LS430 16” Rim’s installed
07-02-18, 02:01 AM
#46
Driver School Candidate
Very noticeable difference in ride. The roughest riding on is an 06 with 18 rims driven by my 75 year old mother, owned and driver by her since 07 and 18K. The smoothest riding is an 02 with 16 rims driven by my 79 year old father. The 02 was bought one year ago and at the time the 02 and 06 both had 115K on the clock. My parents go everywhere together and the 02 now has 137K and the 06 117K if that tells you anything, 22K vs 2K in one year. They both like the smother riding 02 but also drive it more to cut down on miles on the 06 mint luxury edition. Michelin Primacy MXV4 on the 06, Michelin Defender XT on the 02, Firestone Affinity Touring on my 01 with 87K. The 01 with 17 inch rims ride is in between the other two, the Firestones are louder going down the road. Bought the car with those tires but will be going to Michelin when new tires are bought.
07-02-18, 03:20 AM
#47
Driver
Thread Starter
As someone who has owned 4 LSs, I can tell you unreservedly that 16s are by far the smoothest softest in the quietest riding wheels. If anyone switches out their 18s for 17s, you will notice a slight improvement.
If you want considerable improvement go right for the 16s. I don’t think air suspension makes much difference. My base ‘01 LS 430 rode just as smoothly as my UL ‘05 with the newly switched out 16s. Tire selection certainly can help.
By the way if anyone sees brushed aluminum LS400 center caps with gold Lexus logo trim please let me know.
If you want considerable improvement go right for the 16s. I don’t think air suspension makes much difference. My base ‘01 LS 430 rode just as smoothly as my UL ‘05 with the newly switched out 16s. Tire selection certainly can help.
By the way if anyone sees brushed aluminum LS400 center caps with gold Lexus logo trim please let me know.
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aypues (03-18-19)
07-02-18, 04:11 AM
#48
Driver School Candidate
In my humble opinion ride quality depends on many factors, suspension condition being one of them. If we eliminate the suspension from the conversation and talk only tires and rims the following would apply:
Rim width - wider rims give a rougher ride because there is more surface area absorbing road surface inconsistencies (bumps).
Tire width - same as rim width
Tire aspect ratio - higher aspect ratio tires ride softer than lower aspect ratio (60 series ride softer than 50 series etc). Of course the lower aspect ratio tires will handle better, especially cornering.
Tire rubber - The hardness of the rubber compound from which the tire is made will affect ride harshness. The harder rubber formulation will last longer but will give a harsher ride.
Tire construction - The design of the tire internals also determine the quality of the ride. Steel belted tires may ride harsher than a woven fabric. Also the number and placement of the belts will play a role.
The auto manufacturers specify tires that complement the vehicle based on the identity they are trying to give - luxury vs sport etc. When the owner of the vehicle replaces tires it is a balancing act based on what type of ride he/she is trying to accomplish. I hope my $0.02 helps with this thread.
Rim width - wider rims give a rougher ride because there is more surface area absorbing road surface inconsistencies (bumps).
Tire width - same as rim width
Tire aspect ratio - higher aspect ratio tires ride softer than lower aspect ratio (60 series ride softer than 50 series etc). Of course the lower aspect ratio tires will handle better, especially cornering.
Tire rubber - The hardness of the rubber compound from which the tire is made will affect ride harshness. The harder rubber formulation will last longer but will give a harsher ride.
Tire construction - The design of the tire internals also determine the quality of the ride. Steel belted tires may ride harsher than a woven fabric. Also the number and placement of the belts will play a role.
The auto manufacturers specify tires that complement the vehicle based on the identity they are trying to give - luxury vs sport etc. When the owner of the vehicle replaces tires it is a balancing act based on what type of ride he/she is trying to accomplish. I hope my $0.02 helps with this thread.
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aypues (07-02-18)
07-02-18, 11:45 AM
#49
I was thinking about the original LS which had 15" wheels and 65 sidewall, how good that must have been. But then I saw Doug DeMuro do a review of an original 1990 LS400 (with air suspension) and he said the ride was just ok, not near as smooth as a modern luxury car. I wonder why. It had low miles too, 38k!
Last edited by aypues; 07-02-18 at 12:43 PM.
07-02-18, 12:51 PM
#50
As someone who has owned 4 LSs, I can tell you unreservedly that 16s are by far the smoothest softest in the quietest riding wheels. If anyone switches out their 18s for 17s, you will notice a slight improvement.
If you want considerable improvement go right for the 16s. I don’t think air suspension makes much difference. My base ‘01 LS 430 rode just as smoothly as my UL ‘05 with the newly switched out 16s. Tire selection certainly can help.
By the way if anyone sees brushed aluminum LS400 center caps with gold Lexus logo trim please let me know.
If you want considerable improvement go right for the 16s. I don’t think air suspension makes much difference. My base ‘01 LS 430 rode just as smoothly as my UL ‘05 with the newly switched out 16s. Tire selection certainly can help.
By the way if anyone sees brushed aluminum LS400 center caps with gold Lexus logo trim please let me know.
07-02-18, 02:17 PM
#51
Driver School Candidate
The aspect ratios 45, 55 and 60 should not be compared against each other. Multiply aspect ratio x tread width and then compare. Example 0.60 x 225 = 135 VS 0.55 x 245 = 134.75. This means a 225/60R16 tire would have the same sidewall height as a 245/55R17 tire. Understand though that the 17 inch tire will most likely be a bit harsher even with the same type tire.because of the larger tread width.
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aypues (07-02-18)
07-02-18, 02:31 PM
#52
The aspect ratios 45, 55 and 60 should not be compared against each other. Multiply aspect ratio x tread width and then compare. Example 0.60 x 225 = 135 VS 0.55 x 245 = 134.75. This means a 225/60R16 tire would have the same sidewall height as a 245/55R17 tire. Understand though that the 17 inch tire will most likely be a bit harsher even with the same type tire.because of the larger tread width.
so for the LS430 sizes available we have this:
16" = .60 x 225 = 135
17" = .55 x 225 = 123.75
18" = .45 x 245 = 110.25
07-02-18, 02:47 PM
#53
Driver School Candidate
Those calculations are correct. In order to improve the ride with 18" rims I would go with a 245/50R18 tire ifmit would fit. The ride will be comparable to the 17" rims. I still question the logic of low profile tires on a luxury car. If someone wants better handling and cornering maybe the LS series of cars should not be what they look at. Just my $0.02.
07-02-18, 03:04 PM
#54
Those calculations are correct. In order to improve the ride with 18" rims I would go with a 245/50R18 tire ifmit would fit. The ride will be comparable to the 17" rims. I still question the logic of low profile tires on a luxury car. If someone wants better handling and cornering maybe the LS series of cars should not be what they look at. Just my $0.02.
The car would ride almost an inch higher though with those 245 50 18's
someone else posted this link the other day which I have found useful:
https://tiresize.com/calculator/
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aypues (07-02-18)
07-03-18, 05:08 AM
#57
I'm willing to bet that Lexus went with the 245/45/18 size specifically not only to give the sport suspension models (which the wider 18s came as standard on) more grip and better response, but also because a taller sidewall from a 245/50/18 would mean that they'd have to re-calibrate the speedometer. The distance covered in a single rotation of a 245/45/18 is basically identical to a 225/55/17 and requires no difference in calibration. Even a 245/45/18 vs a 225/60/16 have such a negligible difference in circumference that calibration isn't necessary... at 90mph there's only a 0.3mph variance.
07-07-18, 07:15 PM
#58
Got my 16s balanced and mounted today. Wow. Amazingly quiet and smooth. Better than the 17s. Way better than the 18s. The tires that came on them were H-rated P7 AS+s with an estimated 5k miles on them. Handling isn't as sharp, but I don't really care about that. It's still adequate for a luxo-barge. Glad I swapped them out. I haven't checked yet, but I be tire prices are much cheaper too when I go to replace them.
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aypues (07-08-18)
07-10-18, 12:50 PM
#59
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Thanks for this thread...I decided to scrap my 18 inch rim dreams and dial back and stay with stock 16inch..I did order machined ones to change the look a little from the disaster old silver set that is on it. Good news is I keep the tires that are fairly new. Nothing great on the tires some Firestones but still they ride very well but saves me another $600 to $800 on new tires for the 18 inch
07-10-18, 05:34 PM
#60
Driver School Candidate
Hi friends. Ok, the wheels are spinning(in my head). I have a 2004 base with 17's and a 2002 base with 16's. Would I encounter any problems if I swapped them? Thanks