18x8.5 Wheels On 2005 Gs300

[supercpa]

Hello. I was hoping someone could offer some guidance. I just purchased a new (leftover) 2005 GS 300 and have recently upgraded the factory wheels to 18x8.5 Ruff Racing wheels with 245/40/18's Nitto 555's all around. I am not thrilled with the road noise, but more importantly, I am not happy how the front wheels/fenders look, as it looks like there is a big gap between the tire and the wheel well, almost like the car is jacked up in front or the tires are too small (i am guessing this is due to the 40 series sidewall being so small). I checked the specs and the aftermarkets i put on are roughly the same diameter as the factory 225/55/16's. I thought that going to 245/45/18's would fix both the road noise and the gap. The place I got the wheels from told me that the car cant fit 245/45/18's. They told me my only option was to lower the car to close the gap. I am VERY concerned about doing this as I do not want to mess up the ride, I love it. Can the car handle 245/45/18's? Wouls that solve my problem? Should I lower? How far and where do I get that done?? Thank you in advance.

[new big400]

Hello. I was hoping someone could offer some guidance.  I just purchased a new (leftover) 2005 GS 300 and have recently upgraded the factory wheels to 18x8.5 Ruff Racing wheels with 245/40/18's Nitto 555's all around.  I am not thrilled with the road noise, but more importantly, I am not happy how the front wheels/fenders look, as it looks like there is a big gap between the tire and the wheel well, almost like the car is jacked up in front or the tires are too small (i am guessing this is due to the 40 series sidewall being so small).  I checked the specs and the aftermarkets i put on are roughly the same diameter as the factory 225/55/16's. I thought that going to 245/45/18's would fix both the road noise and the gap.  The place I got the wheels from told me that the car cant fit 245/45/18's.  They told me my only option was to lower the car to close the gap.  I am VERY concerned about doing this as I do not want to mess up the ride, I love it.  Can the car handle 245/45/18's? Wouls that solve my problem?  Should I lower? How far and where do I get that done??  Thank you in advance.

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The only way to eliminate this gap is to lower your car.There are alot of different options depending on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.If you just want to eliminat the gap,not spend a fortune And get something decent check out the l-tuned kit.This was an option and these are lexus parts.Or maybe Toyota??Good luck and congrats on your ride.

[supercpa]

Hello. I was hoping someone could offer some guidance.  I just purchased a new (leftover) 2005 GS 300 and have recently upgraded the factory wheels to 18x8.5 Ruff Racing wheels with 245/40/18's Nitto 555's all around.  I am not thrilled with the road noise, but more importantly, I am not happy how the front wheels/fenders look, as it looks like there is a big gap between the tire and the wheel well, almost like the car is jacked up in front or the tires are too small (i am guessing this is due to the 40 series sidewall being so small).  I checked the specs and the aftermarkets i put on are roughly the same diameter as the factory 225/55/16's. I thought that going to 245/45/18's would fix both the road noise and the gap.   The place I got the wheels from told me that the car cant fit 245/45/18's.  They told me my only option was to lower the car to close the gap.  I am VERY concerned about doing this as I do not want to mess up the ride, I love it.  Can the car handle 245/45/18's? Wouls that solve my problem?  Should I lower? How far and where do I get that done??  Thank you in advance.

←

The only way to eliminate this gap is to lower your car.There are alot of different options depending on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.If you just want to eliminat the gap,not spend a fortune And get something decent check out the l-tuned kit.This was an option and these are lexus parts.Or maybe Toyota??Good luck and congrats on your ride.

←

Thank you for responding. So at least now I feel better that the place that sold me the wheels and tires didnt lie to me. Some more questions now, as lowering a car is something very new to me. As for the l-tuned kit, will that mess up the smooth ride? How much will the kit lower the car? How much is the kit and how much should I expect to spend getting it installed (is this something the dealer would do or should I find a local tuner shop)? Will this mess up my warranty?

[p3style]

I have the L-tuned kit on my car - shocks/ struts and springs. If you just want to lower the car get the springs - which are around $275 on ebay. If you want to keep the warranty - get it installed at lexus. Going elsewhere will void the warranty, but cost you alot less - I paid $200 at a tuner shop and that included the 4 wheel alignment which must be done after you lower any car. I have 18's on my GS with 245/40 series tires and the car looks perfect with the l-tuned springs - the ride is awesome - not harsh at all. L-tuned are probably the most comparable to stock ride. About a 1-inch drop all around.

Hope that helps!

Hello. I was hoping someone could offer some guidance.  I just purchased a new (leftover) 2005 GS 300 and have recently upgraded the factory wheels to 18x8.5 Ruff Racing wheels with 245/40/18's Nitto 555's all around.  I am not thrilled with the road noise, but more importantly, I am not happy how the front wheels/fenders look, as it looks like there is a big gap between the tire and the wheel well, almost like the car is jacked up in front or the tires are too small (i am guessing this is due to the 40 series sidewall being so small).  I checked the specs and the aftermarkets i put on are roughly the same diameter as the factory 225/55/16's. I thought that going to 245/45/18's would fix both the road noise and the gap.   The place I got the wheels from told me that the car cant fit 245/45/18's.  They told me my only option was to lower the car to close the gap.  I am VERY concerned about doing this as I do not want to mess up the ride, I love it.  Can the car handle 245/45/18's? Wouls that solve my problem?  Should I lower? How far and where do I get that done??  Thank you in advance.

←

The only way to eliminate this gap is to lower your car.There are alot of different options depending on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.If you just want to eliminat the gap,not spend a fortune And get something decent check out the l-tuned kit.This was an option and these are lexus parts.Or maybe Toyota??Good luck and congrats on your ride.

←

Thank you for responding. So at least now I feel better that the place that sold me the wheels and tires didnt lie to me. Some more questions now, as lowering a car is something very new to me. As for the l-tuned kit, will that mess up the smooth ride? How much will the kit lower the car? How much is the kit and how much should I expect to spend getting it installed (is this something the dealer would do or should I find a local tuner shop)? Will this mess up my warranty?

←

[Neo]

Your car now looks like it is a 4x4 ;) because of the reduced sidewall and increased "metal" visibility. As you have figured out, the 245/40 tires on your 18s are the same outside diameter as the OEM wheels.

Going to 245/45 will reduce the gap but that is because the outside diameter is about 1" more. The result is 1/2" gap reduction and 1/2" more ground clearance. Because of the extra diameter, your speedometer and odometer will also be slightly off. Depending on the rim offset, you may also have some rubbing problems when you do full turns and reverse. You may also rub the top of the wheel well liner if you are on the freeway going fast enough and hitting a big dip. A nice thing about the 245/45 size is the extra sidewall to give you a more soft ride.

With all that said, your best bet is to go with a mild drop with aftermarket springs and shocks. This is the most economical way to do it. There are also coilovers but these will be more in the $1k+ price range. The L-Tuned setup is good if you can find it since the L-Tuned division is now defunct. If you are OK with the current ride quality, the shocks/springs will be fine. You will notice the car handles better and the car won't feel so floaty. You have already taken the biggest hit, in terms of ride quality, by going with the smaller performance sidewalls on the 245/40.

[supercpa]

Your car now looks like it is a 4x4 ;) because of the reduced sidewall and increased "metal" visibility.  As you have figured out, the 245/40 tires on your 18s are the same outside diameter as the OEM wheels.

Going to 245/45 will reduce the gap but that is because the outside diameter is about 1" more.  The result is 1/2" gap reduction and 1/2" more ground clearance.  Because of the extra diameter, your speedometer and odometer will also be slightly off.  Depending on the rim offset, you may also have some rubbing problems when you do full turns and reverse.  You may also rub the top of the wheel well liner if you are on the freeway going fast enough and hitting a big dip.  A nice thing about the 245/45 size is the extra sidewall to give you a more soft ride.

With all that said, your best bet is to go with a mild drop with aftermarket springs and shocks.  This is the most economical way to do it.  There are also coilovers but these will be more in the $1k+ price range.  The L-Tuned setup is good if you can find it since the L-Tuned division is now defunct.  If you are OK with the current ride quality, the shocks/springs will be fine.  You will notice the car handles better and the car won't feel so floaty.  You have already taken the biggest hit, in terms of ride quality, by going with the smaller performance sidewalls on the 245/40.

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Thanks for the response NEO, I am not 100% thrilled with the noise and vibrations from the 40 series, so my first choice was to try to just go to 45's. It sounds like going to 45's produces a whole new series of problems. Is there a way to go with the 45 series tires and fix all of the speedo / odo issues? So, if I cant have the softness of the 45 series without causing all kinds of problems, i will lower the car.

I saw the l-tuned springs (do these come with shocks?) I also saw another brand called Tanabe that produce a 1.3" drop in front and 0.9" in back. My concern is that the rear looks great now, it is just the front that needs to come down. I want to have the same gap in the front as there currently is in the back. Is there a way to lower the car so that the gap is consistent (or as close as possible) as the way around?

Also, when i look for lowering kits i find the springs but it does not say if they include shocks? Do they come together as one kit? If i need to also buy shocks, which do you recommend to keep the ride as smooth as possible? Thanks again!

[Neo]

Thanks for the response NEO,  I am not 100% thrilled with the noise and vibrations from the 40 series, so my first choice was to try to just go to 45's.  It sounds like going to 45's produces a whole new series of problems.  Is there a way to go with the 45 series tires and fix all of the speedo / odo issues?  So, if I cant have the softness of the 45 series without causing all kinds of problems, i will lower the car. 

←

Speedo/odo has to do with the wheel outside diameter. There really is nothing you can do about it. Going with 1"over spec is a problem but it is nothing new. 99% of owners who go with 20" rims have the same problem. The tires that go on the 20s for the GS is 1" over spec. I have 20s so I know. ;) You just have to be aware and be careful in those situations. If you are the type that does not want to deal with any of that, then this size is not for you.

I saw the l-tuned springs (do these come with shocks?)  I also saw another brand called Tanabe that produce a 1.3" drop in front and 0.9" in back.  My concern is that the rear looks great now, it is just the front that needs to come down.  I want to have the same gap in the front as there currently is in the back. Is there a way to lower the car so that the gap is consistent (or as close as possible) as the way around?

Also, when i look for lowering kits i find the springs but it does not say if they include shocks?  Do they come together as one kit? 

←

There are L-Tuned Springs ad L-Tuned shocks. They are sold separately or as a set. The only way to have full control of the gap is to get coilovers as you can adjust the height separately on each corner. Coilovers that have decent ride quality, however, range from 1300 - 4000 new. I am not sure what your budget is. I have the Tein CS coilovers and love them. There are talks/rumors of these being discontinued though. :(

If i need to also buy shocks, which do you recommend to keep the ride as smooth as possible?  Thanks again!

←

The L-Tuned shocks are one of the better units to get in terms of trying to maintain OEM ride quality. You have to keep in mind, though, nothing will ride exactly like OEM, especially if you come from a cushy OEM suspension with 16" rims with 60 series tires.

[indiasfinest]

mind posting some pics? thanx

[supercpa]

Here is a pic, not sure if this shows it well. Let me know.

[p3style]

Before I had 245/40 18's - I had 255/45 18's...they rubbed when I took sharp turns...maybe 245 45 18's will or won't...not sure...