I want smaller rims! little help please?
07-28-10, 06:37 PM
#17
Pole Position
Thread Starter
hehe,
Thanks, but as I stated in the beginning, the 18's will remain only if I have no professional options of dropping to 17's.
Fortunately, I have a very solid knowledge of suspensions and what can be gained or lost by working with them. So my comfort factor at improving my cars road manors over sock is pretty much guaranteed if the correct hardware exists.
Lexus engineers are only a small part of the equation when you talk about the car you purchase. At my age(50+), you also begin to see that the marketing department controls a much of what your car includes. The first order of business from the board of directors is "build a car that will sell on today's market". What's today's market for cars? Power sells! Big wheels sell!, Sub woofers sell!, Wings and spoilers sell! Drifting cars sell! Send those requirements off to the designers, where they get with the engineers and banter about how to make it happen.
Personally, we have big rims ONLY because that is with the young influential buying consumer wants. Its eye candy, and little else.... but eye candy is what is selling right now, so poof, you get heavy rims, easily bent, rougher ride quality, and poorer performance in every day use... But hey! They do "look" good.....and looks sell!
I also believe staggered is merely a safety ploy by Lexus, and completely counter productive to cornering. They "look good", and again...."looks" sell.
I believe this car has serious road handling potential, provided you are willing to set aside some of the "eye candy" and get serious about adhesion. Ain't hap-nin' on heavy 18" staggered rims, that's fer sure!
(but that's just my opinion, of course!)
Vince
Thanks, but as I stated in the beginning, the 18's will remain only if I have no professional options of dropping to 17's.
Fortunately, I have a very solid knowledge of suspensions and what can be gained or lost by working with them. So my comfort factor at improving my cars road manors over sock is pretty much guaranteed if the correct hardware exists.
Lexus engineers are only a small part of the equation when you talk about the car you purchase. At my age(50+), you also begin to see that the marketing department controls a much of what your car includes. The first order of business from the board of directors is "build a car that will sell on today's market". What's today's market for cars? Power sells! Big wheels sell!, Sub woofers sell!, Wings and spoilers sell! Drifting cars sell! Send those requirements off to the designers, where they get with the engineers and banter about how to make it happen.
Personally, we have big rims ONLY because that is with the young influential buying consumer wants. Its eye candy, and little else.... but eye candy is what is selling right now, so poof, you get heavy rims, easily bent, rougher ride quality, and poorer performance in every day use... But hey! They do "look" good.....and looks sell!
I also believe staggered is merely a safety ploy by Lexus, and completely counter productive to cornering. They "look good", and again...."looks" sell.
I believe this car has serious road handling potential, provided you are willing to set aside some of the "eye candy" and get serious about adhesion. Ain't hap-nin' on heavy 18" staggered rims, that's fer sure!
(but that's just my opinion, of course!)
Vince
Last edited by CleverName; 07-28-10 at 06:58 PM.
07-28-10, 10:04 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
IMO (being one of the older IS owners too), I think Lexus makes pretty good decisions favoring ride quality when spec'ing OEM wheels on the IS250 and IS350 cars. I drove a ES350 yesterday that was on 17's with softer suspension (and softer handling and numb steering too).
To me 18's are hardly big, but that's just my opinion and I'm now running 19's w/summer tires on my IS350. No bent wheels or blown tires in nearly 2 years, but that's in CA in a moderate climate.
To me 18's are hardly big, but that's just my opinion and I'm now running 19's w/summer tires on my IS350. No bent wheels or blown tires in nearly 2 years, but that's in CA in a moderate climate.
07-28-10, 10:20 PM
#19
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
hehe,
Thanks, but as I stated in the beginning, the 18's will remain only if I have no professional options of dropping to 17's.
Fortunately, I have a very solid knowledge of suspensions and what can be gained or lost by working with them. So my comfort factor at improving my cars road manors over sock is pretty much guaranteed if the correct hardware exists.
Lexus engineers are only a small part of the equation when you talk about the car you purchase. At my age(50+), you also begin to see that the marketing department controls a much of what your car includes. The first order of business from the board of directors is "build a car that will sell on today's market". What's today's market for cars? Power sells! Big wheels sell!, Sub woofers sell!, Wings and spoilers sell! Drifting cars sell! Send those requirements off to the designers, where they get with the engineers and banter about how to make it happen.
Personally, we have big rims ONLY because that is with the young influential buying consumer wants. Its eye candy, and little else.... but eye candy is what is selling right now, so poof, you get heavy rims, easily bent, rougher ride quality, and poorer performance in every day use... But hey! They do "look" good.....and looks sell!
I also believe staggered is merely a safety ploy by Lexus, and completely counter productive to cornering. They "look good", and again...."looks" sell.
I believe this car has serious road handling potential, provided you are willing to set aside some of the "eye candy" and get serious about adhesion. Ain't hap-nin' on heavy 18" staggered rims, that's fer sure!
(but that's just my opinion, of course!)
Vince
Thanks, but as I stated in the beginning, the 18's will remain only if I have no professional options of dropping to 17's.
Fortunately, I have a very solid knowledge of suspensions and what can be gained or lost by working with them. So my comfort factor at improving my cars road manors over sock is pretty much guaranteed if the correct hardware exists.
Lexus engineers are only a small part of the equation when you talk about the car you purchase. At my age(50+), you also begin to see that the marketing department controls a much of what your car includes. The first order of business from the board of directors is "build a car that will sell on today's market". What's today's market for cars? Power sells! Big wheels sell!, Sub woofers sell!, Wings and spoilers sell! Drifting cars sell! Send those requirements off to the designers, where they get with the engineers and banter about how to make it happen.
Personally, we have big rims ONLY because that is with the young influential buying consumer wants. Its eye candy, and little else.... but eye candy is what is selling right now, so poof, you get heavy rims, easily bent, rougher ride quality, and poorer performance in every day use... But hey! They do "look" good.....and looks sell!
I also believe staggered is merely a safety ploy by Lexus, and completely counter productive to cornering. They "look good", and again...."looks" sell.
I believe this car has serious road handling potential, provided you are willing to set aside some of the "eye candy" and get serious about adhesion. Ain't hap-nin' on heavy 18" staggered rims, that's fer sure!
(but that's just my opinion, of course!)
Vince
I too know an alarmingly large amount of stuff about chassis tuning and tire sizing - I supported a mini-sprint team in my adult life and grew up with 1/4 mile circle track, so I've seen a bit of what does and does not work in the real world.
Lexus does a fair job from the factory. There is surely an eye candy appeal to what they do, but they've not failed to address real world performance too. I'm still pretty amazed at what the stock 19" wheels on the IS-F deliver at the track (yes, road not drag), so don't think you'll immediately need to change what the factory configured.
If you're hell bent on changing, 17's will fit. Just keep the OEM rolling diameters and be aware the car is heavy - ideally it would be on 315s on all four corners for as heavy as it is.
Camber is not the big deal you think. Toe is everything. AMHIK.
07-29-10, 07:22 PM
#20
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Thanks lobuxracer,
Appreciate the input, and may pick your brain on the topic as I get more serious.
Fortunately, heavy cars are nothing new to me, coming from the Audi world. Seems everything I've owned in the last 10 years has been 3200 - 3600lbs! So no unrealistic expectation from me! (But the Lex is the first in some time with a decent power plant, and respectable weight distribution!)
Right now I just need to start looking at my available options and doing the math. I figure I'll run theses OEM rims for the summer, and maybe run the winter with them too (New Eagle F1 all seasons). As I live in a heavy rain state, narrow 17's would be more preferable when the downpours begin. 245's arent that bad, but you do stay alert for standing water.
I hope by next summer to have my plans in place and money set aside to upgrade(downsize) to something far more capable than what the 18's will give performance wise. We both know that 54lbs is just way to heavy a rim/tire to get serious grip out of while running bumpy roads. I know I can get light 18's, but the cost is lots higher than going the other way, plus with 17's I get my sidewall cush
. Hummm, faster transitions over bumps, softer ride, lower rotating mass for better acceleration, simplified tire rotation, and performance tires at a significantly lower costs, all spell "Win" for this old fart.!
Still need to find out the best common width and offset that will fit on all four corners if anyone has played in that area! I suspect max front width without interference will be the limiting factor.
Keep it shiny side up!
Vince
Appreciate the input, and may pick your brain on the topic as I get more serious.
Fortunately, heavy cars are nothing new to me, coming from the Audi world. Seems everything I've owned in the last 10 years has been 3200 - 3600lbs! So no unrealistic expectation from me! (But the Lex is the first in some time with a decent power plant, and respectable weight distribution!)
Right now I just need to start looking at my available options and doing the math. I figure I'll run theses OEM rims for the summer, and maybe run the winter with them too (New Eagle F1 all seasons). As I live in a heavy rain state, narrow 17's would be more preferable when the downpours begin. 245's arent that bad, but you do stay alert for standing water.
I hope by next summer to have my plans in place and money set aside to upgrade(downsize) to something far more capable than what the 18's will give performance wise. We both know that 54lbs is just way to heavy a rim/tire to get serious grip out of while running bumpy roads. I know I can get light 18's, but the cost is lots higher than going the other way, plus with 17's I get my sidewall cush
. Hummm, faster transitions over bumps, softer ride, lower rotating mass for better acceleration, simplified tire rotation, and performance tires at a significantly lower costs, all spell "Win" for this old fart.!Still need to find out the best common width and offset that will fit on all four corners if anyone has played in that area! I suspect max front width without interference will be the limiting factor.
Keep it shiny side up!
Vince
Last edited by CleverName; 07-29-10 at 07:36 PM.
07-30-10, 07:58 AM
#21
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Canadian IS250 comes with 16" Standard
Hi CleverName.
I thought you'd like to know that the Canadian Base IS250 comes with 16 x 7JJ wheels. 205/55/16 tires I have no idea if they would clear the brakes on a 350.
nqh.
I thought you'd like to know that the Canadian Base IS250 comes with 16 x 7JJ wheels. 205/55/16 tires I have no idea if they would clear the brakes on a 350.
nqh.
07-30-10, 10:38 AM
#22
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Tirerack.com sells wheels that are 17" and compatible with an IS350. Just go there and see what's available. I imagine they still sell them as staggered but once you figure out which ones you like, just order 4 of the fronts instead of 2+2 and you should be good to go.
07-30-10, 11:17 AM
#23
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I'd agree, but maybe the OP is not interested in wrong-wheel drive, and rightfully so, as he seems to know cars.
The IS350's 18" tires are not the same OD front & rear; the fronts are 25.09", and the rears are 26.03". So I'm not sure you'll be able to run the same size 17" tires F & R....maybe it would affect the ABS, etc? Or maybe not, I don't know.
If you do run the same size tire F & R, then a 245/45-17 may be in the ballpark - it has an OD of 25.68", and would fit well on a 8-9" wheel.
The IS350's 18" tires are not the same OD front & rear; the fronts are 25.09", and the rears are 26.03". So I'm not sure you'll be able to run the same size 17" tires F & R....maybe it would affect the ABS, etc? Or maybe not, I don't know.
If you do run the same size tire F & R, then a 245/45-17 may be in the ballpark - it has an OD of 25.68", and would fit well on a 8-9" wheel.
07-30-10, 04:45 PM
#28
Pole Position
Thread Starter
nqh - Interesting, thanks! Another winter rim possibility as 205s would be great for rain and the occasional trip to the slopes (although I've gotten pretty use to 225s over the years).
Curious: Anyone know if 16s will clear the 350's rotors?
replica - Interesting and good info, thanks.
As it looks like the 17's are the same rim size/offset front and rear, has anyone had difficulties putting 245's on them up front? This may be simpler than I first thought! But of course I'd like to see just how wide a 17" rim can comfortably go, and with what offset.
Question: Are the 18's the same size rims too?
516IS - Controlling costs may have me looking at parting with my 18's but my concern is also thinking about reselling the car in 3 years... Often the value can be higher if it is perceived to be kept close to stock. Pocketing 600 now may cost me a couple grand down the road.
MIA_LEX – huh?
don't confuse an old man by mumbling sonny! lol
Peace, and thanks everyone!
Vince
Curious: Anyone know if 16s will clear the 350's rotors?
replica - Interesting and good info, thanks.
As it looks like the 17's are the same rim size/offset front and rear, has anyone had difficulties putting 245's on them up front? This may be simpler than I first thought! But of course I'd like to see just how wide a 17" rim can comfortably go, and with what offset.
Question: Are the 18's the same size rims too?
516IS - Controlling costs may have me looking at parting with my 18's but my concern is also thinking about reselling the car in 3 years... Often the value can be higher if it is perceived to be kept close to stock. Pocketing 600 now may cost me a couple grand down the road.
MIA_LEX – huh?
don't confuse an old man by mumbling sonny! lolPeace, and thanks everyone!
Vince
07-30-10, 05:58 PM
#29
Just get the standard IS250/350 17" rims with some 225/45x17 tires. You can pick them up on ClubLexus or Craigslist for about $250 to $400. They fit fine (the standard wheel on the 350 is a 17"; you just can't buy then without the "optional" upgraded 18" wheels). I "downgraded" my 18s to 17s and haven't looked back - the ride is silky smooth now.
Bear in mind that tires will have an enormous effect on the ride quality - get a set of good quality tires (Michelin, Conti, etc)
Bear in mind that tires will have an enormous effect on the ride quality - get a set of good quality tires (Michelin, Conti, etc)
07-30-10, 10:32 PM
#30
nqh - Interesting, thanks! Another winter rim possibility as 205s would be great for rain and the occasional trip to the slopes (although I've gotten pretty use to 225s over the years).
Curious: Anyone know if 16s will clear the 350's rotors?
replica - Interesting and good info, thanks.
As it looks like the 17's are the same rim size/offset front and rear, has anyone had difficulties putting 245's on them up front? This may be simpler than I first thought! But of course I'd like to see just how wide a 17" rim can comfortably go, and with what offset.
Question: Are the 18's the same size rims too?
516IS - Controlling costs may have me looking at parting with my 18's but my concern is also thinking about reselling the car in 3 years... Often the value can be higher if it is perceived to be kept close to stock. Pocketing 600 now may cost me a couple grand down the road.
MIA_LEX – huh? don't confuse an old man by mumbling sonny! lol
Peace, and thanks everyone!
Vince
Curious: Anyone know if 16s will clear the 350's rotors?
replica - Interesting and good info, thanks.
As it looks like the 17's are the same rim size/offset front and rear, has anyone had difficulties putting 245's on them up front? This may be simpler than I first thought! But of course I'd like to see just how wide a 17" rim can comfortably go, and with what offset.
Question: Are the 18's the same size rims too?
516IS - Controlling costs may have me looking at parting with my 18's but my concern is also thinking about reselling the car in 3 years... Often the value can be higher if it is perceived to be kept close to stock. Pocketing 600 now may cost me a couple grand down the road.
MIA_LEX – huh?
don't confuse an old man by mumbling sonny! lolPeace, and thanks everyone!
Vince