I want to go in the opposite direction of most people...I want a smooth comfortable cushioned ride...so I:

a) have already installed Tein H springs - immediate and vast improvement - but I HATE the drop...surrounded by SUV's and going into driveways, etc.....I want stock height or even higher!

b) I have asked about shocks - apparently all are performance oriented and stiffer for better handling - none for smoother ride......

c) So that leaves me with wheels and tires - am considering 14" wheels to get higher sidewall, but am unsure - 60's are stock - most want lower - I want at least 65, 70 or even 75...of course, trying stay the same stock diameter, BUT I will push the wheel well limits and try to retain some lost height with 195-65-15 or even 195-70-15....14" wheels will let me go higher on the sidewall...any concrete suggestions?? especially on specific tire choices for quiet smooth rolling!!

SO....anyone out there feel the same way I do - anyone succeed on significantly improving the "ride" - the handling will not suffer much going the route that I am proposing - so what if it isn't 2 mm off the ground! You don;t lose your kidneys or strain your back on long trips - "soft and easy is cool".......

 

H-techs are a good step.

Shocks would be awesome if they had softer ones but like you said theres not options for softer ride really. Be careful about going down to 14. I really doubt theyll clear the brakes. One guy did it with some Miata wheels and had to modify them to get to fit.

You can go a little up in tires with 15s. 195 65 15 will be big but will raise ya up some. I might not go that big but bigger could be better for ya.

Scott

 

I'm with you. My thought was to go to the next taller tire - maybe 2 sizes taller. Hadn't seriously considered 14" rims though. That would likely have a more significant effect on the ride.
Why don't you do it - and report back
I won't change anything until I'm due for tires anyway.

 

Moved to CC...

 

14's will definately work. Here is my example. I went with BFG's, 195/65x14 and they are essentially the same height as the stock 15's were. The combination of higher sidewall, lighter wheels, and better quality tire has vastly improved the ride quality. I next plan to go with the Koni's in the rear only, primarily based on previous experience with Koni's on a Corolla.

Walt

 

Great example!! So....based on your experience...please tell me what you think about the following setup:

a) Tein H springs (on my car now) - VAST improvement in ride quality!

b) Installing Konis front AND rear (got a great deal on both sets) so....front ones can't HURT right? turned all the way to softest setting on both pairs?

c) Sticking with 15" wheels (why would weight have a factor in the ride by the way??) BUT going to a higher sidewall to have softer ride AND make up for lost height (I hate the 2" drop in the springs) - plus I don' mind speedo error that much.....I am trying to find someone who has already done this becasue I am concerned with rubbing - only 1.25 inch taller difference in diameter and cannot know without trying it, right?

d) Through my researching it seems that the Goodyear Assurance Comfortred is the softest most cushioned riding tire - BUT what ahev you found? Why specifically did you pick the tire that you did? What is it exactly?

...obviously I value ride over being dropped to 2mm from the road, etc......I LOVE my xB, but the ride sucks for long hauls and I am willing to do everything in my power to correct that....please any feedback or suggestions to the above would be greatly appreciated...thanks again, Bradford

 

I PM'd you answers.
Also, the 195/65x15's will make your speedo only 1 mph slow, ie, you will actually be 1mph faster than reading. However, it will further increase the odo error to about 5.5 miles short every 100. So, on a typical fillup you will be short about 15 or 16 miles on the odometer.

Walt

 

Saicow,

Go step by step. You are looking for the answer to a setup that is not likely out there.

Your Koni's will help. Full soft. I would try rears first, but if you have a good deal for the set, go for it. I highly doubt it could hurt. It will surely cost $$$.

Your Goodyear Comforttreads will help. Pretty much the best comfort by Tirerack.

You need to find out if anyone on the site has 195/65/15's with a lowered XB. They may rub. This is probably going to hard to find as it is an uncommon setup, but why risk it when you can get really close with 185/65/15's? These are stock in Japan. They are also made in Goodyear Comforttreads.

Now, if you want to try the 195/65/15's, go for it. Then you can provide us with some answers. And don't cry if it rubs.

 

as usual, you speak sensibly and true....good point - why not go with 185 instead of 195....thanks alot for your feedback and suggestions!!....really, very cool of you to help out....Bradford

 

I/'ve got 195/60/15's and the front rubs Slightly when I U-turn or make a really sharp left or right. Other than that it isnt too bad.

 

hey......thx for the reply - are you lowered with springs? - if so, which ones and what si the drop exactly? THANKS...Bradford

 

My 185/65R15's have zero interference problems at stock ride height - they are the stock size on the bB and are actually the size referenced in the 2004 and 2005 Scion xB Repair Manual specification pages... (They are IMHO a better tire - BFG TA's - and give a nicer ride with no loss of handling.)
See: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=68648

As to the Koni Shocks, here's a topic on that subject...
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=65648

Good luck on finding all the right tweeks for a smoother ride. It would be interesting after you try the various different things to do a quick write-up of your findings...

 

About the tires......for the softies out there, the Goodyear Comforttread is THE tire. At least from Tirerack's surveys. Seems like everybody raves about it for noise and comfort. It handles o.k. as well.

If you have been following Saicow's threads, you will see he is the ultimate softie. This is likely the tire for him.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....place=1#Survey

 

soft is good...up to a point. of course.....the box is already tight and low...what I am doing aint going to turn it into a pimp Daddy Caddy....just make it smoother quieter....gliding down the coast on the 101....in comfort 100's of miles later....it will still be a go-cart...we'll see soon enough....

 

Heck.....After the reviews on this tire, I was checking my tire size as well......

 

wow....I actually gave you some info you didn't have before...yeah, the tires sound plush indeed....@ Walmart @ 80. a pop in my size...anyway, with Koni's all around and new Goodyears I hope to see some improvement...you will hear about it at any rate.....in 10 days or so.....B

 

Not to put rain on your parade, but once you have done all this, there is not much left to do as far as comfort goes.......IMHO, the rear shocks are "nerve center" of the lousy ride. If you don't change them, you will never reach "nirvana". I think you will be pleased just by changing the stock rear shocks out. I know I was.

 

you can only do what you can within the limits of the vehicle....and I will have done all I can do.....I do think (hope) that it will be worth it...but, again, we will see soon enough.....it isn't a fortune anyway - 350. for used Konis all around....350. for the tires....175. for the Tein H springs and I'm done - oh yeah - 400. for the wheels (for looks - not improving the ride)......most people spend more just for wheels and rubber....so it goes....

 

finally decided on 205-60-15 which have taller sidewall and give an 1" lift to the car and are wider without rubbing (I hope!!)....Goodyear Assuerance Comfortred model.....we'll see....with Koni's (turned to the softest setting) all around.....and tein H's already installed...I am doing everything I can to smooth out the rise - and. yes, I do believe it will still handle like a go-cart after all this...but more comfortable on long trips.....

 

going from 185's to 205's will probably decrease your mpg while softening your ride. remember that you don't need to run as high a tire pressure with the larger cross-section tires to properly support the vehicle weight. that will improve the comfort, too.