06LS430

I plan to purchse a set of 16" wheel/tire for winter driving. I decided on 16" because it's better in the snow and cheaper too. I quickly searched the forum and also tirecrack.com but didn't find anything. My current 06 LS430 comes with 18". I already know Dunlop wintersport M3 is a good chocie for winter tire. I just don't have a clue on the wheel. Will 16" work on 06 LS430? What's the exact specs I need to look for? Many thanks.

Rich

bhasser

Any 1999 and newer Lexus OEM LS400/ LS430 16" wheels will work fine for your LS. 45mm offsets are standard for those years.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

I have a set of 16' LS wheels in my garage taking up my space, but you are too far and they are not cost effective to ship. I only want 200 with tires for them, but I hate shipping.

Kansas

Try looking on Craigs list for a set of 16" wheels from the earlier LS430 -- they were standard on the 01 and 02 LS430. The 2000 LS400 Platinum also has the same wheels that were standard on the 01 and 02 LS430. There are plenty of online sellers that can help you too. Contact Phenix wheels -- http://phenixwheels.com/

I've seen a number of people on this and other Lexus forums who gave up their 17" and 18" OEM LS430 summer wheels for the greater comfort that 16" wheels provide. There was even a wheel company guy on this LS430 forum that tried all sorts of wheel and tire sizes on his UL and finally went with 225/60-16.

I don't understand the comment about a car not looking "sexy" with wheels smaller than 20" - we are talking about a car (steel, plastic and leather) after all. If some of you are having sex with your car, I just don't want to know! I guess it is just personal taste -- I think cars with big wheels and super low profile tires look silly and I have to laugh when some of these guys drive super slow to keep from bending their big wheels on rough streets. But then, I'm old and very practical and love to drive the crap out of my cars without having to worry about bending a rim.

If I had it to do over, I would not have bought a set of off-brand 16" wheels from Tire Rack but would have instead bought a set of OEM 16" Lexus wheels. If you buy OEM wheels you will almost always be able to find a replacement if you ever trash a wheel. I like the Mille Miglia 16" wheels I use with my snow tires but the wheels have been discontinued and I would have a heck of a time finding a replacement.

Don't follow the herd and do whatever you want.

LA Wheel

iTrader: (1)

any 1995-2002 LS series wheels will bolt right on actually.

06LS430

Many thanks for your guys reply. Opinions regarding the look can be very sbjective. So i will leave that topic alone. But it seems factually, a correct specd 16" wheel should fit a 06 LS430, clearing brake isn't an issue. To Kansas, thanks for the info and tips, very helpful. I will be out there looking for OEM 16". I probably should be looking for 5 wheel/tire set. How did you guys handle the 4 or 5 question? thanks.

Kansas

Most, like me, use a summer tire on the original wheel (18" in your case) as a spare in the winter. If you do use your summer wheel and tire as a spare in the winter, I suggest that you verify that the 16" wheels you buy for snow tires use the same lug nuts. If not, you will need another set of lug nuts for your 16" wheels and carry a different set in the trunk for use with the spare.

Whether you buy a 5th wheel might also depend on how long you plan to keep your 06. It sure wouldn't hurt to have a 5th wheel in case one gets damaged but you will likely be able to find OEM 16" LS430 wheels for quite a few more years.

A big plus of using 16" wheels with 225/60-16 tires is that they are less likely to be damaged by potholes and contact with curbs than 17" and 18" wheels and far less likely to be damaged than 19" and larger wheels.

A set of "real" (mountain/snowflake logo) snow tires makes an LS with VSC great fun to drive in snow and ice. We once took my wife's front drive Camry on an important 20 mile winter night errand in a snow storm thinking that front wheel drive would be better - even with its all season tires. After struggling a few blocks in the Camry we returned home and switched to our LS with Blizzak snow tires. Driving the LS with the Blizzaks through the deep snow was an absolute breeze.

ahxks1