Pros and cons of low-profile tires on IS350?
03-17-11, 06:45 PM
#1
Pros and cons of low-profile tires on IS350?
My 2007 IS350 is on 18" ISPs with very low-profile tires. I don't know the size or brand off-hand but the picture's below. These were the wheels and tires that came on the car when I purchased it about 2 months ago.
I'm just wondering your opinion on low-profile tires vs. regular-profile tires. I've never driven a car with as low-profile tires as these. Even my E55's tires had a taller sidewall.
I have noticed that my car is incredibly prone to tramlining, especially on some roads around me that have grooves in them. I've also noticed the ride seems harsher on my car than in the loaner IS's I get. The wheel wells also look oddly empty with such low-profile tires. Obviously that could be solved with larger rims too, but that's not in the budget..
Hopefully I won't have to upgrade tires for a while, but when I do, what general pros and cons of low-profile tires should I keep in mind? I'd likely be getting all-season tires, since I don't want two sets of wheels/tires (one for summer, one for winter) and the winters in Maryland are bad enough that I'd need some all-season capability, but not extreme enough to warrant completely separate tires for winter.
I'm just wondering your opinion on low-profile tires vs. regular-profile tires. I've never driven a car with as low-profile tires as these. Even my E55's tires had a taller sidewall.
I have noticed that my car is incredibly prone to tramlining, especially on some roads around me that have grooves in them. I've also noticed the ride seems harsher on my car than in the loaner IS's I get. The wheel wells also look oddly empty with such low-profile tires. Obviously that could be solved with larger rims too, but that's not in the budget..
Hopefully I won't have to upgrade tires for a while, but when I do, what general pros and cons of low-profile tires should I keep in mind? I'd likely be getting all-season tires, since I don't want two sets of wheels/tires (one for summer, one for winter) and the winters in Maryland are bad enough that I'd need some all-season capability, but not extreme enough to warrant completely separate tires for winter.
03-17-11, 06:52 PM
#2
I don't mind my low profiles, I have a set of summer and a set for winter (Canadian winter, mind you). Make sure you do some research on the tires you are looking at... you'll find good information such as road noise and wear patterns.
On a side note, I love those wheels!
On a side note, I love those wheels!
03-17-11, 07:00 PM
#4
Pros - it helps you handle better on the corners with less side-wall flex. But that's only if you drive like a demon on the road. It also looks great.
Cons - If you have light weight rims, it's more likely get bent if you hit a speed bump or pot hole. You also feel every bump on the road.
I remember my bros Ford Taurus will bloated tires, and you can blow right through a speed bump and we won't feel a thing.
Cons - If you have light weight rims, it's more likely get bent if you hit a speed bump or pot hole. You also feel every bump on the road.
I remember my bros Ford Taurus will bloated tires, and you can blow right through a speed bump and we won't feel a thing.
03-17-11, 07:02 PM
#5
I don't mind my low profiles, I have a set of summer and a set for winter (Canadian winter, mind you). Make sure you do some research on the tires you are looking at... you'll find good information such as road noise and wear patterns.
On a side note, I love those wheels!
On a side note, I love those wheels!
I don't necessarily dislike the low-profile tires, I just haven't driven an IS350 on anything else so I don't know what the alternative is like. Why'd you go with low-profile tires?
Last edited by calvin2376; 03-17-11 at 07:05 PM.
03-17-11, 07:04 PM
#6
Pros - it helps you handle better on the corners with less side-wall flex. But that's only if you drive like a demon on the road. It also looks great.
Cons - If you have light weight rims, it's more likely get bent if you hit a speed bump or pot hole. You also feel every bump on the road.
I remember my bros Ford Taurus will bloated tires, and you can blow right through a speed bump and we won't feel a thing.
Cons - If you have light weight rims, it's more likely get bent if you hit a speed bump or pot hole. You also feel every bump on the road.
I remember my bros Ford Taurus will bloated tires, and you can blow right through a speed bump and we won't feel a thing.
03-17-11, 07:06 PM
#7
Cosmetic, and for the handling benefits. I tend to get nauseous in cars that drive like they're driving on air (Buicks are the worst). I also have IS350 calipers on my car, so I can't go lower then 18s...which can only fit a low profile tire. Even the 17" wheels that come on the IS are fairly low profile..
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03-17-11, 07:07 PM
#8
well I have 235 40 18s on my fronts right now and they rub slightly on OEM 18s so ill be switching back to 225 40 18s so if your wanting a thicker tire your going to have to swap to small rims like 16s or 17s which would ruin the look of the car. If you want a softer side trade it in for an ES350 or any of the other sedans for that matter. Oh and the rears will be 255-40-18 if your running the OEM staggarded set up.
