loopydloop

Hi S2KDDS. I thought the wheels were factory chromed, too. They look beautiful. But I was assured at Lexus, just today, that their chrome wheels are just the normal alloy wheels, chrome plated (at the factory or when they reach the states is unclear) but one thing that is for sure (so they say, off the record, when confronted) eventually chrome plated wheels will peel. I found out the hard way. Twice.

I took my GS300 (see earlier post above) to my local Lexus Dealer yesterday and, for a cost of $90 (diagnostic fee), they told me what I had told them in the first place - That the wheels were peeling chrome causing the tires to leak and had done so before. They told me that all chome plated rims eventually peel and that this speads like a cancer on the chrome. They also informed me that new chrome wheels would cost $2500 and there was no guarantee that these would not peel in a couple of years as well. I politely declined the replacement and I am looking for some nice, NON plated, aftermarket rims that will look good with this model. That's the latest from me and, for my money, I would stay away from chrome plating unless you want a lot of headaches. They sure look great but they'll cost you and cost you down the road a piece.

Greetings. I have a 1995 GS 300 in impeccable condition but I, too, have the air loss from peeling chrome on the rims. I took it to the dealer a few years back and found that they are, indeed, sent out to be chromed. I have had all my wheels rechromed once at a very high cost and a year later they were leaking again so I don't want to go that route again. I love the car and I am the original owner. It is all original and working great at 98,000 miles. But, I have to say I have about had it with this tire leak problem and I am nearly ready to replace the chromed rims with something new that will not peel. I had to replace original equipment, but this is ridiculous, expensive and unsafe. Are there some thoughts or suggestion out there on what I might do? Loopydloop