Wheel Upgrade, NEED ADVICE!!

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jrockcentral1

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I'll try and break this down so it's not so overbearing to read:

Right now I've got stock 16" alloy wheels and brand new Pirelli tires on a silver 01 LS. They have served me well BUT-

I want to upgrade in size to 18" and narrowed it down to several sets, the front-runner right now being the Konig "Theory" wheels I found out about on the internet.

here is a link with the rundown:

http://www.wheelsnext.com/default.cfm?action=dspWheel&MODEL=THEORY&color=HYPERBLACK

I also like these-
ENKEI | LX-6 | CHROME
http://www.wheelsnext.com/default.cfm?action=dspWheel&MODEL=LX-6&color=CHROME

ENKEI | LXM | CHROME
http://www.wheelsnext.com/default.cfm?action=dspWheel&MODEL=LXM&color=CHROME

I also had a couple of questions I thought I 'd run by the community:

1. Is there any loss in handling, ride quality, etc. associated with 18" rims?

2. The prices are basically the same, are there any major differences between the Enkidu and Konig brands?

3. On a silver LS, will the chrome be too "much" and too "loud"? (Don't want it to overpower the paint color/look cheesy)

4. Would the Hyperblack Konig's be too dull? (not spending all that $ if it's not noticable lol)

5. Is it holding onto the stock rims a good idea? (My reasoning: Won't fetch much for them to recooperate $ lost on new wheels, NJ in winter would be hell on the new rims, Pirelli's I have now are practically new, easy to switch back and forth if need be)

6. Anyone ever do business with www.wheelsnext.com? (Seems like they got a good deal, tires come ready for easy install, included tires, free shipping, etc.) Are there better/similar sites you've ordered from before?

Just please no "get 20s/5k rims," I am but a senior in HS with a part time job and college expenses on the horizon!

Thanks in advance guys for any help you can offer and for taking the time to read this! My knowledge on aftermarket rims is limited to what I've read on here and the elsewhere in the last week, hahaha. I really enjoy reading threads and learning something new (although not always good :rolleyes: ) about cars and the LS!
 
I like the Konig Theorys, and also the Enkei LXM, the 18's will look real nice especially those two wheels. I would recommend getting the Eibach lowering kit though to get rid of the Gap in the Wheel well.
1. I dont think there is going to be any loss in ride quality with 18's, they are one 1" away from the factory 17's most LSes are equipped with.
2. Both of those wheelmakers are name brands and are of good quality, Enkei actually makes alot of Toyotas factory wheels.
3. I like the way silver wheels look on a silver LS, but i dont think the chrome will be tooooo much, especially those ones.
4. If the hyperblack is pictured in that link i dont think it will be too dull, im not sure if that is the hyperblack tho.
5. Being in florida i dont experience winter wheels, but from what i know i wouldnt want to f*ck my nice new wheels up in the snow.
6. Never heard of them, you might want to call them and talk to them to find out more.
 
1. I think there would be a little more road noise if you keep the same overall height. aka. If you go to 18" wheels, you'll have to get skinnier tires to keep the same (or close to OEM) tire diameter.

5. I'd keep them and use them as winter wheels.
 
On a silver LS, a darker colored wheel will stand out; think about it, the rest of the car is light and bright... dark and shiny would get attention. The contrast is what Set's it off in this case.

moving from 16's up to 18's, you are going to notice a bit more firm ride; you're loosing 1" out of your sidewall, that's an 1" of rubber that is no longer there to absorb impact and road imperfections. Will it be pronounced? Not likely; a lot depends on the type of tire you go with.

However, with the downside comes an upside. The shorter side wall reduces flex (the very part we just talked about). This makes your handling more responsive and gives you more positive feedback.

Both brands are reputable

You might not want to hear this one but... see if you can offload those tires, but keep the wheels. When fall rolls around, order up a set of dedicated winter tires from tire-rack. I kid you not; the best all season tire runs like crap in the winter compared to the worst dedicated winter tire! I'm running bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's on my 03; they are a performance winter tire. A bit out of your range for price I'm sure. However, they make a standard winter tire which is more focused directly on the winter traction aspect called the WS-50 (I got this tire for my mother's Volvo S60 Turbo). This tire is less expensive and handles snow and ice like you're damn near glued to the road (that might be a minor exaggeration) but it doesn't handle high speeds (I believe it's only rated to 89 or 92?). I just checked and the WS-50's are selling for $110ea on tire-rack. Another tire in the blizzak line, the REVO is selling on closeout right now for $94 a tire. Anyway, I live in Michigan... so I feel your pain on the snow and ice. Anyhow, just my own thoughts!
 
rockcentral...
Check out discount tire company. They have those exact wheels by a company named Voxx. I have LX-6 but in brushed metal. They sell them in Chrome. Plus, it's $$$$ cheaper. I had them shipped, mounted on my tires, and balanced for free at one of thier stores.
 
I believe he stated he clearly does NOT want 20's.

Apparently he is a person who values the engineering that went into the LS. He also prefers not to have to deal with rubbing, rock hard ride, excess wear on wheel bearings, and all of the other negatives that bring the 20's crowd back to the forum in 6 months asking "hey..anyone want to buy my 6 month old 20's from me?"

Not only do "dubs" look inappropriate on the LS..the LS was never designed to run such a large wheel. And the unsprung weight on 20's is a significant negative in the acceleration and handling category. A true performance enthusiast wants to REDUCE unsprung weight, not increase it.

To the original poster...The first set would be my choice. Tasteful, but not overstated.

Careful with chrome rims..often times they end up leaking.

And ditto on the Eibach Pro kit springs. Depending on which tire size you go with in the 18 inch size, you will either have tolerable wheel well gap, or an amount that detracts from the aggressive look.

Also..have you checked out www.tirerack.com and www.discounttiredirect.com?
 
Check my sig. I have some wheels for sale and I'm in NJ.
 
you can pick up some 19 or 20 inch knock offs for some great prices, you may want to look into some of those deals, i probably will be selling my lexanis in the next month or so if you are interested in those. and no not because it is messing up my car like some people have said in this post. i am upgrading to 3 piece wheels so i can fit a bigger lip.
 
Just quickly read the responses and thanks again for the info, opinions, and sales Pitches ;) ! You guys rule!!!
I'll look into some of those links, etc. this week, I was in AC for the weekend and just got back. Absolutely dreading having to go to school and work, why can't I just work on the LS all day? haha
 
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