Suspension and rims for rough roads

[TDR]

Hi everyone! So i am really new here, was reading forum every now and then but never posted. So i recently bought Toyota Vitz RS NCP91 and after driving it for a week got some questions. Stock 16' rims and 195/50 tires are great when it comes to handling but it sure is hard to drive on russian roads. We do have good roads with nice pavement, mostly outskirts of the city, but inside the town asphalt is mostly terrible with lots of cracks, "waves" and holes. So to save tires and rims i have to drive really carefuly. My previous car was '05 Mazda Demio (mazda 2) with 14/175/65 tires which absorbed most of the impact. But the handling was shite.

So the thing is, i really enjoy stiff tight handling stock RS wheels and shocks give, but i am afraid our glorious russian roads will end wheel bearings pretty quick. I like my cars to have some outstanding feature so i was thinking if i can't have low sporty RS maybe i can have "wannabe" rally style RS? By "wannabe" rally i mean installing performance shocks with higher springs and 185/60/15 rims so i can drive these bumpy roads even faster normal cars do. I talked to the owner of this rally Yaris and she told me that she got MCA suspension on her car. Buuut maybe you guys can recommend more affordable option? Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks.

[Bluevitz-rs]

You won't find any higher springs than stock, unless you go with custom springs on coil overs. I run Koni Yellow adjustable shocks with stock springs. Handling is amazing even set to full soft for the winter and with winter tires. So some good adjustable shocks paired with the stock springs will give you the handling you want with ground clearance and decent comfort.

185/60-15 should also be a good tire size. Lighter rims will also help with ride quality.

[why?]

The stock ride height on the Yaris hatch is really high, you don't need to go any higher than that.

Bluevitz-rshas the right idea, good adjustable shocks with the stock springs should help immensely. Also get the tires with the biggest sidewall that can fit, that will help absorb all the impacts.

The handling of the Yaris is all about the suspension. I run 14" tires that are 185/65 I think, and my car handles great on Megan Coilovers. I do feel every little bump and hear it loudly though, but that is no big deal to me.

[TDR]

Originally Posted by Bluevitz-rs

You won't find any higher springs than stock, unless you go with custom springs on coil overs. I run Koni Yellow adjustable shocks with stock springs. Handling is amazing even set to full soft for the winter and with winter tires. So some good adjustable shocks paired with the stock springs will give you the handling you want with ground clearance and decent comfort.

185/60-15 should also be a good tire size. Lighter rims will also help with ride quality.

Would you please share exact number/model of your Koni shocks? Seems to be Koni Sport shocks, but they don't have yaris/vitz after younger than 2005 in their catalog.

Originally Posted by why?

The stock ride height on the Yaris hatch is really high, you don't need to go any higher than that.

Bluevitz-rshas the right idea, good adjustable shocks with the stock springs should help immensely. Also get the tires with the biggest sidewall that can fit, that will help absorb all the impacts.

The handling of the Yaris is all about the suspension. I run 14" tires that are 185/65 I think, and my car handles great on Megan Coilovers. I do feel every little bump and hear it loudly though, but that is no big deal to me.

Okay then same question for you, could you share exact number/model of your coilovers? Are they good at absorbing impact? I am asking because we do have a lot of lowered cars in here with coilovers that are just spine breaking stiff and have very short travel. Basically turning cars into go carts. And about tires, i want to find that perfect balance between comfort, look and performance. And 195/50/16 wheels sure look nice, but they are too thin and hard for our roads. Sure, i can put 175/70/14 wheels on my car, but what fun is that? I think 15' rims with 205/55 or 195/60 tires would be enough, yes?

[Bluevitz-rs]

Says right in my info to te left '05.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by TDR

... I think 15' rims with 205/55 or 195/60 tires would be enough, yes?

Yes. 205/55/15's or 195/60/15's are a good fit with proper wheel offset at stock height.

[CrankyOldMan]

Originally Posted by TDR

Would you please share exact number/model of your Koni shocks? Seems to be Koni Sport shocks, but they don't have yaris/vitz after younger than 2005 in their catalog.

Correct, KONI does not make a kit for the 2006+ Yaris.

Okay then same question for you, could you share exact number/model of your coilovers? Are they good at absorbing impact? I am asking because we do have a lot of lowered cars in here with coilovers that are just spine breaking stiff and have very short travel. Basically turning cars into go carts. And about tires, i want to find that perfect balance between comfort, look and performance. And 195/50/16 wheels sure look nice, but they are too thin and hard for our roads. Sure, i can put 175/70/14 wheels on my car, but what fun is that? I think 15' rims with 205/55 or 195/60 tires would be enough, yes?

I run 175/70R14 for snow tires in the winter and don't mind them. They look a bit goofy on stock suspension, but that's probably because I prefer the look of my 205/50R15's on my summer wheels with a 1.75" drop.

[TDR]

So... since koni gave up on later yaris/vitz models, guys, any suggestions on what shocks to look for? Bilstein? They got height adjustment kit, but i guess stiffness adjustment is more preferable, right? Still waiting for Why?'s opinion on megan coilovers.

[Mittelklasse]

I run stock 15 x 5.5" wheels with 185/65R15 tires, and H&R sport springs (1" drop).

The ride is smoother than standard 185/60-size tires.

It doesn't rub even on full-lock with people onboard.

[why?]

Originally Posted by TDR

So... since koni gave up on later yaris/vitz models, guys, any suggestions on what shocks to look for? Bilstein? They got height adjustment kit, but i guess stiffness adjustment is more preferable, right? Still waiting for Why?'s opinion on megan coilovers.

Yea, no way would I run coilovers on a car that would travel rough pavement frequently.

And Tokico Reds are another good stiffness adjustable shock that gets really soft but still handles really well. I almost bought these instead of coilovers, but the coilovers ended up being less expensive.