03LX470

Hi

I have a 2004 GS300 with factory 16-inch wheel setup. I purchased a set of slightly used original rims+tyres which came from a 2007 IS with 17-inch setup.

Here's the dilemma:

My original rim+tyre total height was 654 mm
(tyres were 225/55 R16)

The new IS wheels set up is as follows:

Front:
225/45 R17 = total height 634 mm

Rear:
245/45 R17 = total height 652 mm

The IS rear setup is fine for my GS as it is approximately same height as my original setup. The front IS wheel setup is much less than the rear IS wheel setup and also much less than my original GS wheel setup.

Since Lexus gave this 17-inch configuration in the IS as standard, it must be that they have designed the IS in such a way that the differential is somehow absorbed ?

Now for my particular problem, running this setup on the GS can pose any issues, such as:

1. Speedometer not reflecting the true speed (under or over)?

2. Suspension / handling problems?

3. Front & rear ground contact points will not function in uniformity in case of emergency braking, turning, etc. ?

When I look at the car, visually, it seems the front wheels are sticking out a bit more. The tyre shop that swapped them stated that while Lexus has used a staggered setup on the tyre size, both the front & rear rim widths are the same. Hence, it must be some difference at the hub level in the IS that absorbs the height differential?

Thanks

Euro09

How about a pics ?

Andy

Mike813

iTrader: (5)

if a rim is staggered, it usually means the rears are wider than the fronts. since our vehicles are rwd. the wider rim should be on the drive wheel of the vehicle. did the installer put the rear wheels on your front tires by accident? i wouldnt see why the front would stick out like that.

Matador

short answer: your car will be fine.

If after driving around you decide you dont like the 225's up front you can always change the tire. I think the 17's were an option for the AWD 250's and the rims should be the same width instead of the staggered 18's, but Im not sure about the offsets.

03LX470

Exactly, the installer noticed that the rims were the same width but the tyres were staggered...

The car drives fine - I was just concerned about the height difference between the front & rear causing a wrong reading on the speedometer or causing any undesirable results in emergency situations...

istundra

iTrader: (2)

get a portable navi that displays MPH/KMH... place it in your car and compare to your speedo.

Matador

I dont think you're gonna run into any trouble. If the speedo is off Im sure its pretty negligible. If you do run into problems, just throw 2 new tires on the fronts and be done with it.