Just bought the RX350 - Need some help
08-13-06, 08:02 PM
#1
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Just bought the RX350 - Need some help
Hi Everyone -
Great and informative board! My folks have been searching for a new SUV and I just got them into a brand new Bamboo Pearl/Ivory RX350 with Premium Package. They definitely did not want the Navigation or Mark Levinson system but REALLY wanted the 18 inch wheels. The Chicago area dealers all seem to be saying that in the past, you could order the 18 inch wheels as part of the premium plus package, but for the new 07s you need to order the more expensive package with navigation to get the 18s.
Any tips on where to find (I've checked ebay, craigslist) good 18 inch takeoffs? Anyone here selling? I could buy everything separately and piece it together but want to avoid spending $1500 for an option that's usually priced at 3-400 bucks on a new one.
Thanks for your help!
Great and informative board! My folks have been searching for a new SUV and I just got them into a brand new Bamboo Pearl/Ivory RX350 with Premium Package. They definitely did not want the Navigation or Mark Levinson system but REALLY wanted the 18 inch wheels. The Chicago area dealers all seem to be saying that in the past, you could order the 18 inch wheels as part of the premium plus package, but for the new 07s you need to order the more expensive package with navigation to get the 18s.
Any tips on where to find (I've checked ebay, craigslist) good 18 inch takeoffs? Anyone here selling? I could buy everything separately and piece it together but want to avoid spending $1500 for an option that's usually priced at 3-400 bucks on a new one.
Thanks for your help!
08-13-06, 11:27 PM
#2
MultiTasking Mom
hi, and welcome 
if you've already searched ebay, you've seen a bunch of 18's on sale there for decent prices. the 18's are pretty common and can be found at a lot of places. if you want the "whole package", you can try to contact one of Club Lexus's vendors, Sewell Lexus lexus-parts.com. send an email to ddiller@sewell.com and see if he can help you out. there is a standard clublexus discount, and he can also work with tirerack to have tires put on the wheels and then the whole set just sent to you that way.
keep in mind that getting a whole new set of wheels and tires is going to be pricey, but you can sell your 17's and tires used to recoup some of the cost. just to give you some price points, it looks like the "market value" on the 18's is about $500/4pc and then good tires (i have the OE michelin energys) cost about $800 (at costco).
good luck!
if you've already searched ebay, you've seen a bunch of 18's on sale there for decent prices. the 18's are pretty common and can be found at a lot of places. if you want the "whole package", you can try to contact one of Club Lexus's vendors, Sewell Lexus lexus-parts.com. send an email to ddiller@sewell.com and see if he can help you out. there is a standard clublexus discount, and he can also work with tirerack to have tires put on the wheels and then the whole set just sent to you that way.
keep in mind that getting a whole new set of wheels and tires is going to be pricey, but you can sell your 17's and tires used to recoup some of the cost. just to give you some price points, it looks like the "market value" on the 18's is about $500/4pc and then good tires (i have the OE michelin energys) cost about $800 (at costco).
good luck!
08-14-06, 12:20 PM
#3
Unxdawg-
Why is it that your folks don't want the Nav? It looks like moneywise they are not going to save much if you are going to the trouble of getting the 18 inch wheels.
With the Nav you also get a great backup camera (much nicer picture than the gen 4, which was fine) which is almost worth it by itself for piece of mind when backing up. BTW, our 07 350 does not have the ML - just the nav and 18" wheels in the premium plus package.
If they are thinking that the nav will be a pain to program, that is only a small part of the story. Just having a map showing you what street you are on and upcoming streets is very helpful and doesn't require any input.
These are my first navs and they are now on my must list. Let them try one out for a while, or they may be kicking themselves in a year or so for not getting it.
Why is it that your folks don't want the Nav? It looks like moneywise they are not going to save much if you are going to the trouble of getting the 18 inch wheels.
With the Nav you also get a great backup camera (much nicer picture than the gen 4, which was fine) which is almost worth it by itself for piece of mind when backing up. BTW, our 07 350 does not have the ML - just the nav and 18" wheels in the premium plus package.
If they are thinking that the nav will be a pain to program, that is only a small part of the story. Just having a map showing you what street you are on and upcoming streets is very helpful and doesn't require any input.
These are my first navs and they are now on my must list. Let them try one out for a while, or they may be kicking themselves in a year or so for not getting it.
08-18-06, 06:40 PM
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Just remember that not all Lexus 18's will fit the 350. The wheel size has been reduced in 07 from 8.5 inches wide (330) to 8. Well, at least that's what I was told when I visited my local wheel shop.
I did purchase aftermarket chromes, not real crazy about the stock wheels, and have a set which has only about 2000 miles on them. If you can't find any, let me know. Perhaps we can make a deal on my stock 18's. They don't have the tires on them however they don't have any marks on them either!
Good luck in your search.
Ron..
I did purchase aftermarket chromes, not real crazy about the stock wheels, and have a set which has only about 2000 miles on them. If you can't find any, let me know. Perhaps we can make a deal on my stock 18's. They don't have the tires on them however they don't have any marks on them either!
Good luck in your search.
Ron..
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