PilotSmith

I have lame looking wheels on my 99 GS400. I picked up a set of Lexus 18" rims today that had Riken Raptor 225 40 ZR18 tires on it. Two tires needed to be replaced so I got some Falken tires of the same size. However, with the Riken the sidewall is flush with the side of the rim. With the Falken it looks like the tire is too small and stretched over the rim. The rim sticks out past the sidewall so if you bump a curb it is going to scrape the rim. I'm confused because both tires are 225/40/ZR18 tires but the Falken thread area is only about 7.5" wide while the Riken is 8" wide.

I don't like that stretched on look and debating what to do. I didn't pay much for the Falken tires. (They were only $105 each plus balancing.) I have not mounted the rim to the car yet so maybe I can still return and exchange for a different tire. Maybe once it's on the car it won't be that noticeable but with the Riken and Falken wheels sitting side by side it really looks different.

Any suggestions? The Riken Raptor tires on the used rims are cheapo tires too but 2 of them still had a good amount of life left. They didn't have Riken at the store so I figured the 2 cheap Falken tires would be fine and next time when these tires wore out I'd get a set of 4 matching better quality tires. But it bugs me how the Falken are narrower. Got the tires are America Tires / Discout Tire.


Falken Tire - Narrow stretched on rim look:


Riken Tire - Sidewall more flush with rim:


My kind of ghetto looking 17" rims now:


Replacement 18" Lexus rims:

ProjektS13

Even though the tires are the same size, some manufactures tires fit differently then others. Ive noticed that falken ziex series tires fit alittle snug, i had azenis and they didnt fit small.

gs2impress

thats sa hella flush look...look betta to me with da rim poppin out..jus slamm ur car now

PilotSmith

I'm not sure if you are serious or poking fun at me. Come on guys, help me out here on what to do.

gs2impress

im serious
like this


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PilotSmith

The first one is way over the top for my taste. However, the bottom two look alright. I wanted to keep the same size tires front and back to be able to rotate. With that being the case, I'm not sure if I can go with a wider tire that what I got now for the front. These new rims are 18x9.5 so now I have to figure out if something wider than a 225-40-18 will fit the front and not rub. I guess I could use the Falken in the front and get something wider for the rear when the old rear tires wear out. Right now my rear tires on the 17" rims are about 8.5" wide so I don't like the idea of putting the Falken 225 tires on the rear because they are a full inch less wide. If anything I'd like something wider than I have now on the rear. Guess it boils down to being practical on cost so you can rotate the tires or go for better rear grip and looks with staggered size. I'm pretty sure I know what everyone here will say to do...

ProjektS13

225/40/18 on a 9.5 is a mild stretch i used to had that size on my 240, it looks pretty good and it allows for some good clearance if running them in the front.

mole

iTrader: (3)

you posted this in the 1st generation GS section, it should be in the 2nd generation section first off.

second, dont mount them, take it back and tell the guy you dont like the way they fit and ask to find a different size / make and bring an example of what you expect it to look like. You may have to pat a few for extra mount or something.

PilotSmith

Arrrg.... I just noticed I screwed up. The rims I got are staggered and I didn't realize that when I got them! The dude had the same size tires on all 4 rims. They are 18x9 and 18x9.5. The rims I took to the tire shop to put on front tires were the 9.5". So that explains whey they look so stretched. So now I need to go back to the shop to swap them out. If I can't exchange the tires I will swap them out to the 9" rims and use the old tires that are on the 9.5" rear rims. Pain in the butt. Wish I noticed this before. If you have not driven on the tires do shops let you exchange them?

PilotSmith

I'm going to post on correct GS section. Sorry, posted in 1st gen by mistake...