johnson508

I want to move up to a 2006 LS430 before they get too many miles on them in the used market. However, the most interesting cars I have found have had stock 18" wheels.

To my taste, the ride was noticeably harsher than I have enjoyed with my 1998 LS400 with stock 16" wheels and Michelins.

Questions:

1. Can I move my stock 16" wheels from the 1998 LS400 to a 2006 LS430?
2. Can I move the stock 18" wheels from the 2006 to the 1998 (in order to sell?)

Thanks. They will get my Lexus 400 series keys when they can pry my cold dead hands from them.....

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

I moved OEM 17s and 18s back and forth between my 98 LS400 and 05 LS430 and fit both fine.

However both the 17s and 18s were LS430 generation wheels, never tried the LS400 wheels on the LS430 but suspect they'll be OK.

airtime

You should get pretty good money for your factory 18" as its sought after. Go with the factory 17" and you should be good.

Yangls430

Hay Dave, I'll buy those 18" from you. Let me knows

Yang

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

They're long gone. Put on aftermarket 19s, sold those and back to 17s for the comfy ride.

Suggest you check the wheels classifieds

MrXerox

Not to hijack but is there really that much difference in the ride between 16-18s? I read so many threads that make it sound like you go from riding on a cloud to a bumper car when you get larger wheels. Now I can understand the 19s and 20s because at that point your tire looks like a rubber band but the 18s look like there is plenty of sidewall....?

GLIDESUL

I went from 17 to 18" oem rims on my ls and the is more harsh and responsive so yeah there's a difference and those 16s should be like riding on a clould if they clear the ls big brakes.

m8554

I also had 3 different LS400s with 16" wheels. When I bought a 2003 LS430 with 17" wheels I noticed the difference in ride. Harsher, stiffer ride in the LS430. I just bought a set of 1999 LS400 16" wheels to use for the summer on the LS430 and will keep the 17" for winter use. I removed one of the front wheels and bolted on one of the 16" wheels and they fit fine and cleared the big brakes. I'm looking forward to the spring and the return of the soft ride I had with my LS400s. Not sure what tire I am going to use yet, either Michelin Primacy MXV4 or Goodyear Comfortred Touring. Looking for the smoothest, quietest tire.

johnson508

Great info, thanks all. I will get back with my results.

On the subject of tires, I have never had a bad experience with Michelins. Quite the contrary. Every time I put on a new set it is like returning the LS400 to its factory new ride. Cannot say enough good about my experience with the top of the line Michelins on 16" wheels.

MDEC

I also own a 2006 LS430 and plan to go to 225/60-16's from 245/45-18's for a more absorbent ride.

I was toying with 225/55-17's as a compromise between appearance and ride, but found the following website that made it quick work to calculate tire volume:
http://bndtechsource.ucoz.com/index/...alculator/0-20

245/45-18 = 15.33 liters
225/55-17 = 15.47 liters
225/60-16 = 16.45 liters

There's hardly a difference in volume between 18" and 17", but about two
20-oz Coke bottles worth of extra cushion to squeeze in the 16-inchers.

The stock 245/45-18 Dunlop Sport 5000 M tires are not only stiff, but they ring when hitting expansion joints at 70-80 mph... like a hammer hitting a flagpole (It probably doesn't help that they're five years old, but then again, they only have 11,000 miles on them).

I purchased and received some 16" 2002 LS430 7-slot refinished wheels from "Wheels_America" on Ebay for $400 plus shipping.

I'm driving my winter beater now, but plan on mounting the 16-inch set-up in the spring. I'm keeping the 18-inch combo to switch back and forth. I'll report back when I've tried the 16" tires.

AlexusAnja

2 extra inches of sidewall? That's ALOT of extra flex and give. I only went from stock '04 17" to '01 16" and I noticed the difference in ride. I can't even imagine 18" to 16" difference. If you thought 17" absorbed the rough roads good... 16" you really feel like you're riding a land boat.

AlexusAnja

Just for reference, I went 16" for winter with Blizzak... I didn't go 16" for all year.. that would be too plush for me.

MDEC

For sidewall height, I get the following from the Miata.net tire calculator (find it with a Google search for "Miata tire calculator")

245/45-18 sidewall = 4.3"
225/55-17 sidewall = 4.9"
225/60-16 sidewall = 5.3"

V8_Fan

Nothing really to calculate. The sidewall height is merely the first number (that's in mm) multiplied by the second number as a fraction, so

245mm*0.6/(25.4 mm/inch)=4.34" is the sidewall height. To get the entire tire diameter, just multiply that by 2 and add the rim diameter, so 4.34*2+18=26.7".

fergo308

I'm surprised a 16" wheel clears a 430's front brakes...

IMHO,17's would be more than cushy enough. My car has 18's and it's quite pleasant,even on average inner city roads.


Justin...