exfirefigh

Can I put 16 inch or as low as 15 inch rims on a 2009 Lexus ES 350? I do about a 150,000 kms per year volunteering driving for the Cancer Society, So I replace tires every 5-6 months. As you can imagine going down in tire size would be a huge savings for me. I'm aware that each inch I reduce rim size I must add 5 series points to the tire to keep the speedometer accurate. Just wondering what the lowest possible rim reduction would be on the factory hub and brakes.

Thanks In advance, Chris

Mike_1GO

iTrader: (2)

16" minumium

rx300mm

Wow .. 150k km a year .. is that a typo? How many km has your ES done so far?

exfirefigh

Thank You!

exfirefigh

Nope, not a typo. I just purchased it (used) 2 weeks ago so it has 130,000 kms

My Mazda 3 GT purchased new in 2009 has 675,000 kms and still going strong (my wife is diving it now).

Before that 2003 (used with 50,000 kms in 2006) special Ed. Honda Civic 525,000 kms

I've heard Lexus / Toyota quality and reliance is exceptional is I will test that theory


Chris
Ps. Because of the mileage I put on and have been doing this for almost 13 years now I will NEVER buy domestic again.....after a 100,000 kms you just start dumping money in to it to keep it running properly

rx300mm

Good choice ES350, I bought my 2007 ES350 over 5 yrs ago and love the drive. I get 100km from 7 liters of gas on highway driving, I am not slow driver and for last 5yrs I have only used 87 octane no issue.
Please keep us updated on your experience of driving ES.

exfirefigh

Oh yes, believe me when I took the first test drive, my actual words out of my mouth were : Daddy's Home!!!!!

Paul3637

Instead of going down in wheel size, try better tires. Yes, 16 inch will work (same as 2006 ES330) but you will give up a lot in handling. Plus ..... what would you do for wheels????? Surely not steelies on a Lexus ..... and a new set of Alloys will cost you from $400-$1,400 unless you buy from a junkyard.

Try Michelin Defender with 80,000 mile (I guess about 128,000 km) treadwear warranty.. . You can get them in T or V rated speed rating. T speed rating is cheaper with even longer tread life The load index is as important if not more important than speed rating.

In the USA, you can get a set a Costco for a good price. I found out that Michelins are actually the cheapest tire over the long haul since they last twice as long as other brands and rarely need to be balanced after the intial installation..

I have 2009 V6 Camry (same powertrain as Lexus ES).

Original tires and wheels : 215/60/16 Bridgestone Turanza lasted 8,500 miles and down to 4/32 inch. Worst tire made.

Replacements: Avalon 17" wheels (same spec as LexusES) 215/55/17 H rated Michelin Primacy tires which now have 62,000 miles on them and still have 4/32 of tread left.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...-es-350-a.html

and see posts by Jim08 here:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/15...ichelin-5.html

Paul3637

So they're called "domestics" even in Canada. That is funny. It took a LexusLS400 in 1991 to get our family away from the useless, undependable American branded cars.

My (ex) wife said it best ...... It's easier to potty train an infant or a dog than break in an "American" car. And yes, "domestics" are very expensive and inconvenient to operate ..... high depreciation, horrible repairs ..... bodies squeak and rattle after 25,000 miles.

exfirefigh

I'll have to look in to the cost savings over the long haul b/c even Michelins are cheaper at 16 inch compared to 17 inch for the same model of tire and I can get a set of new gold alloys for 388 inc. tax were I live. But thank you for the different train of thought, as I said I'll investigate the tread wear comparison and price difference between the 16's and 17's Thank you.

exfirefigh

Yes Sir, we have the "Big Three" factories and assembly plants here as well!! As well as Toyota and Honda plants along with many others. We are very similar in many ways. I grew up near Niagara Falls Ontario,(1 minute away Niagara Falls NY.) and have family across the border.......the only real frustrating issue I have is even when our dollar is at the same or similar exchange rate we still paid an exorbitant amount more for the same product