Bridgestone Turanza EL400 and Snow
12-26-12, 06:38 AM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Bridgestone Turanza EL400 and Snow
My wife and I each have a 2013 GS350 F-Sport with AWD.
Based on the TireRack reviews I expected these tires to perform badly on the snow and ice. In actuality they are performing quite well on both of our vehicles. Our first real test was in the 4" snow that accumulated here last week. The cars were very sure footed in the snow which in most cases also included ice covered roads. We had zero problems starting and stopping the vehicles where other vehicles were struggling. I'm trying to understand the discrepancy between our experience and the TireRack reviews.
Anyone else have input into these tires? As of right now I see no reason to purchase snow tires. It seems the only thing that would keep us from driving in the snow is snow depth. We have a 4Runner to tackle those types of conditions.
Based on the TireRack reviews I expected these tires to perform badly on the snow and ice. In actuality they are performing quite well on both of our vehicles. Our first real test was in the 4" snow that accumulated here last week. The cars were very sure footed in the snow which in most cases also included ice covered roads. We had zero problems starting and stopping the vehicles where other vehicles were struggling. I'm trying to understand the discrepancy between our experience and the TireRack reviews.
Anyone else have input into these tires? As of right now I see no reason to purchase snow tires. It seems the only thing that would keep us from driving in the snow is snow depth. We have a 4Runner to tackle those types of conditions.
12-26-12, 09:42 AM
#2
These tires are the worst ones I have ever had on any car. They did so bad in the snow in Feb-March of this year and they ride so harsh and felt choppy on the highways. The reviews are spot on. They wear fast and are not very high quality tires for an expensive car like the GS F-Sport and should have never been placed on the car. I switched to proper continental all season tires and it improved my ride, noise, and handling. I have michelin winter tires which are smoother, quieter, and do not flat spot vibrate in the mornings or after work when car sits for longer than 10 hours unlike the crappy EL400-02. Those EL400 tires are meant for Toyota prius, Honda accords, etc. Not sure how fast or how you are driving in the snow with those tires but I refused to used them again.
12-26-12, 09:53 AM
#3
Lexus Champion
I surprised they put this tire on a GS, especailly the F Sport. I had them on my recently traded 2010 ES350 and they came on our current 2011 Mazda3, way different cars than the GS F Sport!
Overall, i find them OK for the city/subruban driving that we do. The streets get cleared quickly so never had an issue with snow. If you're happy with them that's what matters.
Overall, i find them OK for the city/subruban driving that we do. The streets get cleared quickly so never had an issue with snow. If you're happy with them that's what matters.
12-26-12, 11:04 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
They put that tire on your F Sport?!? Thats terrible! Thats one of the tires that comes stock on the ES, the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Minivans.
They start out okay, but as they wear they get loud and slippery really fast.
Totally the wrong tire for an F Sport GS.
They start out okay, but as they wear they get loud and slippery really fast.
Totally the wrong tire for an F Sport GS.
12-26-12, 11:29 AM
#6
Dunlop SP Sport 5100 I have are Ultra High Performance All-Season.
However,I'd rather have the Michelin Primacy MXM4 Grand Touring All-Seasons.
The EL 400 is a awful tire.I had them on a IS350.
12-26-12, 11:32 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah I've got the MXM4s...
I just can't believe Lexus would put those tires on an F-Sport!
I just can't believe Lexus would put those tires on an F-Sport!
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12-26-12, 11:42 AM
#8
Not much info out there on the Dunlop Sport 5100's.May be a new tire.
Not a bad tire really.Just a bit noisy on certain road surfaces but I'm a Michelin guy.
Last edited by Joeb427; 12-26-12 at 11:47 AM.
12-26-12, 11:49 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
I dont know who makes tire decisions at Toyota lol
12-26-12, 12:49 PM
#10
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Hi TopKnife - Probably for the same reason most folks buy a GS. It is a great car. If you're looking for something more specific let me know and I'll try to answer.
I just went for a 2 hour drive this morning with a combination of interstate and city driving. I simply don't see the issue with these tires. It can see where other tires may generate less noise at higher speeds but there is no way I'm dropping $1K on new tires for each car when these are treating us fine. My BMW had all season run flats that were much noisier than these tires and had terrible flat spots in cold weather. I slid past every stop sign in that BMW. I had to get snow tires on that car.
I just went for a 2 hour drive this morning with a combination of interstate and city driving. I simply don't see the issue with these tires. It can see where other tires may generate less noise at higher speeds but there is no way I'm dropping $1K on new tires for each car when these are treating us fine. My BMW had all season run flats that were much noisier than these tires and had terrible flat spots in cold weather. I slid past every stop sign in that BMW. I had to get snow tires on that car.
12-26-12, 04:46 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Wait until they age a little. I said the same thing when my 2010 ES was new, but by 10k I hated them.
10-20-13, 05:24 PM
#12
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Hi TopKnife - Probably for the same reason most folks buy a GS. It is a great car. If you're looking for something more specific let me know and I'll try to answer.
I just went for a 2 hour drive this morning with a combination of interstate and city driving. I simply don't see the issue with these tires. It can see where other tires may generate less noise at higher speeds but there is no way I'm dropping $1K on new tires for each car when these are treating us fine. My BMW had all season run flats that were much noisier than these tires and had terrible flat spots in cold weather. I slid past every stop sign in that BMW. I had to get snow tires on that car.
I just went for a 2 hour drive this morning with a combination of interstate and city driving. I simply don't see the issue with these tires. It can see where other tires may generate less noise at higher speeds but there is no way I'm dropping $1K on new tires for each car when these are treating us fine. My BMW had all season run flats that were much noisier than these tires and had terrible flat spots in cold weather. I slid past every stop sign in that BMW. I had to get snow tires on that car.
If you don't mind, can you please follow up a bit more on your experience with those tires through the rest of the winter? I am taking delivery of my 14' IS350 awd with the same tires in Dec/Jan, and I did see the TireRack reviews; so I would like to know a little more details. Thanks a lot.
10-20-13, 08:45 PM
#13
Hi Bradtopp,
If you don't mind, can you please follow up a bit more on your experience with those tires through the rest of the winter? I am taking delivery of my 14' IS350 awd with the same tires in Dec/Jan, and I did see the TireRack reviews; so I would like to know a little more details. Thanks a lot.
If you don't mind, can you please follow up a bit more on your experience with those tires through the rest of the winter? I am taking delivery of my 14' IS350 awd with the same tires in Dec/Jan, and I did see the TireRack reviews; so I would like to know a little more details. Thanks a lot.
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