I have had the chance to experiment over the last week and some w some new wheels I bought used off Marketplace. 17" Kosei forged - These are light- They had BFG G-force Rivals mounted 225/45R17 very evenly worn, no heat cycle or low temp cracking. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Rival&partnum=245WR5GFRV2&GCID=C13674x012-tire&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_BFGoodrich_g-Force+Rival_Tire&code=yes&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI_sb3yK_f5AIVyiCtBh1wJQRPEAYYASABEgKGdPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!72322431853!!!g!132701890093!&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_sb3yK_f5AIVyiCtBh1wJQRPEAYYASABEgKGdPD_BwE Driving was like a go cart. When cold (60's) they tracked and wandered until they were up to a moderate temperature. In the wet they were amazing- These were on for a week and more and used daily - to work/highway use and were only a bit harsh w ride aired to 38/38 F/R Worried about temperature drop coming in a month or more I had bought some take off Continental PureContact 215/50r17 w 80% tread. Dismounted Summer Sticky and going to these is a world of difference. Aired to 40/40 the amount of difference from Stock 185/65r15 to these is next to zero aside from handling w corners being able to take slightly faster and ride is actually a bit less harsh. Expecting good rain the next few days I will update- On factory I had BFG Sport AS and they were great- but aired to 41/40 did allow harsh expansion joint hits - and some understeer w sidewall flex.
I should add- I enjoy experimenting- and this was perfect as I got to try sticky summer tires w day temps of 90 degrees and stock all season tires as well as aftermarket wheels with All season tires. I was worried about the Contis as they are XL (Extra load) range - they haven't proven to be any worse than stock size. I will see w Rain and mixed weather along w high temps how they prove out- but thus far Excited to have a well handling daily w some average grip tires and still get 40mpgs.
FYI IMHO Been wanting lighter OEM wheels/rims (still looking).... 15" rims/wheels OEM.....Except for Rays Volk all ever found in the USA domestic market....Prius C and Yaris 4 lug pattern 15 inch wheel rim style have some options but none for 5-100 lug pattern 15 inch ………...
I got 16" Motegi Traklites, they are only 12.4#. I still got 50+ mpg in the summer when I worked far enough from home for the engine to fully warm up. now I get 49.5, which ain't bad considering I drive a bit aggressively.
After a few days of Warm weather Wet weather and 55 in am to 90 and some I like the daily of 215/50 - but the handling of 225/45 is amazing for the slightly lower ride height and wider footprint. The Contis are confidence boosting but the BFG were seriously amazing - far less body role - I liked the look of the 225/45 better.....but imagine in winter theyd be awful w expansion joints and pothole-
