Fatter tires on stock 18in rims, yes 255/55/18 !
07-05-06, 11:21 AM
#1
The pursuit of F
Thread Starter
Fatter tires on stock 18in rims, yes 255/55/18 !
I just wanna let everyone who's interested that I (finally) made the switch to fatter tires. It wasn't easy figuring out what the largest tire one can put on an RX330/350. After a few garage trips, trial and error, research, and some luck, here is the setup that finally works:
HARDWARE:
Wheels: stock 18x7in Lexus RX330 wheels
Tires: Sumitomo HTR4 Sport H/P 255/55/18 M+S, treadwear 480, 10.0in section width, 29.2in diameter
Tires cost: (Tirerack.com) 4x98$ US + 103$ US shipping + 155$ US customs//brokerage (still saved about 200$Cnd had I bought them in Montreal, Canada).
Wheel spacer: 5mm thick (5 x 114.3mm) (5 x 4.5in)
Wheel spacers cost: 4x12$ Cnd
Installation cost: 60$Cnd (cost of mounting 4 tires. No installation for the spacer. it just sits on the disk plate)
SPECS:
Tire diameter: increased by 22mm (0.9in)
Ride height: increased by 11mm
Speedometer error: +2.9% at 100km/h (62mph); reading at 100 km/hr, true speed 103 km/hr
Tire section width: increased by 18mm
Tires/wheels are now about half an inch from within the outer wheel well extremity, compared to about 1.2 in.
SUBJECTIVE RATINGS:
Ride comfort: decreased by 20% from the Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 due to stiffer (reinforced) sidewall of the tire. Comparable to riding the RX on "Low" suspension setting (Air Suspension)
Noise: just a pinch louder than the Michelins, if at all.
Dry cornering grip: increased substantially. Tires don't squeal during aggressive city driving tests.
Handling: noticeably increased. Fatter tires and increase in track (due to the spacers) improve the handling dynamics of the RX. Handling went from "marshmallowy" to "somewhat crisp".
Wet/Snow traction: TBD. The Sumitomos have a tread depth of 14/32 which is one of the deepest you'll find on the market for car/light truck tires for excellent potential wet/snow traction.
Look: The extra 22mm in tire diameter increase gives a more complete filled-in wheel-well look. It actually looks a little dropped. From the rear/front, the extra near 18mm in width plus the extra 5mm spacer width gives the RX a much needed meaner, well planted look, close to what an X5 or Cayenne look like. These latter SUVs have 255/55/18s.
CONCLUSION:
I love the wider-tire look and I'm glad I finally got them safely installed and operational. I would have probably preferred a soter riding tire comparable to the Michelins like the Bridgestone Dueler Alenzas, but at 250$US more a set, the Sumitomos were a no-brainer.
Remember. To avoid any rubbing of the front tires in the inner wheel well while performing a complete steering wheel turn, you must install 5mm wheel spacers at a minimum in the front. For the amount they cost, you might as well add them to the rear to give the car a more balanced look and driving feel. The stock lug/studs are long enough to safely compensate for the 5mm loss in protrusion. Any spacer thicker than 5mm should be installed with additional lugs/studs (costly$$).
Go for it! You now can buy those 255 sized tires for your stock rims!
HARDWARE:
Wheels: stock 18x7in Lexus RX330 wheels
Tires: Sumitomo HTR4 Sport H/P 255/55/18 M+S, treadwear 480, 10.0in section width, 29.2in diameter
Tires cost: (Tirerack.com) 4x98$ US + 103$ US shipping + 155$ US customs//brokerage (still saved about 200$Cnd had I bought them in Montreal, Canada).
Wheel spacer: 5mm thick (5 x 114.3mm) (5 x 4.5in)
Wheel spacers cost: 4x12$ Cnd
Installation cost: 60$Cnd (cost of mounting 4 tires. No installation for the spacer. it just sits on the disk plate)
SPECS:
Tire diameter: increased by 22mm (0.9in)
Ride height: increased by 11mm
Speedometer error: +2.9% at 100km/h (62mph); reading at 100 km/hr, true speed 103 km/hr
Tire section width: increased by 18mm
Tires/wheels are now about half an inch from within the outer wheel well extremity, compared to about 1.2 in.
SUBJECTIVE RATINGS:
Ride comfort: decreased by 20% from the Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 due to stiffer (reinforced) sidewall of the tire. Comparable to riding the RX on "Low" suspension setting (Air Suspension)
Noise: just a pinch louder than the Michelins, if at all.
Dry cornering grip: increased substantially. Tires don't squeal during aggressive city driving tests.
Handling: noticeably increased. Fatter tires and increase in track (due to the spacers) improve the handling dynamics of the RX. Handling went from "marshmallowy" to "somewhat crisp".
Wet/Snow traction: TBD. The Sumitomos have a tread depth of 14/32 which is one of the deepest you'll find on the market for car/light truck tires for excellent potential wet/snow traction.
Look: The extra 22mm in tire diameter increase gives a more complete filled-in wheel-well look. It actually looks a little dropped. From the rear/front, the extra near 18mm in width plus the extra 5mm spacer width gives the RX a much needed meaner, well planted look, close to what an X5 or Cayenne look like. These latter SUVs have 255/55/18s.
CONCLUSION:
I love the wider-tire look and I'm glad I finally got them safely installed and operational. I would have probably preferred a soter riding tire comparable to the Michelins like the Bridgestone Dueler Alenzas, but at 250$US more a set, the Sumitomos were a no-brainer.
Remember. To avoid any rubbing of the front tires in the inner wheel well while performing a complete steering wheel turn, you must install 5mm wheel spacers at a minimum in the front. For the amount they cost, you might as well add them to the rear to give the car a more balanced look and driving feel. The stock lug/studs are long enough to safely compensate for the 5mm loss in protrusion. Any spacer thicker than 5mm should be installed with additional lugs/studs (costly$$).
Go for it! You now can buy those 255 sized tires for your stock rims!
Last edited by corradoMR2; 07-05-06 at 01:53 PM.
07-05-06, 11:56 AM
#2
Moderator
Wider tires will not give the same grip in snow as regular tires, but if you live in Canada, you are familiar with the principal that governs the design of the snowshoe.
I bought an Audi Turbo (used) once and it hydroplaned like crazy anytime it rained, and I could not figure it out, because I had owned a lot of Audis before. The tire expert at a tire shop explained that the previous owner put tires on the car that were too wide for the weight of the car, and that caused the hydroplaning. I put on the factory spec size and the hydroplaning went away, but, of course, it did not corner on dry pavement nearly as well as before.
Every gain you make with a tire factor has a trade-off somewhere. Hopefully the 4 wheel drive will compensate in the snow for the wider tires, but be careful on wet pavement, because once a car begins to skid, they are all the same. (That tip from my experiences as a former Jeep Wrangler owner.)
I bought an Audi Turbo (used) once and it hydroplaned like crazy anytime it rained, and I could not figure it out, because I had owned a lot of Audis before. The tire expert at a tire shop explained that the previous owner put tires on the car that were too wide for the weight of the car, and that caused the hydroplaning. I put on the factory spec size and the hydroplaning went away, but, of course, it did not corner on dry pavement nearly as well as before.
Every gain you make with a tire factor has a trade-off somewhere. Hopefully the 4 wheel drive will compensate in the snow for the wider tires, but be careful on wet pavement, because once a car begins to skid, they are all the same. (That tip from my experiences as a former Jeep Wrangler owner.)
07-05-06, 02:04 PM
#4
The pursuit of F
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by tfischer
Wider tires will not give the same grip in snow as regular tires, but if you live in Canada, you are familiar with the principal that governs the design of the snowshoe.
I bought an Audi Turbo (used) once and it hydroplaned like crazy anytime it rained, and I could not figure it out, because I had owned a lot of Audis before. The tire expert at a tire shop explained that the previous owner put tires on the car that were too wide for the weight of the car, and that caused the hydroplaning. I put on the factory spec size and the hydroplaning went away, but, of course, it did not corner on dry pavement nearly as well as before.
Every gain you make with a tire factor has a trade-off somewhere. Hopefully the 4 wheel drive will compensate in the snow for the wider tires, but be careful on wet pavement, because once a car begins to skid, they are all the same. (That tip from my experiences as a former Jeep Wrangler owner.)
I bought an Audi Turbo (used) once and it hydroplaned like crazy anytime it rained, and I could not figure it out, because I had owned a lot of Audis before. The tire expert at a tire shop explained that the previous owner put tires on the car that were too wide for the weight of the car, and that caused the hydroplaning. I put on the factory spec size and the hydroplaning went away, but, of course, it did not corner on dry pavement nearly as well as before.
Every gain you make with a tire factor has a trade-off somewhere. Hopefully the 4 wheel drive will compensate in the snow for the wider tires, but be careful on wet pavement, because once a car begins to skid, they are all the same. (That tip from my experiences as a former Jeep Wrangler owner.)
In a few months, I'll post a followup on the tires' winter performance.
07-05-06, 05:17 PM
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can you post some pics...im interested to see the wider stance. I've ordered 20" prussian blue Juno Lux wheels but I havent decided on the tires yet. One of the things I was complaining about is the stance. I felt the stock tires were too narrow. I love how the cayenne turbo, X5 and other suv's have the aggressive option at least. I still wish they would come out with an RX450 (or some v8 version) to compete with the other comparable-sized SUV's.
07-05-06, 06:13 PM
#6
This picture is standard 18'" tires on 1/2 inch wider wheels but different back spacing. They sit about 1 inch wider per side (2 inch total width) but do not change the speedo reading or the ride.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Lexus05002.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Lexus05001.jpg
Aloha,
Larry
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Lexus05002.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...Lexus05001.jpg
Aloha,
Larry
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07-06-06, 07:48 AM
#8
The pursuit of F
Thread Starter
Pics with before 235/55/18 and after 255/55/18 tires
Originally Posted by Vinnyraj
can you post some pics...im interested to see the wider stance. I've ordered 20" prussian blue Juno Lux wheels but I havent decided on the tires yet. One of the things I was complaining about is the stance. I felt the stock tires were too narrow. I love how the cayenne turbo, X5 and other suv's have the aggressive option at least. I still wish they would come out with an RX450 (or some v8 version) to compete with the other comparable-sized SUV's.
We can expect larger OEM tires/wheels in the next gen RX. Till now, we have to take matters into our own hands!
Here you go. Enjoy the slideshow: http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cor....beg=0&.src=ph
07-06-06, 08:16 PM
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thanks for posting the pics...they definitely fill the wheel well pretty nicely...i was just reading a thread on a different forum about filling the tires with nitrogen for a smoother ride, tire longevity, and potential improved fuel efficiency...i wasn't aware that costco fills tires with nitrogen...interesting idea
07-12-06, 04:56 PM
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Tires For RX330:
I decided to do something very different for my Lexus RX330...
I changed the tire and rims size completely... I went from the 18" that were on the car to 20" rims and tires. Specifically, I put on Greed Drama's 20x8.5" chrome and replace the 18" Michelans with Hankook Ventus ST RH06 275/40R20's High Performance tires. Looks great!
I changed the tire and rims size completely... I went from the 18" that were on the car to 20" rims and tires. Specifically, I put on Greed Drama's 20x8.5" chrome and replace the 18" Michelans with Hankook Ventus ST RH06 275/40R20's High Performance tires. Looks great!
Last edited by justcruzin; 07-12-06 at 05:12 PM.
01-29-07, 05:37 PM
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corradoMR2
Question on the spacers..
where did you get them.. ?
I found some 5mm spacers http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/me..._Code=TO-50705
that come with replacement studs..
Edit..
This says the 255/55/18 will fit but does not mention spacers..
http://www.bigwheels.net
Edit 2
More Spacers
http://www.ezaccessory.com/4_5_Lug_5...acer_p/606.htm
thx
tk
Question on the spacers..
where did you get them.. ?
I found some 5mm spacers http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/me..._Code=TO-50705
that come with replacement studs..
Edit..
This says the 255/55/18 will fit but does not mention spacers..
http://www.bigwheels.net
Edit 2
More Spacers
http://www.ezaccessory.com/4_5_Lug_5...acer_p/606.htm
thx
tk
Last edited by thekat; 01-29-07 at 07:04 PM.
02-06-07, 04:20 PM
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I just put 255/55/18 Bridgestone Dueller Alenza on mine last week..
Did not use spacers..
From what I could tell, I don't have any rubbing.. Rubbing was
reported to happen when the wheel was turned all the way..
No rubbing that I could hear/see..
The Bridgestones have a bit stiffer ride than the Michelins
(could be the air pressure - 36 lbs)
but also about 300 less.. I got them on sale.. buy 3 get one free..
the local Tires Plus matched the Firestone Store price..
Did not use spacers..
From what I could tell, I don't have any rubbing.. Rubbing was
reported to happen when the wheel was turned all the way..
No rubbing that I could hear/see..
The Bridgestones have a bit stiffer ride than the Michelins
(could be the air pressure - 36 lbs)
but also about 300 less.. I got them on sale.. buy 3 get one free..
the local Tires Plus matched the Firestone Store price..