2011 FL Liquid Graphite wheels vs. FT alloy wheels???
09-13-10, 11:11 PM
#1
2011 FL Liquid Graphite wheels vs. FT alloy wheels???
I'm VERY confused trying to determine which wheels these options refer to.
The options sheet refers to the following standard 18" wheels for the IS350:
FL = "Liquid Graphite" wheels (apparently come with all season tires)
FT = "Alloy" wheels (apparently come with summer tires)
The 2011 IS brochure shows two sets of standard 18" wheels. One is a 5 spoke design, and the spokes are rather thick. The other design is described in the brochure as a "10 spoke" wheel, but the design looks more like 5 split spokes. After the description, it says (A/T), presumably because they are available only with automatic transmission.
Anyone know whether the FL "Liquid Graphite" is the 5 spoke or the 10 spoke design???
The options sheet refers to the following standard 18" wheels for the IS350:
FL = "Liquid Graphite" wheels (apparently come with all season tires)
FT = "Alloy" wheels (apparently come with summer tires)
The 2011 IS brochure shows two sets of standard 18" wheels. One is a 5 spoke design, and the spokes are rather thick. The other design is described in the brochure as a "10 spoke" wheel, but the design looks more like 5 split spokes. After the description, it says (A/T), presumably because they are available only with automatic transmission.
Anyone know whether the FL "Liquid Graphite" is the 5 spoke or the 10 spoke design???
09-14-10, 02:27 PM
#4
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AFAIK....
The 2011 offers 1 - 17" & 2 - 18" standard wheel designs for the USA spec'd IS sedans
17"
18"
18" Factory F-Sport
Regards,
Joe Z
The 2011 offers 1 - 17" & 2 - 18" standard wheel designs for the USA spec'd IS sedans
17"
18"
18" Factory F-Sport
Regards,
Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 09-15-10 at 01:02 PM.
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09-14-10, 09:58 PM
#9
The 2011 IS brochure shows a fourth option. They look almost identical to the 17" wheels (as shown in the top photo above), but they are 18" wheels with what is described as "Dark Graphite" finish. It also states: "available RWD A/T."
The second photo from the top above are described in the brochure as "Liquid Graphite" finish.
I'm not sure what the difference is between "Liquid Graphite" and "Dark Graphite," but I do know that the 5 spoke design looks awful. The 17"s actually look better.
My problem is that I want the 18" 10 spoke wheels, but with All Season tires. If the 10 spokes are actually the FT option, then I guess you're stuck with summer tires.
The second photo from the top above are described in the brochure as "Liquid Graphite" finish.
I'm not sure what the difference is between "Liquid Graphite" and "Dark Graphite," but I do know that the 5 spoke design looks awful. The 17"s actually look better.
My problem is that I want the 18" 10 spoke wheels, but with All Season tires. If the 10 spokes are actually the FT option, then I guess you're stuck with summer tires.
09-15-10, 12:56 PM
#12
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The 2011 IS brochure shows a fourth option. They look almost identical to the 17" wheels (as shown in the top photo above), but they are 18" wheels with what is described as "Dark Graphite" finish. It also states: "available RWD A/T."
The second photo from the top above are described in the brochure as "Liquid Graphite" finish.
I'm not sure what the difference is between "Liquid Graphite" and "Dark Graphite," but I do know that the 5 spoke design looks awful. The 17"s actually look better.
My problem is that I want the 18" 10 spoke wheels, but with All Season tires. If the 10 spokes are actually the FT option, then I guess you're stuck with summer tires.
The second photo from the top above are described in the brochure as "Liquid Graphite" finish.
I'm not sure what the difference is between "Liquid Graphite" and "Dark Graphite," but I do know that the 5 spoke design looks awful. The 17"s actually look better.
My problem is that I want the 18" 10 spoke wheels, but with All Season tires. If the 10 spokes are actually the FT option, then I guess you're stuck with summer tires.
I just visited the E-brochure on Lexus.com..
These are all the wheel options they show for the regular IS Sedan.
(minus the new 18" F-Sport pkg wheel)
Is it one of these?
09-15-10, 01:12 PM
#13
Sorry for the delay. I don't have the brochure with me. I'll scan it when I get home. I looked at the ebrochure and the printed brochure is different. It shows another option, almost identical to the standard 17's, but in 18" size. I'm not sure whether the ebrochure or the print brochure is more current. However, by using the terms "Liquid Graphite" and "Dark Graphite," the options sheet seems to infer that the FL and FT options are two different wheel designs and not just an option for different tires.
09-15-10, 07:22 PM
#15
Below is the page from the "2011 IS Lexus" print brochure. The ones I'm referring to are the third from the top. The description reads: "18-in 10 spoke alloy wheels with Dark Graphite finish AVAILABLE (RWD A/T)"
Oddly, these wheels are not shown in the eBrochure, or anywhere else for that matter. If you use the "Build your IS" feature on the Lexus site, the only 18 inch wheel upgrade option that is listed is the old 2010 wheel (along with the G-spider and F Sport wheels).
I telephoned Lexus Customer Service to inquire about this today. What a nightmare! After nearly an hour on the phone, I got virtually no useful information whatsoever. I spoke to two CSRs. After I explained the entire situation, she put me on hold for an eternity to "do some research." What she ended up telling me was that the "Build your own IS" feature on the web site is ALWAYS accurate. I then explained to her that the ONLY 18" wheel option given on that site is actually the old 2010 design. She proceeded to tell me that Lexus offers different options in different regions and those are the only wheels available in my area. When I explained to her the absurdity of Lexus using old 2010 design wheels only in my area and nowhere else in the world, she simply repeated that "the web site is ALWAYS accurate." I then tried typing in different zip codes across the country, always finding the same result (a photo of the old 2010 5 spoke design). So in other words, even Lexus customer service has no f-ing idea of what wheels are available for 2011.
Oddly, these wheels are not shown in the eBrochure, or anywhere else for that matter. If you use the "Build your IS" feature on the Lexus site, the only 18 inch wheel upgrade option that is listed is the old 2010 wheel (along with the G-spider and F Sport wheels).
I telephoned Lexus Customer Service to inquire about this today. What a nightmare! After nearly an hour on the phone, I got virtually no useful information whatsoever. I spoke to two CSRs. After I explained the entire situation, she put me on hold for an eternity to "do some research." What she ended up telling me was that the "Build your own IS" feature on the web site is ALWAYS accurate. I then explained to her that the ONLY 18" wheel option given on that site is actually the old 2010 design. She proceeded to tell me that Lexus offers different options in different regions and those are the only wheels available in my area. When I explained to her the absurdity of Lexus using old 2010 design wheels only in my area and nowhere else in the world, she simply repeated that "the web site is ALWAYS accurate." I then tried typing in different zip codes across the country, always finding the same result (a photo of the old 2010 5 spoke design). So in other words, even Lexus customer service has no f-ing idea of what wheels are available for 2011.
Last edited by avex; 09-15-10 at 07:32 PM.