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Why shouldn't I fit 15-inch wheels to my Toyota Auris T Spirit?

My car is a Toyota Auris hybrid T Spirit and comes on 17-inch wheels with 215/45R17 tyres. Is there any reason I can't have the 15-inch wheels with 195/65R15 tyres fitted, which should give me a softer ride? The service manager at my local Toyota says there is a reason 17-inch wheels are fitted to the T Spirit but he couldn't remember why.

Asked on 9 January 2012 by ED, Filey

Answered by Honest John
The reason I can give is that, much to my surprise, they simply don't work in comparison to the 17-inch wheels. Handling is appalling and ride is actually worse. That's why my dad's Auris HSD is on 17-inch wheels: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-auri.../

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