RC - 1st Gen (2015-present) Discussion about the new Lexus RC model
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RC350 RWD vs AWD

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Old 08-31-15, 06:14 PM
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Hite10
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Originally Posted by Bimmerbob
Tires are Continental extreme contact DW 245/40-19 front and 275/35-19 rear.
Fronts have 20mm HR spacers,they come with the longer studs.

The diameter were 1/10 of an inch difference so tire rack shaved the fronts, they are now 1/32 different which is OK. The research I had done, 1/10th of an inch difference in diameter Is the maximum on AWD. There were a lot of tire manufactures that offered the sizes but the diameters were too far apart that's why I went with the continentals. With the all-wheel-drive and the wider tires the car handles amazing in corners.
Thanks! But your overall diameter has grown a bit with these sizes, compared to 235 40 19. I'm thinking I'll do 235 40 19, 265 35 19. Also why does the IS350 run staggered in AWD form but no other Lexus.
Old 09-12-15, 10:25 PM
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Padrino
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Originally Posted by JDR76
According to Lexus, both the RWD and AWD models have 5.3 inches of ground clearance. I think the GS is the only model where the AWD model rides higher than the RWD model (not sure about the LS).
Sorry to bring this back up but every AWD on the lot today rode higher in the front than the RWD. In the end, i went with AWD because i did not want to buy a set of winter tires but i'm definitely going to have to lower the car.
Old 09-13-15, 06:28 PM
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GearGrind
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For daily car, AWD sounds like the logical way to go.
We are seeing alot of RC here in Toronto now! Love the look.

Lots and lots of RC were being build in Japan when i went to TAS in Jan 2015
Old 10-05-15, 12:26 PM
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Adoc
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Originally Posted by lexusjeff
That is a tough choice. I have driven my 2014 IS350 F-Sport RWD through the last 2 Buffalo, NY winters and with a solid set of winter tires, you will be able to take advantage of all the benefits of RWD while still retaining good winter capability as well. I used a set of Pirelli Soto Zero run flats on my IS and the car handled excellent in the snow, still rode very quietly or dry road and handled very well for normal driving. As long as you don't have a steep driveway or regularly park on city streets, the RWD should work well for you.
+1 I have driven an MX5 through 5 east coast winters with Bridgestone Blizzaks and not a single problem. IMHO good winter tires trump AWD any day. Lexus makes their RWD vehicles hard to come by here on the east coast and if I had more patience I would've ordered the RWD RC. As it is I went with AWD and am quite happy with it. If RWD driving dynamics are more important to you go with that and a good set of winter tires
Old 10-05-15, 12:44 PM
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RCSimmons
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All-Weather Drive is a myth. Spend a little extra on some good winter rubber and go with the RWD RC 350!
Old 10-07-15, 09:10 PM
  #21  
happy1977
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Originally Posted by RCSimmons
All-Weather Drive is a myth. Spend a little extra on some good winter rubber and go with the RWD RC 350!
It's really not. AWD helps with turns/cornering. Especially when stuck in snow covered ground. Love it when someone says something that's the end of all arguments like saying it's a myth.
Old 10-08-15, 09:49 AM
  #22  
RCSimmons
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Originally Posted by happy1977
It's really not. AWD helps with turns/cornering. Especially when stuck in snow covered ground. Love it when someone says something that's the end of all arguments like saying it's a myth.
It (AWD) helps with turns and cornering on dry pavement because of the additional traction, but without good tires to give you traction, you cant turn, corner or go. Give this video a look and you can see RWD v 4WD first hand:

And take a look at the articles from the experts:

http://jalopnik.com/lets-settle-the-...bat-1462180324

http://jalopnik.com/heres-irrefutabl...hle-1671708207


It all comes down to the rubber!
Old 10-08-15, 10:44 AM
  #23  
GearHead69
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Let's not forget about Ice. AWD / RWD and good rubber is not going to help when you hit Ice.
Old 10-08-15, 07:14 PM
  #24  
happy1977
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That is already a given, you need good tires regardless of driving. This thread wasn't about tires fellas, its about RWD vs AWD. You just discredited it by saying it's a myth then responding that it helps with turning. Nice 180 there man.
Old 10-10-15, 11:17 AM
  #25  
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I feel like if you are doing any sort of snow driving, save yourself the headache of having to get snow tires or just dealing with the RWD in the snow and get the AWD. The minor performance difference will be negligible at best.
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