hirabab

I have a 2WD 2004 RX330 with H&R lowering springs installed. The springs eliminated some of the float while cornering. It is time for new tires and I am considering installing 20x8.5" wheels and 245/40 street tires (G Force TA KDW or PZero) tires. I was wondering if those of you with upgraded wheel and tire combinations experienced a noticeable improvement in cornering capabilities after the install.

Thanks.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I have a close set up to what you are thinking about except our 04 FWD RX330 is on Eibach springs, and the tires are different. My rims are also 20X8.5+20 offset, but the tires I'm running are taller than stock diameter at 255/50/20 as oppposed to the 245/40/20 you want to run. What this means to me is that you might get a little more cornering grip because of the smaller side wall and less side wall roll, but I doubt much. For me, I added the rims and tires 1 or 2 days before I installed the springs. From my memory, the handling improved slightly. It was enough to notice, but not really enough to transform the car. The springs really made a much bigger difference. So, if we put that on a scale and call the springs 100% improvement, I'd say the rims and tires were about a 50% improvement.

hirabab

Thanks. Do you happen to have any pictures of your vehicle with the 20s and Eibachs installed?

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Try this link
http://www.pbase.com/chrisk/rx330

TunedRX300

You will handle better, but be careful with bigger rims. They look cool but unsprung weight will increase, that is bad especially at wheels since additional weight are mounted at moment arm and being multiplied. Acceleration will suffer, so is braking. Go for forged rims for better strength and lower weight. For the same matter, be careful with bigger tires, with 20" rims, every pounds you add will be multiplied even more.

hirabab

Thanks for the pics. Looks good. What brand are your wheels?

hirabab

Thanks. I am considering the unsprung weight of the combination and It is actually a difficult decision because of all of the trade offs you mention. There are a couple of 245/40 tires that are 29lbs, which is the same as the stock 18" Goodyears and the Pirellis are actually 3lbs lighter than stock.

The other option I am considering is changing to 255/50-18 performance street tires to replace the stock all season Goodyears. Since it is only a FWD model and I live in Los Angeles, I am mostly shooting for improved dry weather handling and don't need to worry about rain or snow.

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

your best option would be to trade the RX for the FX

hirabab

I am actually considering a used Cayenne S, but the used prices are still a little high. This is just a stop gap for another year or so.

nopcbs

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. There was a review of it in one of the car books and it's a better looking, better perfoming Cayenne S for about $45,000.

Frankr66

what wheels are those???

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

The rims are TSW Montage in 20X8.5 +20 offset. The Lexus center cap just barely fits on the rim. The Lexus caps are just a hair smaller in diameter so they don't fit real tight, but tight enough to not fall out.

HokiPoki

Looks good - but terrible MPG. - EPA ratings of 12 city/15 highway. I dont think you have to pay the gas guzzler tax since it is a truck. Dosent make sense though if you are going to penalize some cars like S4 but not others.

Id rather get an Audi S4 or even a Dodge Magnum (if it came with a manual transmission)