jjl12

for those of you who have the AWD:

1. Is the gap in the wheel well more than the RWD 300/430? Most AWD's have slightly raised suspensions, which i can't stand.

2. Anyone have the 18" Tourmalines on their AWD?

3. Will my Lexus dealer install the 5 spokes from the 430 as an accessory/option onto the AWD??

thanks.

Lex_Fnatic

Apparently not for ...""Canards"" ...you can always get them online though.

jjl12

i don't understand your response. what's a Canard?

Rockville

If the dealer has a set that have been taken off a GS430 only. There is someone selling a set on EBAY. We now have a set from a wheel/tire change. The GS300 Tourmalines will fit just fine if that is your concern. The Port or Dealer upgrade is about $2450 because you need another set of tires too. You could order a set of GS430 rims through Parts but that will get pricey enough to compare to a custom rim as has been suggested on other threads...

jjl12

i actually prefer the 430 5 spokes to any custom rim, but that's just me... i'm not a big custom rim guy...

any feedback on the gap in the wheelwells of the AWD?? is it any bigger than the 430's gaps?

GammaLex

A canard is somebody from Canada. Since she is from Canada there isnt that option for her

lexguynj

I know what you are thinking when you started this thread, the current stock GS300 rims are not that good.

Almost all of the GS Advertising has hit us with the GS430 and those beautiful 18" rims! Then we are in the market for a GS300 and those rims make the GS look like a totally different vehicle than in the Lexus commercials. It just shows that rims make the car. The GS with the stock 17" rims doesn't live up to the hype of these Lexus Commercials and Website (only showing the GS430 with the 18" rims).

flipside909

That's the whole point of advertising. Selling the product and putting the best choice on the platter.

Lex_Fnatic

didn;t know what it meant either until I'm insulted with it. :

jjl12

My sentiments exactly. The only rim i saw for the 300 that looked passable was the Tourmaline. Normally, i'd get the 430 and end this issue, but i need AWD.

No one has responded to my question about the wheel gap on the AWD. Yes, the rim makes the car, but even the best rim won't compensate for a car that's too high.

lexguynj

Even the Tourmalines are a $2K+ dealer option, which can bring a loaded GS300 in GS430 territory. So why not a GS430?

I do not have the answer that you are looking for about the gap, however if you are looking for AWD, then you are thinking snowy winters and getting home safetly. This is where you either pick looks over function, because an 18" rim on a GS300 would look great, but it would definitely deterioate your AWD capabitlies.

I can't decide, but heck you want a great looking vehicle!

Rockville

The suspension is rerouted to allow for the front driveshafts to the Front Wheels but it's not a 4X4 raised look or anything. 18's make this car look marvelous IMO.

jjl12

if you put the same 18's on the 300 and 430, would the cars height be identical? i'm thinking probably not.

Rockville

I drove the AWD that is my Rep's car and it had 18's. Our other Rep Laura has 18's on her GS300. I didn't see any difference. Now if you're going up to 19's or 20's we know that there's going to be some gap issues on any of the GS models.