I'm going to be taking delivery of a Silver 02 GS430 (17" alloys) in a few weeks. I plan on getting the l-tuned springs/shocks soon after as well as a set of 18's. I'd like to stay as close to the l-tuned specs as possible (but i really don't like the l-tuned wheels very much) so I was looking at a set of 18/8" F, 18/9.5" R AT ITALIA RIVA 2 PIECE wheels and either some Pilot Sports or S-03 Pole Positions to go with them.

Are both the Pilot sports and the S-03's directional tires?

I'll be putting the stock 17"s in storage. What do I do about a spare? I plan on taking this car on a few 2k mile trips and if for some unlikely reason I had a blow out what are my options? I only ask because of the staggered wheel sizes. What do you guys do about spares in a situation like that? For example. Say I get an extra 18/8" wheel and matching tire as a spare. If I end up having to put the spare on a back wheel for a few hundred miles (or worse, the tire is unrepairable and its more like 1.5k miles!), is that going to damage the other tires if I'm running one 8" and one 9.5" in the back? Also, there is a 50/50 chance that the tire might be on backwards (directional).

I'll admit I know **** about wheels/tires. I'd really like your input guys. Thanks

 

hey H,

first, congrats on the new ride...

i would get 18x8.5+9.5 if possible, though different may be different rims....
tyres: S-o3s, 245/40/18+275/35/18

sicne you are getting staggered set up, just use the stock spare, or you always have lexus road side assistance....

 

I'm really not wanting to spend more than 2500 for the wheels/tires. I don't think I'm going to beable to locate a 18/8.5 18/9.5 set with wheels in my price range. Those AT's are under 400 each.

I think you are right about the stock spare.

 

I don't think the AT Italia Riva comes in 8.5." You could go 8" front & 9.5" rear with the tire sizes quoted by hohlraum and will. And as they said just use the oem spare. I don' t think it'll damage anything if you have to drive like that for a while. The whole premise behind plus sizing is keeping the same diameter, so you shouldn't have a problem if you go witht the correct plus sizing tires.

I like these wheels alot. You can get these from the tire rack. Its quoting $319 for 18x8 and $379 for the 9.5s. I'd go with the SO3s @ $199 and $246 for 245 and 275, respectively, all totaling $2,286. Looks like you can come within budget with this setup.

Also, just FYI and to confuse you more perhaps, the tire rack has a deal on Carlsson 1/6 evo in 19x8.5 for $259 each totalling $2020. Both are about the same quality and are nice. there are many other options within your budget. try www.tirerack.com Good luck!

MAC

 

I just don't have the nutz to go with 19" wheels. The roads in St. Louis, MO are _ungodly_ and CONSTANTLY under construction. They use those huge metal slabs bolted to the road to cover up construction work and BS like that. I just heard about a dude the other day with 19"s bending a wheel. Also, call me crazy, but I actually think that much wheel looks alittle too ricey.

Just an observation:

L-tuned wheel/tire: 235/40/18x8" F / 265/35/18x9.5" R
Tire Rack/CL: 245/40/18x8.5" F / 275/35/18x9.5" R

Why is L-tuned/Lexus recommending the slightly smaller wheel? Why the 8" diameter on the Fronts?

Why does TireRack/ClubLexus always recommend 8.5" instead of the 8" Fronts?

If I went with the 8" instead of the 8.5" would it make that much of a difference ?

 

Yes. (most radials are)



A directional tire being installed backwards is not a big deal. What can be a big deal is using different diameter wheels/tires on the back. If the diameter of the tires are different (tread to tread), it can really create problems with the differential. The car will also drive horribly. (It will feel very shifty and unstable) On the front won't be a problem mechanically, but the car will drive poorly again. The width will not matter, just the diameter.