98SC400

I just purchased a '98 Lexus SC400. The stock 225/55 -16 tires need to be replaced. I would like to replace them with 245/50 - 16 tires. Are there any downsides to doing this? Will the tires clear the wheel wells?

SC300Es

Try this

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

btw, nice car, nice color

Skulinex

it would be almost OK, take in consideration that the newer rims <five star?> are for some reason thinner than the ones from 94-96 at 6.5in compared to 7 inches...can't remember exactly where I read that the max safe width for 7in wide is 235 so...

SC4Hundred

Yes, It would fit without clearing problems.

98SC400

When I looked at the Lexus FAQ - it said that SC400s had 7.5" wheels standard. Now you're telling me that my rims are actually 6.5"? Are you sure?

LEXBOGGY

Hey man I have the same size on my 93 sc400 in the rear and it works out fine.

98SC400

Can anyone verify that the wheels on the '97 and newer SC400s are 6.5"? The FAQ says 7.5" and does not distinguish amongst years. Is there somewhere I could find out ? - I checked my owner's manual and it does not specify the wheel width.

aliga

iTrader: (147)

It will fit, I had the same setup. Don't recommend it because the tire will be too wide for the rim.

VQT

Look at your rim it should show some where on the rim 16 x ....
my 93 ten spoke read 16x7 JJ
and yes I have 245-5-16 on my 93 and I am happy with it

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm. I know the later model year 5-spoke rims are actually 6.5" wide. The older 16" rims for the SC400 were 7" wide and the 16" rims for SC300's were always 6.5". The GS rims are 7.5" wide. I think they all ran 225/55 tires though.

It's funny, I posted awhile back asking people if I could fit 245/45/17 tires on a 17x7" (IS300) rim and everybody kept warning me that the tire was too wide for a 7" rim. Just a thought, I'd ask the Tirerack guys in the tires forum.

98SC400

I just looked at my '98 SC400 rims. They read 16X6.5 JJ.

I checked the Continental website and they recommend a minimum 7" rim width for their 245/50 -16 inch tires. I am planning to buy the Contiextremecontact. tires. I will now buy the standard 225/55 - 16 tires thanks to the help from this great forum.

Tom

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Great choice in tires, BTW. Exceeds all expectations, especially at the price.

soarer 300

I have 11" slicks on the back of my car and they stick out exactly an inch.

So....245's will fit without a problem. My 275's fit and still had room to go.

98SC400

The earlier model Lexuses had 7" stock rims . My '98 model has 6.5" stock rims (Bummer!)
If I had an earlier model Lexus such as yours - 245 tires would fit with no problems. With mine, the rims are too narrow.