New wheels and meats

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

specifically what I wanted, for what I need out of them


15x7 DR16 and 185/60 R15 Michelin Harmony

in the pic, wheel clearance is exaggerated 'cuz it just came off the jack
it has stock springs, not lowered

I finally got rid of those crappy Goodyear Eagle LS joke tires !!!!

[contraband831]

you going to lower your ride or keep it stock?

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

stock.

I need clearance 'cuz I have cabin deep in woods, and sometimes I don't take the 4runner

[kimona]

Very nice!

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

Ok, preliminary drive tests done

137 miles driven in dry, and 240 miles in soaking rain on interstates

big difference in how the Yaris behaves

1) 40 offset sticks the wheels out a little bit from stock you can feel the added stability in the corners

2) Michelin Harmony in monster rain on highway, just chews through rain and
standing water unbelievably well and also accelerates far better...loads more grip than Goodyear Eagle LS.
it is exactly like having 4 skinny tires on each wheel. The circumferential grooves on these tires are wide and deep.

note to anyone who wants a rain and water tire. Multiple wide circumferential grooves rock. Rain tires with fancy
angled tread blocks, if they don't have massive parallel and circumferential grooves, will not perform as well as these.
for proof just look at airliner tires... no blocks just grooves because that is the only thing that can hit standing water
at 200mph and not hydroplane. pretty much same deal hitting standing water at 80mph on the interstate in a car...

3) lighter spinning mass of wheel and tires vs stock equals a peppier take off and lighter touch
on brakes coming to a stop

4) These harmonys are quiet !
I can leave the radio 10 volume points lower than usual on all roads


I had no idea that simply putting on stock size tires and stock diameter wheels could do SO much for the handling and overall drive,
and appearance-wise, from the back, it looks like I have much wider tires than a stock tire due to the wider stance.
make the Yaris look a bit more 'substantial' as a car compared to the skinny stock stance. The rims are 1.5 wider than stock
but the tires are stock size. Big difference visually.

----
total handling mods:

-23mm sway bar I had for the last 19,000 miles. done for handling, and it does it nicely
-40 offset 15 lbs wheel set 15x7 - new - done for looks but it delivered better handling and performance much to my surprise
-Michelin Harmony 185/60 R15 - new - done for traction and control and it delivers in spades

it's a little beast now and I am wicked happy with choosing to do this.

[birdman]

I liked the OEM Eagle LS tires for grip. They're supposed to be quiet tires though mine have always been loud. I'm sure if I made the effort to insulate the floors and undercoat the wheel wells as others have that would have made a huge difference, but I'm not that motivated yet. At this point I'll try quieter tires like these Harmony's. Great review that has been a HUGE help. d:o{>

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby

stock.

I need clearance 'cuz I have cabin deep in woods, and sometimes I don't take the 4runner

install bags