2013 Lexus ES300h w/ 20" Vossen VVSCV7
 

Hello all 6th generation ES owners. As I have some free time on my hands, I thought I'd write up a short article on my experience with aftermarket wheels and tires for the 2013 Lexus ES300h.

First off let me say that I've spoken to personnel at the local Lexus dealership in Miami, aftermarket specialists, and friends in the automotive business to make sure that I wouldn't void the warranty, mess with the geometry of the wheels, or anything else that may ruin the car. With that said, these are the specifics.

Vossen VVSCV7 Monoblock Wheels (polished silver) - 20x9 all around with +38 offset
Nitto Invo 245/35/20 Luxury Sport Ultra High Performance Radial Tires

Here is the breakdown in tire size from OEM to aftermarket.

Bridgestone Turanza EL400 215/55/17

Overall Diameter: 26.31"
Ride Height Overall Radius: 13.16"

Nitto Invo 245/35/20

Overall Diameter: 26.75"
Ride Height Overall Radius: 13.38"

As you can see the ride height is approximately .02 inches higher than stock with an overall increase in diameter of 0.44 inches. This increase will not affect the speedometer, tire pressure sensors, or anything else for that matter.

First impressions: The ride comfort is the same, though there is an increase in road noise. This would be due to the larger tire size (contact patch).

The steering lock is the same as before. There is no rubbing at full steering lock. After driving over train tracks, large pot holes, and speed bumps, there was no bottoming out or rubbing.

As for the miles per gallon: I was getting 38.5mpg before. Afterwards I was still getting 38.5mpg. Unlike what others have said, I don't see a difference.

Tire Pressure Monitors: They work just fine. The tire pressure is now 40psi.


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Looks good. Would look better if it sat lower. Too bad there wasn't a "Sport" version we could get that had lower springs.

That looks fantastic!! The CV7 really accents the ES sportier lines here. Can't wait to see it dropped! Thanks for posting and nice meeting you at the Lexus meet!

Mike

Looks great but as stated needs a drop and the CV7's make those brakes look tiny.....

Drop will make it the best ES I've seen.

looks great! any idea how much the stock wheel/tire combo weighed versus this setup?

Yup, I agree. It's screaming to be dropped. Unfortunately there's nothing out there. I've called all of the main aftermarket coilover/lowering spring companies and they have nothing.

I did see that at SEMA this year there were 3 lowered Toyota Avalons. I'm having a mechanic at the local Lexus dealership check to see if the 2013 ES suspension is based on the 2013 Avalon suspension. If it is then Toyota TRD might have a set of springs. From what I've read this would also involve swapping out the shocks/struts. There's definitely enough clearance in the wheel wells for it. Coilovers would be the way to go, just a lot more expensive. But then why cheap out now.

http://www.autotrader.com/research/a...-auto-show.jsp

The OEM wheels/tires weighed in at 45lbs. The aftermarket wheels/tires were 52lbs.

I checked on aftermarket brakes. Because the hybrid has regenerative braking, there are components in the braking system that rely on these rotors. So for now we'll have to live with wimpy looking brakes. Some nice crossed-drilled rotors would look awesome.

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I am very close to pulling trigger on black ES300H. If I do I will put Vossen 20" VVS CV1's on it.

Your car looks great.

How do you like the car oveall?

I have an Audi A4 right now (I have Vossen's on it). Used to have Lexus LS460, and I miss that LS.......

Yeah, the CV1s would look great on a black car. The matte black w/ stainless lip would look very sharp.

I've had the ES300h for about a month and a half now and I must say that I'm impressed. My last car was a IS350. It had a lot more power. Can't say I ever used it. Regardless of what some people say, the ES300h is not underpowered. Like most owners, the fun is in trying to maximize the miles per gallon. Which is ironic, because if you can afford the price tag, you can afford to buy gas. At least that's my thinking.

Good luck on your purchase.

Man, your car looks great!!! I've spent a lot of hours looking at different set-ups and yours look the best. I hope you don't mind me using this set-up on my incoming ES300h.

BTW, I also purchased the 3M full-face clear bra...it came from Miami. I'm calling around now to get quotes on installation.

Man, that is one of the best looking ES's I've seen yet! The new body-style with the CV7s makes for a great combo! Can't wait to see it lowered, it will be even better! :) And I agree, some nice brakes will look great behind the CV7's!

Looks very good, in for dropped pics :)

Very clean, i like!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...ine=1357322673

photoshop ftw lol any news on springs yet?

Those rims are amazing on that ES...I don't think I can pull of 20's but if they have that in 19's....I'm on it.

Beautiful whip Sessionstu