vollandt

I am considering putting size 235/55R17 PZero Nero M&S on my 02 LS430. I have the eurosport model that came with 17” wheels. The OEM size is 225/55R17. This will add about .2 inches to the wheel radius. I don’t think there will be a width issue, with since the 2004 eurosport came with even wider tires - 245/45R18s. Tirerack rep thinks it will probably work, but doesn’t recommend it. Lexus pretty much says the same thing. I fellow lexus enthusiasts thinks that if there’s any change it will actually for the better.

Anyone else care to weigh in?

The reason I am interested in this tire and size is because I can get a set delivered for $304. The price almost seems like a gift.

http://www.onlinetires.com/default.a...a=tireResults#

ancdmd

Won't be a problem

duncan73

I don't know. Maybe it's just me. But, if two professionals suggest that you not pursue the tire switcheroo, why would you do it?

airtime

Going from 225 to 235 should be well within the tolerance and should not even affect the speedometer much at all.

VQT

Why didn't your eurosport came with 18" wheels?
as for 17", you can go 245-50-17 and the diameter is within a couple mm of the original 225-55-17.

vollandt

When I pressed the "professionals" for specifics on the risks and downsides of doing the switcheroo, I couldn’t get anything more than “well, it’s just not recommended”. Are these guys able to offer anything more than look up the correct size on a chart? If the tires do work out, I basically get a set of great tires for less than half price of what the oem size costs. The reason the 235/55R17 PZero Nero M&S is so cheap is because it’s the oem tire on a mustang.





As far as I know, the 01-03 euro came with 17". 18" was for 04-06 ls430 euro.

ancdmd

Its .2 inches! Don't worry about it. If you compared tires of the same size from different manufacturers you'd probably find a variation of greater than .2 inches! The difference in radius of a new tire vs. a worn tire is about the same, and you don't notice a problem with the car when your tires get worn. You can take 5 psi out of your tires and probably reduce the rolling radius by .2 inches, and you'd be hard pressed to notice the difference. Go ahead and buy the tires. Basically, .2 inches isn't enough to be a factor.

lexusthai

1 inch = 25.4 mm, by increasing width 10mm (0.39 inch) to 235: Right you increase 0.215 inch to the 'radius.'

In theory:

Your overall height of the tire increase 11 millimeters from 679.30 mm to 690.30 mm. That's an increase of 0.43 inch. Causing your car to sit a little higher (when the tires are brand new-not worn). Raising the height of your car is cool if you are expecting thick snow or planning to go off-roading.

Your rolling diameter increases 34.57 millimeters from 2134.94 mm to 2169.51 mm. That's an increase of 1.36 inch (it would take 1.36 inch more in distance to complete a revolution of your new tire, in comparison to the 225). This will cause your speedometer to display a slower speed than it should.

The tire width increases 0.39 inch, barely noticable from behind or in front of the car. But you are increasing the tires, but NOT together with the rims. This of course, assuming that Lexus chose the optimum tire width for the wheel you have, will yield worse handling. Similar to wearing shoes wider than your feet..

BUT

ALL THIS are little changes: you will barely notice the difference when you drive.

I once did the same thing, went from 225/40ZR18 to 235/40ZR18 (in a W124 Mercedes).. I regretted it til this day, the thick sidewall was too obvious (not all brand will manufacture exactly to this theory).

I'd never do that again, if I want to increase the tire width, I'd increase the rim size too.

But if I saw a set of 4 tires for $304, who cares if what I said above is true?! I'll take them!

Are you sure they're not old tires that have been sitting in stock for two years? Don't forget to ask for the month of manufacture. It is stamped on at least one sidewall of every tire.

And let me just say "oh crap.. $76 per tire..?! that's way cheaper than my $120 AVON tire! Good deal!

vollandt

I was more concerned about the diameter than the width. The oem size is fairly narrow compared to the wheel anyway. A write up on http://www.1010tires.com said that replacement tires should have max diameter of 3% compared to oem ,. There is only1.59% difference in diameter between 225/55/17 and 235/55/17.

I ended up getting ended getting the tires.. The seem fine in every respect: quiet, traction, ride. I don’t notice the size difference at all.

lexusthai, thanks for the right-up. I’ll check the sidewall for the manufactures date post what I find.