yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

16s from the 01-03 aren't as fugly as the 2000 and below 16" dish type wheel. So hideous.

FatherTo1

yoitskenn, I didn't realize the 17s are 7.5 and some aftermarket 16s are only 7.0 wide! I kind of liked the stance of the 18s at 8.0 width. I took someone's suggestion and used the virtual wheel shopping feature on tirerack.com to see what the LS430 would like like with various 16" and 17" rims. Gotta agree with you, it was hard looking at the virtual LS430 with 16s. The 17s weren't bad at all. I plan to take some time out this weekend to test drive some 2004 models with 17s and some 01-03 models with 16s, if I can find them locally.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

Make sure they have good/decent tires. If they don't, it would kind of defeat the whole purpose.

FatherTo1

Hi yoitskenn, I drove an 02 and an 04 LS430 this morning, both with 17s. The 04 even had air suspension and, to be honest, I couldn't detect a great deal of difference in ride quality compared with my 18s. The 04 with 17s were maybe a little quieter. The tires on my 18s literally only have 1,000 miles on them. I may just go for some grand touring tires, instead of the ultra high performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport 3 Plus tires that the seller had put on, when it comes time to replace my tires.

The 02 with 17s was a little smoother but the car leaned a lot in turns, something I'm not willing to accept. I'm glad you and others suggested to test drive cars with different tires. After the experience, it does make me appreciate the performance and style of the 18s more.

campisi

For quite a while I had 16's from a 2001 that I would swap with the OEM 17's on my 03 Ultra. I could tell no difference between the 16's and 17's so I eventually just sold the 16's.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

Except your car looks 100x better with the 17s

MattyG

Yeah honestly Fatherto1 IMHO, you're never going to get a Lexus LS to reach S class ride and handling standards. Those cars are just so radically different in their approach to making a big heavy car be nimble and yet a road-eater at the same time.

But you have to remember that the S class you rode in has one of the worst reputations as a gigantic money pit that any flagship sedan could possibly have. So really it's probably a good thing that you have an LS with the 18 inch wheel/tire suspension.

We always judge things subjectively too. Without a g-meter or a skidpad test - there is no way of objectively measuring the two specific cars you are talking about (yours and your relative's). The LS can be a disconnected-feeling road tomb but it's no slouch either. It just doesn't "feel" like it.

That S430 may have been riding on under-inflated tires. That can give you an illusion that it's like riding on air, while still turning a corner well as most German cars do.

I do agree with you though on that "solid" feeling. Even back in the mid-eighties, my sister's 250 SE could run through a London roundabout with ease while still providing one of the most astonishingly solid rides I'd even experienced. And that was when it was already a decade old.

My .02 cents worth? You can't turn an LS into an S class and there are owners of those S430's or S500's who would trade places with you in a minute after experiencing the repairs, breakdowns and assorted headaches with their cars that you won't see for years and years.

lev00221

iTrader: (28)

You will never get a smooth ride with the Pilot Super Sport tires. Sell those Pilots and get Grand Touring tires. You will notice a huge difference in comfort even with your current 18 inch wheels. Incidentally, the OEM 18 inch wheels on the LS430 are 18 x 7.5 ( not 8 inches wide).

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

That's why I chose the 3GS 18"...because they are 18x8. Gave it a slightly better stance. It's not so sunken in.

MattyG

And just to remember all cars will have body roll to a certain extent. It sounds like the OP would prefer a fairly sporty ride but body roll around corners is a problem. This can be due to shocks (the original KYB's on many Toyotas are great). But a thicker anti-roll bar could help.

My Lexus GS rolls a little bit too much too, but I don't regret buying Michelin PS AS3's for it and I don't necessarily want to lose ride compliance either. But the AS3's are a great tire. No regrets.

campisi

Exactly. 16's didn't give me any ride benefit (that I could notice) so out the door they went.

LSR83

FatherTo1 I have some OEM 17"s on my '04 LS430 if you want to trade?

rkanazawa

FatherTo1
If you're anywhere near the SF Bay Area you're welcome to try my '05 with 17" wheels. My prior '05 had the 18" sport suspension combo. The sport suspension and 18" combo helped with handling, but my current car with 17"s ride much better. Especially given the poor condition of our local roads.

FatherTo1

Thanks for the offer, LSR83, I think I'll stick with my 18s for now. Considering replacing Michelins with Pirelli P7 Plus in 235/50.

FatherTo1

rkanazawa, I really appreciate the offer and will reach out to you the next time we're in the Bay area. Do you have the air suspension? Hoping to evaluate how 17s ride without air suspension. Thanks again.