Marcellsr Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 B) I'm a new Lexus owner of a 2004 ES330 and the can is SMoooooth!!!, Blk on Blk leather of course with the 4th gen navigation system. Plan is to put 18s or 19 inch wheels on. Anyone has thought on how this install will change the ride and handling? Will post pictures soon.
amf1932 Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 I'm a new Lexus owner of a 2004 ES330 and the can is SMoooooth!!! You won't improve the SMooooooth ride by changing to other size rims or tires! In fact you'll probably destroy something that was figured out to be the best balance by the Lexus designers. Besides it'll throw your NAV & speedometer accuracy off. Leave the car alone for awhile!!
SW03ES Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 Welcome and congrats! As long as you dont increase the overall diameter of the wheel/tire combo it wont throw the speedo or the nav off, but it will have a big effect on the ride. You may like it, you may not. Steviej switches to 18 inch wheels in the summer, he'll have an opinion here I'm sure.
steviej Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 sw, I have an opinion on everything, I just don't voice most of them. 18's will look real sharp and will improve the turn stability of the ES. but.......there is always a but.....there is a major tradeoff. you will loose some of the smooth ride and will increase the road noise that is so incredibly quiet with the stock 16's. 18's and 19's will severely decrease your sidewall of the tire if you stay within the same overall diameter specs. The diminished sidewall will leave your larger wheels prey to potholes and road crap.....bottom line is that you have a higher chance of bending an expensive modification. NAV and speedo won't change if you stay within recommended tire sizing. I run a 235/40-18 from May or June to October and have no change in the speedo or mpg that I get. Shop around. Whatever you do, don't get rid of the stock tires. Store them and keep them for winter use. here's a pic of my 18's. steviej
monarch Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 . Plan is to put 18s or 19 inch wheels on. Yes the smoothness, refinement and alot more would go out the window. But If you're a multimillionaire and the $38,000 you paid is just pocket change then you could experiment and not have to worry about anything that breaks or about the new car warranty that would be voided.
steviej Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 about the new car warranty that would be voided. the new car warranty is not voided. steviej
iammikey Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 Congrats on the purchase! I'll be installing 17's on my car in the next 2-3 months. The 18's I borrowed for my ES330 made the ride a little too firm, even with the suspension adjustment I made. There's also a trade off in the larger wheels. The tire life seems to differ significantly when comparing 17, 18, and 19 inch tires. With over 12,000 miles on my car since Sept, I have to do a little more research before investing in aftermarket parts. A better investment may be an invisible car bra. I've accumulated a lot of rock chips on the hood, and I am also in need of a new windshield. The service advisor commented that the paint is a little softer since Lexus changed the paint formula a while back.
SW03ES Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 Larger diameter wheels aren't going to void the warranty. In fact, Lexus dealers sell them themselves...
monarch Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 Larger diameter wheels aren't going to void the warranty. In fact, Lexus dealers sell them themselves... If the use of aftermarket wheels & tires causes or contributes to any mechanical trouble or early wear out of the wheel bearings, brakes, suspension or steering components then Lexus would not be legally obligated to cover the cost of the repairs under warranty http://www.saber.net/~monarch/wheel1.jpg
SW03ES Posted February 17, 2004 Posted February 17, 2004 But why would they? If there were any chance of the larger diameter wheels causing early wear of any of those components Lexus dealers wouldn't sell them... If you use a larger wheel/tire combo it causes problems, but if the overall diameter of the wheel/tire is the same and only the wheel diameter is increased then there's no problems whatsoever.
amf1932 Posted February 18, 2004 Posted February 18, 2004 If there were any chance of the larger diameter wheels causing early wear of any of those components Lexus dealers wouldn't sell them... My, how gullible of you. They'd probably sell anything to make a buck. :D
SW03ES Posted February 18, 2004 Posted February 18, 2004 LOL In all honesty though, Lexus wouldn't allow its dealerships to install such wheels if there was any adverse effect to the vehicle. Lexus themselves designed L-Sportline kits with larger wheels etc.
monarch Posted February 18, 2004 Posted February 18, 2004 If you use a larger wheel/tire combo it causes problems, but if the overall diameter of the wheel/tire is the same and only the wheel diameter is increased then there's no problems whatsoever. An increase in wheel diameter without an increase in overall diameter of the wheel/tire combo means the suspension, steering and wheel bearing componets and bushings of the car are going to take an extra hard beating and will wear out quicker than normal. There just wouldn't be much tire sidewall available to absorb road shock. Worse, the bigger wheels will encourage owners to corner more aggressively which will further stress and hasten the early wear out of the components and bushings. Now if an owner with oversize wheels and only 45,000 miles went into a Lexus dealer complaining of worn out ball joints, tie rods ends, wheel bearings, suspension struts or bushings I confess I do not know whether or not the dealer would cover the costs repairs under the 4 year / 50,000 mile general vehicle warranty. Or if the dealer might deny coverage by saying the aftermarket wheels and aggressive driving caused the early wear out of the components.
steviej Posted February 18, 2004 Posted February 18, 2004 if you have any doubt, then save your stock wheels and tires. If a problem should happen to develop, then you put the stock wheels on and go get it covered under warranty. No big deal. steviej
jeffnpigs Posted February 23, 2004 Posted February 23, 2004 Welcome to the club. One the other hand, I hate to say this, but it would appear to me that anyone who would want to put 18 or 19 inch wheels on an ES330 right from the getgo might have selected the wrong car. This is a luxury car with a luxury ride, and a 225 hp engine. Its not a sports car by any means. But I certainly hope that you are able to make the modifications which will make you happy with your car. Jeff
steviej Posted February 24, 2004 Posted February 24, 2004 One the other hand, I hate to say this, but it would appear to me that anyone who would want to put 18 or 19 inch wheels on an ES330 right from the getgo might have selected the wrong car. This is a luxury car with a luxury ride, and a 225 hp engine. Its not a sports car by any means. this is totally your opinion, Jeff. Many will dispute it. steviej
jeffnpigs Posted February 25, 2004 Posted February 25, 2004 "this is totally your opinion, Jeff. Many will dispute it. " Without question. But it is my belief, that unless disrespectful, each of us on the board has the right to our own opinion.
SW03ES Posted February 26, 2004 Posted February 26, 2004 I don't think Stevie meant to suggest otherwise ;)
Marcellsr Posted February 26, 2004 Author Posted February 26, 2004 I don't think Stevie meant to suggest otherwise ;) Yeah i'm cool with that, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm one of those guys who likes to enhance the look of the car. Tint windows, wheels...etc.
Marcellsr Posted February 26, 2004 Author Posted February 26, 2004 . Plan is to put 18s or 19 inch wheels on. Yes the smoothness, refinement and alot more would go out the window. But If you're a multimillionaire and the $38,000 you paid is just pocket change then you could experiment and not have to worry about anything that breaks or about the new car warranty that would be voided. Actually I paid $36K for it angave cash!!! so really I'm not that concern. after all it's only a car? :P
Marcellsr Posted February 26, 2004 Author Posted February 26, 2004 sw, I have an opinion on everything, I just don't voice most of them.18's will look real sharp and will improve the turn stability of the ES. but.......there is always a but.....there is a major tradeoff. you will loose some of the smooth ride and will increase the road noise that is so incredibly quiet with the stock 16's. 18's and 19's will severely decrease your sidewall of the tire if you stay within the same overall diameter specs. The diminished sidewall will leave your larger wheels prey to potholes and road crap.....bottom line is that you have a higher chance of bending an expensive modification. NAV and speedo won't change if you stay within recommended tire sizing. I run a 235/40-18 from May or June to October and have no change in the speedo or mpg that I get. Shop around. Whatever you do, don't get rid of the stock tires. Store them and keep them for winter use. here's a pic of my 18's. steviej Now that's what I'm talking about, SMOOTH....SHARP looking ES3000. I'm okay with loosing a little smoothness and of course, I will keep the stock wheels. :D
jeffnpigs Posted March 2, 2004 Posted March 2, 2004 marcellsr: I'm picking up a picture of your black on black 330 on my computer for the first time today. You don't have to do anything to enhance the looks of your car. I test drove a black on black, and the car was simply super sharp. :D So enjoy it (and wash it often.) I picked gold because my 330 will live much of its life under a tree. Pollin in the spring, and leaves in the fall. I thought it was a nice color that would minimize problems for me. The black on black is unquestionably (at least to me) a sharp color. Jeff
FLiP Sp33d Posted March 3, 2004 Posted March 3, 2004 Welcome to the club. One the other hand, I hate to say this, but it would appear to me that anyone who would want to put 18 or 19 inch wheels on an ES330 right from the getgo might have selected the wrong car. This is a luxury car with a luxury ride, and a 225 hp engine. Its not a sports car by any means. But I certainly hope that you are able to make the modifications which will make you happy with your car.Jeff imo, a car doesnt have to be a sports car to put 18 or 19 in rims. i think the factory 16in rims are too small for such a big car in the first place! the ride on that car with stock rims is so smooth that some people who test drove it claims it "has no soul!" so i guess bigger rims would alleviate this somewhat, plus it looks nicer too!
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