Twinram

the picture shows hole's 3 and 5 not 3 and 4.

I had mine converted and went to Hertz speakers. Very happy. Wasn't cheap by any means but the results were better than the stock system .

I believe you do. U tube has videos.

I'm in Washington State but we have companies that do Wheel restoration but its starts at 150 per wheel. Not sure I'd be willing to invest that in that wheel.

Have you run both types on the car? Until you can say yes you're missing out on a much better ride and performance overall. If you don't believe me go talk to an honest tire shop, not one trying to up sell you but one that wants to fit you and your car properly.

If you have the prices? Why don't you have the two different part numbers already? I'm confused? I don't have either part number.

Until you ride in a same car with a standard tire, then you will feel the difference.

I changed mine at 100K. I think it's cheap piece of mind. If you give the dipstick a little twist as you push it in it will go easily. Keep in mind your fluids are 20 years old. I did the differential at the sametime.

I weigh out the cost of maintenance verses the cost of loss. So my timing belts will be changed by the recommendations. I change my boat trailer tires with brand new tread everytime. The age of the tire is what makes me change them, and if I should lose a $80 tire it could take out a $3000 fender or worse the side of the boat. So with that view point that $80 seems well spent for the insurance. But it you choose to run a timing belt for 20 to 30 years because you're only putting 5K miles or less per year on the car again that is your choice. But having to replace the motor due to a timing belt loss would have paid for the Timing belt job 10x over....

It's cheap in the view of things. I don't want to have to replace this motor. I shopped for 9 month before buying my SC430. I have done maintenance that it turned out had already been done. I'm not going to call the prior owner with these types of questions. I save those calls for important stuff. So I did all the fluids a week ago. engine oil it was due and I knew it from the miles I had put on. Transmission fluid was perfect when I dropped the pan, no burnt smell, no metal on the magnets in the pan. Cleaned it all anyway, changed the filter and gasket and added 6 quarts back in. But perfect fluid should have been my clue that it had been done. LOL Get back to the differential, and you guessed it, dumped out perfectly clear, like new gear oil. Let it drain anyway and refilled with 2 quarts. I think most people with these cars keep the maintenance tip top. That is a plus in my book. I intend to keep this car so I like knowing where it stands maintenance wise. Yes it costs a little money but I do believe it helps the cars last. And that's why I picked a Lexus and not a Mercedes or other cars of this type of styling. If you want to gamble on maintenance there are plenty of other models of Lexus cars or others out there to do that with. But I bought this car because it's becoming a classic and its got the Toyota drive train. I plan to keep the car the rest of my life and enjoy it for all that time.

Nice Car! The insurance of having the timing belt replaced is worth it to me.

I have no experience with the method you're describing. But when I purchased my 2003 the passenger seat cushion had what appeared to be a puncture mark from a pen in someone's pocket. I found a used seat cushion and had an upholstery shop switch the leather cover from one cushion to the other. It all looks like new again. I would suggest talking to an Upholstery shop near you.

True, but I always saw it as the weak point of the looks of the car. Lot's of options out there to go with wheels.

Upgrade the wheels...

My 2003 had tire sensors and warning light was on. Searched how to disconnect it and problem solved. I'm not running run flat tires anyway so I just do it the old fashion way.

Do you know how your struts are? I'm planning on doing mine in this coming year.

I looked and my car has 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+. They ride ok but I think more sidewall would ride better. I have a VW that has this same tire size and the ride isn't nearly as good as my Lexus.

If the tires are dry rot, expect the speaker foam to start failing also. That's what I found. You can rebuild them or move on from them. I moved onto Hertz components for all the car with the exception of the Sub. I didn't want any cutting of anything so I went with Audiofrog Sub. It's 8" and fits in factory location. I did have to add amps to drive it all, but again totally unseen to the nakid eye.

Also if you currently have a 18" wheel you can go to a tire with a 55 or 60 sidewall.

If it says the front end comes off it is required. I had a fog light out. Entire front end off to change the bulb. Needless to say Every single light in the front end was changed at the same time.

Your wheels have to clear the rotors. You can stay the same size wheel and just go to a tire with more sidewall. From what you show in pictures I would keep looking, Try looking into TSW.

Are you sure that's not also killing the memory circuits? Radio, ECU's and such.

Frank beware the speakers will start to fail. If you're an Audiophile person you will be upgrading deck and speakers. I replaced the deck with a Pioneer with all the current features. Then did Hertz speakers in all the car with the exception of the sub. I went with Audiofrog sub because they made one that fit in the exact factory location. Then did separate amps for them, that are mounted in the trunk but can't be seen. The sound is 5x better than factory Loud and clear top up or top down.

Or time. 6/7 years and should be changed.

I just checked my papers. Done at 90,000 miles. 2003 SC430. Complete timing belt kit and labor 2 years ago 13xx. With oil change. So with inflation I would expect it to be 14xx now.