GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

Wheel gap solutions

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Old 03-12-23, 08:08 PM
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spiritdock
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Default Wheel gap solutions

Hello,

I have a 2016 GS350 F Sport RWD and I am hating my rear wheel gap. I tried RSR downs lowering springs and the ride was so rough I ended up putting the OEM springs back on. I like the softness of the car and I drive long distances and not sure if I want to gamble with other springs/coils.
Question Is it ok to put bigger tires to fill the gap and how does this affect the safety/drivability?
Stock: Front: 235/40ZR19 / Rear: 265/35R19
Possible upgrades: 275/50/19 or 275/55/19 for the rear. Or what other sizes will work best? Also, I am ok just doing the rear and keeping the front stock as the front gap is good for my taste.

Appreciate all the suggestions!

Old 03-12-23, 08:51 PM
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initial
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Running a 50 or 55 in the rear, it's gonna look massive lol. It's not gonna affect ride safety/drivability. It'll make the ride a lot more comfortable cuz you'll have meatier tires. I'm on coils, so no more wheel gap lol
Old 03-13-23, 02:13 AM
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7eight
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I doubt a 275/50 would even fit in there, it would be massive, I know you supposed to keep within 9mm of stock diameter but people run bigger with no issues it seems, just be weary if you do go bigger your ride height will also go up slightly and, with a 275/50 or even 275/40 the car will look very nose down if you don't change the fronts too.
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I think even going to a 275/35R19 would be decent jump, with the stock setup you can tell easily the rear is a bit smaller than the fronts.

I'm planning to go 275/30R20 and 235/35R20 soon, considering 245 and 285 but not sure if there will be any issues. I'm on stock height with no plans for a drop though.

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Last edited by 7eight; 03-13-23 at 02:19 AM.
Old 03-13-23, 02:38 AM
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Charlie777
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I think you’re the first person I’ve heard say the RSR Down’s were way too rough. Are you sure they were downs and not super downs? That they were installed correctly? I ask also because the lowering springs will be your cheapest way to eliminate wheel gap rather than purchasing a set of larger tires on all corners.
Old 03-13-23, 05:24 AM
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4GS350
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This gap ok with you? Rears are 275/35/20 on Swift springs. Rides a very tad tighter than stock. Mines a lux version.
Old 03-13-23, 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 4GS350

This gap ok with you? Rears are 275/35/20 on Swift springs. Rides a very tad tighter than stock. Mines a lux version.
Looks elegant to me.
Old 03-13-23, 07:57 AM
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I liked Swift springs a lot, the perfect drop and only a bit stiffer than stock but still comfortable.
Old 03-13-23, 09:04 AM
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spiritdock
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Originally Posted by 7eight
I doubt a 275/50 would even fit in there, it would be massive, I know you supposed to keep within 9mm of stock diameter but people run bigger with no issues it seems, just be weary if you do go bigger your ride height will also go up slightly and, with a 275/50 or even 275/40 the car will look very nose down if you don't change the fronts too.
​​​​

I think even going to a 275/35R19 would be decent jump, with the stock setup you can tell easily the rear is a bit smaller than the fronts.

I'm planning to go 275/30R20 and 235/35R20 soon, considering 245 and 285 but not sure if there will be any issues. I'm on stock height with no plans for a drop though.

​​​​
​​​​​​
Would love to see your set up once you install it. I was thinking about 20" but not sure how rough the ride would be
Old 03-13-23, 09:07 AM
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spiritdock
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Originally Posted by Charlie777
I think you’re the first person I’ve heard say the RSR Down’s were way too rough. Are you sure they were downs and not super downs? That they were installed correctly? I ask also because the lowering springs will be your cheapest way to eliminate wheel gap rather than purchasing a set of larger tires on all corners.
Yes, those were downs based on the box and the sticker on the spring. I live in south Florida and we have overall decent roads but when it comes to highways the car felt very bouncy. Also, I used a reputable shop that does a lot of work on the suspension. Also, the wheel gap was great, not too low like super downs. See pic below (before/after)



Last edited by spiritdock; 03-13-23 at 09:16 AM.
Old 03-13-23, 09:09 AM
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spiritdock
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Originally Posted by 4GS350

This gap ok with you? Rears are 275/35/20 on Swift springs. Rides a very tad tighter than stock. Mines a lux version.

This is the perfect look! I was thinking about the swifts but was not sure about the ride quality given everybody was saying the RSR was close to stock, which are not in my experience.

How's the ride from 1-10, 10 being the stock? Also, any issues with alignment/tire wear or steering pull?
Old 03-13-23, 10:43 AM
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4GS350
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Originally Posted by spiritdock
This is the perfect look! I was thinking about the swifts but was not sure about the ride quality given everybody was saying the RSR was close to stock, which are not in my experience.

How's the ride from 1-10, 10 being the stock? Also, any issues with alignment/tire wear or steering pull?
I got the Swifts based on what I read from this forum and certainly am not disappointed. The ride is very close to stock....prolly a 8-8.5 based on your scale. No funny steering pulls or weird tire wear although I have rear upper adjustable links if I ever need to correct the cambers. I've done alignment and also running GS F front lower bushes.
Old 03-13-23, 10:19 PM
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fourgs
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I also tried to put rsr in the back and then switched back to stock. It was excessively harsh. Maybe swift springs are good. I don’t remember now from half a year ago but from what I kinda remember from website description rsr are around 8 kg / mm and swift like 6 kg / mm. Don’t remember exactly but remember that swift are softer/ closer to oem. And the rsr down and super down had the same 8 kg stiffness which doesn’t make any sense and I ended up just throwing them into dumpster.
I don’t recommend anyone who cares about ride quality on bad city roads to install rsr downs in the back.

Last edited by fourgs; 03-13-23 at 10:26 PM.
Old 03-13-23, 10:28 PM
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4GS350
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Originally Posted by fourgs
I also tried to put rsr in the back and then switched back to stock. It was excessively harsh. Maybe swift springs are good. I don’t remember now from half a year ago but from what I kinda remember from website description rsr are around 8 kg / mm and swift like 6 kg / mm. Don’t remember exactly but remember that swift are softer/ closer to oem. And the rsr down and super down had the same 8 kg stiffness which doesn’t make any sense and I ended up just throwing them into dumpster.
I don’t recommend anyone who cares about ride quality on bad city roads to install rsr downs in the back.
I forgot where I read but Swifts are like 0.5kg harder than stock. They ride very well. Many ppl aren't happy about the front/rear gap though but the car is level.
Old 03-13-23, 10:50 PM
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fourgs
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Googled the specs
Rsr : 8,67 k
swift: 7,48 k
7,48/8,67 = 0.86 so rsr 14% stiffer on paper than swift.
Old 03-13-23, 10:55 PM
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fourgs
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Originally Posted by 4GS350
I forgot where I read but Swifts are like 0.5kg harder than stock. They ride very well. Many ppl aren't happy about the front/rear gap though but the car is level.
half kg doesn’t sound bad should be pretty close to stock. Would be great to have opportunity to ride in a car with different springs before cashing in 1000$ to put spring on and the remove and put back the stocks. If someone wants more drop in the front they can put rsr in the front. The drop is more but they are still soft. Softer then oem backs.


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