Has anyone put 4 of the same size wheels on?

[Jeffrey White]

Hello, I am just wondering if anyone has put on the same size wheels and tires all the way around on their Smarts. Let me know if you went with Small size or Larger size. Thinking about putting the larger size al the way around so that I can rotate them better.

Thanks

[mfoster]

One of the comments in the books written about the development of the smart said they changed the offset and size of the rear wheels/tires to correct some handling problems before they started selling them. Proceed cautiously.

[randyzimmer]

If you figure the cost of the wheels, you'll need to keep the car a long time to gain any $ advantage from rotating tires, which are pretty cheap to buy and appear to wear well.
I put rear tires on the stock front wheels to improve wind sway and turning grip.

[RussBarnes]

I've 4,200 miles on mine now and at 1,500 I put two new rear wheels on the front and four Michelin 185/60-15's on mine. I did it because the "hammering" the front skinny tires were giving me was unacceptable. The ride is now better (not perfect), tire noise is lower, cornering is better, wind effect a little less and the car looks better - all of these my opinion, certainly not shared by smart and if I have "issues" I know they will not stand behind my changes. I also kept a front tire/wheel so I could carry a spare (IMHO another needed change). My mileage may have changed, but this car is so sensitive to speed and driving style that I can't tell, I still get about 42.5 avg. One other factor is that the reputation for the life of the Contentials is very poor so I expect to go further between tire replacements. If you do it your way you take on responsibilities that companies MAY not stand behind, but I left it their way I would really have disliked the car.

[forestacademy]

Why not wait untill your tires need replacement before making the change.

I can't imagine there are to many folks out there in this first year that have put on enough miles to require new tires.

But, if you want to change them so soon, Let the rest of us know and we many be willing to purchase those lightly used tires from you.

[JPaul]

Why did the Engineers decided to fit two sizes? To make our life more difficult? To prevent us, owners, to rotate wheels? To complicate the whole setup?
Or for any other reasons, like... make our ride safer?

[mfoster]

According to the book "smart thinking", back before the release of the car there were handling issues when going through the Elk test which had to do with maneuverability. The result was to widen the front axle 16mm and the rear 86mm, fitting much wider tires in the rear than in the front, changing the camber of the rear wheels, and stiffening the springs, all to reduce the chance of rollover. The suspension system was also lowered to bring the center of gravity doem 45MM. All this in the book, pages 115-120.

[Evilution]

Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

[Cruising n Coasting]

It is a cute little car that does 85% of what larger cars do with top gas mileage. IMO the ride is terrible, but I can deal with it for short distances under 20 minutes (city) and under 45 minutes (highway) - the less the better.
I am looking into doing a RussBarnes conversion but with some aftermarket RIAL LeMans 15x6 wheels that can be rotated along with the Michelin Harmony tires for a softer ride. The cost will be $1200 with new TPMS, in order to justify keeping the car.

[donnyonee]

just for more wood on the fire, ive heard the wheels were designed into the safety of the vehicle, if you alter that part what could be the reprocussions? safely or legally?
i like the looks of the aftermarket wheels but their not cheap. and the unsprung weight issue might be something to consider. i will most likely maybe get the same rear size on all 4 when needed. and do the zimmer sway mod.