So I was in the search for a set of wheels for snow tires and came across these IS350 wheels on Facebook marketplace. They were cheap enough to take a gamble on, even though I've got a UCF20 with the front 4 pistons. Looks like they came from a newer model 2014+ Lexus IS. They're a staggered fitment: 18x8 +45 Front and 18x8.5 +50 Rear. Weird thing is, before I mounted up the tires, I test fit the driver side front wheel and the clearance was SUPER close, I mean you couldn't even fit a credit card between the wheel and the caliper. So I went ahead and got the tires mounted thinking everything was fine and would clear.

When I went to put the pass. side on, it rubbed, just barely. I have no idea why the Pass. side would rub when the Driver side clears. Reluctantly, I had to put my set of 15mm hubcentric spacers on. I might go back and skim the caliper a little bit where it was rubbing but have to be careful due to the piston being right there.

I think they look perfect, even better than the LS430 5spokes I was after for so long but couldn't find. Fitment on the other hand is very, very tight. The test fit picture is on the D/S without the 15mm spacer. All 4 on the car when on the ground is with 15mm spacers in front.

Anyway, here's some pics of them: Tires are some 245/45/18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM60s so they're a little chunky.

 

Those wheels look fantastic!

Did you buy the tires new, and how do they ride?
Does the car corner any different?

I ask about the tires because I'm shopping for 245/45/18 tires for my 2005 LS430 and want to keep the ride as soft as possible but don't want to give up performance.

 

Wow, that is a good look! It could benefit visually from coming down a little if you wanted. In any case I think that's a nice way to get some larger wheels on there without straying too far from the OEM look.

 

very nice, looks similar to my GS350 wheels

 

did you fully bolt down the wheel on the pass side, to make sure it really did not clear? you're right they should be identical left to right. in my experience if you can pass a sheet of paper across the caliper and the wheel, you have enough clearance.

I ran a set of wheels that only cleared with 1 sheet of paper, where two would not! it was fine. if you're not comfortable with that, a 5mm spacer will remedy it, and stock lugs can be used!

 

I bought them used off Craigslist for $200 (each one new is about $290 on Tirerack, so I couldn't pass that deal), but the guy only had them on his BMW for 1 winter season or 3000 miles before selling the car this spring. They literally have 10/32nds of tread left so basically new. Since its the middle of summer, I only put these on the car for a very short while at night to not wear them out in the heat. These 245s ride really nice, more plush than my 235/45/18s I have with my SC430 wheels. But those tires only have 4/32nds left so it might not be a good comparison. I felt a bit more squirm in the tires when cornering so that tells you how much softer of a compound these tires are. These tread blocks on the Blizzaks are also a lot more open to allow for snow and slush to evacuate much easier, so they'll flex a bit more.

245/45 is the right size though to retain the speedometer reading almost exactly.







yeah I know, If I lived back in AZ I would drop it, but living here in MI, I think to retain the ground clearance for winter might be necessary, not to mention I just spent a few hundred on new front shocks, mounts and alignment. My Honda Accord on the other hand....is lowered about 2.5" on coilovers

They do look very similar, I think mine are painted a darker silver and might have a bit more sculpting to them. When you look at these up close, you can really see how the wheel curves around the brake caliper.

Yeah I kinda upset when they wouldn't clear, especially since I had to take my compressor and tools out again and jack it back up in the air thinking it was a done deal. I feathered on the lugnuts with my impact after hand threading them in, and then lowered the car and torqued to 80ft-lbs, so they were fully seated on there. You think if I used Lexus front rotors instead of the Raybestos ones that they'd be a bit thicker?

I'm definitely not giving up on the no spacer fitment though, as it looked incredible on the D/S being that close to the caliper, I was envisioning painting them a cool color to make it pop too. All I need to do is BARELY skim some material off the caliper, but does the wall clearance for the piston allow for some shaving room to do so? If so, I'll give it a shot. Last thing I want to do though is grind away and then have a leak in the caliper as living here in MI, I most likely won't find a set of JY calipers anywhere for this vintage LS.

 

I've seen these calipers shaved down so 1-2mm will not cause a problem on the caliper. Just shave enough to make room, don't go overboard.

btw, I see you still have your accord coupe! I do as well, my 92 coupe now with an H23 vtec as I spun the bearings on the H22. such different cars from the LS!

 

Damn! Those wheels look great! If I ever get my 97 back in shape, this is the direction I am going. They are exactly the look I am thinking.

 

That's what I was thinking, I'll just grind enough to make it not rub and stop, don't really care how it looks afterwards since I'll most likely paint it now that they'll be much more visible with these wheels.

I'll probably keep my Accord forever. Just found some OZ F1 Cup wheels in Cali back in Feb and converted to 5lug too. I met another guy at work who's got a 2016 6-6 coupe that's making 290whp with a Flashpro tune and some RV6 exhaust and precat deletes, so I drove it today to work to show it to him, and probably will tomorrow since its nice and in the 70s-low 80s here in MI now, perfect weather leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise in a week's time.