Last december i got my 3IS and didnt have time to purchase winters so i used my all season conti dws06 which performed pretty well. though it sounded like there was rubbing (i guess due to the packed snow in the wheel well).
I was wondering if a square 225/45/r18 XL would fit as a winter setup on the 3IS or would 225/50/r17 XL be better. Currently CT is selling the 18' xice3 for 154.13 and 17' for 148.93 per tire.(though 18 rims are more expensive)

Im also guessing i have to look at alloy rims within 7-8.5 to clear the large calipers and fit the 225 profile.

TPMS sensors too...

 

There's a couple threads on this floating around the forum.

Super easy solution...get a set of alloys from a 2IS...the 17 inch set.
Super cheap used and will clear the calipers.
Throw on some 225/45/17 winters...and TPMS sensors (if you like) and done.
The 2IS TPMS are not compatible with the 3IS.
I run this setup without the TPMS...many run this setup with and without the TPMS sensors.

 

I would prefer to buy new. Dont know if the rims is cracked or bent from other ppls use.

Do you think 215/50/r17 would fit on this rim CRW GT1?

• Wheel Type:
  Alloy
• Bolt Pattern B:
  mm
• Colour:
  Gloss Black
• Bolt Pattern A:
  5-114.3 mm
• Finish:
  Gloss Black
• Backside Spacing:
  5.5 in
• Seating Base:
  7 mm
• Max Load:
  1598 lb
• Lug Nut Seating:
  Conical/Tapered
• Hub Bore:
  60.1 mm
• Lug Nut Seating Angle:
  60
• Offset:
  38 mm
• Centre Cap Indicator:
  Y
• Wheel Width:
  7 in
• Centre Bore Diameter:
  60.10
• Wheel Diameter:
  17 in
• Bolt Hole Diameter:
  15 mm
• Centricity:
  HubCentric

 

I hear your concerns about buying used wheels...all my 2IS winter rims are bent, they were like that when I bought them. (I knew that going in)
Through the magic of Road Force Balancing, you'd never know it driving the car though...even on the highway.
I got them dirt cheap, so couldn't go wrong.

The only concern about the wheels you propose is the offset.
On the rear this will be fine, the concern is the front.
The width of the rim isn't the big issue, it's the offset. I'm not sure if 7 inches wide with +38 offset is enough to clear the big caliper.
A stock F Sport front wheel is 18x8 +45...so effectively you shrank the rim width by 1 inch (25mm) but only moved the offset out 7mm.
Ultimately spoke design is the last barrier to clearance...it may still clear with the right spoke design.
If there's any way you can test fit the rim only on a front wheel, that will answer the question.
Otherwise you're good to go with everything else, including tire size.
The tire will be a little taller than stock heights, but it's not crazy tall.

 

So even if the rims dont fit, I dont need to refund my tires as they fit regardless of rim size. I just need to find a 17 rim that clears the front calipers?

 

Pretty much...once you can find a rim within the specs (height and width) the tires can fit, then you can keep the tires.
The tire fitment is based on the rim height and width...the caliper fitment is based on the rim offset (and the spoke design).

 

Hey sasnuke one more dumb question, what does max load of 1598 lbs mean?
Im pretty sure the IS weighs more than 1598 lbs...

 

I run 225/45/17 squared winter setup on my 350 Fsport. Finding rims that clear front caliper without spacers is quite difficult but I just went to a wheel and tire shop and they set me up with some real nice Nokian Hakkapaletta R2’s with winterized rims that look better than my summer rims for about 1100$ all in.

 

Which place did you go to?

 

I live in Ottawa, Ontario I went to a little independent shop. The rims are manufactured by a company called Dai Alloys, cheaper rims but winterized+warranty and fit beautifully, no spacers. Here’s a pic. Had them for 2 winters so far, love them.

 

It's the max load per tire that it can carry. At each corner of the vehicle the weight of the vehicle is almost evenly distributed, and will be much less than what the tire is rated for.

 

I see you're local to Richmond Hill.

If you're looking for rims and tires, you can check out Universal Auto Tech...they are on Industrial by Yonge st (south east corner)...right across from Wilson Niblett.
George is one of the owners and the rim/tire guy is Dominic...speak to either one of them.
There's also Discount Tire at Yonge and King (south west corner)...they are in the small plaza with about 2 other shops...super hard to see from the road.

There's also Steelcase Tire'n'Mag a little further away in Markham, on Steelcase road, east of Woodbine (major intersection is Woodbine and Steeles).

 

Do they just sell rims + tpms + installtion? Since I already bought my winter tires from canadian tire lol
Do you also go there to service your lexus?

 

In regards to Universal Auto Tech:
You can get rims/tpms there as well as balancing and install. They have a Road Force Balancer, but not necessary to do it for every car/wheel package.
Not every independent shop has a Road Force Balancer...a regular balancer sure, but not Road Force one.
They also have an alignment machine. There's actually two buildings on the property...so it's not a small operation.
They have licensed techs and registered apprentices working there...so you can feel confident that they have a reasonable level of competency.
Last time both cars needed tires (about 5 months ago) I got them from George and they were mounted and balanced there.
Honestly I service my cars mostly myself at home and only take them to a shop when it's something I just don't have the capacity to do at home...like an alignment or mounting tires.
I wouldn't have a problem letting them work on it...it also helps that George is my neighbor about 10 houses down from me lol! So any issues and I'm a short walk away.

Discount Tire:
I've sent several people there for tires...all come back with comments about great service and prices. I haven't been there in years, but I believe the father/son team still run it...both licensed techs as well.
I do believe they do mechanical repairs there too. It's not a big place though. I'm sure they can do TPMS install and programming...and reputable tire shop should have this as a basic service.

Steelcase Tire'n'Mag:
The place is legendary. They have been in business forever...I can personally attest to dealing with them over the last 25 years...on and off.
They used to be on Steelcase on the west side of Woodbine, but I heard a little while ago they moved to a new/bigger location on the east side of Woodbine. I haven't been to the new place yet.
These people have so many customers that when it's tire swapping season I've seen literal line ups down the side of the building and onto the road...no joke.
That's why I used to just take my rims and let them mount/balance the tires...then I would install them at home. It's they only way, at those times of the season, you could get in and out in a reasonable amount of time.
Prices are always competitive and they sell you what you need...not what makes them the most money.
They can provide everything you need for a complete install, TPMS and programming too.

 

Yep I can change my own tires, it just the initial part mounting/installing/balancing tires on the rim and cloning/installing the stock tpms sensors.
Hopefully the places dont charge an arm and leg. Roughly $600 for rims + $200 for tpms install/programming + $100 mounting/installing/balancing?
I will check the places you listed next week.