My LS430 Feels All New with 17" Winter Tires
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
My LS430 Feels All New with 17" Winter Tires
I had 18" chrome wheels with Goodyear Eagle tires. I bought a set of 01 17" painted wheels and had Michelin X-Ice 2 winter tires mounted on them. I had the Lexus dealer swap the wheels today when the car was in for 45K service. Wow, does the car ever ride softer. I don't know how much is the softer tire v. the 17" wheel, but it now rides like a proper luxury car.
The car certainly looks different with the painted wheels and taller sidewalls. An understated car looks even more understated now.
The car certainly looks different with the painted wheels and taller sidewalls. An understated car looks even more understated now.
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Idk, I have Dunlop Sports. The car rides amazingly well, but doesn't wallow about like a boat either. I still feel a lot of the sharper bumps, but I like it better that way. I am always amazed by how well the car as whole absorbs the bump.
EDIT: Though I do everything I can to avoid bumps...I feel that with each hard bump I am punishing my baby
EDIT: Though I do everything I can to avoid bumps...I feel that with each hard bump I am punishing my baby
#3
Moderator
Yep with the 17s, going down the highway at 75mph or so its kinda like driving a hovercraft. I love it.
#6
Racer
235/50/18 size tire helps cushion the harshness of having 18" wheels. It comes close to 17" tire comfort while retaining the "sport" look. There is only slight rubbing when doing a near full lock turn. I've got Pirelli Pzero Tire and they are excellent tires. I especially love the rim protector. Saved my rims numerous times!!!
#7
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
245/45 18 has a sidewall height of 4.34"
225/55 17 has a sidewall height of 4.87"
A half-inch doesn't sound like much, but you can see an obvious difference. I think the dramatic ride difference also has a lot to do with the 18" GY Eagle tires the selling dealer put on the car. Those were the stock tires on my SRX and I hated them due to the rough ride. I will probably get new summer tires next year. Plus, 3 of my 4 wheels have curb rash. I'll have to decide among a number of options:
- Keep the current wheels and tires
- Replace just the tires with other 245/45 18
- Consider going up to 235/50 18 as JLAWS suggested which has a sidewall height in between the above figures
- Replace the wheels and stick with 18s
- Replace the wheels and tires and go to 17s.
225/55 17 has a sidewall height of 4.87"
A half-inch doesn't sound like much, but you can see an obvious difference. I think the dramatic ride difference also has a lot to do with the 18" GY Eagle tires the selling dealer put on the car. Those were the stock tires on my SRX and I hated them due to the rough ride. I will probably get new summer tires next year. Plus, 3 of my 4 wheels have curb rash. I'll have to decide among a number of options:
- Keep the current wheels and tires
- Replace just the tires with other 245/45 18
- Consider going up to 235/50 18 as JLAWS suggested which has a sidewall height in between the above figures
- Replace the wheels and stick with 18s
- Replace the wheels and tires and go to 17s.
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#8
Caddyowner,
I'm glad to hear you say that you like the Michelin X-ice 2's (I just bought a set for my LS). It's about time to finally put them on (we got our first snow storm last night, but I wanted to see how the stock all-season 245/45R-18 Dunlop SP 5000 Sports do in the snow, so I can compare their winter traction to the X-ice 2's).
I have my Michelins mounted on the OEM 18" wheels, but I did step the size down to 225/50R-18.
-Nick
I'm glad to hear you say that you like the Michelin X-ice 2's (I just bought a set for my LS). It's about time to finally put them on (we got our first snow storm last night, but I wanted to see how the stock all-season 245/45R-18 Dunlop SP 5000 Sports do in the snow, so I can compare their winter traction to the X-ice 2's).
I have my Michelins mounted on the OEM 18" wheels, but I did step the size down to 225/50R-18.
-Nick
#9
Lexus Test Driver
nkoppy,
I will be performing the same experiment with the Dunlops. The runflats that came with my 3 series were truly awful in the snow. I don't really have high hopes for these either. Oh well, RWD + snow = big grin so less grip should make it more fun.
I will be performing the same experiment with the Dunlops. The runflats that came with my 3 series were truly awful in the snow. I don't really have high hopes for these either. Oh well, RWD + snow = big grin so less grip should make it more fun.
#11
@ CarGuy89,
I'm bummed that the LS doesn't have a button to kill the stability control program. Yes, I can switch off the traction control if I get stuck, but I won't be able to practice/perfect my drifting this winter in the LS, like I could in my GS (which had a button to disable the stability control).
Massive power slides, whipping donuts, etc... are all rewards that the owner of a rear-wheel-drive car should be allowed to exploit in the parking lot, after a big snowfall, right??
I'm bummed that the LS doesn't have a button to kill the stability control program. Yes, I can switch off the traction control if I get stuck, but I won't be able to practice/perfect my drifting this winter in the LS, like I could in my GS (which had a button to disable the stability control).
Massive power slides, whipping donuts, etc... are all rewards that the owner of a rear-wheel-drive car should be allowed to exploit in the parking lot, after a big snowfall, right??
#12
I am also going from factory 18's to 17's for winter. Got a set of cheap chrome wheels that look fairly close to factory with some Blizzaks sitting at the shop waiting to be switched out when it gets cold. I was wondering how much of a difference it would make, and now I kinda want to switch them early, lol.
#14
Instructor
@ CarGuy89,
I'm bummed that the LS doesn't have a button to kill the stability control program. Yes, I can switch off the traction control if I get stuck, but I won't be able to practice/perfect my drifting this winter in the LS, like I could in my GS (which had a button to disable the stability control).
Massive power slides, whipping donuts, etc... are all rewards that the owner of a rear-wheel-drive car should be allowed to exploit in the parking lot, after a big snowfall, right??
I'm bummed that the LS doesn't have a button to kill the stability control program. Yes, I can switch off the traction control if I get stuck, but I won't be able to practice/perfect my drifting this winter in the LS, like I could in my GS (which had a button to disable the stability control).
Massive power slides, whipping donuts, etc... are all rewards that the owner of a rear-wheel-drive car should be allowed to exploit in the parking lot, after a big snowfall, right??
I have used the VSC-off button to get the car sideways in big empty parking lots after snowfalls. I think it's necessary to have a good feel for your car's weight and traction on snow to be better prepared for a real emergency situation.
#15
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Around here, it's hard to find large empty parking lots that don't have a bunch of targets, err light poles, scattered about. Also, churches and schools seem to have no idle time anymore, except at 2:00 AM, when the lots are empty and unplowed.
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