The Lexus dealership is suggesting replacing the manufactured equipped 18” wheels with 20” for a new SUV at an additional price of $1,200.
My big concern is about:
- The SUV software speedometer might not be calibrated to the new 20” wheels.
- The suspension is not tuned to support the extra weight of heavier wheels and tires.
- The geometry of the SUV might not be correct for bigger wheels and tires.
I think the dealership would like to get extra dollars by suggesting 20" wheels. I will definitely stay with the 18" OEM manufactured equipped SUV.
Any advice that you can give me about staying with the manufacturer 18-inch wheel or upgrading to 20-inch wheel size would. Be greatly appreciated.
Sounds like a dealership ripoff to me. They probably will use the cheapest possible wheels and Chinese-made tires, and make more money by selling the OEM stuff that came on the SUV. What alleged benefits are they claiming you will get from the 20" wheels?
If the tires are the same overall diameter as the originals it won't affect the speedometer, but you'll have far less sidewall area on the tires to absorb impacts - they'll ride harder and be more susceptible to damage from bad roads and road hazards.
I would tell them h-e-double-hockey-sticks NO WAY. In normal times that would be cause to walk out the door, but if that's the only ripoff they're doing and you can decline I guess it's OK. I would definitely check the final paperwork for sneaky tricks.
Thank you Chuck, it is exactly what I was thinking, the dealership is the only one to benefit. The replacement of 20" wheels is listed on the MRSP. For now I am waiting for the computer chips crises to end. My SUV has 211 K, so in 1-2 years I might need a new one.
That addition should actually be on an "upsell" sticker which is a dealer add-on to the MSRP. (They can't mess around with the factory MSRP sticker itself.) They also tend to put things on there like $800 pinstripes and $1000 floor mats. Total ripoff. If you don't have to buy a vehicle right now it probably would be best to wait in any event.
Scam!
Yes, I agree.
Don't do it
Thank you. Now I just monitor the website, and I noticed on the MRSP sticker. I might need a new SUV in 1-2 years.