Looking for 2 OEM rear rims...

[ultrajim49]

Driving 120 miles a day round trip to work and back puts miles on my 2009 Passion really quick...to the tune of about 30,000 miles a year. Starting to think about a new set of tires and I would like to have 4 rear rims all the way around. Anybody got or know where I can buy 2 rear rims? Also anybody know how big a tire I could mount on them without causing any driving/handling problems or rubbing on the wheel wells? I was thinking of getting 195/55R-15. they would alter the speedometer by about 2 1/2 mph and are pretty close in tire size to the original rear tires.
Any comments/ideas/suggestions or warnings on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any comments.

[rfernatt]

195/50 is a common replacement size here on the forum as it is just a hair larger than the 175/55 OD. There is no rubbing or other issues that I've found with this size on slightly larger than stock 15x6 Rial rims that I run all the way around. I have 25K miles on this setup with Yokohama all-season tires.

[FINBAR]

Your wish for 4 of the same size tires is popular topic on the tire forum. I know because I also am on that mission , and read most of the posts. I have concluded that a 5.5 or 6 inch x 15 is probably the most practical wheel to use. I believe you will find that 185/60/15 and 195/50/15 are the size tires that have proven acceptable.

The tires of these 2 sizes have been somewhat limited on the net and those getting high reviews are on back order. My wants were for a tire with good traction wet & dry and quiet. Your question about a 195/55/15 is what I wish someone might be using. The diameter is probably less than an inch more and could mean rubbing, speedometer change for certain or other issues, does anyone know?

The plus side of the 195/55/15 would be about triple the number of tires to chose from, but will they work?

[ultrajim49]

From the responses I have gotten so far it looks like 195/50/15 will be the tire I look for unless I get any info on another size. I did hear back from www.discounttiredirect.com and they said 195/50r 15 should fit all the way around. I would love to go with the bigger tires...I'm just going to do a little more research and wait to see if I get any more responses.

[Smartfor2guy]

I am using 195/50/15 with 6.5" Genius wheels all the way around. FYI

[John Carson]

Originally Posted by ultrajim49

Driving 120 miles a day round trip to work and back puts miles on my 2009 Passion really quick...to the tune of about 30,000 miles a year. Starting to think about a new set of tires and I would like to have 4 rear rims all the way around. Anybody got or know where I can buy 2 rear rims? Also anybody know how big a tire I could mount on them without causing any driving/handling problems or rubbing on the wheel wells? I was thinking of getting 195/55R-15. they would alter the speedometer by about 2 1/2 mph and are pretty close in tire size to the original rear tires.
Any comments/ideas/suggestions or warnings on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any comments.

What do the new rims cost in the states. In Canada they charge $375.40 each. Tire rack is cheaper, even buying 4 rims.

[rustech]

fyi, Discount Tires sells Genius wheels. I bought the 17" staggered set for $600 (that's $150 each) plus Yokohama S-drives (they matched tirerack's price + $60 shipping) 195s front 235s rear. Total came out to $1,200 minus a $50 rebate = $1,150 minus sale of stock wheels @ $600 = $550 !!! Even MORE affordable if one were to go with 15".

If more people considered other options, there would be a lot less demand for spending $350+ on a set of used rears.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by rustech

fyi, Discount Tires sells Genius wheels. I bought the 17" staggered set for $600 (that's $150 each) plus Yokohama S-drives (they matched tirerack's price + $60 shipping) 195s front 235s rear. Total came out to $1,200 minus a $50 rebate = $1,150 minus sale of stock wheels @ $600 = $550 !!! Even MORE affordable if one were to go with 15".

If more people considered other options, there would be a lot less demand for spending $350+ on a set of used rears.

Have you kept good records of your mileage since you got the 17's?

I had considered it but I knew I'd have to sacrifice what little bit of a decent ride I had if I got them. Those were the two deciding factors I did when I decided to go with 15's. Something to think about for those people that do put a lot of miles on their car and if ride & mileage are something they care about.

[rustech]

Unfortunately I'm not an mpg watcher and drive this thing like a go-kart. Others have moved to the 17" wheels and have noticed 0-1 mpg. The posts are on this site.

I'm not advertising 17" rims by any means, they are not for everyone. The purpose of my post was to show that for very little out-of-pocket cost, you can upgrade your wheels & tires.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by rustech

Unfortunately I'm not an mpg watcher and drive this thing like a go-kart. Others have moved to the 17" wheels and have noticed 0-1 mpg. The posts are on this site.

I'm not advertising 17" rims by any means, they are not for everyone. The purpose of my post was to show that for very little out-of-pocket cost, you can upgrade your wheels & tires.

That's cool. I wasn't bashing your decision so I hope it didn't come across that way. In the past I have taken a hit for upsizing my wheel/tire combo on other cars and I am pretty sure it would be the same on the smart. I put 195/50/15's all the way around on my car and have taken around a 2-3mpg hit.

For 17's......I was "that close" to getting some of the Genius 17's you mention. Very very close to getting them.