steverhode

I noticed that of all of the dozen new 2008 GS 350s (all RWD) cars that my dealer got in yesterday, all of them had "18-in summer tires with spare." The 17" is supposed to be standard on the 350s but I've never seen a GS350 RWD with 17" wheels. Any idea why that is?

To make it even stranger, when I try to build a 350 RWD on lexus.com, ALL of the option packages include 18" wheel upgrade, while on the AWD, NONE of the option packages include the 18" wheel upgrade (although there is an option at the end to add the 18" upgrade individually.)

I'm only interested in the RWD version, living as I do in area without snow and without many heavy rainfalls.

So...

1) Anyone understand the 17" wheel mystery?

2) Also, am I correct that the "18-in summer tires with spare" option means that these are NOT the hated run-flat tires?

sf7307

I can't answer about the 17" mystery -- my 2007 (that I just got) indeed has the 18" summer tires with spare. These are not run-flat tires (to my knowledge), but they are the "dreaded Yokahamas" that people on here seem to hate -- because they're noisy. They're expensive on Tire Rack, but also pretty poorly rated. I don't think all the 350s come with the exact same tires, but this was a common one.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

it's regional, in some regions you will be able to get 17s, maybe regions where there can have snow.

same thing for is300 back then. if you are in the east or some specific regions, you could get the 16s. but in the west, or specially ca, it's almost impossible. in fact, i have never seen one with 16s (i think i saw a picture at one time)

Yang1815

iTrader: (1)

Yeah try a mid-west/northeast zip code and build a RWD, you'll get it.

florida700

rominl,

Have you got your GS350 yet?!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

not really an 07 with the combo we want (too specific). but prices of 08 isn't bad at all, considering that the car just came out. only a bit more than 07 which is 1 yr old, sounds reasonable. so we might just hop on an 08

SC400MAN

iTrader: (1)

We have been told by Lexus that all of the 2008 GS's will have the 18's and Navigation. I have a customer who wants 17's and no Nav but we may not be able to get it. The system will not allow us to request a change in wheels, except to the G-Spyder wheels or Tourmalene, both 18's. Simplification of the line I think.

steverhode

I am toying with the idea of a special order for my 2008 GS350.

If I got a 350 RWD with 17" wheels, would they look like the 18" in design and, if not, what would they look like?

Or another way to ask it. What do the 17" wheels on the AWD look like? The same, except for size, as the 18"?

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

My AWD GS300 does tons better in the heavy snow with optional GS430 18 inch wheels then the 17inch I had. There is more stability and better grip up the hills and taking turns. I could drive through 9 inch of snow with no problem.

steverhode

Have you or anyone SEEN the 2008 GS350 AWD 17" wheels? If so, do they look like the 18" wheels?

tjp74

17" does not look like 18" for 06-07. Significantly different. I believe 08 is same story, new design but again significantly different.

Luva1o1

the 17s on the 350s are exactlly like the gs300 from 2006...its rare but i have seen it on 2 cars...

EyeKutr

iTrader: (5)

This is true for the 07 gs350....the 08 gs350 base 17 and gs350 awd 17s will be different from the 06 / 07 gs 17" wheels.

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I had the 17 and they look nothing like the sporting 18 inch. The 17 looks so small and a bit plain in my opinion. They came with run flats that had terrible grips. The car is more stable with the 18 inch wheels. But the new 17 that are on the 08s are very nice looking.