20's on a GS???
 

I know 20's can fit stock on a GS but I have a few questions. The kind of tire I need. How is the ride? Can it or should it be lowered? How often do I change tires? Few potholes up north where I live in NY, is it dangerous? Is it noisy? How much acceleration lost?

20's on a GS will not be a problem at all. You can fit almost any size you want. If you want the deep dish in the back, I think the most you can go is 20x10, you may even be able to go 20x10.5, but I am not sure. I have 20x10 in the rear and 20x8.5 in the front. The tire sizes that I have are 245/35 and 275/30. If you want it the same all the way around, you can go 20x9 with 245/35's.

For the drop, I suggest the H&R 1.4 inch drop. It's not too low and it's not too high. It's perfect, with no rubbing at all. And you don't even have to replace the shocks if you don't want to. If you do, you can always go with the Bilsteins.

You will loose acceleration, but you are rolling on 20's. You don't want to haul a**anyways. But you still have enough to beat or even keep up with people on the road.

Potholes are the rims worst enemy, all I can say is be careful, and you should be alright. I have hit a couple good size pothole, and it hasn't dented my rims---but that always depends on the rims---the better quality, the stronger the rim---but that always means the more expensive they are.

I hope that helps!!!!!:D


What rims are you planning on getting?????

I'll probably be buying the Lowenhart LD-1's in March, even before I have the car, I'll keep them garaged until I get the car in May. Only reason is I'll have the money by then, and I have a tough time saving money, especially if its 6500. SO when the last penny comes in I'm gonna order them.

Futuregs- I don't think the BMW can handle 20s...:)

On the acceleration part, you are going to buy some of the heaviest wheels on the market. I had a set of 20" enkei enzos which I could not tolerate because of the amount of acceleration lost. I would also save up for a new axle ratio to improve your acceleration after installing the LD-1s. Just my .02

MikeGS4PE is right, you will not be able to fit 20's on the BMW 530, or any 5-series. The highest you can go is 19's, and if you do decide to go with the BMW, I would highly recommend the Hartge wheels (I hope I spelled that correctly :p ). You may be able to fit the 20's on the BMW if you do some fender work, but I'm not sure.

MikeGS4PE is right, the LD1's are heavy wheels. In fact, those are the wheels that I have right now in 20's on my car. The acceleration loss is there, but I just feel those wheels go with the flow of the car so well, I am willing to sacrifice for now.

In my opinion, I think you should get the GS430 instead of the BMW 530i anyways!!!! That's just my opinion:D

you can put 20 is on a 5 series i just did one with HRE's and it took it like a champ no problem 20x8.5 and 20x10!!!!
www.wheelsboutique.com

20s
 

Ive also heard 20s are possible but personally shyed away from them. I know a guy up here with the Lsportline aero kit and with the LSportline drop kit who put 20s on it....I dont know what he did, but all i started seeing was problems with that car. The front skirt got bent up/forwards...a piece from the rear by the wheelwell started coming off...these were at separate times. Maybe they were potholes that he hit that caused it..maybe it was something else.

I personally couldnt stand, for a while, the difference in road noise betw stock and 18s with pilot sports...you felt bumps more, but it is acceptable. I was told by the guy i know with the shop that i would regret it and come back for the 20s....he was wrong. I cant even think of more road noise, worse comfort and possible issues with everything else. Just my 0.02

my GS on 20's no problems what so ever 15000 miles later
www.wheelsboutique.com

Well, I guess you can fit 20's on a 5-series. I didn't know that you could. Everyone I talked to, told me that 19's is the highest that you can go, without modifications to the fenders.

LEXTACY44--how low was the drop on that 5-series????

We used H&R springs like 1.25F and .75Rear something like that :)

FutureGS, 20's are only for looks and if you care more about looks than performance wise, then GET IT !:) The ride quality isn't AS BAD as people say it is. It takes a little getting used to and you'll definately be a more cautious driver. I have H&R springs and I have no problems of rubbing. The only thing that I can see that will give me a problem living in NYC is if I get a bodykit. Other than that, if you drive cautious, don't mind a little more of a bumpy ride, and avoid potholes, you should be fine.

how bad of a ride we talking?????? It wont ride like a honda will it?

yea it will...thats why i think 18s are a good medium, with 19s being the reasonable lexus driver limit who wants to stick with some semblance of comfort.

Dieselman also mentioned that if you are planning a body kit, it might be somehting else to think about. The guy i was mentioning before had the sportline kit withthe 20s and it got all kinds of screwed up. I guess it depends on the area and your type of driving too.

I just had a set of Alba Bertha's put on the wife's GS 20 x 8.5 with Nitto NT555's 245/35's and beleive me it does not ride like a Honda. The two main differences that I noted were loss in acceleration and noise from the tires. The change in appereance of the car from stock 16's to the 20's is absolutely unbeleivable.