pro710

I really like this wheel made by Redline RD144. Supposedly the RD144 is the old design and they're changing to the STR 520. Same wheel but different center cap so they say.

Anyway found a place selling a staggered set 18x8.5 (+35mm) Front 18x9.5 (+40mm) Rear for 660 shipped

Will those fit on my OEM '13 tC as I'm not going to lower the car? Suggested 235/40/18 tire size but not sure if that for both front and rear? I can also just do 18x8.5 all around but since these will mainly be my SUMMER wheels I was thinking of going staggered.

Opinions on wheels? Staggered versus 8.5s all around and tire size suggestions Please?

KidJustin

those specs will fit. and the 235/40/18 is good for the 18x8.5+35...it will also fit the 18x9.5+40 though it will have a VERY minor stretch (i doubt it would be noticable). a 245/40/18 is a more normal fitting tire for that width

in a staggered setup the front will be nice and flush, the rear will be almost flush
in a squared setup (8.5 all around), the rear will be sunk in more by about 3mm (yes it is noticable. not bad, but noticable)

squared setups will also let you rotate your tires, staggered wont
staggered has no real performance/driving benefits on a FWD, it would mainly be for looks

an alternative solution would be to do a squared 18x8.5+35 setup all around and then get like 10mm spacers in the rear to flush it out

(and i would recommened lowering it just a little. TRD springs will give a minor drop (1") so u wont notice much difference in how u should drive, but still give it a nicer looking stance with those size wheels...if your concern is being "too low")

pro710

Thanks for the info and advice KID! Couple more ?s for ya..

I'm leaning away from the staggered setup so I can rotate so looking to do the 8.5" rim with 235/40/18s

1)Do you think that the 8.5" +35mm will stick a little farther out than the OEM wheels because I absolutely hate the way the stock rims are "tucked" in under the wheel wells.

2) Can you recommend some spacers or a link where I can buy them?

3) Recommend some tire brands and I think I also have to buy another set of TPMS

HOODedDutchman

Where did u find them for that price. They look nice might have to check them out.

pro710

HOOD. Quoted price shipped to the Chicago area from Aspecwheel

http://www.aspecwheels.net/

KidJustin

1) yes, it will stick out a lot more. about 1 cm out more. if you look at my thread you can sort of get an idea, mine are 8.5+30...its 5 mm more out compared to what you are looking at. most likely with your setup, if u look down from the fender it should be more or less flush, maybe just very slightly inward. no tucked for sure

2) if you want 10mm i would go with H&R, you could go as big as 15mm and get the bolt-on style ones from Eibach (just search for a 2005 Lexus IS300, its the same size hub as our tC2)...just search for brand + size on google and you can find where is the cheapest. or search the brand's website for the part number and search google from there

3) Falken or Hankook and you don't need new TPMS. just tell the shop that's going to put it together to take the old TPMS from the stock wheels and put it in the new ones. they shouldn't charge you for doing that

pro710

3) Falken or Hankook and you don't need new TPMS. just tell the shop that's going to put it together to take the old TPMS from the stock wheels and put it in the new ones. they shouldn't charge you for doing that[/QUOTE]

KID;

I was going to run my OEM set through the harsh Chicago winters (Salt etc) so as not to ruin the new rims. Therefore I'd need new TPMS if I don't want to stare at that bright yellow light right?

I see they make aftermarket TPMS and found a set of TITANs for about $136?

KidJustin

or just have them swap them back when you use the stocks?

other than the light...it wont negatively affect anything on the car so its not like you need to spend the extra $100 (plus have it programmed) just put a black tape over it

pro710

I'd like to use a beefier tire to help fill out the wheel well gap KID.

Is the 235/40/18 the best bet or can I look at 245/40/18 or other size. I don't want it to look like a truck, just trying to find the best size to fill out the huge OEM gap

If 235/40/18 is the optimal size for 8.5 (et35) rims DTD has the Nitto NT 555 at $135/tire while the cheapest Hankook (Ventus Noble S1) is at $158/tire. Cheapest Falken (Azenis FK453) is $163/tire

KidJustin

235 is the deal width tire for 8.5...less means you stretch more would look weird. if u want to fill gap i guess you should get bigger side wall (increase 40).

however i'm not sure if there is a tire that's say 235/45/18 or bigger. also a bigger sidewall also changes the way the car rolls...it could have negative or positive effects on mpg as well as speedo accuracy

check www.rimsntires.com and go to the size compare on the bottom left so see the difference

Nitto is okay too...but yea there's a reason why the better brands are more expensive