Help on a Rim Decision
01-27-13 | 04:14 PM
#16
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: AZ
Greetings! Great forum you guys have here! 
I just picked up my first Lexus - a '97 LS400. It needs tires, so I thought I'd look for an inexpensive wheel upgrade too. The existing chromed factory 16 inchers have kissed a few curbs, so first stop is a suspension inspection (suspected loose tie rod ends), a possible steering rack (minor leakage), and a four wheel alignment.
I found a set of 18" 2011 LS460 take-offs on Craigslist. Best I can tell, they've got a 32 offset. Anyone know if those will be a good fit on the older car? How about a tire size that gets close to the current 225/60-16 overall diameter?
I've also seen ads for 17" IS 250 & 300 wheels. If the 18 inchers are trashed or won't fit, those would be plan B. Thoughts on those?
Thanks!
I just picked up my first Lexus - a '97 LS400. It needs tires, so I thought I'd look for an inexpensive wheel upgrade too. The existing chromed factory 16 inchers have kissed a few curbs, so first stop is a suspension inspection (suspected loose tie rod ends), a possible steering rack (minor leakage), and a four wheel alignment.
I found a set of 18" 2011 LS460 take-offs on Craigslist. Best I can tell, they've got a 32 offset. Anyone know if those will be a good fit on the older car? How about a tire size that gets close to the current 225/60-16 overall diameter?
I've also seen ads for 17" IS 250 & 300 wheels. If the 18 inchers are trashed or won't fit, those would be plan B. Thoughts on those?
Thanks!
Methinks my plan has a flaw. It appears that the LS460 wheels are 5X120, and I need 5X114.3. So, If that's true, what about the IS wheels?
01-27-13 | 04:26 PM
#18
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: AZ
Not a bad plan, but I need tires immediately. The existing ones are near bald and cracked.
I'm guessing the suspension work will make a sizable dent in the budget, so if there's no inexpensive wheel upgrade available, I'll just re-skin the existing 16's.
I'm guessing the suspension work will make a sizable dent in the budget, so if there's no inexpensive wheel upgrade available, I'll just re-skin the existing 16's.
01-27-13 | 06:35 PM
#19
Driver
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: OK
Or you can do what I did with my recently purchased 98 LS400 with 16" stock chrome rims:
Buy a set of used tires for around $110 installed -- 50% tread.. They might not all match but it'll hold you for a while.
Now i can take my time selecting the 17 or 18's i want to install and the tires for them.
Btw, anyone know what I can get for a set of 4 x 16" stock chrome OEM rims--with chrome center caps? They are in immaculate shape all the way around except for some super light buffing scratches here and there.
Buy a set of used tires for around $110 installed -- 50% tread.. They might not all match but it'll hold you for a while.
Now i can take my time selecting the 17 or 18's i want to install and the tires for them.
Btw, anyone know what I can get for a set of 4 x 16" stock chrome OEM rims--with chrome center caps? They are in immaculate shape all the way around except for some super light buffing scratches here and there.
Last edited by ls400geek; 01-27-13 at 06:38 PM.
01-27-13 | 10:08 PM
#20
stock '98-00 5 spokes go for ~$200-250 tops in my area. I remember paying ~$200 for a set with near-new tires a few years ago.
the LS460 is the only Lexus car with a 5x120 bolt pattern, hence the stock wheels can often be found cheaply as they don't really fit anything but BMWs and some other euro cars.
there's a listing of all stock toyota/lexus wheels which will clear the '95-00 LS400 front brakes in the UCF20/21 FAQ.
the LS460 is the only Lexus car with a 5x120 bolt pattern, hence the stock wheels can often be found cheaply as they don't really fit anything but BMWs and some other euro cars.
there's a listing of all stock toyota/lexus wheels which will clear the '95-00 LS400 front brakes in the UCF20/21 FAQ.
01-28-13 | 05:48 AM
#21
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: AZ
stock '98-00 5 spokes go for ~$200-250 tops in my area. I remember paying ~$200 for a set with near-new tires a few years ago.
the LS460 is the only Lexus car with a 5x120 bolt pattern, hence the stock wheels can often be found cheaply as they don't really fit anything but BMWs and some other euro cars.
there's a listing of all stock toyota/lexus wheels which will clear the '95-00 LS400 front brakes in the UCF20/21 FAQ.
the LS460 is the only Lexus car with a 5x120 bolt pattern, hence the stock wheels can often be found cheaply as they don't really fit anything but BMWs and some other euro cars.
there's a listing of all stock toyota/lexus wheels which will clear the '95-00 LS400 front brakes in the UCF20/21 FAQ.
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