OEM 17" vs Plus Package 17" Wheels

My kit was port installed. I hope they did a proper alignment afterward. It handles like it should in twisty's. I have not taken it on a autocross course yet. I have run some right & left hand 90 degree intersections at 30-40 mph and it stuck like glue. Zero push and zero over steer.

Mike

 

Are you on the TRD springs now?

 

correcto: he's NOT on eibach. but he has driven The Critic's prius extensively. Critic now argues that his ride is too bumpy because the trd springs are tuned for 17s while hes on stock 15s.

 

No. My 2012 is stock. My 2005 was lowered with Eibachs. That car handled very well but it had the same bumpiness that most lowered cars have. I did not want this same kind of ride for my 2012. I've thought about getting the TRD springs but it is kind of a waste unless you put larger wheels on the car.

 

Well, I'm not sure why you parallel larger wheels with dropping the car. Is it you're concerned about being too low to the ground on 15's? Man I'm still not convinced. Honestly, I like the ride height as it is. I think it's gonna take a lot for me to wanna lower it. I don't want any compromise in ride including the bumpiness. Lower profile rubber and larger wheels (17's) will already mean the prius five rides harder than yours. I'm gonna put on as many other suspension mods as I can to make myself happy handling wise. Will grab the rear sway bar shortly.

 

You misunderstood me. When you upgrade to larger wheels the car tends to look modified. Then the first thing people will think is, "why didn't you lower it". You have nice wheels but you still have a lot of wheel well gap. Why not lower it and finish the job?

With the stock 15s my car is, well, stock. So it doesn't attract attention. When I put my old 17s on it for testing, it looked much better but the wheel well gap bugged me. Partially because the 215/45/17 tires are shorter than the stock 195/65/15 so the wheel well gap increased. I just didn't want to go down that road again because I don't think I will keep this car that long. There are too many great PHEVs coming out and I will likely trade to one. I don't want to go through the headaches of demodding for a sale like I did with my 2005.

 

check out mike's front brace and center brace. there are positive reviews from those that bought them (including me). both are quick and relatively easy installs (dont need to jack up car). if you want more, theres cusco's front sway bar.

 

FWIW I think your car looks great. The new wheels look soo much better. If you are happy with it then don't lower it. Add the sway bar and call it a day. I don't think the TRD springs are going to turn it into a race car anyway. Maybe replace the tires with a 205/50/17 once your current tires wear out.

 

I had that exact thought re: the tires actually. That will get rid of some of the gap. I get your point totally. I guess from my standpoint, I haven't done an upgrade in wheel size as my car came with 17's. But perhaps people will still think what you suggested since these are "not stock" appearing 17's, even though 17" is a stock Prius wheel size. Ah wells. Thanks for the compliment. I also think your car looks great in the avatar. Looking at it there, it's hard for me to justify a need to lower. Those are 17's in the avatar right?

 

Will do. I'm ready to go crazy with the braces. Just so I can keep speed up for turns mainly. I HATE mashing the gas. But then again, we all do in here I'm sure

 

I hear ya. It's not really that bad if you keep everything clean because the gap looks less pronounced when the inner wheel wells are clean and the tires are prepped. When I see a Five with no dressing on the tires it makes the tires look too small.

Here is a larger pic of my avatar with the 17" wheels I took off my GenII. Stock height and 215/45/17 Primacy MXM4 tires.


This is what they looked like on my GenII. Lowered on Eibach springs. See how it just looks cleaner and more finished when lowered?


Regardless, I think your car looks great as it sits. Just enjoy it now and get a slightly taller tire in the future. It will help correct your speedo too.

 

Hey where's that front plate

Mike

 

In my tool box where it belongs. *cool*

 

I leave mine on the floor in back just in case I need to show it.

Mike

 

OH there is absolutely no question the cars look better and more finished lowered. No question at all. If I could lower it and have the ride stay totally the same it would already be done, Trust me. Those both look sweet though. You're still on a 45 series tire on your 17's though. But yeh I agree I will go with 50 series next. Even though the 45 series/17 is the stock setup for my car you think there's a significant speedo error associated with that tire size??

 

The Five model comes with the 215/45/17 which has an 843 revs/mile rating. The non-Five models come with a 195/65/15 which has an 829 revs/mile rating. So the 205/50/17 (829 revs/mile) is the closest fit for those models. In practice either 17" tire will work just fine. Just check your speedo vs. a good GPS to see how far off it is and adjust your driving accordingly. Most Prius exhibit a 1.5-2mph overspeed reading.

I sold my 17" wheels so I'm riding on 15s for the fuel economy. I drive over 30,000mile a year. I got my car in March and I'm almost at 21,000 already.

 

Wow, I got my car a month after you and have 800 or 900 something miles on it I'm gonna change the oil before I put it away for the winter next month.

Mike

 

What did you change to get such better mpg? I've not been on in a while & when I last looked you were getting around 50 mpg but your Fuelly doesn't show your early fills now, just a bunch of tanks around 60 mpg.

 

Hey SCRWGas5, I think you'll be fine without lowering the car. I contemplated lowering the car as well...but I wanted to retain the comfortable ride and height (for my steep driveway). Here are some pics of my III with PLUS rims with stock springs. I think it looks decent.....

2010 III with Prius Plus Wheels | PriusChat

FYI, my III was about a year old when I mounted the PLUS rims...not sure if that had anything to do with the slightly lower rear end.

 

Good looking out bro. i already went ahead and ordered the springs and sway bar tonight to complete the package. I'm just dealing with the issue of finding out who's best to install the ground effects kit. I rather not do it myself. Your car looks great. I dare say it looks a bit lower than mine does right now with same setup?