XenonES3

sorry, would have posted this in the suspension/wheel section, just need a quick response-

18x7.5 45mm offset paired with 225/40/18 setup - will it fit with no rubbing....would the overall diameter be the same(no speedometer changes)?

I can't find too many rims in 18x8 like Kyle Harty recommends, I found some I like in 18x7.5, so just wondering what the differences would be, would 18x8 be more stable?

squarehat

I think SC430 rims are 18x8 with a 45mm offset. FrankWhite put them on his 98 ES.
They seem to be in fairly high supply (I think there was a dealer on here selling a set for $650 or something really low, that they had pulled off a car before it even left the lot). With the new center cap conversion kit, they're a pretty nice looking wheel.

themasta3

xenones3, i've got 18"x7.5 on my 92' ES and my back tires do rub the fenders whenever i hit bumbs or take sharp turns w/ a car load of people. i think the only thing i can get is get a tighter suspension installed

XenonES3

themasta3- uh oh, your tire gel isn't rubbing off right?

squarehat- are you sure they were selling a set of 4 SC wheels for only $650??? are they still for sale?

im just skeptical...frankiewhite has the 97 and up model, i wonder if it would fit the 92-96

squarehat

The SC wheels were on the classifieds here for about a day, I'm pretty sure it was a Lexus dealer, who took them off the car before it left the lot, as the customer wanted different wheels. I'm almost certain it was $650, though. I see them in the $800 range on eBay from time to time.

As for the rubbing problems, Tire Rack lists 18 x 8 as a valid size for the ES, with 215/45/18 tires. They're usually pretty knowledgeable.

XenonES3

thanks for the input, i was shocked to see SC rims being offered so low...BTW, what does this "center cap conversion" kit look like and do?

squarehat

The SC430 wheels are 5 spokes, but they have a giant center cap. This was done because Lexus wanted to hide the brake calipers and rotors from view, to give the car a "cleaner" look. After finding that critics and customers either loved or hated the look, they decided to make a star shaped center to show off the 5-spoke design. Like the original dish caps, they attach to each of the 5 spokes with 2 hex bolts. There's a lot of discussion on the SC430 board about these. Supposedly they aren't available until January, 2003, but a SC with the new centers was supposedly seen in downtown Atlanta by a CL member.
Estimated price on these new caps is around $350 a set.

This is a picture posted on the SC430 forum by ErickG, give him credit for being the first to find a photo.

XenonES3

thanks, I feel the wheel looks much better with the conversion kit.