Rials mounted, weights...

[Arch]

Just tossed on a set of Rial Le Mans wheels and here are the pertinent stats versus the stock nine spokes...

Rial front 15"x5" = 13lbs 10oz.
Stock front 15"x4.5" = 10lbs 13oz. (Super light!)
Rial rear 15"x6" = 14lbs 1oz.
Stock rear 15"x5.5" = 14lbs 2oz.

Went with the factory (rears) 175/55s on the front and added a set of Dunlop Direzza 195/50s on the rear. Thought I'd wanna change over to a suitable matched set of 175/55 + 195/50 tires when available stateside, but the car drives perfectly as is, so I might not bother.

Wheels were $123 each, rear Direzzas $70 each at the local Discount Tire. Stock TPMS sensors were swapped over without issues. Thumbs up on the service there, as usual. Support your local businesses.

Obligatory driveway pics...








Arch

[JPaul]

Nice looking Arch!

[andywert]

Arch. Great looking wheels. I had previously purchased that Rial wheel with the Conti tire to keep as a spare and so I hadn't actually seen it on the smart car.aw

[iconpyro]

Nice job Arch... I was wondering about the tire pressure monitors... Since you said it was easy I am going to swap them myself. I was thinking of getting a second set.. but now that youve said that it was easy I'll take care of it myself, while I am at the shop.

[DavidV]

Nice! There are some more pics and discussion in this thread as well:

New wheels/tires have transformed the car

-- DavidV

[curtis]

no chrome one though....

[Arch]

Originally Posted by iconpyro

Nice job Arch... I was wondering about the tire pressure monitors... Since you said it was easy I am going to swap them myself. I was thinking of getting a second set.. but now that youve said that it was easy I'll take care of it myself, while I am at the shop.

Just to clarify, I didn't swap them myself, but the guy at Discount certainly made short work of it.

Arch

[saronian]

Thanks for the report Archie, it's good to have another option. I hadn't considered, where two of the Conti's are incorporated and the wheel width is bumped 0.5" all around. Whereas David V. is using 6" width wheels all around.

[Derek Bell]

Cross posting this from New wheels/tires have transformed the car

Got them at the local Discount Tire on East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA. (Talk to "Fernando L."). Ordered on Monday, driving on them on Thursday.

Cost was Rials: $135 ea., Yokohama s.Drives: $80 ea., replacement cert, lifetime balancing, TPMS rebuild kits, env fee, installation, S&H and tax= $1,153.45 (Anyone want my stock set?)

Cosmetically, this mod puts the car exactly where it should look. Aggressive look, but not over the top. I didn't want a race, AMG, or "blinged" look. Rials have a Mercedes-esque appearance, and the uninitiated probably have no clue that the set up is other than stock.

Everything previously stated in this thread about performance of this combo (15x6 and 195/50 all around) is either spot on or understated. Much more confidence going into the turns. Understeer greatly reduced. Control, confidence and precision in the turns is high.

Ride enhanced a bit. Seems that having a significant increase in rubber footprint acts like have a bit more shock absorber.

Can now rotate tires.

In short I feel that this is one of two "must have" performance upgrades for the smart.