my.IS is the largest Lexus IS250, Lexus IS300, Lexus IS350 Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads. Please Register - It's Free!
Here is a list of things I did in order for my wheels to fit perfectly, with NO RUBBING, on a 245/35 tire:
Wheel specs:
18x9 +25 / 18x10 +33
215/40 F / 245/35 R
Camber:
-3* R
-2.25* F
Toe:
0 F
0 R
Current fender to ground clearance on all 4 corners is 23.15".
Front:
I just rolled using a ball hammer and light taps, while holding the outside of the fender and using a towel to protect the paint from the hammer. Completely flat. They've been pulled about 5mm as well, nothing drastic.
-I then cut out about 1/3 of my fender liners near the outside fender and then heated them up, and pushed it up, creating much more room to work with.
Rear:
-Roll flat with fender roller.
-Flare fender about 15mm evenly on each side, with fender roller.
-Trim the leftover metal that you were unable to roll near the rear bumper tab (all the way down to the end of the fender, where it meets the bumper).
-Cut out about 1/2" of the metal mounting point for the bumper and make it rounded, so it won't rub on big dips. Then take a ball hammer and pound it a little flat to gain extra clearance. Smooth the sharp edge afterwards.
-Cut off close to half of the plastic bumper tab cover, as it will be the first thing to rub.
-Take a file, and file down about 1/3" off the inside lip of the bumper (which is basically just a continuation of the fender lip). Starting at the end of the fender, file downwards for about 2 1/2" (taking off about 1/3-1/2 of an inch) and then taper it off. This is to continue the line of the rolled fender, since the bumper would also rub on big dips if it weren't filed down.
Extra "unnecessary" work:
-I painted the inside fender lips with high-heat clear (about 4 coats), so if it did rub, it wouldn't mar my paint.
-I also filled the tiny gap between the rolled fender lip and the inside fender with outdoor silicon. That way, it doesn't collect dust, dirt, and debris inside the fender lip.
Wow, tough choice. I can see why you're having trouble. I would have to go with the Algernon Intellesse first, then the 2nd set of Works and finally the RPF1's.
__________________
“I’m sorry, but having a DB9 on the drive and not driving it is a bit like having Keira Knightley in your bed and sleeping on the couch.” - Jezza
Wow, tough choice. I can see why you're having trouble. I would have to go with the Algernon Intellesse first, then the 2nd set of Works and finally the RPF1's.
I know... I'm leaning towards the lower offset VS-XX.... But then again the Intellesse are so rare and hard to find.
I'm guessing that the 35/38 Enkei's will have the best fit (without having to do a lot of fender work), but I'm a sucker for a polished lip, so I'd go for the Work VS-XX 18x8 +38 & 18x9.5 +38. If you drop it to a zero finger gap, the rear should be flush or have a little poke. My 18x9+38 (rear) were flush with a 0.25-0.5 finger gap. 18x8+38 will be sunk once you drop it to a 0.5 finger gap. Yeah, the "x finger gap" isn't an exact science, but you get the idea lol.
I'm guessing that the 35/38 Enkei's will have the best fit (without having to do a lot of fender work), but I'm a sucker for a polished lip, so I'd go for the Work VS-XX 18x8 +38 & 18x9.5 +38. If you drop it to a zero finger gap, the rear should be flush or have a little poke. My 18x9+38 (rear) were flush with a 0.25-0.5 finger gap. 18x8+38 will be sunk once you drop it to a 0.5 finger gap. Yeah, the "x finger gap" isn't an exact science, but you get the idea lol.
Do you have plans to track these wheels?
Negatory on the the tracking. Just plan on DD'ing them. I don't auto-x so hopefully they'd stay in good condition like my current wheels have.
I have 18x8 +40 F right now and they're sunken in at my -.25 finger gap. I plan on having a finger gap at most and also adding maybe a 5mm spacer up front, but my only concern would be my 6kg rear coils since they're so soft. I never have anyone in the car, but there's always that chance of hitting a bad bump and compressing the suspension too far to where it hits the flush wheels/tires. But whatever.
As far as unsprung weight advantage goes, I'd go with the RPF1's (that and they're a hell of a lot cheaper), but I have always wanted some Work VS-XX in gold for my GGP... I'm a sucker in that regard.
haha, yeah I saw that the 2 sets are pretty close. At my current ride height, I would have liked my wheels to be a little more aggressive. I could always run spacers, but I don't want to bother with them.
If they are just going to be DD wheels, just go for what ever tightens the front of your trousers.
haha, yeah I saw that the 2 sets are pretty close. At my current ride height, I would have liked my wheels to be a little more aggressive. I could always run spacers, but I don't want to bother with them.
If they are just going to be DD wheels, just go for what ever tightens the front of your trousers.
Yeah they're somewhat conservative but I think it really wouldn't make too much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. It could just potentially create more of a hastle for daily driving. What coils are you using now? I'm thinking about replacing the rear springs to the 8kg eibachs on my ExV's to compensate for the mushy ride and hopefully the aggressive offset won't create many problems.
it is hard, i dont know, i would not go aggressive if u want wide tire but u have stated what u want to run so i guess u know exactly what u want, i wouldnt go aggressive only cause i want a fat tire in the rear
the difference between the 2 brands besides the weight and price, is obviously detail and standing out, the Enkei's are like racing wheels that do not grab your attention too much, but just enough to blend and be subtle
so what is the reason for 18's vs 17's? u do know that tire prices between the two just gets bigger and bigger the bigger the tire you put on and brand wise too
i just wonder how much of a benefit 17's are over 18's in performance if you have both relatively the same weight
i know i felt big difference from the stock wheels to the ones i have which are also like 16 lbs or something like that
it is hard, i dont know, i would not go aggressive if u want wide tire but u have stated what u want to run so i guess u know exactly what u want, i wouldnt go aggressive only cause i want a fat tire in the rear
the difference between the 2 brands besides the weight and price, is obviously detail and standing out, the Enkei's are like racing wheels that do not grab your attention too much, but just enough to blend and be subtle
so what is the reason for 18's vs 17's? u do know that tire prices between the two just gets bigger and bigger the bigger the tire you put on and brand wise too
i just wonder how much of a benefit 17's are over 18's in performance if you have both relatively the same weight
i know i felt big difference from the stock wheels to the ones i have which are also like 16 lbs or something like that
Hahaha you should get the RPF1's and I'll get the VS-XX
Well, with a 18x9.5 +38, I can still run a 255/35 or even a 265 if I want, I just cant be at my current ride height and I'll have to pull the fenders a little. Kaptain86 did it with his 18x9.5 +38 RPF1's and that's what I planned on running with, I just happened to find those Work VS-XX that had the same offsets and I've wanted a set for the longest time! Also, kdog had 18x9.5 +38 with the fender lips rolled flat and no other mods with a 245/40, no rubbing.
I don't have my car for performance purposes, because it's not turbo, and it's pretty slow regardless. The weight difference between the VS-XX and my current setup will be maybe adding a lb or two to the rear and that's it. I could get the RPF1's and gain a better edge performance wise, but I'm not in that mindset. I'm getting 18's because I think 19's are too big for how low I want to be, and 17's look too small in the wheel wells and have to bulky of a sidewall. I think a 40 series sidewall on an 18" wheel is the perfect composition of style, comfort and performance. I think others would agree, which is why many choose to go with 18's over 17's. Now when it comes to track wheels, light 17's are the way to go!
personally i'd not go w/ any VSXX's, they are overrated. It's kinda of a "Me too" wheel.
I'd love to get some Intellesse, but the only problem is that I can't find the right offset and width! The ones up for sale now are super sick but I want a slightly wider rear. 19's are also a no-go. Haha I think VS-XX's are COMPLETELY overrated and way too many people have them!
However, I really don't care what other people have. Hahaha they're a sick wheel and I have honestly never seen any in real life, so I think that the chances of running across someone in my area that has them is slim to none.
Hahaha you should get the RPF1's and I'll get the VS-XX
Well, with a 18x9.5 +38, I can still run a 255/35 or even a 265 if I want, I just cant be at my current ride height and I'll have to pull the fenders a little. Kaptain86 did it with his 18x9.5 +38 RPF1's and that's what I planned on running with, I just happened to find those Work VS-XX that had the same offsets and I've wanted a set for the longest time! Also, kdog had 18x9.5 +38 with the fender lips rolled flat and no other mods with a 245/40, no rubbing.
I don't have my car for performance purposes, because it's not turbo, and it's pretty slow regardless. The weight difference between the VS-XX and my current setup will be maybe adding a lb or two to the rear and that's it. I could get the RPF1's and gain a better edge performance wise, but I'm not in that mindset. I'm getting 18's because I think 19's are too big for how low I want to be, and 17's look too small in the wheel wells and have to bulky of a sidewall. I think a 40 series sidewall on an 18" wheel is the perfect composition of style, comfort and performance. I think others would agree, which is why many choose to go with 18's over 17's. Now when it comes to track wheels, light 17's are the way to go!
i think the big problem with RPF1's is that everyone and there dog has some wheel that looks like it :/
but for the price and performance you cant go wrong, and i think you could always sell them easy though not worth much if you buy them for 200-300 each?
i do see your point on the 18's but you end up paying for a tire the same price as the freaken wheel.. or do you go with cheap tires?
oh can you fit 275's on those 9.5's? with the 45 offset? cause 275's are like 245's when it comes to how off your speedometer would be, 265 are like 2% and 255 are in between the 245's and 275's
i think the big problem with RPF1's is that everyone and there dog has some wheel that looks like it :/
but for the price and performance you cant go wrong, and i think you could always sell them easy though not worth much if you buy them for 200-300 each?
i do see your point on the 18's but you end up paying for a tire the same price as the freaken wheel.. or do you go with cheap tires?
oh can you fit 275's on those 9.5's? with the 45 offset? cause 275's are like 245's when it comes to how off your speedometer would be, 265 are like 2% and 255 are in between the 245's and 275's
Yeah they certainly are a very common wheel style! That's why I like the Works and Algernon's... They're unique! Plus, the gold face and polished lips would look sick on my GGP.... The RPF1's are about $300 apiece and could probably be resold for a decent amount down the road. However, the VS-XX and the Intellesse will have a fantastic resale value down the road (provided they're in good condition). Plus, they can always be refinished and sold for a decent amount of pocket change!
Actually, the tires I buy are relatively inexpensive in most cases. I'm planning on buying some S-Drive's also, and "out the door" cost from discount tire direct for some 225/40 255/35 is a little over $700. For the same S-Drive's you have (245/45r17), it's $650 out the door......
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
» Wheel & Tire Center
and brand wise too
