Allright I have spent the better part of the day reading through the wheel posts and thought I would ask for some advice. the information on the site is a bit overwhelming.

I picked up a 2006 xA that is the light silver. It has a yakima roof rack and tint job added to it. Now I would like to upgrade the wheels. i plan on staying with the stock tires so I am looking at 15's.

My questions are

1. Are the OEM 10 spoke wheels worth the price? ANyone have anyexperience with them?

2. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?

I will post a pic of my new ride later.

thanks for any feedback

 

The optional ten spokes are over priced - there are other very similar wheels out there for a whole lot less, if that is the 'look' you want.

Here's an example:



The first is the optional Scion ten-spoke alloy ($166 each) and the other is an aftermarket wheel ($75 each).

I'd suggest starting at a site like Tirerack.com and looking at some of the various wheels. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at some of the choices.

The wheels I have are the same brand as those aftermarket ten-spokes I showed above (got wheels, tires, mount, balance, and shipping for $612!), but in a five-spoke. I'm pleased with them and their quality...



(My new xA is still wearing the steelies - haven't decided on new wheels yet.)

Tomas

 

Thanks for the reply Tomas. I just found out I am able to get the 10 Spoke OEM's for $120 a wheel. That is not bad. I have been looking at the tirerack sport edition wheels. Do you think there is any difference in quality?

Also How does one post a pic in the reply? I would love to post a pic of my xA![/img]

 

Personally I don't believe there is any difference in wheel quality - the optional Scion wheels are just average wheels.

As to pics, here's the "short form" answer:

First any pic you want to include MUST be somewhere on the internet, not just on your computer. If it is on the 'net, it will have a URL.

Let's say the pic's URL is tijil.org/Vanilla_sig.gif

First, put http:// in front of it: http://tijil.org/Vanilla_sig.gif

Then enclose that complete address between [img] and [/img] like so:



When that is included in your post, a browser will show the image when the post is looked at.



Like that. :D

Enjoy!

Tomas

 

Well I caved in and bought the OEM EP 10 spokes. I think I got a good deal 540, including shipping and wheel locks. Now I just need to get them mounted when I recieve them. Should look Sweeet@!!

 

Exactly. When I was looking to buy my xB, I checked TireRack for wheel/tire prices. Seemed silly to pay the dealer $660 for different wheels when I could get wheels AND tires for about that price. Now that I've driven my xB for a month, I can say the Goodyear Eagles don't seem to be that great. Since I'm buying new rims anyway, I'd rather pay $54/tire for different ones (free mount/balance) than $20/tire to have the Goodyears swapped.

So no problems with your "Sport Edition" wheels? I was looking at either the D3 or D5 with the Yokohama AVID TRZ in the stock size. I'm leaning towards the D5 because they're slightly lighter, cheaper, longer finish warranty and (most importantly) I like the look a little better than the D3. Yoko's because they're cheap and got good reviews (including xA and xB owners).

 

My Sport Editions are doing fine, and the slightly oversize BFGs I have on 'em work for me (excellent wet weather tire, and I do live in the Seattle area...).

My OEM steelies and Goodyear Eagles live in the shed outside...

Tomas

 

Thanks, I guess I'll try the Sport Edition D5's.

But now I've got to pick some tires. I was all set on the Yoko's, but I'd overlooked that yours were slightly oversize... Did you do that just to get more tire choices or some other reason? Only a 3% increase so I can't imagine it makes much ride and handling difference compared to the stock 60's?

 

Somewhere here on ScionLife I've discussed the 'why' for my tire choice, but to give the 'short form' answer, the stock Goodyears were terrible in the wet, so I went looking for a replacement set.

My criteria were stock bB size (.4 inch taller sidewall), excellent wet performance, decent wear life, low noise and harshness, decent price.

I have previous experience with the BFGs, and in my personal estimation they would 'fill the bill' for me unless I found something obviously better.

In looking at comparison ratings by users, it appeared that my prior experience held up, so I took a chance and ordered SE D3s with the BFGs mounted and balanced from Tirerack (wheels, tires, lugs, locks, mount, balance, shipping: $612.15).

I'm pleased with the tires, and they did give a better ride for months without having to change to the SensaTrac style shocks.

The BFGs have proven to be much better at not hydroplaning, and 'stick' better in the wet, and even though they have a taller sidewall, they have less hysteresis (better 'cut-in') than the OEM Goodyears.

I'm pleased with them, but it depends on the particular environment and needs you have.

Tomas

 

Thanks again for the insight, Tomas. I did a search on you and tires and found some good stuff. I'll stick with my 1st choice of the Yokos in the stock xB size.

Believe it or not, the Goodyears are a significant improvement in the rain over the tires my last vehicle had (Bridgestone Dueler H/T, aka "Duelers of death"). The Goodyear Eagle LS tires are considered a performance upgrade from those OEM Duelers and one of the few available in the correct oddball size (235/60-17).

 

Got my new wheels and tires from tirerack.com. They shipped fast- ordered on Saturday, they were here Tuesday afternoon. Cheap too- the Sport Edition D5's, Yoko TRZ's, wheel locks and shipping were only $606. Hopefully I'll be able to get a couple bucks for my 2,000 mile steelies and Goodyears at this local used tire place.

So far it's a significant improvement over stock. Cornering improved a good amount. Straight line traction and braking are slightly better too. And they look so much better than hubcaps!

This tire/wheel combination is the exact same weight as stock (37 lbs). Some reviews did say these tires were "heavy"- now I know they're roughly 21 lbs for a 185/60-15. And I seem to hear more road noise on the highway. Maybe they're a little more firm than the Goodyear's too. I'm not sure if that's the tire or from having the correct pressure.