MikeP

I am looking to buy an ESh, which doesn't offer optional wheels. The ES350 does offer an upgrade to 18" wheels, which I would like to swap for the original wheels on my ESh. The OEM 17" wheels on the ESh have Michelin Energy tires installed and the OEM 18" wheels I want have Michelin Primacy tires mounted.

Obviously, one of the reasons for buying the ESh over the ES350 is because of fuel economy and I assume the reason Lexus only offers the 17" wheel with Michelin Energy tires is to squeeze the best mpg's from the car. I'm wondering what negative impact on fuel economy installing 18" wheels with Michelin Primacy tires would have and also would 18" wheels have a noticeable impact on ride compared to the 17" Michelin Energy tires?

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

The killer may be the difference in weight of the assemblies... there is actually a lot of thought that goes into light weight vs strength and the need for a light wheel and tire for better fuel economy... an 18" wheel can easily weigh 5-8 lbs more than a similarly designed 17" wheel, maybe more, maybe less...

The Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 falls under their low rolling resistance lineup, but only in the basic form. It is not designed as a pure LRR tire... I don't see the tire size listed for the 18" option, but the Primacy has the same basic LRR technology - it is designed to minimize rolling resistance, but it is not its primary feature...

Both tires weigh about the same, 17 vs 18", so the difference will be the weight of the wheel... no idea if anyone has weighed them to compare...