MERGED SNOW tire and rims discussion
09-25-13, 02:41 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
SonyHome, for the rims, offset between 40-45mm is fine for a 7"-7.5" width rim x 17" diameter / 114.3 x 5.
The other requirement to prevent vibration is get rims with the hub center (center bore) of 60.1 mm so the rim sits nicely/perfectly centered to the hub as opposed to relying only on the 5 lugs. Anything bigger in this measurement like your first selection above and you risk getting vibrations. If you are hard set on the first rims or similar, I would look to find a hubcentric ring that reduces the center hub from 73.1mm to 60.1mm.
As for the winter tires selection, I'd rely on the feedback, tests and factor in costs. In certain municipalities, studded tires are not permitted. These tires have small "nails" on the tread of the tire to literally bite into the surface (i.e. good for ice packed roads). I personally never required those the few times I've owned winters since non-studded or "regular" winter tires have suited me well in our Canadian winters. They are also loud and eat away at asphalt, hence why I believe they're not always legal. So if considering studded tires, you may want to check your local laws first before. If not and you're fine to spend $200 /tire, the Michelins are ranked the best studless winters as per TireRack.
Hope this helps. Good luck
The other requirement to prevent vibration is get rims with the hub center (center bore) of 60.1 mm so the rim sits nicely/perfectly centered to the hub as opposed to relying only on the 5 lugs. Anything bigger in this measurement like your first selection above and you risk getting vibrations. If you are hard set on the first rims or similar, I would look to find a hubcentric ring that reduces the center hub from 73.1mm to 60.1mm.
As for the winter tires selection, I'd rely on the feedback, tests and factor in costs. In certain municipalities, studded tires are not permitted. These tires have small "nails" on the tread of the tire to literally bite into the surface (i.e. good for ice packed roads). I personally never required those the few times I've owned winters since non-studded or "regular" winter tires have suited me well in our Canadian winters. They are also loud and eat away at asphalt, hence why I believe they're not always legal. So if considering studded tires, you may want to check your local laws first before. If not and you're fine to spend $200 /tire, the Michelins are ranked the best studless winters as per TireRack.
Hope this helps. Good luck
I'll go look some more to find a perfect fit.
09-25-13, 02:50 PM
#17
The pursuit of F
235/40/18s is what I'd consider getting on the stock rims despite the overall diameter of the tire increasing fractionally higher. I'll calculate what that comes out to regarding speedo/odometer error but it will be minor.
Last edited by corradoMR2; 09-25-13 at 03:35 PM.
09-25-13, 03:31 PM
#18
The pursuit of F
^^^ 637 mm vs 645 mm overall diameter. Equates to 1.26% more distance/speed over what is indicated by the car.
Ex: - Indicated 60 mph; actual 60.75 mph (on top of any pre-existing speedo error)
- For every 60 miles indicated on the odometer, you've actually traveled 60.75 miles. After 10,000 miles indicated, actual is 10,126 miles.
Not a big difference personally . I've had tires on my previous RX 255/55/18 (vs 235/55/18) that resulted in a 3% error though I wouldn't recommend that even though the vehicle rode well.
Ex: - Indicated 60 mph; actual 60.75 mph (on top of any pre-existing speedo error)
- For every 60 miles indicated on the odometer, you've actually traveled 60.75 miles. After 10,000 miles indicated, actual is 10,126 miles.
Not a big difference personally . I've had tires on my previous RX 255/55/18 (vs 235/55/18) that resulted in a 3% error though I wouldn't recommend that even though the vehicle rode well.
Last edited by corradoMR2; 09-25-13 at 03:37 PM.
09-25-13, 05:38 PM
#19
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I'm having hard time picking the rims. I either don't like them or they are more money than I want to spend. What do you think of these? Having second thoughts about going with RWD. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Lexus-Wheels-ISF-Style-Gunmetal-Rims-Lexus-IS-GS-LS-ES-250-350-ALL-Models/370900308809?_trksid=p2050601.m2372&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17614%26meid%3D1547862715262472404%26pid%3D100085%26prg%3D8172%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D370900308809%26%26clkid%3D1547864141700110092&_qi=RTM1562569
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Lexus-Wheels-ISF-Style-Gunmetal-Rims-Lexus-IS-GS-LS-ES-250-350-ALL-Models/370900308809?_trksid=p2050601.m2372&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17614%26meid%3D1547862715262472404%26pid%3D100085%26prg%3D8172%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D370900308809%26%26clkid%3D1547864141700110092&_qi=RTM1562569
09-25-13, 07:59 PM
#20
The pursuit of F
^^^ Pricey. It's why I succumbed to the AWD model for a similar price premium of 2K for a set of winters, rims, and TPMS, plus the hassle of changing them and storing them. My 08 AWD IS had great snow traction with A/S tires, but for a 350 in your case, tough call since you give up the ISF's direct shift 8-speed going with the AWD and not sure about VGRS.
09-26-13, 06:57 AM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
^^^ Pricey. It's why I succumbed to the AWD model for a similar price premium of 2K for a set of winters, rims, and TPMS, plus the hassle of changing them and storing them. My 08 AWD IS had great snow traction with A/S tires, but for a 350 in your case, tough call since you give up the ISF's direct shift 8-speed going with the AWD and not sure about VGRS.
I'm basically budgetting $2k for the rims, snow tires and TPMS but I also don't want goofy looking rims for 6 months of the year on this nice car!
Are you sure those rims would work on the 3IS? Does that look ok to you on the F Sport?
Last edited by SonyHome; 09-26-13 at 07:00 AM.
09-28-13, 03:53 PM
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Ok. I looked on Sewell Parts and they have the factory F-Sport rims and TPMS so I may just go with these. Even though this is going to break my budget none of the other rims that I saw looked as nice and have that black chrome finish. I'll probably get the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 snow tires to go along with these. Let me know if anyone has better ideas or setup!
09-28-13, 05:51 PM
#23
Ok. I looked on Sewell Parts and they have the factory F-Sport rims and TPMS so I may just go with these. Even though this is going to break my budget none of the other rims that I saw looked as nice and have that black chrome finish. I'll probably get the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 snow tires to go along with these. Let me know if anyone has better ideas or setup!
I've bought winter rims for my IS, and went for 17" rims with 225\45-17 all around.
If you really need winter tires, then it is better to not compromise and get a dedicated set.
Rims are avalible in all sorts of colors.
Just buy some cheap gun metal rota rims if you don't like the look of the stock 17" lexus rims.
I got these winter rims for my car: Picture of them on an audi, since they are not fitted to my car yet.
09-28-13, 09:14 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
If you are really going to be driving on snowy roads, I would get smaller rims and more sidewall on tires.
I've bought winter rims for my IS, and went for 17" rims with 225\45-17 all around.
If you really need winter tires, then it is better to not compromise and get a dedicated set.
Rims are avalible in all sorts of colors.
Just buy some cheap gun metal rota rims if you don't like the look of the stock 17" lexus rims.
I got these winter rims for my car: Picture of them on an audi, since they are not fitted to my car yet.
I've bought winter rims for my IS, and went for 17" rims with 225\45-17 all around.
If you really need winter tires, then it is better to not compromise and get a dedicated set.
Rims are avalible in all sorts of colors.
Just buy some cheap gun metal rota rims if you don't like the look of the stock 17" lexus rims.
I got these winter rims for my car: Picture of them on an audi, since they are not fitted to my car yet.
I'm going to get another set of rims for winter. Just trying to find one that I like.
09-28-13, 09:17 PM
#25
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Question:
If I use the same factory F-Sport rims size as front (8") on the back wouldn't that look like it's sunk in to the car since it's narrower? Will they be able to align the width to the front tires? Would this cause any issue for the car?
If I use the same factory F-Sport rims size as front (8") on the back wouldn't that look like it's sunk in to the car since it's narrower? Will they be able to align the width to the front tires? Would this cause any issue for the car?
09-28-13, 11:39 PM
#26
It depends on the ET on the rim. Lower ET gets the rim closer to the wheel arch edge, and compensates for the smaller rim width.
09-29-13, 03:46 AM
#27
Since the stock 8" rim has an offset of 45, and the stock 8,5" rim has an offset of 50, the difference is very small.
The 8,5" rim will only be about 1,3 millimeters closer to the arches than the 8" rim.
However, the height of the sidewall will still be a bit low.
If you drive in an area with cold temperatures and much snow, the snow often forms ice bumps in the road. And with a 225\40-18 tire, you will feel every single one of the bumps a lot.
If you live in an area with very little snow, good roads and the snow rarely is on the ground for more than two-three days before it melts, the 18" wheels will do fine.
Black\grey rims are a good idea for the winter wheels, as all the dirt becomes less visable when the rims already are grey.
The 8,5" rim will only be about 1,3 millimeters closer to the arches than the 8" rim.
However, the height of the sidewall will still be a bit low.
If you drive in an area with cold temperatures and much snow, the snow often forms ice bumps in the road. And with a 225\40-18 tire, you will feel every single one of the bumps a lot.
If you live in an area with very little snow, good roads and the snow rarely is on the ground for more than two-three days before it melts, the 18" wheels will do fine.
Black\grey rims are a good idea for the winter wheels, as all the dirt becomes less visable when the rims already are grey.
09-29-13, 07:49 AM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Since the stock 8" rim has an offset of 45, and the stock 8,5" rim has an offset of 50, the difference is very small.
The 8,5" rim will only be about 1,3 millimeters closer to the arches than the 8" rim.
However, the height of the sidewall will still be a bit low.
If you drive in an area with cold temperatures and much snow, the snow often forms ice bumps in the road. And with a 225\40-18 tire, you will feel every single one of the bumps a lot.
If you live in an area with very little snow, good roads and the snow rarely is on the ground for more than two-three days before it melts, the 18" wheels will do fine.
Black\grey rims are a good idea for the winter wheels, as all the dirt becomes less visable when the rims already are grey.
The 8,5" rim will only be about 1,3 millimeters closer to the arches than the 8" rim.
However, the height of the sidewall will still be a bit low.
If you drive in an area with cold temperatures and much snow, the snow often forms ice bumps in the road. And with a 225\40-18 tire, you will feel every single one of the bumps a lot.
If you live in an area with very little snow, good roads and the snow rarely is on the ground for more than two-three days before it melts, the 18" wheels will do fine.
Black\grey rims are a good idea for the winter wheels, as all the dirt becomes less visable when the rims already are grey.
I didn't understand about your comment about 45mm vs. 50mm offsets. 5mm difference is only like .2 inches so wouldn't that be like .3 inches farther in from the arch?
09-29-13, 11:13 AM
#29
And the calculator stated this difference.
It is in a foreign language, but you should be able to make most of it out anyway.
www.motormann.no
09-29-13, 12:25 PM
#30
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In about 4 weeks i will swap my summer tires for winter tires, but my winter tires have no pressure sensors.
Now I do not want to watch all the winter against a warning light. How did you solve this and what solutions are there? In the Netherlands the sensors cost about $ 800 at the dealer.
Now I do not want to watch all the winter against a warning light. How did you solve this and what solutions are there? In the Netherlands the sensors cost about $ 800 at the dealer.