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I took delivery yesterday in one of the worst freezing rain showers I've seen in the last few years. Drove her home a solid 30 kms with no issues whatseover. I am on Michelin X-Ice 18s with winter wheels.
Quick update - I've had the IS500 for 3 weeks now and last night was another snow dump here.
I can confirm that it handles perfectly fine with the Continental winter tires... Snow mode, traction and stability aids with LSD make for a safe and controlled drive.
Looks awesome man, I love the drive on Lakeshore too for this reason. How was this on hills? Did you ever have to stop on a hill (with snow covering the road) and then have to get going again? That's my biggest fear of RWD in the winter, I'm strongly considering an IS500 in a few years (currently drive an IS350 AWD).
If somebody can share a reasonably priced wheel/tires combo for winter and sizes used I would greatly appreciate it. Tirerack does not even show anything for IS500. I assume people went with OEM sizes which are 235/40/19 and 265/35/19 but what about the rim sizes - are they supposed to be 19x8 and 19x8.5 and what about offsets like 35, 40mm. Can somebody shed some light?
If somebody can share a reasonably priced wheel/tires combo for winter and sizes used I would greatly appreciate it. Tirerack does not even show anything for IS500. I assume people went with OEM sizes which are 235/40/19 and 265/35/19 but what about the rim sizes - are they supposed to be 19x8 and 19x8.5 and what about offsets like 35, 40mm. Can somebody shed some light?
Hi ,
Just saw your post I put 4 Michelin tires on my car with the original rims, car works great ,you need them in snow conditions. Read your post that you were at Lexus On The Park, that's where I got my car I think you might have spoken to my salesman Nick?
Used a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 (european winner the last few years) on my GS F, honestly didn't have any issues, even with 1-2 inches of powder on the road.
Although yes narrower is the way to go with snow, I didnt want to sacrifice any capability of the car, especially when get two or three bad snow days per season, so I stuck with the OEM sizes and just put them on the stock rims.
I got them thru tire rack and the dealer mounted them for me. (245-40/19 fronts and 275/35/19 rears)
I can confirm the IS500 fairs well in light snow (heavier snow tests to come).
My winter setup is:
Konig Hypergram 18"x8.5" +35mm front, +45mm rear
Michelin X-Ice Snow 235/45R18 front, 255/45R18 rear
I picked the hypergrams because they claim to clear big brakes (a concern in the front). I also confirmed that the +45mm offset does not clear the front caliper, but the +35mm fit with a few mm to spare.
I have the IS500 launch. The absolute worst in the snow and ice/slush. I couldn't even get up a slight incline in my driveway (tires just spin). I am going to look into winter tires. Seeking suggestions! Thanks.
I have the IS500 launch. The absolute worst in the snow and ice/slush. I couldn't even get up a slight incline in my driveway (tires just spin). I am going to look into winter tires. Seeking suggestions! Thanks.
You're surprised that the summer tires equipped are the worst in snow/ice and slush?
The Continental Wintercontact TS 800 series tires are decent.
07-04-22, 09:01 AM
