99GS400

Hi there,

Can anyone help me decide what tires to put on my lexus gs400 . Currently I have the the stock 235/45zr17 bridgestone 030 and they SUCK! I am trying to decide between Bridgestone S-02 pole positions or RE730's. The RE730 have a longer thread life and are cheaper.
I have heard on the forums here that Nitto 555 are good ones to consider. Also for those in the bay area - where can I get a good deal on tires and install or just install if I get the tires from Tire Rack.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks,
AK

dgangi

Hi there --

Have you considered a set of Kumho's? I just purchased a set of Kumho Supra 712's, mainly on the recommendation from Tire Rack, Discount, and Whalen Tire. I just got them today so I haven't had any experience to share with you yet but they are supposed to be quite grippy yet easy to live with. Best of all -- the price is low! They're worth looking at.

Do you have Discount Tire in N. CA? I swear by them because their prices are always fair and they have great service. The biggest bummer about buying from a mail order shop is that you are left in a lurch if you have a flat or need the tires rebalanced and rotated. Discount Tire shops do all of this for free if you buy the tire from them. If you go through Tire Rack or any other mail-order-only outfit you have to pay for these services each time you need them, and this can be expensive! Some places charge upwards of $40 just to rotate the tires! If they need balancing, you're going to be out another $15 per tire or more.

If you do decide to go mail order, check Whalen Tire (whalentire.com). They were really cheap!

Thx...Doug

y2kgs

I have the Nitto 555 and I just hate it. Doesn't grip the road as well as other brands. I would not get them again Get anything but Nitto tires......

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

I agree - Nitto's suck. I have 'em and am very close to replacing them since one of the fronts has a permanent and very annoying flat spot.

However, I think the grip is impressive actually.

I got a quote on Toyo T1-S's - $1300 for my staggered setup (245/40-18 and 275/35-18) installed, high speed balanced. Sounds high, I dunno...

mjdart

Kumho's look really good on paper and the reviews given on tirerack.com are very impressive. Good treadwear and price is excellent.

GS4Will

AK,

if you weigh performance factor more than longevity on tyres, get the S-02(beginning to get phased out), or S-03s(the latest max performance for bridge).

for more budget oriented reason, get the RE730 from tyrerack, and have them recommend you a local installer.
RE730 is one of the best bang for your buck.
have you considered TOYO T1-s? good quality and good prices too(about the same as re730).

i do agree w/parts of Doug said; so this what i do.

i found one of the COSTCO wholesalers, and take my purchase from tirerack there. some location would do it, some won't because not all have the right machine for the job. COSTCO only charge me their standard mount+balance fee of $9/tyre, and this is good for LIFETIME, including free flat repair.

but if you can find a local shop in SF that is willing to match the rack prices, just get them there. some shop here in LA would do that, but then you would need to pay sales taxes.

Benny

I agree, haven't had any problem with Toyo's in the past.

Manaray

Nitto 555's bad?

Hmmm, I've had Nitto 555's on a previous car (in 18") and they worked great. I switched to Pirelli and those wore out way too fast...then I went to Toyo's and I didn't think they were any better than the Nitto's...

I went back to the Nitto 555's on my GS and I love them. They have excellent grip and excellent treadwear. I would recommend them 100% w/o reservation.

D-MAN63

GET THE TOYO T1-S .. ! GUARANTEED SATISFACTION

RacingAristo

Brigestone RE730! Two thumbs up!