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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
So I cleaned up my Rials the other day. Two are 5 inch, two are 6 inch. I guess previous owner was more or less mirroring oem fitment, plus a half inch all around. So what to put on them, for my 09 Passion, with it’s tired Continentals (which have pretty crappy performance ratings, according to Tire Rack)? Well, I looked at Uniroyal Tiger Paws, and Rikens, and Generals, trying to find a combo that would work, with decent ratings, that weren’t too much. Hard to maximize rubber with different size rims. Stumbled across Yokohama Avids. Ratings in the 8s and 9s for just about everything except ice (I have snows for that), and a $70 rebate on a set of 4 (ended yesterday). So I figured I could do 205/60 R15s in the rear, and 185/65 R15s up front. Taller tires, for sure, and I had some concerns about clearance up front, but diameter was close between front and rear, and I like a good sidewall. So I ordered them, got them in today, and had them mounted up the street at my local NTB. The rears fit fine. The fronts rub just a bit straight on, intermittently, catching the lip of the wheel well. I’m thinking trying to adjust the fender just a wee bit will solve the problem. Amazingly, the speedometer is dead on now. The tires look pretty impressive, and fill the wheel wells very nicely. Only took it out for a few miles, but it handles like a slot car. Too late to get pics, but I’ll post some tomorrow.
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Yokohamas mounted. Pics with steel rims and Continentals (before) and with Rials and Yokohama’s (after). Car looks very different, I think. (Had to have one redone - tire guy didn’t line up yellow dot with valve stem. Went from 4 ounces of tape weights to 3/4 ounce when he redid it. I hate having to watch over “professionals” these days.

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Thanks for the pic. The rear looks lowered with 24.7" diameter tires :)

A note about rubbing in the front.
Try about a 3/4 turn of the wheel to the left while driving.
I found with my 180 pounds sitting in the driver's seat, the 'inside' edge of the tire would rub in the wheel well.
Both front and left and right tires would rub with two people in the car as well (on stock springs).

I joke with my tire guy, a fluffy 300 pounds when he drives one of my smarts out of the bay and says 'the front tires are rubbing'. I get in and they don't rub at all and yell back 'lose some weight'... :)
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
So I had a chance to put the reshod smart to the test today with the new Yokohamas. Now admittedly, it was on a slight downhill (~10 degree), but GPS clocked me at 98 mph in 4th. It wasn't floored, so I think it would have hit 100, but I ran out of room. Needless to say, I'm pretty satisfied. Speedometer is dead on now. The front tires have finished rubbing away at the leading edge of the front fenders and seem happy. Can't tell unless you look into the wheel well, and even then, it's hard to tell. No issues with the rears.
 

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Yokohamas mounted. Pics with steel rims and Continentals (before) and with Rials and Yokohama’s (after). Car looks very different, I think. (Had to have one redone - tire guy didn’t line up yellow dot with valve stem. Went from 4 ounces of tape weights to 3/4 ounce when he redid it. I hate having to watch over “professionals” these days.

View attachment 63322
View attachment 63323
Looks great! I like the stance. After searching for tire and wheel packages, I'm now decided to buy Rial wheels because my buddy is selling some used ones. I'm thinking of running 185/65/15 on all four corners.
 

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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
Looks great! I like the stance. After searching for tire and wheel packages, I'm now decided to buy Rial wheels because my buddy is selling some used ones. I'm thinking of running 185/65/15 on all four corners.
I’ve been pleased with the rials. They’re German made, cleaned up nice. I had to order one replacement center cap. I did the ED spring upgrade, and the car is very happy now. I’d suggest it with 185/65R15s or you’ll probably get some rubbing, like I did in the front. Rear isn’t a problem. I went with Yokohamas because they were on sale at Tire Rack and had surprisingly high ratings across the board. I took mine into DC today and the taller sidewalls made a huge difference, in my opinion. I still try and avoid the worst sections of road, but it’s a much smoother ride. And yes, the bigger tires make the car look totally different, I think.

My 09 with stock tires and my 15 with 185/65R15 / 205/60R15.

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