15" rims on an LS?

X

XR4Ti

Registered
Hi all,

I just took delivery of a 2005 LS yesterday and love it!

Now I have to face the snow. I am wondering if anyone has successfully run 15" wheels (alloy or steel) on an LS. I'm looking to put a 205/70-15 winter tire (since I have some new ones kicking around and they give me the same overall dia.).

I've done some research and found that apparently the '88-'97 Continental had a 15" wheel (at least the earlier years did) that seems to match up with the LS. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe the LS rim is:
- 5x108mm lug spacing
- 63.6mm center bore
- ~35-40mm offset

My concern is that a 15" may not clear the caliper (or I may have to look at alloys only and not steel rims to get brake clearance).

Has anyone been there-done that?
 
Thanks!

Just as a followup on further research I've done. Every tire/wheel supplier has told me:

a) no 15" are available
b) no steel rims are available

Now I haven't pulled off the wheel to have a look but everyone cites the Jag brake setup. And, to correct my earlier estimate, the offset is +60mm, though most aftermarket wheels seem to be around 50mm (and I guess those running really wide rubber are using an even smaller offset).

So the best I can go with are 16" alloys. And while most suggest a 215/60, I figure I can get away with a 205/65 -- a little higher sidewall will help minimize pothole damage.

So for those with winter tires/rims, what are you running?
 
Winter tires? What is that? Lol

I have heard of this S N O W stuff, but never seen it. When we prep a vehicle for winter around here, it means turning the AC off and rolling the windows down...
 
Nyt_Muves said:
Winter tires? What is that? Lol

I have heard of this S N O W stuff, but never seen it. When we prep a vehicle for winter around here, it means turning the AC off and rolling the windows down...
Click to expand...

Haha -- don't I wish! I'm going to have snow in my yard 'til May this year. At least I make good use of my heated seats!

BTW, here's a followup. I ended up getting a set of Bilzzak WS-50 205/65-16s and a set of 16" alloy wheels from TireRack. Both were being cleared out so total was around $570.

I didn't actually try out any 15" wheels -- alloy or steel, but was not too threatened by the calipers once I took them off. What's that on a there -- a 12" rotor?
 
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