pmh2

Crazy idea! Lose a load of cash, performance will not compare in any way, and economy too (even if the IS is heavy enough on juice, I've heard the new rav4's can't pass a petrol station!) Give it a couple of years until you have a toddler, maybe then!

Thanks everyone, some great info and ideas here. Santa might be bringing some 18"s for xmas!! :D

OEM is abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer...in your case Lexus. Your dealer should have the Hoshi and Baransu wheels available as a dealer fit option, cost is around 1500 quid I think. Any style of non OEM wheels will fit providing they have the correct pitch circle diameter, 5 hole Lexus/Toyota fitting but the offset on the wheels needs to be the same as the original 17", which is +45mm front +50mm rear.. The original widths on the 250 are different front and rear ...17x8 & 17x 8.5 respectively, fitted with 225/45 R17 and 245/45 R17 tyres. The replacements, if you are going to stick with the same widths will need to have the same offsets but because they will be 18" diameter they'll need to be fitted with lower profile tyres to keep the same overall outside tyre diameter as the original set-up. Just for info, the first generation IS offsets are + 45mm front and rear but if you want to sell your original 17" set to a 1st gen owner they will fit as they have the same PCD and stud number/size. Great, thanks for the info, very helpful and informative.

Apart from the OEM's do you mean, as there are two types of 18" available from Lexus...Barantu and Hoshi. Otherwise take your pick of the hundreds available on the open market. suggest a +45 mm front and +50mm rear offsets if you don't go OEM. :) Apart from the OEM's do you mean, as there are two types of 18" available from Lexus...Barantu and Hoshi. Otherwise take your pick of the hundreds available on the open market. suggest a +45 mm front and +50mm rear offsets if you don't go OEM. :) Thanks for the response Tango. I know nothing about anything except that I want to by 182 and my Lexus dealer wont sell them to me! What are OEM's? Will any 18's with +45 mm front and +50mm rear offsets fit a standard 2006 IS?

Hi All, Does anyone know of any aftermarket 18" alloys available for the bog standard 2006 IS 220d? Or any suppliers that stock them? Thanks pmh2

I've had my IS220d for over a month now and overall I'm quite happy. The gearbox is a little sticky, especially in 2nd gear, but aside from accelleration from a standstill or very low speeds, I'm delighted with the power and accelleration. It is my first diesel, so I'm not sure what to expect, but I've no real complaints on performance. I'm quite happy with the economy too, the 2.2 diesel is costing me less a week than my old 1.6 petrol Audi A4! Autocar in their latest article have been particularily hard on the Lexus, moaning about the dials and interior, making out the BMW is better, sit in the two of them and then decide, if you want to be bored to death buy the BMW. I suppose on pure performance the BMW might have it but elsewhere I think the Lexus wins out. Don't go for the very dull dark mettallic blue I did, it does not do the car justice, unfortunately I ordered based on the older Lexus Blue and what's on the website, the website is TOTALLY misleading there, it's not even close!!! I know I sound like a girl here but it is dissapointing!! Looked at the ALFA159 too, and loved a 156 I had a few years back, but for quality there is no comparison at all. Going back to this weeks Autocar article again, I don't know what they're at, the ALFA feels like it's going to fall apart in your hands, and I love Alfas and really wanted to buy one!

Matty, I'm in the same situation, I'm in Ireland and have my IS220d with the standard 16's for a few weeks now, they do let the car down a bit. Dealer also told me that the 18's aren't recommended, but I wonder is this just a ruse to keep the IS220/250 sport models more exclusive looking? If anyone has any info on this please advise, the HOSHI 18#s advertised on the UK site look the business if they can be fitted to the standard 220! Also, for any prospective buyers out there, the dark blue (my colour) is a bit of a let down, too dark, gets dirty very quick, black would be better but the red is the colour to go for if I was starting over. Other than that the car is great, love it! pmh