Hello. I have a base model 2019 ES 350 with the original/standard 17 inch wheels.

I really like the look of the F sport model with 19 inch wheels. Has anyone purchased and installed factory 19 inch wheels from the F sport on their non-F sport car? Other than a difference in appearance, how do you perceive the difference in handling and ride quality?

Does anyone have a good source for a Lexus dealership that will sell and ship new factory 19 inch wheels at a discount? I’m definitely only interested in factory new Lexus wheels and not remanufactured wheels.

Thank you in advance.

 

Costco members can get 15% off parts at their participating dealers. Lexus is listed, but you'd have to check your area.

https://www.costcoauto.com/parts_and...e/default.aspx

 

I think In the owners manual it says you can not switch to the larger wheels if your car came with 17" rims. Apparently the suspension settings are different.

 

Do you have a specific reference in the Owner's Manual for that prohibition?

The only restriction on wheel size in the 2019 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manual is the warning on page 327:
And on page 387-388, there is listed three tire/wheel sizes:

• Type A - 17 inch
• Type B - 18 inch
• Type C - 19 inch

There's also this note on page 327 concerning the Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS):
Also, when changing the tires (and also rotating them) the TPWS needs to be [Re]Initialized (See page 321 of the 2019 Owner's Manual). If the car is equipped with the Navigation System, a tire change calibration will also be needed. (See page 104 of the 2019 Lexus ES350 Navigation and Multimedia System Owner's Manual.)

 

Yes, page 329 of 300h manual:

"When to replace your vehicle’s tires Tires should be replaced if: • The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire. • You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage • A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or location of a cut or other damage If you are not sure, consult your Lexus dealer. Vehicles with 17-inch tires: The wheel angle differs from vehicles equipped with 18-inch tires. Therefore, 18inch tires cannot be installed, as sufficient gaps with surrounding parts cannot be ensured."

 

Thanks. I missed that same wording in the 2019 ES350 Owner's Manual (on page 317).

 

Good morning and thank you for all the responses to my question. Perhaps I’m applying old-school logic to this, but it would seem to me that the suspension on a base model Lexus ES 350 and the luxury one couldn’t possibly be different in terms of the wheel lug pattern and similar sizes and dimensions. It would simply be too expensive for Lexus to do this. The cost would clearly outweigh the benefit. Also isn’t it true that one can purchase optional wheels at the dealership of different sizes? Perhaps I am completely wrong but it just doesn’t seem possible that you would have to stay with the one size provided you kept the aspect ratios in correct proportion.

I apologize if my assumptions are incorrect and I also do understand that at times one cannot apply a common sense answer to a technical specification. Please feel free to correct me. Thank you in advance.

 

Lexus uses their scare tactics, lol
There are plenty of ES models driving on 20" and even 21" wheels with no reported problems. Instead of buying nice aftermarket wheels, Lexus wants you to buy their grossly overpriced ones.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...l#post10628658

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...l#post10741344

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...l#post10658113

 

You can plus size one or two sizes without issues. Handling will improve and a lot of people like the look. I have done this on a few cars, but in the end regretted it. Road hazard damage risk increases exponentially, curb rim-rash risk increases, noise increases, ride harshness increases and expense increases. That's a lot of trade offs for handling and vanity!

 

thank you for your response. Those are some really interesting photographs and it looks like some people have spent a tremendous amount of money on their upgrades. This is far beyond anything I had in mind. It’s not just the body spoilers but it looks like some of these cars have had spring work and had the car lowered, which to me makes it impractical as I would not want to be scraping my car up pulling in and out of parking lot driveways. Truly I was only thinking of the larger wheels looking a bit better and being a bit more attractive.

 

You make some good points about the vanity thing. I certainly don’t intend to drive this car hard. I’m 55 years old. I’m not a kid. I’m certainly not gonna race around. I just wanted to make it look a little cooler - the vanity thing - But, again, you make some very good points. Thank you for your comments.

 

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agree 100%

19inch have two issues

1) harsher ride- not an issue with F-sport models as they have adaptive dampners so they can adjust the ride issues
2) road noise. - this is a real issue the road noise i find on F-sport model too high.. true i have dunlop tyres so that makes it worse.. but wider tyres = more road noise

 

If you have really smooth roads where you live, then go for the bigger wheel option. Just be aware, I went from 15" to 18" wheels on my 1992 SC300 a few years ago, ended up blowing out a tire and damaging a wheel on the interstate loop around downtown Nashville, an area known for decent roads. Except that year, we had a pretty bad winter/freeze/thaw cycle that turned the interstate into hot garbage for about 1-2 weeks before the temps warmed up and they patched the road. Personally I'd just leave it with 17" wheels, the sidewall of the tire gives a bit more cushion to the ride, and wasn't that the whole point of buying an ES vs a sportier IS or GS model????

 

I wouldn't worry about 19s and blowouts. Yeah better chance you may get one but this is the second car I've had with low profile and I drive in the NY tri state area where roads are awful including NYC and never had an issue even after blasting through some monster potholes.