IS300 tire replacement

Does anyone have an alternative tire recommendation for the stock Bridgestone Potenza?? These wear out too fast.

Reply to
Java the Mutt
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How fast is too fast? The Lexus website notes that the 215/45ZR17 tires may not go more than 20,000 miles (30,000 kilometers to the rest of the world), depending on how you drive them. My IS came with Dunlop 9000 tires, which have around 20,000 miles on them. The tread is still OK, but I'm planning on replacing them this summer when I figure they'll have around 25,000 on them.

When they build performance tires, l> Does anyone have an alternative tire recommendation for the stock

Reply to
Mark Klebanoff

Yes, I was indeed aware of the limited tread specifications (20K miles) which is why I had the dealer replace the tires when I bought the vehicle (1 year used w/ 16K mi). I guess I can't really complain because I put 24K miles on these new tires. The bad part was that it wasn't until I had a flat that I noticed the inside of the tires were BALD. The steel belts were showing. The scary part was that the tire itself still had plenty of tread left. So at a glance, you would never suspect that they were seriously worn on the inside. I assume the factory sets a serious negative camber on the tires to improve handling performance, but the consequence is that this wear occurs. I had at first suspected that the alignment was set incorrect but after reading the forums, I believe it was designed this way. At first I thought I'd complain to the dealer but given that this appears to be fairly common and that I did get 24K miles, I probably don't have any grounds. It is scary to think about a blowout at high speeds (>90mph). Again, I was amazed to feel the steel poking through the inside of the tires despite the fact that the tread was still acceptable. OWNERS BEWARE and take heed. 20K means 20K. Check your tires often when you get up high in the double teen digits. I like the car but just want to hear some replacement suggestions that have reasonable performance specs but maybe a little longer tread life. I live in California so I don't have to worry about the driving in snow. Your probably right that to get the performance, I probably am stuck with purchasing the same tires.

"Mark Klebanoff" wrote in message news:nze6zYQT7gHB-pn2-6lBMLSyB8mLW@localhost...

Reply to
Java the Mutt

In news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com, Java the Mutt being of bellicose mind posted:

Reply to
Philip®

Ouch, that hurts. Well, you're partially right but you missed the point. I do verify my tire pressure quite regularly but only look at the tread to guage my wear. I'm not in the habit of reaching in and feeling the inside of tires. I never had that happen before. Even my C5 corvette wears on the outside under severe autocrossing conditions. I believe the Lexus designers were trying to squeeze a little more performance out of the car by their camber spec's. Stroke this up to 'lessons-learned'.

Reply to
Java the Mutt

Reply to
Mark Klebanoff

Here is TireRack's survey for the ultra high performance summer tires. I put the Bridgestone Potenza 750 on my girl friend's IS300 Sportcross. The

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Reply to
John H

Well just to finish up, I searched tire-rack.com and went with the Bridgestone Potenza S-03's. Scored pretty high overall in both professional and user ratings. They cost $180 fully installed at wheel Works or American Tire.

suggestions

Reply to
Java the Mutt

professional

What is the estimated tread life on the S-03s? Are they still considered a performance tire, all-season, or what? That $180.00 price is great for a complete set of tires for an IS300!

Whenever I have to decide on a replacement set of tires for my IS300, I'm going to make sure that the new tires don't have too hard of a rubber compound. My IS300 has a harsh enough ride as it is with the low-profile, soft rubber compound, performance summer tires that came on it. I'm not concerned about winter tire performance issues with my IS300, because I keep it in the garage for most of the winter anyway and drive my other older car. I have no interest in driving a new Lexus behind a friggin' salt truck, as an example, and having the front end peppered with paint chips! Nice rides just weren't made for wintertime driving if you asked me.

S.T.

Reply to
S.T.

Let me clarify. That was $180 a tire fully installed! The S-03's are maximum performance tires (Summer only). They allegedly wear a little better due to their advance compound construction but still have the equal or better performance characteristics. I didn't really look up the specifications but don't expect to get much more than 20-25K out of them. I just didn't want to give up on maximizing the handling performance of the car. Again, check out tirerack.com. It has more than you'll ever want to know about tire choices. Probably too much considering the myriad choices. I saw some touring tires that were rated very high, five stars, for around $100 a piece. Check out the continental ContiPremierContact or ContiTouringContact CH95. It might be what you're looking for but the limiting factor for me was the speed rating of HR (130mph). Again, the website is extremely helpful. Most tire places like I mentioned earlier, will match the internet price and add $20 to compensate for the shipping/handling charges that you would pay anyway. That's where the $180 pricetag came from. Hope this information is helpful.

Reply to
Java the Mutt

True, but you gave up some performance. I do recall considering those and believe they faired reasonably well in their class. It's what you have to decide for yourself on your next tire selection. It's like what Mark said earlier, "you drive like a sport, you pay like a sport". There's a tire out there based on your specific criteria. To me I guess, it came down to 'handling' over everything else. The S-03's had much better ratings across the board compared to the direct replacement of the OEM Potenza RE040's for a minimum price increase. Technology marches on.

Reply to
Java the Mutt

my 400. It has great wear and is H-rated...and I push'em to it. I tend to drive as fast as I can (character flaw) so the least I can do is have a car with the proper equipment to accomodate my bad habit. I drive the car in the winter (Michigan) and the tires are mediocre at best. I won't put nasty snow tires on because for the days the pavement is dry, I'm toolin! That's why I have traction control...it makes the car driveable in the snow. Just my 2 cents...(in 1976 dollars)

Brian

Reply to
B.Burns

Yep. When I replace the tires on my IS this summer I'll either get the S-03's, the max performance Toyo's or maybe the new Goodyears, which have received good ratings. Since the local dealer I like to patronize is recommending Toyo's (at least today he is), that's what I'll probably get.

Now I need to look at the > True, but you gave up some performance. I do recall considering those and

Reply to
Mark Klebanoff

pirelli P zero Nero's m&s mine are working great, and the are quiet and have a tread wear rating of 400.

Mike

01 IS300
Reply to
Simmonsmc

The Bridgestone RE950s have a 400 tread rating as opposed to the OEM Re040s

140. They are all weather tires but if you get them in the higher speed rating, they seem to get really good reviews on TireRack and they sure don't seem to give up much in performance. They seem to ride less harshly than the RE040s too. They might be worth a try.
Reply to
Jeff Bertrand

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