Can you suggest an ideal rim size?
03-05-12, 07:18 PM
#1
Can you suggest an ideal rim size?
Honestly, I'm a bit confused how the offset plays into the rim choice but I figure why not ask those who have experience.
I am looking, most likely, for an 18" rim as I want to keep the comfort and stock suspension height. Lowered will not work in PR if you wish to keep your car in one piece. I have always liked the more traditional look of the front being slightly lower then the rear. I would not be against going up to a 20" rim but I have a feeling they will require such a skinny sidewall as to make the ride much harsher and increase the risk of bending the rim with our plethora of pot holes to choose from.
So my questions are:
What is the ideal rim size to clear the brakes and maintain at least a 45mm sidewall?
Will it look silly going to an 18" with stock suspension height?
Those who choose a wider rim in the rears I assume cannot rotate their tires. Is this a smart way to go?
Any other suggestions are welcome.
I am looking, most likely, for an 18" rim as I want to keep the comfort and stock suspension height. Lowered will not work in PR if you wish to keep your car in one piece. I have always liked the more traditional look of the front being slightly lower then the rear. I would not be against going up to a 20" rim but I have a feeling they will require such a skinny sidewall as to make the ride much harsher and increase the risk of bending the rim with our plethora of pot holes to choose from.
So my questions are:
What is the ideal rim size to clear the brakes and maintain at least a 45mm sidewall?
Will it look silly going to an 18" with stock suspension height?
Those who choose a wider rim in the rears I assume cannot rotate their tires. Is this a smart way to go?
Any other suggestions are welcome.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 03-05-12 at 07:23 PM.
03-05-12, 11:36 PM
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03-06-12, 07:16 AM
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I'm running 17x7.5" 45+ offset wheels off a newer GS -- it looks and fits great, and they were $400 with tires. 225/50s on them now, will have 235/50s soon. With 18s you may have to run 45 profile tires which will be rougher, the extra weight of the combo will also contribute to the roughness.
The wheels above look perfect and very OEM.
Stan
The wheels above look perfect and very OEM.
Stan
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03-06-12, 10:36 AM
#10
Those look nice as well Stan. The stock rims on my 99 make the car look so dated.
How about shocks. Bilstien or KYB? I know the Bilstien are slightly more expensive. Are they better shocks? Also, is it worth replacing the springs or would this not make any difference?
How about shocks. Bilstien or KYB? I know the Bilstien are slightly more expensive. Are they better shocks? Also, is it worth replacing the springs or would this not make any difference?
03-06-12, 10:59 AM
#11
Pretty much any of the newer Lexus wheels will freshen the look of the car. The LS430 5 spoke is a nice change. Depending which tire you choose either the 40 or 45 series will alter ride characteristics.
For struts, the Bilstein rides nicely but it does have firmer characteristics. You will notice more depending which wheel and tire combo is chosen. The sportier the tire, generally the more road feel you will get back. I'd driven the stock wheels with the car at this same ride height and it was incrementally different. Wasn't till the 18's went on the ride changed obviously.
For struts, the Bilstein rides nicely but it does have firmer characteristics. You will notice more depending which wheel and tire combo is chosen. The sportier the tire, generally the more road feel you will get back. I'd driven the stock wheels with the car at this same ride height and it was incrementally different. Wasn't till the 18's went on the ride changed obviously.
03-06-12, 11:05 AM
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I'm running KYB shocks with stock springs. There aren't Bilsteins available for my year LS as far as I know. I am considering a set of BC Racing coilovers -- they seem to be a decent option for my car since there don't seem to be many higher-end options available.
Bilsteins with stock springs may be a bit too rough, the HDs are generally valved pretty strong in my experience. I'd pick Koni yellows over Bilstein HDs, personally.
Stan
Bilsteins with stock springs may be a bit too rough, the HDs are generally valved pretty strong in my experience. I'd pick Koni yellows over Bilstein HDs, personally.
Stan
03-06-12, 12:16 PM
#13
The roads are so bad in PR with many major dips in and out of driveways I am affraid to lower the car and I already have to be careful not to scrape at existing height.
It seems stock spring with KYB's struts and and 18" rim at 2**/45/18 or 17" rim at 2**/50/17 is what I am looking for. I would not mind a slightly firmer ride but not much.
With my 12 year old suspension, when on the highway, lets say going 65 mph, and there is a quick dip down then up in the highway (tons of them here) the car compresses down, takes the dip, but when it comes back up the car bounces a bit before stabilizing. It's not terrible but also not pleasant. This is because of worn shocks/struts, yes, or are the springs bouncy as well? The reason I ask is I want to find the best balance like Stan mentioned in another thread.
It seems stock spring with KYB's struts and and 18" rim at 2**/45/18 or 17" rim at 2**/50/17 is what I am looking for. I would not mind a slightly firmer ride but not much.
With my 12 year old suspension, when on the highway, lets say going 65 mph, and there is a quick dip down then up in the highway (tons of them here) the car compresses down, takes the dip, but when it comes back up the car bounces a bit before stabilizing. It's not terrible but also not pleasant. This is because of worn shocks/struts, yes, or are the springs bouncy as well? The reason I ask is I want to find the best balance like Stan mentioned in another thread.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 03-06-12 at 12:21 PM.
03-06-12, 12:35 PM
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I'm sure your shocks are shot and are just going along for the ride, following whatever springs do instead of controlling them. Our roads aren't great either, if I ran coilovers I wouldn't lower the car more than an inch and a half. I may try the BCs and if they are alot worse than what I have now, I may have to go back to the current setup. I am very curious to try them though.
GR2s with stock springs work pretty well on my car, I would not call it boaty at all. It's controlled and even a bit firm at times, though not on the same level as higher end dampers with stiffer springs. With OEM shocks (they were all blown) the car was alot boatier. KYBs are cheap enough to try out.
Stan
GR2s with stock springs work pretty well on my car, I would not call it boaty at all. It's controlled and even a bit firm at times, though not on the same level as higher end dampers with stiffer springs. With OEM shocks (they were all blown) the car was alot boatier. KYBs are cheap enough to try out.
Stan
03-06-12, 12:51 PM
#15
The GR2's work very well for stock like ride characteristics. Keep in mind that going to a larger wheel and tire is often accompanied by additional weight. This will become more obvious over rough roads. By the way it sounds, I would not go to an 18" wheel if the road variations are drastic because the taller sidewall provides more dampening as the tire rides over the expansion joints, pot holes, etc.
A 17" would be my suggestion here. The stock 16" wheel with Michelin MX4V weighs in at roughly 52#'s. Going lighter is nicer but most the time, these wheel packages will come in weighing more, you'll feel that weight when accelerating and over rough roads.
A 17" would be my suggestion here. The stock 16" wheel with Michelin MX4V weighs in at roughly 52#'s. Going lighter is nicer but most the time, these wheel packages will come in weighing more, you'll feel that weight when accelerating and over rough roads.