manli99

This will be the first winter we will drive the car in the Wisconsin winter. I am looking to buy a set of snow tires plus rims. I have 15x6.5 14 slot wheels with 205/65/15 tires. I found these rims on craigslist and wonder if it will be a good fit. TIA.

http://madison.craigslist.org/pts/494322098.html

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

only 3 wheels and they dont say what bolt pattern it is. even though they label it as "lexus" wheels, and wheres the center piece for it?

manli99

Thanks, I will give them a call tomorrow. Can you provide me a list of specifications I should ask? Thanks a bunch! Man-Li

1995LS400

Make sure you get studded snow tires for those 3 wheels because they will give you excellent grip to be able to push the car, being that one of the front wheels will be missing and alot of the weight of the car will be dragging on the ground.

Yeah, where the center caps?

manli99

Three wheels! What a image LOL............. The heading of the post reads 3 sets of rims, followed with "six" 16x6.5 Lexus rims. I definitely won't consider less than 4 matching rims. The main question is: Can I substitute 16inch rims for 15 inch rims that came with the car? TIA

19psi

sure you can use the 16's. just make sure you adjust tire size accordingly. you'd want a 205 55 16 or 215 55 16 for snow.

all lexus wheels have the same bolt pattern and center bore, except the trucks, so there's no problem with fitment there. unless yo're getting one of the staggered wheels from the newer models, offset and width won't be a concern either.

manli99

<all lexus wheels have the same bolt pattern and center bore, except the trucks, so there's no problem with fitment there>

Great information! Thank you SOoooo much.

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1990 Lexus LS400, 87,000 miles, silver mist, 18 mpg city, 27+ to 30+ on cross country trips. Love the car!!!

kens97sto

I was just thinking about some tires myself...

So I went to Tire Rack to check it out.

Found a tire/wheel package with a set of 16'' wheels that I thought looked better than my stock ones..
Sport Edition CD Silver Painted Wheels $82 (each)
Blizzak WS-60 $92 (each) Studless.snow tires.

Total was $696 + shipping. They will mount and ballance the tires apparently for free. Then drop ship to your door.

They had a 15'' wheel tire package too. That was $636 + Shipping
I did not like the wheel as much.

I ran the Blizzak WS-50's on my Miata for years... I went ANYWHERE... as long as the snow was not deeper than the ground clearance. But traction is AMAZING!.. snow or ice. I have heard that the Blizzak REVO 1, which Tire Rack has set as the standard snow tire for the Lexus on is NOT as good... GET the WS-60's. You will have to manually choose it.

Ken

manli99

Tire rack does have a good selection of nice rims and tires. Thanks also for the Blizzak WS-60 recommendation. I was trying to decide between Nokian and Blizzak after reading another post on this board in regard to snow tires for IS4000.

kens97sto

Your welcome. I have not ever tried the Nokian Snows.. I tend to stick with things I have tried and had good success with... I would think that any snow tire would be much better than the stock tires on an LS400.

I was actually pleasantly suprized by the $700 price tag. for wheels and tires... Only trouble I will have is I think I like the new wheels better than mine.. But not enought to UNMOUNT the already mounted and ballanced tires from Tire Rack, BTW I they have a good reputation for very accurately ballancing the tires.

Happy tire shopping.

Ken

manli99

I have trouble making up my mind on how to winterize my Lexus because I am getting a 1996 Mercedes S320 (rear wheel drive+traction control) from my brother in March. I would prefer to use the Lexus (better MPG) for our good weather car. S320 is very heavy, wonder if it will perform well in the snow. I would hate to have to store 8 snow tires in our almost too small for two car garage. Thanks and good luck on your tire hunting ,too.

heyhowyado

this might be a dumb question, so sorry in advance....but why get 4 snow tires??

don't you really only need 2 for the rear???

19psi

would you like to be able to stop and steer around corners? if you answer yes, then yo uneed 4 snow tires.

there is a jaguar in my bay right now that has only 2 rear snow tires.... i can't wait for him to call in and get 2 more once it snows and he realizes he can't stop!

19psi

to anyone looking at nokian: they make a very very good snow tire. they are a norwegian or swedish tire company; i can't remember exactly, but either way they have significant experience in snowy climate. i believe they were actually the first to make a dedicated snow tire for cars.

19psi

I had a mercedes. it was just as bad if not worse than the lexus in snow. the weight works against you in snow. the momentum tries to keep you moving when you want to stop and tries to keep you stationary when you're trying to get going.