airahcaz

As per my signature pic, I had bought a set of the 2006 GS Chromes 245/40/18s, and they look great. Got them from Sewell at lexus-parts.com for a decent price. In under 2 years, I have had to replace 3 of them, each time the result of hitting a pot hole in neighboring ny. This never happened with my 16s, and it is not like they are 19s, 20s, etc, so why do they damage so quickly? I fear continually replacing them, but it can't be me or only happening to me?! Just thinking aloud (like taller tire??) and frustrated.

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

I bought 07' GS430 18" wheels to replace my 20's. I was in fear of bending my 20's all the time so I went smaller. This makes me wonder if I should go with 20's again since it seems like it's not that much harder to bend OEM 18's?

You could do 245/45/18 but it might look like 16's or 17's because of the taller sidewall.

airahcaz

not sure 5 more on the tire wall will make that much a difference, I think the ones I get dent easily. Where did you buy your new 18s and what $ did they run?

airahcaz

Also the return on investment diminishes if I have to buy 4 new tires or a different set altogether, instead of one new rim each time, but seems like it occurs too often, and when it happens in the winter, makes it pretty unbearable having to change to a spare or wait for AAA.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

i think i heard somewhere in the NELOC section that u can get ur rims fixed by NY state if it caused by their potholes.

Stormwind

Solution : Get some 17" wheels.

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

245/40/18 = 98mm sidewall
245/45/18 = 110.25mm sidewall

There is a difference.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

avoid potholes...

I have never bent a wheel and every car I've owned has had some sort of lower profile tires...

245/40-18 on my 3000GT, and then the staggered low profile that is on my SC400...

I have also lived in three different regions including rural Missouri... you just have to be careful...

airahcaz

impossible to avoid potholes in nyc, sorry, it was night, and I was cooking at 80+ mph, and then DONK, sux

so a new set of rims and tires will cost thousands

as would going to 245, cost me 4 new tires

so a rim is a few hundred, just wondering where to take the hit, not sure if investing in 4 new ones worth it?

airahcaz

what about 255/40/18, help much?

I dont see that 245/45/18 is officially an up size, any issues there? rubbing?

PaPaHoFF

iTrader: (19)

This is true however I think they dont have to pay if they fix the pothole within a week or a month (some time period I am not sure on)

GSoup

What PSI are you setting the tires at?

airahcaz

about 32 psi

WebStarr

You need more air in your tires. Make them hard as hell. I bent one of my 18 inch Auto Coutures because I hit a pothole and my tire was just a little low.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

High air pressure is good for protecting the wheels, but the higher the air pressure you go, the more likely you are to get an impact break or sidewall bubble in a tire...