[ColoradoKiwi]

This may have been discussed before, if so please direct me to the appropriate post.
I have a 2013 451 (Eragon the baby dragon) that has the nice Brabus wheels. However, I would like to upgrade the tires so that all four are the same size. Is that even possible with the stock Brabus wheels, or does that require new custom wheels? If it is possible, what is the best size and brand that people prefer?

Thanks!
Russ

 

[jimvw57]

depends on which rims you have. Ideally you want at least 5 inch side rims or wider. The Pure and Passions came with 4.5 inch front rims and 5 inch rears I would bet the Brabus rims would be wider.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

Yuck, why do that? The BRABUS with the 15/17" wheel setup is second to none in terms of handling agility. It's really amazing.

Might take pushing the car hard at 90 mph's to figure out what I mean...

 

[Huronlad]

The BRABUS wheel/tire combo is far from the best choice for handling.

195 or larger on the front noticeably improves handling and front grip. With a 5" wheel you should not run anything wider than 185. I like my set of 215s but they nearly need replaced and will likely run 205s, so that I do not need a spacer on the front wheels.

 

[1983JZR3W]

You can use 215/35-17 on the front with no wheel spacer. I know this for a fact with Hankook tires. The Yokohama in the same size will require a 5mm wheel spacer.

 

[1983JZR3W]

Yuck, why do that? The BRABUS with the 15/17" wheel setup is second to none in terms of handling agility. It's really amazing.

Might take pushing the car hard at 90 mph's to figure out what I mean...

The Brabus with 17" Brabus wheels and 215/35-17 Hankooks on all four corners makes for a nice handling package, also.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

The Brabus with 17" Brabus wheels and 215/35-17 Hankooks on all four corners makes for a nice handling package, also.

Slows down side to side movement, i.e., dampens ability to quickly change direction like a Go-Kart. I like zig zagging through traffic like Speedy Gonzales. The larger wheels up front makes it handle more similarly to a sedan...

 

[1983JZR3W]

Slows down side to side movement, i.e., dampens ability to quickly change direction like a Go-Kart. I like zig zagging through traffic like Speedy Gonzales. The larger wheels up front makes it handle more similarly to a sedan...

I am past 70, so I don't zig or zag in traffic. That's for the boy racer wanna be's. I enjoy my car's handling on empty on or off ramps where if I screw up, I don't take anyone with me.

I raced F production MG Midgets in SCCA for many years in the southeast region. I was never nationally competitive because I could not afford to be, but I had plenty of fun from the early 70's to the mid 80's. After that, autocross fit my limited budget instead of actual racing, but still fun.

Now, I am more of a waxer than a racer. I guess that's what happens when you have slower reflexes and just Social Security to pay the bills.

 

[Huronlad]

Slows down side to side movement, i.e., dampens ability to quickly change direction like a Go-Kart. I like zig zagging through traffic like Speedy Gonzales. The larger wheels up front makes it handle more similarly to a sedan...

In a non power steering car, at very slow speeds mildly true. At city and highway speeds, the car will change directions just as quickly. It however is less likely to be blown around or swerve about when running over irregular pavement. At no point has my car demonstrated the dead steering feel of a sedan. Instead of spouting misinformation, you should maybe drive a smart with wide tires or put the Kool-Aid away.

 

[ColoradoKiwi]

The BRABUS wheel/tire combo is far from the best choice for handling.

195 or larger on the front noticeably improves handling and front grip. With a 5" wheel you should not run anything wider than 185. I like my set of 215s but they nearly need replaced and will likely run 205s, so that I do not need a spacer on the front wheels.

Can you do the 195's all around? What about the aspect (I think that is what the 55/60 stands for)? Do you have 55's all around, or 60's, or what? Right now from Big O they can only get Kumho tires at 175/55R15 for front and 155/60R15 for the rear. Of course that is the stock size for the car.

 

[Huronlad]

If the tires on your car are currently 155/60R15 on the front and 175/55R15 on the rear, you have the Monoblock VII 15" wheels? They are 4.5" wide fronts, 5.5" rears. It is not recommended to run anything wider than the 155s on the front. A 195/50R15 can be run on the rears. You would need four 5.5" wide wheels to run 195s all around, which would be a great improvement over what you have. More choice for tires as well.

 

[ColoradoKiwi]

Thanks for the information! Do you know of a good source for wheels?

 

[jimvw57]

If you are looking for stock rims, try your local dealer for 'take-off' rims. sometimes they have them laying around and might dive you a good deal. otherwise, try Discount Tires,Tire Rack, or Smart Madness.

 

[Huronlad]

Tire Rack has two different 15" wheels. Discount Tire did carry wheels, I bought my alloys from there. You may want to check the marketplace on the forum to see what may be available.

 

[ColoradoKiwi]

Thanks for the info! Have to do some digging to see what I like.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

In a non power steering car, at very slow speeds mildly true. At city and highway speeds, the car will change directions just as quickly. It however is less likely to be blown around or swerve about when running over irregular pavement. At no point has my car demonstrated the dead steering feel of a sedan. Instead of spouting misinformation, you should maybe drive a smart with wide tires or put the Kool-Aid away.

I've owned 4 smart 451's, and logged over 200,000 miles in smart vehicles of my own not to mention all the company cars since the 2008 release. You think I am spouting misinformation by sharing my experiences? Or do you believe it's possible you misinterpreted my point?

I did not mean that your smart will handle like a 4 door sedan. Only a little bit closer to a sedan compared to stock, and I was very specifically discussing the 15"/17" setup in the BRABUS models. If you aren't in a BRABUS, with the BRABUS suspension package to go along with the 15/17" wheels, my point had nothing to do with your car.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

I am past 70, so I don't zig or zag in traffic. That's for the boy racer wanna be's. I enjoy my car's handling on empty on or off ramps where if I screw up, I don't take anyone with me.

I raced F production MG Midgets in SCCA for many years in the southeast region. I was never nationally competitive because I could not afford to be, but I had plenty of fun from the early 70's to the mid 80's. After that, autocross fit my limited budget instead of actual racing, but still fun.

Now, I am more of a waxer than a racer. I guess that's what happens when you have slower reflexes and just Social Security to pay the bills.

In the smart BRABUS, I am known to drive aggressively at 90mph. The 15" narrow fronts with 17" wide rears really livens things up.

 

[Huronlad]

My 451 has a BRABUS suspension.. There are over 240k miles on the odometers between my 450 and 451. I have run tires from 145 up to 215 on my cars. Running wider better qualitity tires has always lead to better handling than OE.

The BRABUS wheel tire combo is better than stock but 175s up front is not sufficient to really find the limits of the BRABUS suspension.

 

[jetfuel]

.....I don't zig or zag in traffic. That's for the boy racer wanna be's. I enjoy my car's handling on empty on or off ramps where if I screw up, I don't take anyone with me.

.....I raced F production MG Midgets in SCCA for many years ...

.... I am more of a waxer than a racer..

...just read an interview with Chuck Yeager (the right stuff guy)...he is a Corvette enthusiast..and when asked if he pushed the envelope on his car he replied "son...I spent my whole life looking over my shoulder so now I just drive 55"...

Jetfuel...thought you'll relate to that...old geezer...

 

[jzchen]

Is it just me, or are one's reflexes much quicker at around 18 than at my current 41???

One other place to look:

www.car-part.com

Has option to see a pic of the wheels too....