17 versus 18 inch wheels?
#17
Lexus Fanatic
#18
Driver School Candidate
I agree, not only on the ride quality but from durability as well. When my wife & I took our 1st test drive of the ES350 it was equipped with Michelins and the drive was much more quiet then the Bridgestone's that were on the Lexus that we eventually bought. There have been numerous threads on CL regarding the Bridgestone/Michelin comparison and a to the Bridgestone. Further, with 20K on the odometer it looks like we will be lucky to get another 5K-8K miles based on the tread. I can't wait to replace them with Pirellis P7 that I put on my Acura that drive wonderful with a tread life of 70K.
As for the 17" vs 18" rims I agree with the general consensus that it's pretty much an esthetic look and will not effect the handling one way or another. These are FWD large luxury cars and I doubt Lexus intended the larger rim to add to increased handling. Further, I think it is Lexus just getting in on another option that will bring in more profit to the bottom line. I wonder if Lexus has placed a warranty issue on not covering suspension, brake etc. problems due to rims that are not OE or recognized by them since GM and other manufactures do. JMHO, we were given a new 2016 ES350 UL with 18" rims on Bridgestone tires and the ride quality was a little harsher without any notice of additional road noise although I discovered they were overinflated. I did like the look of the larger rim size but my concern is what the cost would be to replace the tires when the time comes. I have not checked to see if the 18" rim tires have the same Aspect Ratio as the 17" so I can't really compare, but pretty sure the cost would be higher on the 18".
#19
Lead Lap
I agree, not only on the ride quality but from durability as well. Further, with 20K on the odometer it looks like we will be lucky to get another 5K-8K miles based on the tread. I can't wait to replace them with Pirellis P7 that I put on my Acura that drive wonderful with a tread life of 70K.
The tires used with the 18 inch wheels are a lower profile tire than the tires used with the 17 inch wheels. That is what allows both combinations to have the same diameter, and it is also what allows you to swap out 17 inch wheels for 18 inch wheels (or the other way around) without having it throw the speedometer or odometer off.
#20
Lexus Fanatic
You'll like the P7s, I have them on my LS, great tires. HUGE improvement over the OEM Bridgestones
#21
The Bridgestone tires that Lexus uses on the ES have a wear rating that is only about 2/3 of what the wear ratings are for the Michelin tires used on the ES. And that difference is even more remarkable when you consider that tread wear is not one of the strong points of the Michelin tires. Their wear rating is significantly lower than the wear ratings of most of the similar tire models from competitor tire manufacturers.
The tires used with the 18 inch wheels are a lower profile tire than the tires used with the 17 inch wheels. That is what allows both combinations to have the same diameter, and it is also what allows you to swap out 17 inch wheels for 18 inch wheels (or the other way around) without having it throw the speedometer or odometer off.
The tires used with the 18 inch wheels are a lower profile tire than the tires used with the 17 inch wheels. That is what allows both combinations to have the same diameter, and it is also what allows you to swap out 17 inch wheels for 18 inch wheels (or the other way around) without having it throw the speedometer or odometer off.
#23
Driver School Candidate
The Bridgestone tires that Lexus uses on the ES have a wear rating that is only about 2/3 of what the wear ratings are for the Michelin tires used on the ES. And that difference is even more remarkable when you consider that tread wear is not one of the strong points of the Michelin tires. Their wear rating is significantly lower than the wear ratings of most of the similar tire models from competitor tire manufacturers.
The tires used with the 18 inch wheels are a lower profile tire than the tires used with the 17 inch wheels. That is what allows both combinations to have the same diameter, and it is also what allows you to swap out 17 inch wheels for 18 inch wheels (or the other way around) without having it throw the speedometer or odometer off.
The tires used with the 18 inch wheels are a lower profile tire than the tires used with the 17 inch wheels. That is what allows both combinations to have the same diameter, and it is also what allows you to swap out 17 inch wheels for 18 inch wheels (or the other way around) without having it throw the speedometer or odometer off.
Yep........
For the 17" OEM Rims..................215/55/-17
PIRELLI
CINTURATO P7 ALL SEASON PLUS $135.61 per tire
For the 18" OEM Rims..................225/45/-18
PIRELLI
CINTURATO P7 ALL SEASON PLUS $173.51 per tire
I actually thought they would be more. A great tire that I now have on my Acura TL. Will try to get thru the summer with the OE Bridgestone and replace with the Pirelli before winter.
#24
Driver School Candidate
I tested the 18" bridgestones and 17" michelins on a few different 2014 cpos and the 18" are much noiser. I drove on some very coarse roads so it was an easy decision for me.
#25
#26
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2016
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My experience with swapping 18s for 17s
I purchased a Lexus certified 2013 es350 with the upgraded 18" rims and Michellin mxm4 tires. Love the car, but ride was a bit harsh for what I expected in a Lexus ES. Drove it for about 5,000 miles with the 18's. Last week, I Purchased a set of 17" Lexus rims that were a takeoff from a new 2015 es300 hybrid, and had new 17" Michelin Premium A/S installed today. The ride is noticeably different, softer and a bit quieter but still enough to road feel to make the drive fun. I would NEVER buy a low profile tire again, because if Michellin tires are a little harsh with a low profile, then there is not much hope that any other manufacturer would make it a more compliant experience. The appearance is a bit better with the 18's, but I care more about the quality of the ride and quietness than what others think of the look. . Hope this review is helpful AND saves some $$ for those thinking of purchasing and more concerned about quality of ride than appearance. I just wish I would have know before I purchased and saved some $$s in not replacing rims and tires. Anyone interested in purchasing some really good looking perfect condition 18" Lexus rims and Michellan Primacy mxm4's with less than 5000 miles? I am in the Denver area and you can see them on Craigslist.
Last edited by daveses350; 07-04-16 at 11:17 AM.
#27
Instructor
I agree with the other poster, handling is be a bit better with the 18" wheels but the rubber is a bit noisier. Not a big deal though. A different tire might run quieter, ours came with Bridgestones.
Last edited by EJC; 07-02-16 at 05:47 PM.
#28
I purchased a Lexus certified 2013 es350 with the upgraded 18" rims and Michellin mxm4 tires. Love the car, but ride was a bit harsh for what I expected in a Lexus ES. Drove it for about 5,000 miles with the 18's. Last week, I Purchased a set of 17" Lexus rims that were a takeoff from a new 2015 es300 hybrid, and had new 17" Michelin Premium A/S installed today. The ride is noticeably different, softer and a bit quieter but still enough to road feel to make the drive fun. I would NEVER buy a low profile tire again, because if Michellin tires are a little harsh with a low profile, then there is not much hope that any other manufacturer would make it a more compliant experience. The appearance is a bit better with the 18's, but I care more about the quality of the ride and quietness than what others think of the look. . Hope this review is helpful AND saves some $$ for those thinking of purchasing and more concerned about quality of ride than appearance. I just wish I would have know before I purchased and saved some $$s in not replacing rims and tires. Anyone interested in purchasing some really good looking perfect condition 18" Lexus rims and Michellan Primacy mxm4's with less than 5000 miles? I am in the Denver area and you can see them on Craigslist.
As a side note, did you notice any difference in the car's ability in the snow.......probably more a function of the tire versus the tire size.
Also, anyone with the pano roof had any problems with it? Rattles, etc?
#30