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I notice some fairly heavy understeer at the limit and the simplest solution to me seems to be to match the front tire size to the back.
I was wondering if anyone has tried this what were the results?
I haven't, but I intend to, and I'd also like to hear from someone who's done this. I'm not sure how the Canadian cars are equipped, but my F Sport will also require two new rims for the front if I want to match front and rear tire sizes.
Also, it's not just staggered fitment that's causing understeer--the overly intrusive traction control doesn't help either, but at least you can switch it off.
I would also like to try 255/35 on all corners. I have been meaning to find out if it will work to put my rear 8.5" OEM 18 on the front. I'd just buy two new wheels then. Most of the aftermarket spring rates push the car into more understeer as well which is whey i'm going with the RSR downs that have the highest rear spring rate.
I am running on 245/40R18 Conti DWS all around on stock wheels.
The car responds a little slower but may be that's because of the soft side wall.
Still better than stock OE tires,.
I would also like to try 255/35 on all corners. I have been meaning to find out if it will work to put my rear 8.5" OEM 18 on the front. I'd just buy two new wheels then. Most of the aftermarket spring rates push the car into more understeer as well which is whey i'm going with the RSR downs that have the highest rear spring rate.
Mike
The stock rear wheels (18 x 8.5") should work fine up front, but they're expensive ($452.91 each at Sewell Parts with the Club Lexus discount). if you're going to replace your tires also, it may be cheaper to buy 4 new tires and wheels from Tire Rack, since you can buy four new wheels there for the price of two OEM wheels at Sewell.
I am running on 245/40R18 Conti DWS all around on stock wheels.
The car responds a little slower but may be that's because of the soft side wall.
Still better than stock OE tires,.
On another car, I've used Continental Extreme Contact DW (the summer rated version of your tire) and really liked them. They're relatively inexpensive (considerably cheaper than Michelin Pilot Super Sports) and deliver about 85% of the MPSS' performance.
The Conti's do have a softer compound than the Michelins, and tend to roll a little more in turns, but still a great bang-for-buck tire. If price is no object, the Michelin Super Sports are fantastic tires. They transformed the handling on my Mustang and I intend to get a set for the Lexus.
Well in case anyone was wondering if the rear wheels and tires fit up front...they don't. The rims themselves will clear the control arm but the tire won't. You'd need a more aggressive offset/spacers of probably about 10mm to 20mm to clear the a arm.