I just traded in my Infiniti G37X for the 2017 IS300 Fsport.
I had the G37X for four years with no curb scuffs on the wheels!
They were R17, so there was some sidewall to protect the wheel.
I love the R18 Fsport wheels! But I am more concerned about curb scuffs.
Any fool-proof methods? My old A4 had a dipping mirror in reverse gear to
monitor the curb. The Fsport has a big mirror.....enough to see the curb for me.
Still, I am very careful parallel parking.
What about rim protectors?

 

I don't park in the street...

 

Right, I will avoid parking in the street....when possible. Great reply, though.

 

You could order tires that has a small raised lip that is supposed to protect the rims. I don't know if they have them for our size. When I had my TC, they came stock with Bridgestone tires that had the curb rash guard.

 

I was wondering how well the stock tires protect the wheels. It is hard for me to tell by looking.

I declined the wheel/tire/ding protection package offered by the dealer.

 

Not well at all. I've used the wheel/tire/ding protection quite a few times when my ex was driving the IS.

 

Darn. I have that package and have taken advantage of it several times for curb repair and once for tire replacement.

That said, it's really easy to curb the wheels. The tires don't protect the wheels much if at all.

 

In addition to curb scrapes, how susceptible are the stock tires to sidewall bubbles from impacts, being low profile?

 

Not to stray off topic (even tho that's what I'm doing ), be very mindful of the front bumper when pulling in to park. Sidewalks and parking blocks are the devil to this car.

 

When I got my 2014 off lease a year and a half ago with less than 40k miles and 60k kms, two of the wheels were curbed, one had a nick on the lip and two were bent. It was on the oem tires.

I subsequently had all four refinished in powder coat, but it is not 100%. It's a bit darker.

I stupidly curbed the two right ones again and had them repowdercoated and had a rim straighted at the time due to another bend. I was running Michelin A/S 3+, but they did not save the rim that I only rubbed up against the curb lightly but at admittedly medium speed.

If your car is new and all your wheels are flawless, you might come out ahead of you get the wheel protection package. But make sure you read the fine print so you know exactly what it covers. If you don't get one and curb a wheel, you are better off getting a small repair (i.e. just a partial refinish) instead of refinishing the entire wheel so it matches.

 

I asked in the first post, but I will try again. Does anyone use rim protectors?
Kind of like a front end bra, but for the rims.
I am thinking the protector itself is easily damaged, and road debris/salt
could get trapped?

 

I use the rim protectors on my 19-inch, they are a must if you wish to reduce damage to your wheels. They are simply designed to bear the brunt of the damage when the curb is nicked, the damage to the wheels are reduced greatly, just do not expect to come out of any nicking of curbs unscathed.

 

Thanks!
I am new to Club Lexus. Is it appropriate to ask which brand of rim protectors you use?
If you scuff a curb, is the protector itself easily damaged? Do you need to have a second set on hand?

 

I have a 2015 GS. I dont have it but was thinking about getting it. I just came back from Vancouver and I saw a lot of cars with them. I read they come off/fly off easily event with careful install. The more expensive one may do the same and could whip your wheel or fender. Love to hear others opinion....

 

Ever thought about spot mirrors? I have these ones and they sit flush against the mirror, I'm able to see where the wheel is typically in relation to the curb.