BoostedE21

Originally, I was just going to keep my stock wheels and replace my suspension with stock suspension. But I was able to buy a set of JIC coilovers for cheaper than my suspension parts, and I figure now that I have height adjustability, I might as well buy some nicer looking wheels and lower the car (99 Coach) some.

I don't want to spend a fortune - I'm looking at about $700 max, hopefully for a set of wheels with (used) tires already on them.

I found a set of IS 300 5 spoke wheels, like this:



for about $350. It has three good tires, and one that needs to be replaced. Pick up a cheap one, and I figure $450 total.

I've been looking for a set of SC430 wheels in this format, without the chrome:



Those are a bit more expensive, and push the $700 price limit. However - this is sort of a long term investment, so maybe that's ok.



The internet here at work is heavily censored and slow, so I can't make it through the pictures thread (it literally won't load any of them). Can someone help me find some pictures of lowered 3ES's with either of those wheels, so I can get an idea of what I like better?

Opinions welcome, and feel free to make recommendations, but keep it classy. No chrome, and 18" is the absolute upper limit - and I feel like even that is pushing it.

Slooooooow

iTrader: (1)

SC430s:

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

Here's a few pics of my ES with the IS300 rims, but it's not lowered.

BoostedE21

Yeah, those SC wheels do look pretty darn good. I wish they came in a 17, for some reason 18 is just ever so slightly too big in my mind.

I need to see how low i can go with the JIC's. If I could slightly tuck the SC wheels, it would help me get over the "too big" factor.

PlatES300

iTrader: (1)

the JIC's will tuck the sc430 wheels easy. you need to run a small spacer in the rear however or else the inside of the wheel will rub the coilover.

LexFather

Both are nice, I like the fatter spokes of the SC model here.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

I'm not sure you can get away with that 700$ budget.

First off, both sets will have the WRONG tire size on them. Unless, you don't care about overall rolling diameter vs. OEM, then this won't be an issue.

If you do, be prepared to shell out money for tires.

Second, is the spacer problem. The SC430 wheels are nicer since they only require a 3-5mm spacer in the BACK ONLY.

The IS300 wheels, as nice as they may be, have the retarded ET 50, on a 7.5" [some came in the 7" width], making them stick in too much, and not clearing the rear struts. Also this wheel requires you to purchase the IS300 lugnuts, as the ES300 ones apparently don't work.

the wheels themselves should be cheap, i have seen countless sets of SC430 rims with/without tires [good & bad] for sub-300$ *on this forum

Its the other things i mentioned you should look into more.

BoostedE21

I've been reading about those today. I don't really have that much of an issue using spacers. Do they need to be hubcentric?

If I could find those wheels without tires, that would be great - I realized earlier today that I have some money set aside for tires, so that's not a big deal. Didn't the stock IS use 215/45/17? What would you recommend?

acc

I got 215/45/17 on es300 but my rims are chrome not silver. IS300 wheels

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

They don't need to be hubcentric for the SC430 rims.

Your stock hub, well, the center sticks out 8mm, therefore the SC430 rims, will fit perfectly on the hub with the 3-5mm spacer, as they do contact the surface. Being OEM Lexus wheels, they already have the 67.1mm centerbore so no need for that.

However, for the IS300 rims, depending on which route you take [i'd personally run a 5mm up front to reduce the ET50 to ET45 which would siffice to clear, and not need a hubcentric spacer], or a 10mm all around.

As you can see, the 8mm 'room to play' on the hub is now covered up by the 2 mm larger spacer, so i'd get a set of hubcentric's all around in this case.

**FWIW, PERSONALLY I'd get a 5mm up front, and 10mm hubcentric for the back**

I'm not sure what the better vendor in the USA is for yiu guys', but in Canada we get shafted for pricing. I now have a tireguy that beats tirerack pricing, and well the prices are great for you. So i'd set aside 400$ for tires, and may i suggest the General Exclaim UHP tires, since they are super quiet, great tread wear, and of course they are very affordable and you don't sacrifice the ride of a Lexus.

Yes the IS used the 215/45/17 which is all around too small as it's not remotely 'close' to OEM spec.

The absolute 'prefect' would be the 215/50R17 for the IS300's & 225/40R18 for the SC430's.

However, the 215/50R17 is a very "weird" size, since it isn't commonly stocked, and the selection of tires is always just all-seasons. To accommodate, i run the 225/45R17. its a bit wider, but less narrow, IIRC the difference between the two was ~2% [those two sizes]. Also, the sizes being weird and less common = more $$ for those all-seasons vs. something grippier And the 225/45R17 is about one of the most common sizes out there!

Stock 205/60R16 vs 215/50R17 was ~1.8% difference
Stock 205/60R16 vs 225/45R17 was ~2.8% difference or so

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

COOL STORY BRO!

wrong tire size btw...

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

As far as tires, I'm running 215/50/17 and it's supposed to be almost exactly the same as stock, since I had the 15" rims with 205/65/15.

Also using the Hankook V12 tires which are classified as a Max Performance Summer. Great grip in both wet and dry, and relatively quiet and comfortable. There are a few options for this size besides all-season tires if you look around.

PNWdude

hey by any chance do you know what the 2 es300s are lowered on with those sc430 rims.. looks super clean and i like the height. looks nice and even.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Of course there is... at a cost.

He said he wanted to spend around 700$, hence my suggestion of 225/45R17, since its virtually the same tire, for MUCH less money.

I was faced with the dilemma when i had one ****ty Maxxis tire blow out [worst tires EVER], and it was either a 215/50R17 in some generic all-season for 480$, or four 225/47R17 [General Exclaim UHP] for 390$ taxes/fees in. *cost price, since i got hookups

exxonham

The IS Wheels look better but looks little high, and would look better lowered. The Sc wheels look little awkward Id go with IS Wheels