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Opinions on wheel selection?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by trentofdestiny, Sep 28, 2011.

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  1. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    I am looking at several wheels on the Tire Rack...

    Focal F09 (pic #1)
    Sparco Pista (pic #2)
    Enkei WDM (pic #3)

    The purpose is to match the dark grey wheels with the dark grey paint on the car (although black with chrome lip goes with everything lol).

    Also, I can't decide whether to keep the wheels 15" or to go to 16" or 17" but then I'd have the added cost of new tires :\
     

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    #1 trentofdestiny, Sep 28, 2011
  2. unreal

    unreal Junior Member

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    Pista 16s.. one of my fav wheels..
     
    #2 unreal, Sep 28, 2011
  3. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Cool thanks for the input. But why 16s? I figure if I'm gonna have to get new tires, why not go 17? I think I would like that look better but I haven't seen 16s
     
    #3 trentofdestiny, Sep 28, 2011
  4. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Also, I agree that the Sparco Pista looks better than the other two wheels, simply because it only has ONE lug pattern.
     
    #4 trentofdestiny, Sep 28, 2011
  5. tonyrenier

    tonyrenier I grew up, but it's still red!

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    I've been looking at the first and third wheels myself, also the Motegi 125 which is considerably lighter(matte grey)and the Enkei Racing RPF1 which is lighter than stock.
    I would go for 16" because I can still get the 195 width. I want to keep the weight as close to stock as possible and the profile of the tire would drop to 60. Eventually, some stiffer suspension. I figure the 17" is available in 205 minimum and LRR does not seem too available, plus I'd be pushing that extra width into the wind.
    I'll keep my 15s and mount winter tires on them.
    This will probably be a 2012 project, I should have gotten the best of my Yokohama's by fall.

     
    #5 tonyrenier, Sep 28, 2011
  6. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    I'm leaning toward 16" wheels as a compromise between performance, comfort, and weight. The 17's are generally heavier and have a harsher ride. The 16's give a bit of a performance (handling) edge over the 15's while retaining ride comfort and keeping the weight down. Just my .02...
     
    #6 Paul58, Sep 28, 2011
  7. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Ahh, true. Although it's been shown that weight is not as important as tread width and thus rolling resistance.
     
    #7 trentofdestiny, Sep 28, 2011
  8. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    There doesn't seem to be too many tires available in 195/60/16...no LRR that I could find either... What other size could be used?
     
    #8 trentofdestiny, Sep 28, 2011
  9. cmrj

    cmrj Junior Member

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    Tirerack indicates that 205/55-16 would be approximately the same size as the oem 15s.
     
    #9 cmrj, Sep 28, 2011
  10. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    Exactly, and if you compare tread width and weight specs, most of the LLR 205/55-16's are not far off from the the specs for the 195/60-15 LLR's.
     
    #10 Paul58, Sep 28, 2011
  11. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    I'd go with the middle ones, and as long as you're updating the wheels ... I'd go with 17's. If you're gonna lose MPG's, you may as well look good doing it.

    REV
     
    #11 revhigh, Sep 29, 2011
  12. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Not a fan of the chrome/polished lip, eh? And I agree with your statement...however, if I choose 15's, I wouldn't lose MPG, possibly gain 1 due to lighter weight.

    I don't know that I *should* lose some MPG because I am new to the Prius, and am only averaging 47-49.
     
    #12 trentofdestiny, Sep 29, 2011
  13. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    I put the Montegi SP10 in hyper black on mine in 15". The hyper black isn't really a black, but more of a glossy dark gray. I think it looks good on the dark gray Prius. I went with 15" for the fact that the tires are cheaper usually and a softer ride with the larger sidewalls. Even with the Michelin Energy Saves pumped to 40/38 they're much softer and quieter than the Yokohama tires that came on the car.
     
    #13 wick1ert, Sep 29, 2011
  14. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    I just noticed your in H-burg. If you're stuck and really want to see the Montegi's on my car (I'm terrible at remembering to get pics) I could possibly meet you half way some weekend. If you want pics, shoot me a PM so I have a reminder staring at me or I'm probably going to forget.
     
    #14 wick1ert, Sep 29, 2011
  15. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Yeahhhh cooool, pics would be great. I've realized what my problem is...with just rolling over to 1000 miles today, I don't want to buy new tires as well as new wheels :rolleyes:
     
    #15 trentofdestiny, Sep 29, 2011
  16. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    ONLY ????? LOL.

    I have 15K miles on my 10 Prius and have averaged 48.1 MPG over the first 15K miles.

    48 MPG aint bad ... I drive it like a regular car, don't hypermile, and don't concentrate on MPG's .... I just GET roughly 48 MPG. I'm very happy with that. Used to concentrate on driving to get MPG ... now I just drive ....

    REV
     
    #16 revhigh, Sep 30, 2011
  17. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    I was GONNA say that I WAS trying to drive for better mileage and that was all I got, since I see all these people reporting 55-70mpg.

    But, then I looked at Fuel Economy and it says the Prius is rated 51 city/48 hwy and I'm getting 49 city (mostly) so I guess that's where it's supposed to be.
     
    #17 trentofdestiny, Sep 30, 2011
  18. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The people getting 55mpg or higher either live in mild climates so AC use in minimal, they have driver longer that 15 miles, lower average speed, flat terrain or they try a bit harder. If I just drove mine at 75mph my mpg would drop to 50mpg or less. But driving at 60mph and a little hypermiling I get 57mpg or better which includes an 1,100ft. hill on my commute route. The best I ca pull with my 17s is 47mpg. Maybe if I slowed to 60mph I could pull a 50mpg tank on them.
     
    #18 F8L, Oct 1, 2011
  19. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    I understand now. I was considering upsizing to 17s but I wonder what the damage would be...since my first tank was ~47 and second was ~49 which included 250 miles highway. Now I'm on tank #3...
     
    #19 trentofdestiny, Oct 1, 2011
  20. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    I like the on the far right best, the middle one second, and the left one third. I have the stock 17's on my car and have not went below 50 MPG yet in 9 months and 14k miles.
     
    #20 dustoff003, Oct 1, 2011
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