For the reference of all readers let me relate recent issues I have had with my 2005 50K mile SC430. My 2 front tire kept loosing air so they would go from 36 to 20 in 4 days. I had bought the manager's special- black onyx over chrome wheels. Several years ago I had a similar issue with one wheel and I dropped it off and they fixed it free- car was under warranty. Now there is no warranty. Fist I made the call to my service rep- her answer was a short go buy 4 new wheels because chrome wheels allows go bad. I was pissed- I wrote Lexus of NA and I called the dealership and asked for the owner. Initial response was dealer would drive to my home 45 miles away with a loaner and inspect the vehicle. The next day the rep calls and says they fixed all the wheels by brushing and polishing the chrome shards on the bead (BEAD LEAKS!) So I went ahead and let them earn a few bucks- go ahead with maintenance-power steering fluid flush, radiator flush, brake flush. Then she said there was only 6/32 tread on a rear tire-and would I like new tires. So I asked her to match the price on a set of Pilot Sports. Everything was fiine for 5 days unti they called me and told me I would need new wheels- apparently the bolts cracked when that tried to remove the bolts which cover the center cap- this is necessary to balance the tires. So someone forgot the anti-seize last time! I was told they could spend a lot of time and their labor coring out the bolt and fixing those wheels or they would give me 2 updated OEM wheels if I purchased 2 wheels for $600. I have heard it out the wazoo that chrome OEM wheels are not warranted, so sooner or later I would have the same problem all over again and I decided to ditch the chrome wheels. I am a little upset that my prposed $500 routine service bill rose $1000 when I added tires,balancing, and alignment, and the rose another $600 before I could have my car back. I will keep the original chrome wheels. I now have the 10 spoke OEM wheels from a late model SC and non run flat tires. BEWARE OF CHROME WHEELS! especially around salt!

 

I was told to stay away from chrome wheels by my wheel guy for that very reason. Two of my OEM 03 wheels had cracks at 40k which I blame on the run-flats. I bought Touren TR60's as replacements. So far, so good.

 

I had issues with my 2001 Pie-plate alloys. Corrosion meant that the air tight seal between wheel & tyre was lost resulting in a slow leak. eventually 3 of the 4 wheels had that.

However there are plenty of companies that can refurb them for a decent price. Be very aware that the aluminium nuts that hold on the cosmetic pie-plate to the wheel can seize through age (aluminium on aluminium over age can "weld"). An idea might be to just undo all the bolts, check they aren't over tightened and put them back with some anti-seize every couple of years.