GS Doug

I'm considering a 2008 GS350 AWD, but I have a few questions. They are listed as using run-flat tires. Does that mean there is no spare tire on the AWD cars? Another question: can you swap out the non-AWD 18" tires with the 5-spoke wheels for the stock wheels and tires? If so, do you need to get a spare tire too? One last question: what are people's overall opinions of this car?

Yang1815

iTrader: (1)

I have an 07 and mine has a spare. It came with the 17" runflats but I got the 18" 5 spoke put on. I like my AWD a lot. It's been pretty snowy/icey here and it performs very well although I still have the summer tires on.

What do u mean by non-AWD tires? You can get any size tire/wheel as long as you do a non-staggered setup and try to keep the overall circumference as close as possible, you'd be fine.

DaSyce

iTrader: (3)

Did you negotiate the 18” wheels / tires when purchasing the car for the dealer? Did you end up paying extra?

twister

My '07 AWD didn't come with a spare, not all of them do. Its an option that does come with some AWD. I wasn't even aware of that, and while buying such as expensive Lexus, I didn't even bother to check if spare is there LOL!!! To add it later as an option will cost an arm and a leg unless you buy it from outside. In general, with runflats you shouldn't bother for a spare. But, as you will find out yourself, these tires are stiff piece of... and last on average for only 15k-20k depending on how your driving is. If you are buying a new car, I would talk to the dealership to credit you money back for these overpriced runflats (tires are approximately $300 a piece) and bring in your own A/S tires for them to put and to balance on the car. Than, you will need a spare and all the mounting hardware, unless your car will come with one already. Also, ask you dealership if its cheaper to get a spare as an option when you are buying a new car versus getting it later.

Yang1815

iTrader: (1)

I bought the 18" wheels/tires from another dealership (Sewell Lexus, a vendor on CL) and I brought those to my dealership before my car even arrived there so they dismount the 17"s, took out the TPMS sensors, dismount the 18"s and put them on, then mount both sets back on. This usually costs around $300 at the dealership and I gave them the 17"s so they didn't charge me anything. Obviously could get a little more if I kept the 17"s and sell them myself but it was convenient for me.

Finkler

Doug,
just picked up my GS350awd last week, I have the Dunlop SP Sport Run Flats, and my car came with a spare. For some reason the spare is an odd looking beige/khaki color...

twister

Finkler, can you please post a size of the spare and spare tire?

TimC

Ditto- size is 155/70 17 inch