16" or 17" wheels? - Toyota Yaris Forums

grampi · 05-09-2007, 10:02 AM

I would probably like the looks of 17" wheels and tires better, but here are my concerns.

I put roughly 3000 miles on my vehicle per month. Because of this, I want to stay away from having to go with H, V, or Z speed rated tires because they just don't last very long. My other concern is ride quality. I know from experience that going from a 15" to a 17" tire, while maintaining the same overall diameter means the sidewall is going to be much shorter and stiffer on the 17" tire. I don't want to destroy the ride quality of the Yaris, so here are my questions. Does going to a 17" rim and tire result in a bone-jarring ride, and are touring tires (T or S speed rated tires) available in a 17" size? Thanks.

redyaris · 05-09-2007, 10:53 AM

Exactly why i kept 15"s. Im not putting mucho dollars into performance tires every 2-3 years on a Yaris! Ill keep my little 185s and have some extra cash for other goodies.

grampi · 05-09-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redyaris

Exactly why i kept 15"s. Im not putting mucho dollars into performance tires every 2-3 years on a Yaris! Ill keep my little 185s and have some extra cash for other goodies.

I don't understand why tire makers think that every tire with an aspect ratio of 50 or lower must be an H through Z speed rated tire. Why can't they make these low profile tires in a touring compound (T or S speed rated) that'll be good for 70K-80K miles? Not everyone who wants low profile tires needs racing tires. In fact, most people are probably buying them just for the looks.

brickhardmeat · 05-09-2007, 12:49 PM

15-16

PetersRedYaris · 05-09-2007, 01:00 PM

205/40/17's ride nice with NF210 springs. Much more firm than stock, but definetley not bone-jarring. The only place I wish I had more rubber is on rough R/R crossings. I can't tell any difference on good roads, no slapping the seams on the pavement. Interstate is super smooth.

grampi · 05-09-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PetersRedYaris

205/40/17's ride nice with NF210 springs. Much more firm than stock, but definetley not bone-jarring. The only place I wish I had more rubber is on rough R/R crossings. I can't tell any difference on good roads, no slapping the seams on the pavement. Interstate is super smooth.

My guess is those 40s are Z speed rated?

Imagine · 05-09-2007, 03:36 PM

You are right grampi thats the reason I switched back to 15s with my Civic. 17's were expensive and sacrificed ride quality. You can run a 50 series tire on the 16, but they still wont be as cheap as 15s.

grampi · 05-09-2007, 04:41 PM

Are there any 50 or lower series tires available that are good for say 60K-80K miles? That's what I'm looking for.

d4w1 · 05-09-2007, 10:53 PM

Check with www.tirerack.com. KUMO has a AST all weather directional 17", 205/45R17 for a excellent price. This tire cost no more than your stock narrow tires that came with your car.

Thirty-Nine · 05-10-2007, 01:22 AM

I'd go 15 or 16. I rocked 18s on my xB for a while, but it's just too much wheel for performance purposes. I'm now riding on 16s, which have great handling, less rotating mass, and provide more sidewall for the bumps.

grampi · 05-10-2007, 08:24 AM

Any suggestions for places to look for rims? Thanks.

Imagine · 05-10-2007, 08:33 AM

My only real advice to you is the pay attention to the treadwear ratings on the tire. The higher the number the longer the tire life. Tirerack.com will list the tires treadwear rating with the description of the tires. Also, read the tire reviews that tirerack.com offers. Sometimes people will tell you how many miles they were able to get out of their tires.

Read this article for more info..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwear_rating

eTiMaGo · 05-10-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

I'd go 15 or 16. I rocked 18s on my xB for a while, but it's just too much wheel for performance purposes. I'm now riding on 16s, which have great handling, less rotating mass, and provide more sidewall for the bumps.

I agree, I love my 18"s, but 16" is probably the ideal compromise between looks, performance, and comfort...

redyaris · 05-10-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagine

You are right grampi thats the reason I switched back to 15s with my Civic. 17's were expensive and sacrificed ride quality. You can run a 50 series tire on the 16, but they still wont be as cheap as 15s.

IMO there will be a lot of people switching back to 15"s as soon as they get their first tire bill for speed rated tires on a slow econocar!

grampi · 05-10-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grampi

Any suggestions for places to look for rims? Thanks.

Anyone?

Imagine · 05-10-2007, 01:49 PM

Check the site sponsors.
Tirerack.com
Tires.com
Wheelsnext.com
Superbuytires.com
eBay

There are tons, and tons of places to buy wheels. If you knew what kind you were looking for I could help narrow them down for you.

SailDesign · 05-10-2007, 05:33 PM

My favorite spot is www.edgeracing.com - they have a great deal on Enkei OR52 wheels at the moment, especially if you include tires.

Rabbit · 05-14-2007, 06:31 PM

i have 17's on my yaris and i put 4000- 5000 a month , and have no problems at all

05-09-2007, 10:02 AM	#1
grampi Drives: Corolla Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 325	16" or 17" wheels? I would probably like the looks of 17" wheels and tires better, but here are my concerns. I put roughly 3000 miles on my vehicle per month. Because of this, I want to stay away from having to go with H, V, or Z speed rated tires because they just don't last very long. My other concern is ride quality. I know from experience that going from a 15" to a 17" tire, while maintaining the same overall diameter means the sidewall is going to be much shorter and stiffer on the 17" tire. I don't want to destroy the ride quality of the Yaris, so here are my questions. Does going to a 17" rim and tire result in a bone-jarring ride, and are touring tires (T or S speed rated tires) available in a 17" size? Thanks.

05-09-2007, 10:53 AM	#2
redyaris Shiny Chromey Coolness View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Toyota Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 982	Exactly why i kept 15"s. Im not putting mucho dollars into performance tires every 2-3 years on a Yaris! Ill keep my little 185s and have some extra cash for other goodies. __________________ Bringin the Bling to Yarisworld

05-09-2007, 12:49 PM	#4
brickhardmeat Lonesome Cowboy View User's Garage Drives: 2007 WHITE HATCHBACK Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Inner City, Dallas Posts: 2,995	15-16 __________________ SPONSORED BY

05-10-2007, 01:22 AM	#10
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	I'd go 15 or 16. I rocked 18s on my xB for a while, but it's just too much wheel for performance purposes. I'm now riding on 16s, which have great handling, less rotating mass, and provide more sidewall for the bumps. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

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05-09-2007, 01:00 PM	#5
PetersRedYaris View User's Garage Drives: 2005 Scion xB Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 1,059	205/40/17's ride nice with NF210 springs. Much more firm than stock, but definetley not bone-jarring. The only place I wish I had more rubber is on rough R/R crossings. I can't tell any difference on good roads, no slapping the seams on the pavement. Interstate is super smooth.

05-09-2007, 03:36 PM	#7
Imagine Insert sarcasm here. View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Black Pearl Sand 3Dr Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 241	You are right grampi thats the reason I switched back to 15s with my Civic. 17's were expensive and sacrificed ride quality. You can run a 50 series tire on the 16, but they still wont be as cheap as 15s.

05-09-2007, 04:41 PM	#8
grampi Drives: Corolla Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 325	Are there any 50 or lower series tires available that are good for say 60K-80K miles? That's what I'm looking for.

05-09-2007, 10:53 PM	#9
d4w1 View User's Garage Drives: Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 47	Check with www.tirerack.com. KUMO has a AST all weather directional 17", 205/45R17 for a excellent price. This tire cost no more than your stock narrow tires that came with your car.

05-10-2007, 08:24 AM	#11
grampi Drives: Corolla Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 325	Any suggestions for places to look for rims? Thanks.

05-10-2007, 08:33 AM	#12
Imagine Insert sarcasm here. View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Black Pearl Sand 3Dr Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 241	My only real advice to you is the pay attention to the treadwear ratings on the tire. The higher the number the longer the tire life. Tirerack.com will list the tires treadwear rating with the description of the tires. Also, read the tire reviews that tirerack.com offers. Sometimes people will tell you how many miles they were able to get out of their tires. Read this article for more info.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwear_rating

05-10-2007, 01:49 PM	#16
Imagine Insert sarcasm here. View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Black Pearl Sand 3Dr Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 241	Check the site sponsors. Tirerack.com Tires.com Wheelsnext.com Superbuytires.com eBay There are tons, and tons of places to buy wheels. If you knew what kind you were looking for I could help narrow them down for you.

05-10-2007, 05:33 PM	#17
SailDesign Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: . Posts: 1,931	My favorite spot is www.edgeracing.com - they have a great deal on Enkei OR52 wheels at the moment, especially if you include tires.

05-14-2007, 06:31 PM	#18
Rabbit Drives: 06 yaris Join Date: May 2007 Location: timmins on Posts: 4	i have 17's on my yaris and i put 4000- 5000 a month , and have no problems at all