Alright, I've been going bout this in my head for a looong time. Im dropped on GF210s with aftermarket wheels. I love the look and everything. Im thinking of going back to stock springs and stock wheels. WHY? not have to worry about tires wearing out too fast, struts..... thus $$$

BUT, the look of the lowered fit is just too sex to give up... Either way, I need an alignment. My tires have about 50% tread left on them. I'll get the alignment AFTER a new set of rims or new tires.


Pros with springs:
1) Handling
2) The look
3) No GIANT 4 finger wheel gap

Cons with springs:
1) Tires wear out faster
2) Bumpy Ride

Pros with stock:
1) No wear of tires (not as fast)
2) No wear of struts (not as fast)
3) Not as bumpy

Cons with stock:
1) UGLY 4 finger wheel gap
2) Looks like everyone's fit


Ideas? Suggestions? I'm sure most if not all will say stay lowered get new rims/tires and get alignment and call it a day. .(which im thinking as well)

 

Tire wear would improve with a regular rotation regimen and a proper alignment. You don't need to wait AFTER your next set of rims to get an alignment. That doesn't factory into things. However, whether you stay lowered, or go back to stock height, that will greatly affect your alignment.

Whatever you decide, get an alignment and get into the habit of rotating your tires more than once in between oil changes...

 

Get the Nitto Neo Gen....they are designed for lowered cars to help aid in longer wear.....

 

Does lowering the car actually increase tire wear, I thought it would be the other way, but why is this?

 

You can do a search on that topic..... thanks!

 

Yeah its a rough ride and you go through tires, but the Fit at stock height just doesnt really look....well,.. good lol.
Keep her dropped, and stock wheels look nice with a dropped Fit.

 

yeh, the stock height is actually 4 finger gap.. lol.. with the tanabe gf210 springs i got its a 1.5" gap.. IMO its perfect.

Im riding on 16" now... 205/40/16... If I go back to the stock wheels/tires..15" Essentially that means my car (the front lip, side skirts, rear lip) will be 1" closer to the floor?

 

depends on the diameter of the tires that you have, if you have the exact same sidewall thickness, then yes, it will be lower, but if the 15's have more sidewall, then it wont be as low as u think

 

id buy those britelites off you..

so you know what my answer is.

 

yeh but u in PR! lol.. I dont have other wheels to ride on. :-P

I'll ask what the side walls are.. but im guessing its the stock dunlops....

So if they ARE the stock dunlops.. which are 195/55 so its just 195 * .55 = 107.25mm and my tires are 205/40 = 82mm
wow, so with size 15" rims.. i will actually be sitting up a lil higher... strange!! but good to know!

 

Umm no. You'll be about 2.51cm higher then before, close to an inch higher.

 

dammit!
anyways, on your question, yes you'll be a little higher off the ground but you'll see less gap between your fenders and tires.

 

First you need to tell us the height of your fender arch at the top on all four corners. And if possible the alignment toe & camber on all for corners.
And caster on fronts. And finally what wheel specs: rim width, offset, and tire size.
All of the problems we have encountered have been the result of aggressive lowering that screwed up the suspension dynamics or poor offsets that do the same as well as wearing from interference. If you are lowered more than 1.5" or have wheeloffset less than 45 mm, lowered,you have defeated the suspension design and naturally your tire wear is extensive. So now you need to tell us the tread depth across each groove on all 4 tires at 4 places 90 degrees apart.

Without real information I suspect you are lowered too much and you have wheels with too little offset. The problem then is not that you need to go back to stock but you need less drop and better wheels. And of course realignment. Looks are not an excuse for competence despite the 'elbow test'..

 

I guess the biggest thing now is....
Do I want to go back to stock rims....... with almost new tires... mine has 50%..... I dunno if I can go back to stock!!! lol

 

but will rub because they are huge