Tires or Springs

[Michael90]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum. My mom just bought a used 2008 Toyota Camry LE 4-cyl. The car is running on 225/45/18 tires, and the tires (Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus) are quite new (~7K miles). The car is also lowered on TRD springs. She is complaining about the harsh ride, so I want to improve the ride.
- Because of the limit of our budget, I would like to know whether I should change to stock wheels or stock springs (The previous owner gave us the stock springs, but not the stock wheels). Switching to stock alloy wheels will cost us about $1,800 without tires by the dealer. Which one has greater affect on ride: tires or springs?
- While I'm driving the car, I can feel it's very sensitive to bumpy roads. When I drove with high speed on some roads, the ride was like a horse (like I was driving on waves, up and down continuously). Besides, when going over bumps, I need to go really slowly, or the car will be like dropping heavily on the ground. I searched many threads here, and it turned out the Camry SE has different struts to handle the lower springs better. Should I change to SE struts? How much does it cost to do that?
- What is the best strategy?

Thank you very much!

PS:
- I understand lower profile and lower springs enhance the handling, but my mom wants a smoother ride.
- My mom doesn't want used parts, so don't ask me to buy some used wheels (unless they are really like new and no damage).

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

It is a combination of both. But mostly the springs. If you have the stock springs change back to them...I think i read it's an SE? It will still be stiffer than say XLE or LE springs, but the SE springs will be smoother and less harsh than the TRD for sure.

As far as new rims...don't go to the dealer...they are a rip off. You can find a nice set cheaper and to your liking on discount tire or tire rack etc. And they are all new wheels obviously.

But i would personally just find a good set of used rims if you go that route.

Change the springs, ride around for a few weeks see if she likes how it feels and go from there.

[Michael90]

Originally Posted by Punks_Not_Dead5

It is a combination of both. But mostly the springs. If you have the stock springs change back to them...I think i read it's an SE? It will still be stiffer than say XLE or LE springs, but the SE springs will be smoother and less harsh than the TRD for sure.

As far as new rims...don't go to the dealer...they are a rip off. You can find a nice set cheaper and to your liking on discount tire or tire rack etc. And they are all new wheels obviously.

But i would personally just find a good set of used rims if you go that route.

Change the springs, ride around for a few weeks see if she likes how it feels and go from there.

My car is LE, but it's using TRD springs now. The stock springs, which the previous owner gave me, are LE springs. I will follow your advise and try changing to stock springs and drive around. It will cost us about $400 to switch out the springs, including alignment. :-(

I'm thinking about using SE struts, which may handle TRD springs better than LE struts. Is that correct? I like the handle, but not the horse-like ride.

I will try to find a good set of used rims, but it may be hard to find one for 2008. Can I just use the one for 2010 or 2011?

Thank you very much!

[Pilot0617]

Originally Posted by Michael90

My car is LE, but it's using TRD springs now. The stock springs, which the previous owner gave me, are LE springs. I will follow your advise and try changing to stock springs and drive around. It will cost us about $400 to switch out the springs, including alignment. :-(

I'm thinking about using SE struts, which may handle TRD springs better than LE struts. Is that correct? I like the handle, but not the horse-like ride.

I will try to find a good set of used rims, but it may be hard to find one for 2008. Can I just use the one for 2010 or 2011?

Thank you very much!

save the $400 and do it your self. A few tools a few beers and a weekend is all you need.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

The SE struts with TRD springs will make the ride even harsher, because the SE struts are stiffer.

You can use any rim with a bolt pattern 5x114.3. Which is what all the Camry's use and some Lexus. So you have choices.

[tengiday]

Originally Posted by Michael90

My car is LE, but it's using TRD springs now. The stock springs, which the previous owner gave me, are LE springs. I will follow your advise and try changing to stock springs and drive around. It will cost us about $400 to switch out the springs, including alignment. :-(

I'm thinking about using SE struts, which may handle TRD springs better than LE struts. Is that correct? I like the handle, but not the horse-like ride.

I will try to find a good set of used rims, but it may be hard to find one for 2008. Can I just use the one for 2010 or 2011?

Thank you very much!

$400 to switch out the springs including alignment (labor only), IMO, is pretty good, especially if you don't know how to do it. My dealer charges a ridiculuous price. They asked for ~$800 (without alignment) to change the springs (4 hours to work in the front and 3 hours to work in the rear). The funny thing is that the last time I bought the TRD springs and asked them to install for me, they only charged me about $750, including parts, labor, and alignment. Maybe if I want to switch back to my LE springs, I should buy the springs directly from them and ask for the installation, instead of bringing my old LE springs.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by tengiday

$400 to switch out the springs including alignment (labor only), IMO, is pretty good, especially if you don't know how to do it. My dealer charges a ridiculuous price. They asked for ~$800 (without alignment) to change the springs (4 hours to work in the front and 3 hours to work in the rear). The funny thing is that the last time I bought the TRD springs and asked them to install for me, they only charged me about $750, including parts, labor, and alignment. Maybe if I want to switch back to my LE springs, I should buy the springs directly from them and ask for the installation, instead of bringing my old LE springs.

+1 That's a good deal.

4 hours do to the front is way too much, the rear should take longer since you have to take out the seat, etc. Personally I did my rear struts in under two hours including taking out the seats.

[molson.david]

Switching to stock alloy wheels will cost us about $1,800 without tires by the dealer. Which one has greater affect on ride: tires or springs?

even on softer springs 18" wheels will make ride noisier and harsh.
for 1/2 of the dealer price you can get set of wheels and tires off ebay, craigslist or TN classified.
to me 16" wheels ride too soft (on stock LE springs).
17" ride bit stiffer and they look better too.
look for wheels off toyota -lexus cars based on same platform: avalon, ES, GS etc.