Ex-Lexic

I currently own a 2007 LS460. I will be ordering a 2009 GS450h from my dealer in July. In making this change, I want the fun-to-drive-ness of a hybrid, and I know I must sacrifice comfort in doing so. However, I want to minimize the decrease in comfort in going from a LS to a GS. So I considered the Active Power Stabilizer Suspension System. However, it only comes with run flat tires. In order to put regular tires on the GS, I must buy new wheels as well as new tires, my salesman tells me.

My questions are as follows: 1) Is it true that I have to replace wheels as well as tires if I have to change from runflat tires to regular tires after I buy the car? 2) Which will give me better comfort: a) Active power stabilizer suspension system with runflat tires, or b) NO active power stabilizer suspension system with regular tires?

Thanks for your help!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that's false information. i am pretty sure you can just switch out the tires from runflat to non-runflat. sc430 people did that, and i think some 3gs owners did that too

regular tires will give you more comfort for sure. APSSS pretty much does not create harsher ride at all, that's the beauty of it. and if you want handling, trust me that's one option you WANT

if i were you i would order APSSS and just change the tires myself to non-runflats like the michelin pilot sport a/s

whlkev

APSSS is not going to give you better comfort, it gives you better handling.

yes, agree with Henry, work it out with the dealer to swap out runflats for non-runflats with spare, runflats cost more, tell them to do it as good will gesture.

STIG

GS400h? is that new model or typo?

I just saw the ad on some websites where it says GS400h as well.

Ex-Lexic

Typo. Edit/changed to GS450h. Thanks.

stevil

I am not totally sure about this, but I think if you have the Active Power Stabilization Suspension System, there is no room in the trunk for a spare. I recall reading that the APSSS unit takes up room in the trunk where the spare tire would go, which is why the run-flat tires are mandatory when you order. You may want to validate this with someone who has APSSS though. I do not have it, but I do have run-flats, and I do have a donut spare in the trunk.

Also, for what it's worth regarding the counter-sway that APSSS provides and any perception of "comfort". A few months ago I was watching a show on new car technology and there was an inventor who had a car that acted kind of like a motorcycle, in that you would lean to steer. It allowed for better manouverability. When asked if the swaying back and forth would make people sick he replied that it actually helped reduce motion sickness due to the natural motion and the way our bodies respond to changes in inertia. He said staying upright was actually worse for motion sickness when one takes a sharp corner.

kyang91

iTrader: (5)

I am sure that you can take out the run-flats and put in some normal tires.....your sales person is just not getting it right.

The G Man

I am 100% sure you can change to non-runflat without changing the rims. I would make that a condition of your sale. I would also double check on the spare tire.

SierraFred

I just changed from the OEM Dunlop run-flats to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my 2008 GS350 AWD with no fitment problems. Just 1200 miles on the car, but I wanted to improve the ride. Costco did the install, reset the pressure monitors, no problems at all there. They did insist on inspecting the trunk to verify that the donut spare was there. Apparently they have a policy of not replacing run-flats with normal tires if there is no physical spare.
I am experiencing a resonance with the Michelins, however, quite noisy at around forty MPH. Has anyone else had this problem, or do I just have a bad set of tires? Just had the car aligned, no apparent balance problems.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that doesn't sound right, i had a/s before and it was very quiet. you sure your alignment is ok?

The G Man

My bet is that they didnt balance the tire right.

SierraFred

Thanks for the responses. I will have both checked again.

The G Man

Check it at a differnent place and get a second opinion.