sdloeffler

Greetings, I've posted in a few other threads about 17 vs 18 inch wheels.

I have 18 inch wheels on my ES350 Ultra Luxury (UL) with low profile tires. I've commented on the ride and others have offered that it was probably the wheels. My complaints weren't really the harshness with which it takes bumps and holes. I know that is attributable to the wheels. My complaints were more along the lines of the road roar and feel that was coming up through the bottom of the car. So, in an attempt to see the difference in rides, I went an drove two cars with 17 inch wheels, and they drove differently - smoother.

So, I worked a deal with my sales person to swap my 18's with the 10 spoke 17's with new Michelin tires. I just knew that would be the answer. Today they swapped the wheel and tires and i drove home. When I hit the rough highway i felt the same grooves etc that I do with the 18's. Essentially, the ride characteristics weren't too different. Still had the same feel and noise coming through the bottom of the car. Yes, the car took bumps a little better, but not really worth the $880 in wheels I just gave back.

They will put the 18's back on my car if I want. I'm torn now. Is a little bit of a better ride, but not really on the highway where I want it worth the $880 in wheels i'm about to be out.

Here's my question... is it possible the UL which comes standard with 18's has had the suspension tweaked somehow to be different than the base ES?

What would you do?

Foredeck

I test drove the ES350 with 17' wheels and agree with your assesment; there is a certain amount of road noise, however did not have opportunity to test drive the 18"s until we took delivery of our car with the 18" wheels, i did think of the possibility of a harsher ride, After a few drives, i did not notice any great difference, although dealership had tires set at 36psi, I had them drop them to 34, Foreget about the price difference, I think the car looks so much better with the 18's; I WOULD NOT TRADE DOWN, just turn up your ML a little louder and enjoy your car,
P.S As we were taking delivery of our car at the dealership, a fellow 2013 ES owner who had his car in for its 1st check-up, remarked how nice the 18" looked and said he wished he had ordered them on his car!!

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

There's nothing in the literature that suggests the suspension is any different in the new ES based on wheel choice. The fact that many folks are asking for wheel changes and the dealers are obliging suggests that the suspension for Lexus ES models is the same no matter what size wheel is supplied with the delivered vehicle. The same is true with the IS & GS series which uses 17" and 18" wheels. The LS uses 18" and 19" wheels. No suspension changes there either on standard RWD models, the exception being the F-Sport models. With no F-Sport models in the ES lineup, I would say again the suspension between the 17" and 18" wheel equipped models to be the same.

Lou

sdloeffler

I went back this morning and put my 18's back on. After riding with both sizes on my car I actually like the 18's better. driving and performance is much better. I'll just deal with the rest. I am going to replace the Brickstone's with Michelin's though.

sdloeffler

Final update... had the Brickstone's changed out this afternoon and replaced with Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires. Rides like a totally different car. Not just a little different. it's a lot different. Now I'm loving the 18" wheels. Car sticks to the road. Corners very well, and rides very smooth. Always, always, go with the Michelins!!! Loving my ES350!!!

SW17LS

Like I said, tires are VERY important with these cars, glad you're happy!

If highway noise remains a concern, you can always visit a car audio shop and have dynamat installed underneath the carpeting, that would make a huge difference.