correct tire size for lowering?

[seriousman]

Hi everyone,

I drive a 1999 toyota Camry LE and I recently bought some stock 2002 Lexus ES300 wheels for my car. It's the 9 spoke model found here Link.

Since my suspension is worn I also plan to buy some Tokico shocks and Eibach springs. The ad for the eibach says it will drop the ride height 1.2" for both front and rear.

I drive my car daily to work so I was wondering if anyone had a nice tire size suitable for my setup. I don't really want the slammed look or any rubbing under cornering. (really important since I drive in crappy NYC roads)

Someone told me that the correct size would be 215/55/16 but this is close to the OEM tire size for this wheel so I was a bit wary since the Eibach springs will lower the car a bit. Thanks for any advice given.

[T.L.C.]

Thats the size I have on mine with TL wheels except mine is alot lower than 1.2''. Key note after lowering remember to get alignment done when ever you change tires. I cant so mine last about 2-3 months tops. Hope this helps

[nodrogkam]

do you really want to lower your car?
if your roads are really bad i advise against it.

what TLC said about alignment is sad but true. If you dont get a camber kit, even alignments wont help. i do an alignment and 1 month after, its already off.

im lowered about 1.2-1.4 all around. Can't say that all the things i encounter are friendly to my car.

As for tire size...that sounds okay. Dont worry about rubbing and stuff like that, it should be fine.

I noticed you posted in the tirerack place too, and that's good. you should get your answer.

[ASG14]

Will be close to rubbing. I THINK you have a 45mm offset on those ES wheels. IF 215 series tires are too much, 205 would be fine. I THINK 215 should work on your car though.

[seriousman]

Originally Posted by ASG14

Will be close to rubbing. I THINK you have a 45mm offset on those ES wheels. IF 215 series tires are too much, 205 would be fine. I THINK 215 should work on your car though.

I used to drive a 93 Honda Civic EX and I lowered the car 1.8" f&r using the tokico and neuspeed setup. I know that getting a wheel alignment and camber kit is necessary if I plan on lowering my car.

The stock 9 spoke Lexus ES300 rim tire is 215/55/16 so will the tires still fit on the rims if I went with a 205 instead of 215? Isn't it not gonna be wide enough to fit the ES300 rims?

[triggerhappy007]

I have 17" GS rims with 215/45. Since your ES is 45mm offset too, 215 will probably fit. 205 will be on the safe side. Check tirerack.com to see what the right size is.

[jhbhatia]

I have the same wheels (well camry XLE rims were same as ES rims, at least they look very very similar). I have 215's on mine (not lowered and not rubbing), but they are thick. 205's should be suffice as well.

[seriousman]

Originally Posted by jhbhatia

I have the same wheels (well camry XLE rims were same as ES rims, at least they look very very similar). I have 215's on mine (not lowered and not rubbing), but they are thick. 205's should be suffice as well.

Does the 215 tire look like they fit properly on your camry or is there a noticeable difference that the tires are a bit to wide for the gen4 camry? (does the tires go past the fender)

[nodrogkam]

215's will stick out a bit. i think thats as wide as you can safely go with oem rims.

[seriousman]

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

215's will stick out a bit. i think thats as wide as you can safely go with oem rims.

Thanks for the info.

I checked tirerack and it said the OEM tire size for the ES300 rims are 215. I wanted to know if 205 tires are still going to fit on the rims when the OE size is 215? (isn't the 205 tires not going be wide enough to fit the OE rims that require 215)???

[nodrogkam]

oh well if the oe rim comes with 215 then get 215, dont go skinnier, although it may still be OK.

sorry i was basing my information off of the camry which i assumed used the same width tire as the es models.