I'm shopping around for wheels and tires for my '07 350 AWD. I'm looking for any feedback on the difference between the two sizes. I'm looking to go with the following set-up:

20" Work T1S/Black Chrome 20X10(rear) and 20X8(front)...he didn't give me the offset info)
Falken 452's
245/35/20
285/30/20
...did price out the Michelin PS2's...a little spendy

The use of my car is for my family of 5 and work(real estate)....thus I keep on thinking 19's would be more practical.
Plus...I would like to drop the car about an inch....just to clean up the look.

Thanks for any help/feedback....This site has been more than helpful with knowledge on my Lexus

Take care,

Brian

(mods...I apologize if I posted in the wrong area)

 

Yeah, someone chime in on this one with some advice please.. Im about to do some sick rim shopping but have heard about sizing issues with certain rims because of the AWD aspect making the calipers stick out a bit more, thus causing some rims to not fit right? is this true?

Anyone have a AWD with some rim options to peep? Im looking for either chrome or chrome with white face.. I need options and im buggin about the fitment issues on the AWD..

 

Go with 20's stagger for sure. JMO

Jimmy

 

I don't have custom wheel yet but I've been looking at different setups (19" and 20"). IMO if you're not going to lower the car 19" wheels look better. Every car I've seen with 20" wheels not lowered looked too tall but the 20's and lowered looks GREAT. I decided to go the 20"/lowered route. I figured i will save on tires in the long run.

good luck.

 

Go With 20's .... You Will End Up Regreting Going With 19's... Just My $.02

 

The tire set up that you have spec'd is a good one becasue it keeps the overall diameter the same (almost exactly). This is mandatory for a staggered AWD set up.

But, be careful with the width in the rear. You will need a wheel with a 44 offset or greater. I have the same size tires with a 42 offset and have some rubbing problems (with a 1" NF210 drop).

The wide wheels/tires look sick, but when I replace my tires I will be dropping down a bit smaller to to a 275/30 rear and 235/35 front.

I agree that if you do 20's you should drop it. No drop = 19's.

 

Okay....now have shifted gears to all the same size wheel/tire set up(rotation purposes)....I'm getting ready to order some new Volk RE30's....19x9...Mercury Metallic...w/40 offset. Tire size is 255/35/19. I've posted about info on coilovers(Nobody makes a coilover set up for the AWD's...lame!!) to possibly drop my ride a very conservative 1-1 1/2". But after reading the previous posts....you guys are saying not to drop w/19's....I personally think the wheel well gap is to much sitting stock.

I'm kinda curious how many here at CL have AWD's....doesn't seem like many. Had I known of these mod issues(coilovers...wheel selection)...I probably would have opted for not having the AWD. But that's what seems to be shipping here in the northwest....duh...rain and some snow.

Later...

 

i am hearing this right.....the 19's appropriately fill in the gap w/o having to mess with a drop? but the 20's have to have it. Aesthetically i"m sure the overall consensus is to do the drop regardless but just want to verify that the 19's would fill in the gap and still look good
that's a plus for me on the 19's...that's saves some money from the springs, labor and wheel alignment

 

Drop it. Tanabe NF210's. Look great, ride great. Should be no problem with those wheels/tires.

I think people were saying that you can get away with no drop on 19's, but it would look better. On 20's you have to drop it or the car looks lifted. It was less about the wheel gap, more about the ride height.

 

I have nearly the exact same set up on my LS430 so I can't talk about the fitment or look on your AWD. I will however give you my opinion on your application. My LS has factory air and with a drop it feels comfortable enough but creates a bit more road / tire noise than I would like. If you're driving clients around than they and your family will surely notice the stiffer ride and additional noise. If you want a set up based on looks alone I'd be right there with everyone else on the 20's and the drop but you have a family and potential clients to consider. Also 19" tires are cheaper too so if you're gonna put a ton of miles on your car you have to consider your budget and replacement costs. Good luck with your decision.