19" vs 18" wheels & tires - advice please
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,281
Likes: 362
From: Canada
If you're getting high quality / oem-spec rims than changing them out isn't a big deal. You have to remember though, there's a big reason why you have to stick to perfectly oem-spec, even down to weight and tire sizes: you're messing with highly calculated and a very electronically aided car using standard values.
In my opinion, I think getting the smallest available oem-spec wheels is the best. I find that Lexus works hard to be the best (and is) in the ride comfort category. Why try to spoil their achievement?
In my opinion, I think getting the smallest available oem-spec wheels is the best. I find that Lexus works hard to be the best (and is) in the ride comfort category. Why try to spoil their achievement?
Personally I think 22's look too big on the car(yes I have seen a few pics of 22's & 20's on the car), 18's definitely look too small, 19" wheels with no lips start to look better, so I think 19" to 21" are good for me depending on the style/design of the wheels. Wheels with prominent lips would need a 20" to look good.
I would like to preserve good ride comfort too as best I can when I get this car, so I won't go too big. That's why I will consider an OEM 19".
I switched from OEM 18's on my G35 coupe to 19" HRE's & I think the difference in ride is negligible even with the lower profile tires, that car has a stiff ride to begin with, I don't feel it's really noticeably harsher after I switched to the 19's.
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: CA
I have not noticed a significant improved or less improved ride with my 20" rims. I have noticed my gas mileage dropped slightly.
Regarding the reason for the warning from Lexus about not changing out for larger wheels...I was told by the dealer the primary reason has to do with the the self-park feature. It calculates based on the proper revolutions of the tire when parking itself.
I agree that the 18" rims look too small for this vehicle and that 22" look too overwhelming. Anything between a 19" - 20" (depending on style) looks more proportionate to the vehicle size. As previously mentioned, I posted I have Yokohama Sport Advan tires on my vehicle and have been happy with their handling and low noise level. However, it doesn't rain much in California (and we so disparately need it right now) so I can't comment on how these tires would work in rain yet. It's a summer, dry-weather tire, so I don't have my hopes up too much. However, I have seen posts on this tire that claim they handle satisfactorily in wet weather. Good luck!
Regarding the reason for the warning from Lexus about not changing out for larger wheels...I was told by the dealer the primary reason has to do with the the self-park feature. It calculates based on the proper revolutions of the tire when parking itself.
I agree that the 18" rims look too small for this vehicle and that 22" look too overwhelming. Anything between a 19" - 20" (depending on style) looks more proportionate to the vehicle size. As previously mentioned, I posted I have Yokohama Sport Advan tires on my vehicle and have been happy with their handling and low noise level. However, it doesn't rain much in California (and we so disparately need it right now) so I can't comment on how these tires would work in rain yet. It's a summer, dry-weather tire, so I don't have my hopes up too much. However, I have seen posts on this tire that claim they handle satisfactorily in wet weather. Good luck!
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: CA
I find the Advan Sports to be excellent in the rain. I was quite surprised at how good they are in the rain.
The only two weak points of this tire, IMO, are the rapid wear and a slight tendency to tramline. The tramlining is better than the RE050s I had on my car before the Advan Sports, but still noticeable. Don't know if you'd even notice it on an LS.
nb
The only two weak points of this tire, IMO, are the rapid wear and a slight tendency to tramline. The tramlining is better than the RE050s I had on my car before the Advan Sports, but still noticeable. Don't know if you'd even notice it on an LS.
nb
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: CA
Help me out NoBuddy...what is tramlining? Have you already gone through a set of Sport Advan tires...if so, how many miles did you get out of them? Saw that you are also from CA, so if you had rain experience it was either out of state or a long time ago! 
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: CA
As I stated, it's not too bad with the Advan Sports and shouldn't affect the LS.
In terms of wear, I haven't gone through a set yet; just going by the treadwear rating on the tire and what I've heard. I go through tires fairly quickly, so my usage is hardly typical.
As for rain, it was out of state that I tried them on rain. I also have a part of a track I own that can be soaked with water. I did quite a bit of testing there.
Hope this helps,
nb
Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: WI
I will be happy to give my opinion on the wheel issue. I have had 20" wheels and 19" wheels and 18" wheels. Yes the 20" wheels turned my 73K LS 460 into a 10K piece of crap. Any one that tells you the ride is the same or close is a lier. The 19" are livable but yes the ride is stiffer, if you what the softest ride and IMO the ride this automoblie was made for stay with the 18".
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Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: WI
No your wrong. Because I have had all three sizes on my car it is not opinion it is fact. It is also the facts has experienced by many Lexus salesman I have talked who also had riden in 460's with different wheels sizes. Hard to argue with Physics. Sorry to make you feel bad.
No your wrong. Because I have had all three sizes on my car it is not opinion it is fact. It is also the facts has experienced by many Lexus salesman I have talked who also had riden in 460's with different wheels sizes. Hard to argue with Physics. Sorry to make you feel bad.
for the record, i rode in ls460l with air suspension and 22s. i have no issue with the ride, very close to stock in my opinion.
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: CA
No your wrong. Because I have had all three sizes on my car it is not opinion it is fact. It is also the facts has experienced by many Lexus salesman I have talked who also had riden in 460's with different wheels sizes. Hard to argue with Physics. Sorry to make you feel bad.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: VA
Update: I decided to downsize to 18" wheels and change tires. The dealer provided a set of the standard (not Telios) LS wheels and I went with the Michelin Pilot MXM4 tires.
I've put about 200 miles on the car since the switch and I believe noise was reduced significantly and ride quality was improved as well. So far I am pleased with the results.
I've put about 200 miles on the car since the switch and I believe noise was reduced significantly and ride quality was improved as well. So far I am pleased with the results.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: WI
Update: I decided to downsize to 18" wheels and change tires. The dealer provided a set of the standard (not Telios) LS wheels and I went with the Michelin Pilot MXM4 tires.
I've put about 200 miles on the car since the switch and I believe noise was reduced significantly and ride quality was improved as well. So far I am pleased with the results.
I've put about 200 miles on the car since the switch and I believe noise was reduced significantly and ride quality was improved as well. So far I am pleased with the results.
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