homerjay42

I tried to search for this information but I didn't find what I was looking for. So here goes...

I am not a fan of how large the rear tires are and I am thinking about dropping down a size after I lower my car with Tein S Tech kit (and after my current tires need replacing).

I knwo this will through off my speedo a bit (not sure how much), but is there any other major concerns? I ran this setup on my 335i and didn't have issues (granted it was the stock configuration).

Also, if someone has a pic that would be great, even better if the pic is with the S Tech drop.

Please provide some constructive feedback; none of that "it isn't factory spec, don't do it" talk. I understand it is outside of the factory specs, but so is the Tein drop

Thanks for the help.

SpecLexus

My 09 came stock with 255/35/18 and from what I've read there isn't any problems with a drop on those tires. I think you'd be more worried about scraping your front before your rear wheel wells. I'm planning on ordering my tires soon with 265/30/19 shortly, which is about the same size as the stock tires and I'm going with the fsport springs.

albis350

I a asked this same question not too long ago and people here told me they gonna look kind of ugly cuz of the difference on size....I haven't done it yet but I think I'm gonna do it soon, the reason why I'm doing is cuz I'm getting the falkens fk452 and they don't come in 255/40/18 they are either 255/35/18 or 255/45/18 so I'm still undecided....also sorry for the thred jacking question bit how's the drop on the teins S. Techs, how's the ride thankz

homerjay42

I don't think it would look bad with a drop. My 335 had 255/35/18 and they looked really nice. Granted, the 335 sat lower so that prob was part of the reason.

I haven't dropped the car yet. I just ordered the springs and some 15mm front and 20mm rear spacers. I also ordered a rear sway bar and front GFX lip. I hope to have everything delivered and installed this weekend. Shoot me a PM and I will send you a pic/update when everything is finished.

n0m0

iTrader: (1)

I just recently bought tires and I was wondering the same thing. However, I purchased a set of 265/35/18 for my rears and the sidewall is slightly smaller than the front but you can't really tell. I'm dropped on tanabes NF210s and the fender gap in the front and rear evened out. I'll try to post some pics later today so you can see.

SpecLexus

FTR: (dealer) OEM 18" graphite alloy wheels.
Front: 18x8 225/40 bridgestone potenza RE05A
Rear: 18x8.5 255/35 bridgestone potenza RE05A
Tires are mediocre at best. This is the setup I got when i picked it up in May '09.
Upgrading to Fsport wheels.
Front: 19x8 225/35=recomended by manufactuer
Rear: 19x9 265/30 Hankook Venutus v12 (255/35 recommended by manufacturer)

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

This would not be wise, IMHO, because you would be changing the OD of the tire and wheel combo by 1" from 26" to 25". This will throw off the spedo and may throw off the electronic driving aids. Not to mention it will not fill up the wheel well, even if you lower it. Again, IMO, not a good idea.

Your IS did not come from the factory with 255/35/18s. A dealer change maybe? Or you misread the markings on the tires?


Lou

IS-SV

IMO, a 1" reduction in tire diameter is not a good idea. That's not even close to OEM sizing. The car will look worse.

IS-SV

Why not a 275/30/19 for rear tire? What's the offset on the rear wheels?

aboss3

What I can say is anytime you get a tire bubble, it'll cost 25% more to replace

19psi

i'd go with a 265 35 and that woudl split the difference. the 255 35 would look too small.

homerjay42

You don't think the rear tire looks weird being so thick? This is one of the only cars that I have had where the front tire and back tire have different side wall heights (not tire size, the actually distance from the top of the rim to the top of the tire). My A4 had even tires front and back and my 335 had 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear.

albis350

Thanks a lot super helpful info...I will be shooting u the p.m. for sure thankz again

juice14

i think the size of the fender is too big to go with a smaller tire, It might let you sit lower, but the fender gap will be larger and the fender gap to the side will also be larger. In other people's eyes the difference s so minimal that you cant tell. but it would drive me NUTS

IS-SV

I agree, since we are talking 18's here which already look too small. The ISx50 is a RWD car so the stance should look that way for a functional performance look, IMO. It's not an old school low-rider or a slammed FWD Civic. That's why many of the wheels popular on RWD BMW cars are used on RWD IS Lexus cars too.