Scott R

OK, so I put a deposit on this car:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...paId=137493483

The car needs tires and they're going to replace them. I told them that I'd like to have a say in what they put on. So, two questions.

1) This is an '02. Do these look like Lexus wheels or after-market wheels? If after-market, I probably need to double-check the tire size. Like a dope, I forgot to write down the specific make/model/size of tire that was currently on (I know they were Dunlops, but that's all I remember).

2) Assuming this is a factory-standard size, what tires would you recommend? I'd like options both low/mid-cost and high-cost (in case they'll go for that). When I talked to them and tried to deal, they were resistant to come down on the price because they were going to need to put new tires on and tires for this car "could cost $1500." But when I check TireRack, even the factory standard tires would only cost $300/each, so I figure I should call their bluff and ask them to put some pricey tires on.

Harold57

Those look similar to some stock wheel, but from the pictures, it is hard to tell. Is there the Lexus "L" in the center of the hub? (Below is a picture of a stock wheel with gold lettering. Most don't have gold lettering though.) Most likely if it has the "L" in the center and is 18", it is a stock wheel.

There are several threads on best choice for tires. You can go hog wild on that. It also factors down to whether you decide to stick with run flats or go with standard tires. (Just remember that there is no spare in the standard SC430. One can be added though.) I'll let you peruse through those threads and decide for yourself.

Scott R

I did look for the "L" and there did appear to be something that resembled an "L" but I can't say for sure that it was an "official" Lexus "L". What I can tell you for sure is that I'm familiar with the official Lexus '05+ wheels depicted in the photo you showed and they were definitely *NOT* those wheels.

talwang

iTrader: (4)

they look like the wheels for the LS430. same diameter 18", same offset +45 but different width 7.5" maybe??

Edit:

I was talking about these wheels

Harold57

The one thing different that I notice between my wheels and those on the car in the cars.com picture is that my tires have the removable portion in the middle (using the 10 bolts) and the one in the picture either doesn't or I just couldn't make them out in the picture. (Mine is on my '02 SC430.)

The wheels take a 245/40ZR18 tire.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

They're likely a knockoff replacement / replica of an OEM SC430 wheel bought off ebay. There is one brand in particular that uses that off "L" as their logo I've seen elsewhere.

playa3uhh

They are definitely the 04-06 LS430 wheels on this SC430. They look pretty good actually.

Scott R

Yeah, I'm reasonably happy with the look of them (certainly a million times better than the stock '02 wheels). If they're actual Lexus wheels, even better. What about talwang's comments indicating that the width could be different? Would that screw up the tire choice I requested?

talwang

iTrader: (4)

The size of SC430 stock wheels is 18 x 8 +45, so LS430 wheels will go inward by 6.35mm.

Not very noticeable anyway plus most SC430 members don't care/know about the fitment as long as the wheels look good.

tromly

You're right on with your assessment for the wheels, definitely LS430, not a bad wheel for the SC !

Harold57

Just check out the size of the current tires on the car and that will tell you everything you need to know about the size of the wheels. If the size is not the standard size, then be sure to check around to make sure that the tires are standard enough in the tire industry to be readily available and not priced crazy high. If all those check out and you like the wheels, you are in good shape. Don't worry about it too much. (The only issue you might have with cheap wheels is whether they seal very well or have cracks in them that will leak.)

Scott R

I just discovered that the dealer's website has some very high-res pics, including a close-up of one of the wheels:

I can almost read the writing on the tire, and it looks like it says 40ZR18 (can't make out the 245 anywhere).

The Lexus "L" looks like it's shaped funny, though. Maybe it's a knock-off or does that "L" look right to you all?

TooCoolSC

I never saw the saddle interior referred to as "baseball glove" before...LOL.

I wonder if they would refer to my birdseye maple wood trim as "baseball bat" yellow?

Harold57

The easiest way is to just email the one posting the ad. There is typically a link to allow you to do that. I'm sure they will be more than happy to answer all your questions about that car.