I'd love to get some nice wheels but have noticed there are issues with the AWD. We'd like to improve the looks but keep the driveability unchanged. We're planning a cross country adventure soon and want a smooth ride. We have a donut wheel in the trunk. Should we stay with 18"? Not planning on lowering the ride at this point.

 

Stick with the stock wheels on your cross country adventure, then get new wheels at a later date.

 

What AWD issues are you worried about?

 

i agree with lex luga. the stock wheels will provide the smoothest ride and return higher MPG. and in case you need to buy a new tire on your journey *knock on wood* a 225/50/17 tire will be easier to find than a lower profile 18

but to answer your question, if you aren't lowering the car then maybe get the stock 5 spoke 18s. they'll probably look the least goofiest with that gargantuan front wheel gap.

 

I have the stock 5 spoke 18s on my 07 GS350 AWD and they look fine although I wish I could lower the car if not for wobbles/vibrations.

 

+2 with lex luga.. reminds me of my short trip to NYC back in the day.. cracked (not bent) my front wheel in the city.. luckily i had a stock wheel in the trunk as a spare just for that reason..

 

Do 17" wheels really increase MPG?

 

Thanks guys for the advice. What is the consensus on F-sport wheels?

 

if the larger wheels aren't lightweight wheels then yes. Usually bigger wheels are heavier so the engine requires more effort to turn them. Low rolling resistance tires are also harder to find as wheel sizes increase.

 

That makes sense... so not a size but a mass issue.

 

yeah if your gonna do the cross country thing your better off with the stocks after you come back then you can do the upgrade

 

I just discovered that on tirerack.com one can actually see how different wheels will look on a car. The Vossen folks turned me on to it because I wanted to see how my car would look with new wheels without lowering it. I have a much better idea how I want to go now. Thanks Vossen.