[Fitment Report] 185/65R15 w/ H&R Sport springs (1.25" drop)

[Mittelklasse]

SUCCESS!

No rubbing 100%.

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u354/Krotchyminator/fit_side_rr.jpg

More details to follow.

[Mittelklasse]

FRONT:
(Right-hand side)
http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u354/Krotchyminator/fit_wheel_fr.jpg

(Left-hand side)
http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u354/Krotchyminator/fit_side_fr.jpg
.
.
.
REAR:
http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u354/Krotchyminator/fit_wheel_rr.jpg

[sex]

Why choose 65 vs 60?

[Mittelklasse]

The 65 profile offers taller sidewall. (4.7" vs 4.4")
Benefits are much lower noise, vibration, harshness, and better fuel economy.

[mr_miles]

that's a lot of sidewall! bet it rides smooth though. :D How much does fuel economy improve?


On a side note - 225/50/15's on a 10 inch wide wheel do NOT fit under the rear of a yaris when you're lowered to less than 3 inches of ground clearance. Just in case anyone is curious.

[Mittelklasse]

I've just went through 2 tanks since the replacement, and the results are in.
(Note: my old set of tires were of size 195/55R15)

FUEL ECONOMY
[Averaged 50/50 Highway/Urban]

Before: 13.76 km/L (32.4 MPG)
After: 15.46 km/L (36.4 MPG)


PERFORMANCE
Highway speed (>60 MPH) acceleration is noticeably improved. The car feels a bit more torquey.
At lower speed and take off, it isn't suffered much either. 0-60 time is about 0.2 second slower.


HANDLING
Steering feel and high speed stability are improved due to more negative scrub radius.
However, Turn-in and low-speed cornering are worse a bit. (But still better than stock Yaris)
More negative camber should be able to compensate. (ATM I'm running -1.00 deg.)

Comfort and quietness are very, noticeably better. The ride can be said to be "Rubbery, yet firm".

The car became more like European mini highway cruiser. :thumbsup:

[Lars]

I can understand improvements in fuel economy, noise, comfort... but better high speed handling?? By increasing tire sidewall?? Sorry, I'm not buying that.

[Mittelklasse]

(...) better high speed handling?? By increasing tire sidewall?? Sorry, I'm not buying that.

I used the term "stability". The car tracks straight, and negates crosswind and road irregularities better.
(More angular momentum + more negative scrub radius)

Overall handling, turn-in, etc. is worse than shorter sidewall, of course. :wink:

[Lars]

^ Oh ok... but it was under the topic "handling", so it kinda got me wondering what you meant. That clarifies :)

One question for you! Your front strut bar, did you have to drill or does it use the two holes already existing? I wanted to try one of those but without drilling. Did you notice a nice improvement?

On my previous VW Golf IV I bought a strut bar (I had to drill though) and the improvement was extraordinary! Best money I spent on that car!

[Lars]

BTW, your car looks real nice, I have a set of H&R springs and some wheel spacers waiting for spring time. I hope it will look as nice as yours :)

[Mittelklasse]

My strut bar is a bolt-on, no drilling required.

As of an improvement the car is more 'stable' (again!) at high speed, but in an understeer fashion.
The chassis seems to resist any directional changes made and just wants to go straight.
So, I think it is advisable to install together with a rear sway bar.

BTW, your car looks real nice, I have a set of H&R springs and some wheel spacers waiting for spring time. I hope it will look as nice as yours :)

Danke schoen! :biggrin:

I used to ride on 195/55s. Those look and handle definitely better.
But, since I have to work up-country more often,
I should better go with such tire with largest possible sidewall and low rolling resitance.

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u354/Krotchyminator/IMG_1713.jpg

[yougojay]

Your Yaris looks awesome - I love those stock alloy wheels from the mid 2000's - I want a set like that for my 2013 Yaris - Think there is an issue with the tire pressure monitoring sensors and using older rims...not sure but I'm along way off from new rims. Those are beautiful, just fantastic! The blue looks awesome, too - !

[amfareed]

I bought the same size for my yards sedan 2008...what PSI (tyre pressure) you recommend?
when I use 30 PSI the car is little bit loose...do you recommend higher PSI?
Thanks

[Mittelklasse]

I bought the same size for my yards sedan 2008...what PSI (tyre pressure) you recommend?
when I use 30 PSI the car is little bit loose...do you recommend higher PSI?
Thanks

I set mine at 35 PSI front / 32 PSI rear.
To me it offers a good balance between handling, ride comfort, and fuel economy.