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Improved handling through new rims

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by jiepsie, Apr 4, 2007.

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  1. jiepsie

    jiepsie New Member

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    Turns out my car handles MUCH better with the new rims. At first, I thought it was just the effect of the sunny spring day on my mood. Now I think I know what makes the difference: the track width is noticeably wider, especially when viewed from the rear I can see that the tires are more to the outside of the car now. I use the original 16" Michelin tires we get here.

    So if you were thinking of getting new rims, here is a good excuse to get them!
     
    #1 jiepsie, Apr 4, 2007
  2. jgills240

    jgills240 Member

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    I may be out of line, but let see some pics!
     
    #2 jgills240, Apr 4, 2007
  3. priusFTW

    priusFTW Gen III JBL non Nav

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Apr 4 2007, 11:40 AM) [snapback]417602[/snapback]</div>
    I would like to see some too!
     
    #3 priusFTW, Apr 4, 2007
  4. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    I have a suggestion-perhaps this should go to the website administrators, not here. For folks (like me) who are considering new wheels, it would be helpful if all the wheel/tire info was consolidated in one place. Searching for all the threads in the Prius Modifications forum takes a lot of work. Audio and Electronic mods has it own forum, and I think that, with all the wheel/tire mods that people have done and posted about, they should also be in one place. It would be useful to be able to see the different aftermarket wheel/tire options that are available, photos, comments on handling, and fuel economy. Just a thought...
     
    #4 larkinmj, Apr 4, 2007
  5. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    What kind of wheels did you get? How much do they weigh?
     
    #5 Presto, Apr 4, 2007
  6. jiepsie

    jiepsie New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Apr 4 2007, 05:40 PM) [snapback]417602[/snapback]</div>
    I was already showing them off in this thread. But hey, I don't mind showing off some more :D
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 4 2007, 07:37 PM) [snapback]417696[/snapback]</div>
    AEZ Wave (German), no idea how much they weigh. For some strange reason, weight is not really considered here, not even the manufacturer sites tell you the weight. I do know the stock ones get heavy when you have to carry them up four flights of stairs, not looking forward to the winter swap.
     
    #6 jiepsie, Apr 4, 2007
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Is that little plug in the bumper a proximity sensor?

    The new wheels look really great!
     
    #7 Bill Merchant, Apr 4, 2007
  8. jiepsie

    jiepsie New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Apr 5 2007, 01:02 AM) [snapback]417862[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks. Yes, that's a proximity sensor. Few people have their own driveway or garage here, it's all parallel parking in small spaces. The average American truck would not fit in any of them and a Prius is considered large, so it's really handy here.
     
    #8 jiepsie, Apr 4, 2007
  9. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    Are your wheels the same offset as stock? They look great, but I'm wondering about the 'increased track' you'd mentioned, and how that might have an effect on the wheel bearings/suspension.
     
    #9 Pinto Girl, Apr 4, 2007
  10. jiepsie

    jiepsie New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Apr 5 2007, 02:30 AM) [snapback]417895[/snapback]</div>
    The new wheels have an offset of 40 mm, the stock ones were 45 m I think. Probably within the acceptable tolerance, bearings and suspension are not that fragile. The car should be able to handle five heavy passengers, in my case it's only one 130 pound driver. It should be able to handle potholes, in my case it's smooth Dutch asphalt. That should offset the new offset <_<
     
    #10 jiepsie, Apr 5, 2007
  11. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    Those are really nice wheels, and they really compliment the Prius. I've seen similar wheels on Volkswagen Passats, which would make sense since they're made by a German company.
     
    #11 larkinmj, Apr 5, 2007
  12. jgills240

    jgills240 Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Apr 4 2007, 06:23 PM) [snapback]417864[/snapback]</div>
    did you install the proximity sensor yourself, or is that just another in the list of thing Toyota didn't think us in the US would appreciate... along with vert. seat adj.?
     
    #12 jgills240, Apr 6, 2007
  13. jiepsie

    jiepsie New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Apr 6 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]419037[/snapback]</div>
    Do you need it in the US? So much more space there... It's a dealer installed option here, standard Toyota stuff for any model. We don't get the bladder or the thermos. Instead of an airbag that switches on and off, we get a sticker that says there's an airbag, period. Maybe we should have a thread on Euro vs US specs, I keep discovering new differences in various discussions here.
     
    #13 jiepsie, Apr 6, 2007
  14. bfenenga

    bfenenga Junior Member

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    What size tires are they?
     
    #14 bfenenga, Apr 7, 2007
  15. jiepsie

    jiepsie New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bert Fenenga @ Apr 7 2007, 09:28 AM) [snapback]419281[/snapback]</div>
    Stock, 195/55 R16.
     
    #15 jiepsie, Apr 7, 2007
  16. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 4 2007, 10:37 AM) [snapback]417696[/snapback]</div>
    I took a slightly different approach - 15x6.5 wheels with 205/60-15 tires. The wheels weigh in at 4.5 kg/9.99 lb each. My Prius is still in break-in period, so no sense whether I will get better FE from the reduced rotational mass. Also, the 205/60-15 tires are within 1 rev/mile of the stock specification, so no issues with speedo/odo accuracy. If someone wants to post instructions for how to display photos, I will show my rims.
     
    #16 apriusfan, Apr 8, 2007
  17. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 4 2007, 10:37 AM) [snapback]417696[/snapback]</div>
    I took a slightly different approach - 15x6.5 wheels with 205/60-15 tires. The wheels weigh in at 4.5 kg/9.99 lb each. My Prius is still in break-in period, so no sense whether I will get better FE from the reduced rotational mass. Also, the 205/60-15 tires are within 1 rev/mile of the stock specification, so no issues with speedo/odo accuracy. If someone wants to post instructions for how to display photos, I will show my rims.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 4 2007, 10:37 AM) [snapback]417696[/snapback]</div>
    I took a slightly different approach - 15x6.5 wheels with 205/60-15 tires. The wheels weigh in at 4.5 kg/9.99 lb each. My Prius is still in break-in period, so no sense whether I will get better FE from the reduced rotational mass. Also, the 205/60-15 tires are within 1 rev/mile of the stock specification, so no issues with speedo/odo accuracy. If someone wants to post instructions for how to display photos, I will show my rims.

    Oops - it would appear that I double clicked the add reply button.... Mods please remove the duplicate post.
     
    #17 apriusfan, Apr 8, 2007
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Apr 8 2007, 02:36 AM) [snapback]419762[/snapback]</div>
    wow.. IIRC, stock 15" rims are 6.5kg/14.3lbs each
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2007
  19. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 8 2007, 12:32 PM) [snapback]419876[/snapback]</div>
    Every little bit helps. I am really curious to see if there is a difference in FE from the reduced rotational mass. :)
     
    #19 apriusfan, Apr 8, 2007
  20. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Apr 8 2007, 02:44 AM) [snapback]419763[/snapback]</div>

    Wow! Those seem pretty light! I'm not really concerned about FE at this point, but a lighter weight wheel should give me better handling. Who manufacturers them?
     
    #20 Presto, Apr 8, 2007
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