LS430 Ultra coming my way. "Must do" items?
01-25-08, 12:45 PM
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LS430 Ultra coming my way. "Must do" items?
Hello, I just bought an '02 LS yesterday with delivery slated for Tuesday. I was wanting to keep any modifications to an absolute minimum, but then I made the mistake of browsing the forum here for a bit.
First things first, the 16" wheels will have to go. I don't really want to go larger than an 18" wheel so I can preserve the ride quality and keep tire prices from getting to be too much. Question: How interchangeable are the wheels in the Lexus family? Can I cross-shop from the GS/IS and other year LS models? What offset should I look for? The widest in the back without fender modifications is 10", right? How about the front without rubbing? Ideally, a 245 front and a 275 rear would make me happy, but I could also live with having 245s all around. Makes for better rotation. Any advice and recommendations are appreciated.
OK, I read up a little on the nav system modification, something with bluetooth, DVDs, map variants, and such. I'm just a little confused about which version I have and what it's capable of doing. Any direction here would also be appreciated.
That's all I really plan on messing with while I own this car. I'm looking forward to being a member of the family again (3rd Toyota).
First things first, the 16" wheels will have to go. I don't really want to go larger than an 18" wheel so I can preserve the ride quality and keep tire prices from getting to be too much. Question: How interchangeable are the wheels in the Lexus family? Can I cross-shop from the GS/IS and other year LS models? What offset should I look for? The widest in the back without fender modifications is 10", right? How about the front without rubbing? Ideally, a 245 front and a 275 rear would make me happy, but I could also live with having 245s all around. Makes for better rotation. Any advice and recommendations are appreciated.
OK, I read up a little on the nav system modification, something with bluetooth, DVDs, map variants, and such. I'm just a little confused about which version I have and what it's capable of doing. Any direction here would also be appreciated.
That's all I really plan on messing with while I own this car. I'm looking forward to being a member of the family again (3rd Toyota).
01-25-08, 01:46 PM
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For all my cars through out the years, its always:
Wheels
Tint
Lowered
Then as $$ permits, body kits, exhaust, electronics, etc.
However, the UL has a decent stereo system already, body kits are a hit or miss if you choose one that does not have a right look and exhaust will make a quiet car louder but sportier (unless its just the tip). So really depends if you want a VIP look or a factory look.
Read Read Read. All the previous thread on this board as most of the questions you will think of has already been discussed.
And most importantly - Welcome !!!!!!
Wheels
Tint
Lowered
Then as $$ permits, body kits, exhaust, electronics, etc.
However, the UL has a decent stereo system already, body kits are a hit or miss if you choose one that does not have a right look and exhaust will make a quiet car louder but sportier (unless its just the tip). So really depends if you want a VIP look or a factory look.
Read Read Read. All the previous thread on this board as most of the questions you will think of has already been discussed.
And most importantly - Welcome !!!!!!
01-25-08, 03:19 PM
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Here's some pics from the dealer. These are 16"s, right? He told me on the phone they were.
It took me a while to find this interior color combo with the Ultra package in a clean, low milage car. I really wanted black/black, but silver looks decent, and this interior looks pristine and is my favorite. I love this dark wood.
ML stereo. Can't believe they still had tape decks in the '02 models. Goes great with the nav screen right above it. I'm disappointed that there is no reel-to-reel player.
Forgot to add that tint will be first thing done, then wheels. I think Brabus Monoblock V would be an excellent choice. I'm not too big on chrome, unless it's on a big, fat lip.
It took me a while to find this interior color combo with the Ultra package in a clean, low milage car. I really wanted black/black, but silver looks decent, and this interior looks pristine and is my favorite. I love this dark wood.
ML stereo. Can't believe they still had tape decks in the '02 models. Goes great with the nav screen right above it. I'm disappointed that there is no reel-to-reel player.
Forgot to add that tint will be first thing done, then wheels. I think Brabus Monoblock V would be an excellent choice. I'm not too big on chrome, unless it's on a big, fat lip.
01-25-08, 04:23 PM
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Only ~45k miles and I got it for $22k
What is our lug pattern and offset nubers? (I'm looking at wheels already)
For my current car, I had the wheels, downpipe, and exhaust before I had the actual car.
What is our lug pattern and offset nubers? (I'm looking at wheels already)
For my current car, I had the wheels, downpipe, and exhaust before I had the actual car.
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01-26-08, 09:53 AM
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So many wheels out there to choose from!
I'm debating - the price difference between this set of 18"s and 19"s is only like $150 or so. I'm just worried that the 18"s wouldn't look striking enough and that the 19"s would be a little too firm and noisy as well as costing more $$ at every tire change. I think the 18"s would suffice considering they put 16"s on there from the factory.
I'm debating - the price difference between this set of 18"s and 19"s is only like $150 or so. I'm just worried that the 18"s wouldn't look striking enough and that the 19"s would be a little too firm and noisy as well as costing more $$ at every tire change. I think the 18"s would suffice considering they put 16"s on there from the factory.
01-26-08, 01:35 PM
#13
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Denroll, maybe you and rjfiore1 could swap wheels: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=326908
rjfiore1 seems to strongly dislike the ride quality that his OEM 18" wheels and 245 tires on his 05 LS430 give. He said in his thread that he might consider 16" wheels.
As I said in that other thread, I remember a couple of people trading their optional LS430 17" wheels back in 2001-2002 for the standard 16s because they thought the optional 17" wheels made the LS430 ride too harsh.
I never thought about it but I don't think I've ever seen an older LS430 with oversize wheels where I live -- I tend to notice since my 00 LS400 came standard with the same 16" wheels that were standard on the 01-02 LS430. Maybe there are too many potholes here or maybe it's because most people driving LS430s around here seem to be older geezers like me. LOL
rjfiore1 seems to strongly dislike the ride quality that his OEM 18" wheels and 245 tires on his 05 LS430 give. He said in his thread that he might consider 16" wheels.
As I said in that other thread, I remember a couple of people trading their optional LS430 17" wheels back in 2001-2002 for the standard 16s because they thought the optional 17" wheels made the LS430 ride too harsh.
I never thought about it but I don't think I've ever seen an older LS430 with oversize wheels where I live -- I tend to notice since my 00 LS400 came standard with the same 16" wheels that were standard on the 01-02 LS430. Maybe there are too many potholes here or maybe it's because most people driving LS430s around here seem to be older geezers like me. LOL
