Downsizing to 17" Wheels for Winter
11-12-20, 06:20 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: VT
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Downsizing to 17" Wheels for Winter
I have a 2015 GS 350 AWD with the F-Sport package. The car is stock with 19" wheels. Can I fit 17" wheels on the car for winter? I know the RWD version has larger front floating brakes, but the AWD doesn't. I live in VT where the winter roads are best suited for rugged winter tires. My research so far seems inconclusive. Thanks!
11-12-20, 11:03 AM
#3
Advanced
If you look at the brochure for the 2013 GS350, there are 17” wheels offered. So if you do not have the RWD F Sport with the larger brakes, I assume you could run 17”s. I’m no expert on wheels, but that seems right to me.
11-12-20, 12:12 PM
#4
Lead Lap
I have a 2015 GS 350 AWD with the F-Sport package. The car is stock with 19" wheels. Can I fit 17" wheels on the car for winter? I know the RWD version has larger front floating brakes, but the AWD doesn't. I live in VT where the winter roads are best suited for rugged winter tires. My research so far seems inconclusive. Thanks!
The base pkg GS's have a 17" wheel from the factory. It is running a 225/50/17 tire. Here are some of the OEM wheels offered (but you can get any 17" wheels that fit the original specs Size: 17x7.5mm; Bolt Pattern: 4.5 Inch; Offset: 45mm):
The following users liked this post:
AJLex19 (11-13-20)
11-13-20, 02:55 AM
#7
The 17" on 4GS reminds me of a firmly sprung car on a slightly baggy set of tires - just like the old 1996-01 3ES which was a firmly sprung car on a really baggy set of Bridgestone Potenza RE88 205/65R15.
The 18" is intermediate.
The 19" on OEM Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 235/40R19 is pin sharp, and makes the 4GS handle almost like a compact, however the ride is sharp, firm & noisy.
.
The 18" is intermediate.
The 19" on OEM Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 235/40R19 is pin sharp, and makes the 4GS handle almost like a compact, however the ride is sharp, firm & noisy.
.
Last edited by peteharvey; 11-13-20 at 02:59 AM.
Trending Topics
11-13-20, 12:09 PM
#8
The 17” is quieter and a bit less vibration on coarse roads. I have no problem with grip as well and can do full throttle on the GS450h without much slippage.
18” gives a slightly shaper ride.
The biggest benefit is that I don’t need to be so careful about kerbing and slowing down turning into driveways.
The drawback is that the wheels are not much of a looker.
18” gives a slightly shaper ride.
The biggest benefit is that I don’t need to be so careful about kerbing and slowing down turning into driveways.
The drawback is that the wheels are not much of a looker.
Last edited by 703; 11-13-20 at 08:56 PM.
The following users liked this post:
peteharvey (02-16-24)
11-13-20, 09:09 PM
#10
Remember that when GS 400 was the quickest saloon car? It only had 225/55R16's as standard. Was still able to do 0-60 in 5.7second.
Last edited by 703; 11-13-20 at 09:13 PM.
11-14-20, 02:42 AM
#11
Nascar and pretty much every racing series do no run low profile tires or big rims, it's mainly for aesthetics on modern cars. You can increase the tire pressure on the 17's if you want a similar feel to how 18s ride, while still having a more comfortable ride.
11-15-20, 07:33 AM
#13
So the 17 inch would clear the F sport calipers in the front? Interesting...I went with 18 inch from a 2018 IS F sport. They're staggered, but most if not all winter tires are directional.
11-15-20, 03:48 PM
#14
Lead Lap
11-15-20, 08:49 PM
#15
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
