floyd

I know I am going to open a huge debate,,,I hope not..

As you know, I am getting 18 inch wheels...so I ask my Lexus Friends..Staggard and go with 275 for the rears and 245's in front?

What is the DOWN SIDE of doing this?

Do you realy reduce speed?

What happens to the handling?

What about speedo readings being off?

I ask the pros because I can't afford the mistake!



Thanks...Floyd

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

If both wheels are 18s and your just going to have the rears wider than the fronts, then odometer readings would remain the same, just make sure the car is calibrated for 18 inch wheels and not the 16s it came with.

Speed might be slightly slower considering the wheels and tires might weigh a bit more, so the car needs to torque more "wheel" but handling would improve because of the bigger, wider tires etc.

redgs4

I run that exact combination, 18x8.5 with 245/40 and 18x9.5 with 275/35. No downside.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

down sides are 1) yes your car is probbaly a bit slower but shouldn't be noticeable. the rear is getting more grip that's why it takes more power to get it going. but it grips so much better for handling, and 2) you pay more money

redgs4

IMO, trade-offs, yes, downside, no. I'm assuming we are focusing on a staggered 235/265 or the non-staggered 235/235, 245/245 versus 245/275.

1) Will the car be slower? There are many choices other than aspect ratio and staggering that will affect acceleration. Per Rom, it should not be noticeable. And a difference that makes not difference, is, well, no difference. Select light rims and tires.

2) Will the car handle differently? Yes. Better traction off the line but also an increase in understeer that will have to be tuned back out. This can be done with a combination of tire pressure, shock damping and sway bar adjustment.

3) Will it cost more? The main potential cost of a staggered setup is the inability to rotate the tires front to back. The actual difference in price between 245 and 275 is 10-15% on many tires I have purchased.

4) Will the speedo read differently? Versus a 235/265 setup, yes. But the difference is very small.

Upsides? More rim protection due to the fatter setup. More suspension compliance. Better traction. Cosmetically, I like the fatter look.

Carbon J

iTrader: (3)

I agree, can't wait to get my staggered setup. Same setup as yours with Blitz Techno Z2's, 18'sx245 all around for now. Can't beat 275's in the rear.

Carbon J

iTrader: (3)

18's with 245's 4 now

redgs4

Love the look of those Z2's!

Blanco

iTrader: (8)

IMHO, Yes.

Lack of tire rotation.

Not that I can tell. Never heard of speed being reduced.

Handling will improve very noticably.

Not perceptibly. Try this calculator

I think the asthetics of a staggered setup substantially outweigh the cons.