I'm looking to purchase a 2011 AWD IS250 next week and am having difficulty deciding what to do about the wheels.

I want to put these OEM Lexus 18 inch wheels on it:



But when looking at the accessories manual, it states that these 18 inch wheels are only available for the RWD model.

So after reading around I've found that Lexus doesn't recommend these 18's for the AWD model as they are staggered (8 inch front and 8.5 rear) and they don't want folks getting the wrong tire sizes and screwing the AWD system by messing with the wheel/tire diameter.

First question: what would be an acceptable tire size to put on this staggered wheel set without screwing the AWD system? I've read up and I'm thinking about 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear.

Lexus wants $2200 to swap the current 17 inch wheels that are on the car. As in I give them $2200 bucks and have only one set of wheels...the 18's that I would be buying/swapping. Next question: Would I be better off just purchasing the wheels only from Lexus outright...buying the tires myself from tire discounters...putting those on the car and then selling my factory 17 inch set that came on the car?

Last question: Is there a good website to purchase OEM Lexus wheels? That would be optimal.

Thanks in advance for all the info. Though i've had 4 lexus(s) in the past (ES/ES/IS3/GS4) this is the first time I've registered here so i'm a loyal Lexus guy.

 

2200 I would buy aftermarket set. Those would be the correct size to use.

 

you can just purchase a set of fronts or set of rears and use them all around, you can get them at the sewell site here http://is.sewellparts.com/

 

Might be looking at the wrong ones because you can use 18" wheels. Just use them as non-staggered, 8" all around, then you're ok. Ie. One of the F-Sport forged wheels is for AWD as well.