kenjwan

Okay, total noob here. Just ordered these 360Forged Mesh 8 wheels for my 2006 IS350. http://www.elementwheels.com/proddet...kssrw61995bkss

Now for the tires. The website where I ordered the wheels recommend these combinations:

225/35/19 - 255/35/19
235/35/19 - 265/30/19
235/35/19 - 265/35/19
235/35/19 - 275/30/19
235/35/19 - 275/35/19

I don't want to go too crazy so thought of getting Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 with the first combination (225 and 255). However, the wheels are 8.5" and 9.5" wide while the Michelin specs indicate they are for widths of 8" and 9" respectively. Is this going to be a problem?

Additionally, I was also considering Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 from Tire Rack (priced at closeout). While we don't get a lot of snow here in Vancouver, the occasional drive up to Whistler in the winter is a possibility and the Blizzaks would be great. However, they don't come in the exact size combination recommended on the Element Wheels web site.

If I go with the Blizzaks, I was thinking of getting 225/40R19 front and 255/35ZR19 rear. Would this combination work? It seems like a relatively minor change but knowing nothing about tire sizes, I'm unsure what to do. Additionally, the Tire Rack web site indicates "XL/RF tires required on front." and the 225s for the front do not have this rating (oddly, the rears do). As well, they also indicate they are for 8" and 9" wide rims. What does this mean? Would this disqualify the Blizzaks as an option?

Please help me unravel this as I find it all very confusing.

Thanks for the help.

FSportIS

iTrader: (13)

225 will fit 8.5 (definitely will fit, I know 225 fit 8 perfectly).
255 will fit 9.5 (I have this on my car and the tire does not even stretch so you will be fine).

You can do 225/35/19 front and 255/35/19 rear which is also a stock set up for 19 staggered rims. With this, your speed odometer will not be off. The Michelin PS A/S 3 is a good all season tire.

kenjwan

Thanks. That clears up the question re: Michelins.

Any idea about the 225/40R19 front and 255/35ZR19 rear combination for the Blizzaks? I'm pretty sure the 40 ratio isn't going to be a problem. I'm mostly worried about the lack of the XL/RF rating.

FSportIS

iTrader: (13)

The 225/40R19 will slightly have a taller sidewall than the 225/35R19. It should be fine if you don't lower your car too much. In worst case scenario, it would rub when you drive over big dip. i think you should be fine since my 225/40R18 has no problem at all even with the car is lowered 1.4 inch.

you should confirm with the ones who sell you tires and the installer as well. I think you are fine though.

kenjwan

Thanks. I'm not lowering the car so I imagine it won't be a problem. I'll call Tire Rack and ask about the XL/RF requirement. The more I look, the more I think it's a requirement with the Michelins, not with Lexus.

I appreciate your insights and assistance.

kenjwan

Okay. Upon further investigation, the Blizzaks are off the table. We simply don't get enough snow here to justify these and I had though they were all-weather tires but looks like they're mostly winter tires. Michelin it is!

embolism

you will also need to learn to do the peddle dance if you have a 2006 350

Actually, if you don't get winter tires, I wouldn't try driving to whistler. The 350 is a capable car in the snow with proper snow tires but you are talking about using all season tires that are 9.5 inches wide? That's just asking for trouble.

If you can, get some dedicated rims and put snow tires on them. I'm running 17's from a 250 that I just slapped 225/45/17 WS-70's on so that lets me rotate them front to back as required. Just finished my third winter on them and they look good enough for at least 2 more seasons.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

Just a heads up.... the wheel pictured in the link that you provided in your OP appears to be the Roderick RW6, which are a lower price wheel that is a similar style to the mesh 8 concave wheel, but are not forged nor are they 360 forged brand.


http://www.mrrwheels.com/rw6.html

It doesn't even look like Element Wheels carries 360 Forged wheels (notice it says nothing related to 360 forged on the ad you posted or anywhere else on the site).... and if they did, you certainly wouldn't be getting a set for $850

Just want to make sure you're not getting screwed over.

kenjwan

Thanks for the note. Yeah, you are right. I'm a total newbie and had no idea what 360 Forged wheels actually go for. At the end of the day, after research, I've decided to keep these wheels. Comments and reviews indicate MRR is a decent replica brand and the price was good. Certainly not the quality I thought I was getting but it seems my expectations were out of line with what I paid.

I really do appreciate your comments though.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

Definitely... I would not hesitate to purchase an MRR brand wheel (in fact I just did last week ), but I just wanted you to be aware of what you were getting compared to a true 3 piece forged wheel that you had referenced.

Post up some pics once you get them mounted