Lexus SC430 Is it just me?

Lexus has an upgrade package for the rims, and it makes a WORLD of difference! Those pie plates are just center caps, the machined portion is all plastic and when you pop them off you reveal what is essentially a 5 spoke wheel. The upgrade center cap follows the shape of the 5 spoke wheel and looks awesome. I believe all 04 SC430s come with it standard. I'll find a pic.
 
Yeah it must be the wheels because the 3 pics of the same car with different wheels gives the car a totally different look.



Really amazing just how ugly the stock "pie plates" truly are when compared to some nice aftermarket wheels. What in the heck were the designers thinking when it came to the wheels?



Must of been designed on a Monday after a weekend drinking binge:)



Anthony
 
Lexus doesn't do wheels well lol. Of all the cars on earth, Lexus has some of the ugliest wheels around. I didnt like mine at first (I've warmed up to them) the 16 inch wheels on the 01 LS430 were disgraceful, the stock 16s on the IS, the SC wheels.



My dad just picked up a brand new 2004 LS430 (redesigned) beautiful car, inside and out. Top of the line in every way. The stock 17 inch wheels? Ugh.
 
GoodnClean said:
Lexus doesn't do wheels well lol. Of all the cars on earth, Lexus has some of the ugliest wheels around. I didnt like mine at first (I've warmed up to them) the 16 inch wheels on the 01 LS430 were disgraceful, the stock 16s on the IS, the SC wheels.



My dad just picked up a brand new 2004 LS430 (redesigned) beautiful car, inside and out. Top of the line in every way. The stock 17 inch wheels? Ugh.
Click to expand...



At least Lexus isn't the only luxury car maker that has ugly wheels. Have you seen the 16's on CLK 320's (base model) or the 16's on the $75,000+ S class? What the hell are they thinking? Those cars cost a fortune and they put such ugly cheap looking wheels on them.



By now car maker's should realize that the aftermarket for wheels is huge, and should start offering nice wheels from the factory. Like Infinity for example.



My $.02
 
The picture at the sart of the post remind me of the Karman Ghia shape (or at least what it might have evolved into if they still made them). The rims are butt ugly - the owner needs to consider an upgrade
 
Sad but true; often the designer doesn't have final say over the total product but is only responsible for his 'section'. So one designer's wheels are ok as an entity, but only match certain cars.



i.e. Architect makes it look nice, Engineer makes it work. An Architectural Engineer is responsible for the 'total.



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/



justadumbarchitect
 
I'm on the bandwagon, the wheels look out of place.

But I'm wondering if a more matte tire dressing might improve the look of this car. I know its personal preference and the car looks great, but I think taking the gloss of the tires might "ground" the look (for lack of a better word).



Regardless, great work as always.
 
Great job on the detail Anthony, the car looks awesome, and I have to agree with the rest of the world that the SC430's stock wheels are a sore sight to see. Atldave, great pictures, those wheels look great.
 
Biff,



Yeah I personally woul dof went with a more matte sheen on the tires but he likes them glossy, customer is always right......at least thats what we tell them :)



Thanks to all for the compliments on the detail. I did forget to mention before that while I was taking these photos I had one half of the car parked under a tree and out of the corner of my eye I saw something falling from the tree.....it was SAP....I mean it was not just dripping on the car but pouring out of the tree and onto the car. I have never seen a tree just ooze sap out like that before, really freaked me out as I had to then rush it back in under the parking and wipe it down again as I cursed that stupid tree!!



When I see this client again I will tell him about his need to upgrade the wheels.



Anthony
 
I figure no better place for my 1st post :D



I agree with the wheels comments, though the optional "appearance kit" (5 spoke centers) is a nice improvement... Here's what my car looks like (Note: this is not my car, but a photo shop of my wheels on a SC430, the color is a bit off since the car pictured was not originally black)



This is pretty much my setup, I'm having it detailed by an Autopia member next weekend, pics to follow.





591waldSc430.jpg
 
genearch



:welcome to Autopia!





I finally changed the "pie plates" to the new inserts for now.



Eventually, I'll get some new wheels and tires to match.



Here's what it looks like now:

My SC430 new inserts



Regards,

Deanski
 
Hey Gene :cool: Your SC is the example I always use when people don't like the looks of the SC430 to change their mind :).
 
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