barx

I just got our new RX AWD a couple weeks ago. It's mostly base. I was thinking about the premium 20" rims. I noticed most the higher end packages in the Bay Area had them, but the dealer wouldn't swap them out on my car for me for the option price ($1k). I'm still on the fence if I should buy the 20" rims from the parts dept or not. Question for folks on the forum:

- How does the 20" rims ride vs. the base 18" ones? I've heard it's a bit harsher, but I actually wouldn't mind that.
- If I'm going to go to Tahoe and driving in the snow a fair amount, are the 18" wheels better than the 20" ones? This is my first AWD car.

Thanks!

jdshaw

I would stick with the 18" wheels. Better ride. Longer tire life. Less expensive tire replacement.

dchar

I'm honestly not a fan of the 18" wheels...the wheels look like a carryover design from the last gen, and doesn't compliment this new body design very well.

Since you live in California, I assume that most of the life of the car will be driven in dry, hot weather, therefore having dedicated snow tires isn't necessary. The 20" wheels ride fine...still smoother than the 19" wheels on my GS. Yes, the tire replacement will be more expensive, but that's the price for better style.

Maybe wait until someone on the forums tries to sell their wheels in the classifieds.

barx

Thanks guys. I definitely don't need dedicated snow tires.

Yah, I felt the same way about these base 18" wheels. They look a little outdated on the new body style.

hon3kong

My 20" luxury wheels are super smooth compare to the 20s on my infiniti fx. Very comfortable ride on rx and feel every pot hole on the fx. So ride quility is more about suspension than wheel size

CSamurai

I thought that the 18" rims looked way too small... for that even if the ride is very slightly bumpier it would be well worth it!

3richard

20 inch is fine. Nice ride, better than the 13RX I had. Looks great also.

skiracer

I'm sure you can find some used 20" soon since some people will be looking to upgrade to aftermarket wheels...

noeldavid

Also tried to get the 20 inch 5 spoke split silver machined wheels with the Michelin Premier LTX 235/55/20 to my base 2016 RX and Sewell Dallas quoted me $4350 total ($600 each rim and $300 each tire). Park Place Plano quoted me $3,800 installed. Tried to upgrade before I bought the car but the salesperson told me they where not available yet and quoted me same ballpark figure to upgrade. It's my first time looking to upgrade wheels. Selling the Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus 235/65R18 106V and OEM 18" wheels at craigslist dallas for $1,800. I think the base wheels will grow on me after a while.

Talys1767

Just depends on how important wheels are to you. Personally, I think big wheels look really good, and add a lot to the car. The "sporty" look is big rims, low profile, of course.

Keep in mind, after market, there are great deals on nice stuff. You can probably even go larger than 20" if you want.

ted920

I completely agree and am of the same mindset.

22" wheels are perfect for the RX and with its great suspension, the ride will be quite good, all things considered, as well.

Personally, I will go with 22s on my RX when I get it.

barx

Yah, it's ridiculous b/c on the Lexus website, it says the 20" 5 spokes splits will cost you about $1k more. But if you want to do the upgrade at the dealership, they are basically selling you an extra set. Maybe if I held out until the end of the year, they might have done the swap for me, but it's too late now.

sderman

Agree that larger wheels look sexier, but remember that low profile tires means the rims are closer to the road and hence the rim sides are far more susceptible to curb damage. Learned that from my Vette.

dchar

Easily avoided if one orders the Panoramic View Monitor option, but I doubt OP has this option.

barx

Nope, I don't, but I did read in another thread that it may be possible to set the side view mirror tilt down more, but we don't have the memory setting option on our car, which I'm unclear if that is necessary to reset it or not.