance of the vehicle. I'm buying the Denali because of some of the little interior features that I will look at 75% of the time I'm IN the vehicle and for the nice suspension. The outside appearance, while I want it to look nice, just isn't as important to me. I have a few color preferences, and that's about it. I'd rather spend the $3k on a nice mini-vacation for the family or something like that. To each his own. I can afford the tires and a no-haggle price without blinking, but the only reason I CAN afford it is because I don't (can't) dismiss a few thousand dollars like it grows on trees.

And BTW, I'm a successful business owner, and I know all about trying to make a profit. When people come to us and don't want to pay full value for our services, they walk, and everybody moves on. But we also don't take advantage of our valuable customers just because we can. Because if we did, there would be none left to take advantage of. Instead, we treat our customers with honesty and respect, everybody hopefully makes a profit, and we all move on to the next one. This dealer is double-dipping and making profit off of the tires twice; I don't mind contributing to his coffers, but I want something to show for it in the end.

In any case, I've found a few builds that are more to my liking, so I'm seeing what can be done. Hopefully it will all work out.

crushNchowda · August 27, 2015

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

This is very true....HOWEVER - what do you think adds more weight and decreases performance worse...the truck guy w/ the blinged out 22"s on low profile performance rubber or the truck guy w/ the 18" or 16" wheel and the ginormous 70 LB 110 ply off road rubber?

I think unless you're going to add a taller/wider AT tire and a lift/level kit 18" just looks too small on these new trucks, 22"s are heavier and do decrease performance to a degree, and the tires are more expensive, and you're limited as to the type of tire you can buy. I personally think 20"s are the perfect compromise - before I pulled the trigger on my '15 All terrain 6.2 truck I nearly bought a Denali - price difference was $1600 - I opted on the AT because I like the look better (particularly the grill and the 20" rims) - if I was going to go Denali I already told the dealer to swap out off the bling for regular polished 20" Denali rims.

The magnaride helps alot, but you DO notice a ride quality difference, at least I did, driving back to back 20" and 22" equipped trucks

crushNchowda · August 27, 2015

Then take the 22" wheels and tires, sell them on craig's list for $4k, and put shitty-looking 16" black steelies on your $55k Denali. I don't care.

My point was that if you're that concerned about long-term cost, then buy something else. The Denali package is basically an appearance package. If you don't care about the appearance of your Denali, then what's the point of buying one? Buy an SLT and save $10k. Or buy a used vehicle and save $30k.

And no, I didn't haggle and negotiate for days over the cost of my Denali. I went in with my Supplier Discount, took the incentives they offered, asked them if they could do any better, and then signed the paperwork.

How is the Denali package just appearance? Comes w/ factory sprayed bedliner, magnaride suspension (no other truck gets that), unique leather trim (no other truck gets it), unique gauge cluster w/ more features/options and is larger (no other truck gets that), and comes loaded up w/ options/accessories standard that other trim levels would require you to click boxes off.

I'm not saying a Denali isn't overpriced for what you get, I'm just saying its more than just a badge job for sure.

Personally not for me though

TxTruckMan · August 27, 2015

How is the Denali package just appearance? Comes w/ factory sprayed bedliner, magnaride suspension (no other truck gets that), unique leather trim (no other truck gets it), unique gauge cluster w/ more features/options and is larger (no other truck gets that), and comes loaded up w/ options/accessories standard that other trim levels would require you to click boxes off.

I'm not saying a Denali isn't overpriced for what you get, I'm just saying its more than just a badge job for sure.

Personally not for me though

I forgot about the new magnetic suspension - my Denali didn't get it. But other than that it's basically cosmetic or any other trim level can get it. I do wish I had the magnetic suspension. I may upgrade in a year or two.

amxguy1970 · August 27, 2015

BS on the mileage difference, the tire height is the same and the weight is not even worth mentioning nor can you feel the difference in sidewall stiffness.

If a guy likes the way the standard 20's look and doesn't want to pay 3k for 22's then great but no reason to try to act as though they kill the mileage because that simply isn't true.

What you say and what has been proven are two entirely different things...

Tyler

crushNchowda · August 27, 2015

I forgot about the new magnetic suspension - my Denali didn't get it. But other than that it's basically cosmetic or any other trim level can get it. I do wish I had the magnetic suspension. I may upgrade in a year or two.

The other stuff I listed is Denali-specific as well. Just sayin...

I wouldn't want the magnaride shocks anyhow - can't level/lift it or if you want to try its a PITA

Luster · August 27, 2015

BS on the mileage difference, the tire height is the same and the weight is not even worth mentioning nor can you feel the difference in sidewall stiffness.

If a guy likes the way the standard 20's look and doesn't want to pay 3k for 22's then great but no reason to try to act as though they kill the mileage because that simply isn't true.

With GM 22's and Factory Bridgestones that I run all the time, I'll consistently get 17.5 city and 23.5 highway. I'm with you on this one... they can't tell me that putting 18's on my truck is going to make any difference in fuel economy!

The weight difference is negligible. OK so one weighs 90 lbs and one weighs 75. That's 60 lbs difference on a 5000 lb vehicle. It's like taking my 8 year old granddaughter along for the ride. Oh better not take her, it'll cut down on my mileage!!!

Robert.jean1 · August 27, 2015

I wonder how a Denali is so specific. My SLT has every option offered on a truck. No it doesn't say Denali on my seats, steering wheel or grill, but Denali doesn't really mean loaded. I was looking at two the other day and they were missing a few options. I agree they come with the magniride suspension and a different Guage cluster but that's all really.

The other stuff I listed is Denali-specific as well. Just sayin...

I wouldn't want the magnaride shocks anyhow - can't level/lift it or if you want to try its a PITA