noosense00

I have a 04 RX330 with 235/55/18 tires. I am trying to find better tires for the car. Discounttires.com has a plus zero size of 255/55/18 saying that it fits the rx330 stock rim. Has anyone else gone to another tire size. 255/55/18 is hard to believe an di feel that 245/55/18 is more realistic. any input would be great.

cantsleepnk

I have been doing a lot of research on tires. My wife's RX330 has 20K miles on it and the edges of the 18' michelins are showing lots of wear even though I'm a fanatic about rotating and maintaning the correct tire preassure. I dont think they'll last more than 3-5K extra miles.
Since I don't care for either the OEM GY or Michelins, my first choice is upgrading to 255/50/18 Toyo Proxes S/T.
The Toyo site lists them as an +0 fitment that will fit the 7in wide wheels. Not sure if they will rub. Have had good experience with other Toyo tires before.
The other alternative I found was 245/55/18 B.F. Goodrich G-Force KDWS however I have a lot of concern about road noise. I currently have B.F. Goodrich Traction T/A on my Maxima and it's an excellent tire except for road noise between 30-50 mph.
I 'll be buying tires in January and I'll post if the Toyos will fit after going to the dealer.If 255's are too wide I'm sticking with the 235 Michelin S8.

FYI
235/55/18 Dia 28.3in
245/55/18 Dia 28.5 in
255/50/18 Dia 27.9 in
255/55/18 Dia 29 in

jfelbab

235/55/18 Dia = 28.18", cir = 88.5212" (Original size)

245/55/18 Dia = 28.61", cir = 89.8817", difference from OEM = 1.5%
For every 100 miles traveled your odometer will read 102 miles.
At 65 miles per hour your speedometer will indicate 66 mph.

255/50/18 Dia = 28.03", cir = 88.0883", difference from OEM = 0.5%
For every 100 miles traveled your odometer will read 100 miles.
At 65 miles per hour your speedometer will indicate 65 mph.

255/55/18 Dia = 29.04"., cir = 91.2423", difference from OEM = 3.1%
For every 100 miles traveled your odometer will read 103 miles.
At 65 miles per hour your speedometer will indicate 67 mph.

The 255/50/18 looks like a decent choice assuming there is room for the extra thread width without rubbing and the suspension can deal with the lower profile and added weight of the tire without ruining the ride characteristics.

Lexusfreak

The Toyos are a very wise choice! At the moment, the 'exact' size replacements are (as mentioned in this thread) very limited to the GY & Michelin. I would be within the next year that more (and better) choices will be available & prices will come down to boot. If one perfers to use the 'factory original' size, I suggest to be patient......if you don't mind changing sizes, go for the Toyo's.

noosense00

Thanks for the responses. All of that information is very usefull. The only thing I don't like about the RX330 is its narrow tires of 235. If the 255 do fit, it will definitely give it a better stance

Lexusfreak

A better stance for appearance perhaps....however, in bad weather.....heavy rain, snow & ice, I'll take the 235's all day long because of the contact patch.

noosense00

cantsleepnk.....any updates on your tire size upgrade?

cantsleepnk

Sorry but no.
Haven't had achance to go to the local Toyo dealer yet.
I'll keep you posted when I find out.

However I got a quote on the OEM Michelins by phone.$197 ea. installed with Road Hazard warranty and that's after a discount.

mmahamm

Actually a smaller contact patch is better in bad weather. A smaller contact patch means more weight per square inch, since the weight of the vehicle is unchanged.

cantsleepnk

I agree.However many of us are looking at other sizes because of the lack of brand choice in the OEM size.

noosense00

The choice of OEM tires for the RX330 18 inch wheels are very limited. Although the 235/55/18 size tires are better in bad weather, the OEM tires itself just wont do any justice. Many if not all vehicles allow for another size and I am extremely surprised that lexus did not "offer" another tires size like my gs430.

cantsleepnk

Noosense
The 18" tires are an upgrade from the 17" standard tires, although I haven't seen any 330s with the 17" here in Georgia.
I'm sure by next year there will be a couple of more choices.
At least Lexus didn't equipp the 330 with those crappy Integritys that came on the 300.
Worst tires I've ever had.

cantsleepnk

Noosense00

I spoke to the Toyo dealer today regarding the 255/50/18 Toyos.
He said that they don't recommend upgrading to a 255 size tire if the car has ABS.
My personal feeling is that it should be OK if you change all 4 tires at once and you're within 1% of the OEM diameter.

I think I'm just going to play it safe and buy another set of 235 Michelins and wait for someone else to make a better tire.
The idea of having to spend $800 every 20Kmiles is not very appealing to me.

If you go ahead and upgrade to a wider tire please post some pictures.

Good luck.

noosense00

thanks for the info. Since this is the second year of the RX330, I think (hope) there would be more tire choices for the 235 size. I think that is honestly the most reasonable thing to do.

Lexusfreak

That's what I said.