califlexus

I'm not an enthusiast or expert. I have a leased 2010 IS250C convertible with about 14,500 miles and the 2 front tires are down to the threads. They are the Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 BW (225/40R18).

I drive almost exclusively on city streets. I have not decided if I will buy this car from the lease and I don't want to spend a fortune on the tires. I've never had a car that had different tire sizes so the tires can't be rotated and I've never had tires go so quickly.

I live in Los Angeles so I don't need something that will have to handle ice or snow much. I am most concerned about noise, vibration, length of use (based on my city driving in mostly dry and sometimes rainy weather) and of course price.

The dealer choices/prices seem awful. Their cheapest is the Continental Extremecontact DWS.

Just Tires was offering: Eagle GT or Direzza DZ101 or Fierce Instinct ZR.

I asked this in the IS250C subforum but this forum seems to be more active.

Thanks!

jbjones85

iTrader: (20)

hankook V12's are a common option.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...%2FPerformance

diagtime

the ExtremeContact DWS is by far the best tire for the IS. I have seen them last up to 63,000 miles ON THE FRONT. that would be mostly highway miles. I"ve seen people drive hard on them in city driving and still lasted 35k.

They also ride very very well due to the soft sidewalls.....which is why the inside edges don't get torn up.
Also don't make much noise. You will loose a small amount of steering responsiveness.....but 99% of people would never even notice that. And it's worth the price.

califlexus

Thanks. I did check and the online reviews didn't seem so good. Many complained that they don't last long either. The price (with tax and no including alignment) quoted by my dealer for 2 tires installed is $445. More than I wanted to spend on 2 tires on a lease that may get turned in in less than a year.

Sango

iTrader: (10)

Michelin Pilot Super Sport if you're willing to spend money on it.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

What is your budget?

diagtime

Absolutely agree for Superior wet and dry Performance. I run them on my personal cars. But if you're not looking for superior performance I'd go with the Contis.

By the way OP, don't trust online reviews.......tire reviews can be ridiculous because people have never had the experience to compare tires. and also.... TIRES BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY ON DIFFERENT CARS. for example, conti extremecontact dws's ride awesomeo on 17's, (235/45/17 to be specific to my experience), but have really really dull steering response. they are much more reasonable as 225/40/18/

Pilot super sports actually aren't bad on treadlife and surprisingly ride quietly and relatively comfortable for a sports tire. But The contis will last around 60-70% longer.

califlexus

Thanks (and keep the suggestions and advice coming). Like I said, my Lexus dealer would charge $445 for the 2 Continental Extremecontact DWS tires installed (with tax, etc.). By the way, if the Continentals are soft (which is what is meant by the 92Y service description, right?), wouldn't they last less long than the original tires (which Lexus lists as 88W tires)?

The $445 for the 2 tires (including installation) was higher than I'd like to spend, especially since I never thought I would have to replace tires on a car that I am leasing that has only 14,500 miles and 2 years on it. I see that the Michelin Pilot's list at much higher unfortunately.

I understand it is tough to base decisions on reviews, but that's all there is to base it on of course. Your note about tires feeling/lasting different on different cars at different sizes makes a lot of sense, which is why I came here to the IS250 convertible experts (though doe the IS250 use the same size tires as the IS250C?).

Keeping in mind that this is a lease, which I may turn in in 10 months (but may not), and I generally drive only in the city (LA) on city streets to and from work 20 minutes away and not normally much on the freeway, and I am just looking for dependable, not noisy, somewhat comfortable tires that will last me (much) longer than the 14,500 that the original tires did, what then would you suggest (and if any of you are in LA, any suggestions for best place to buy/install them)?

Thanks!

brociouz

iTrader: (65)

+1 for Hankook V12's. Perfect balance between wet/dry performance, road noise, and cost IMO.

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

Extremecontact DW (NOT DWS) and Pilot super sport are the 2 best according to tire rack testing and personal reviews. I have PSS sitting in my living room waiting to be installed

califlexus

I hadn't seen anyone mention the DW. How is it different? The dealer (and the member suggestions here) all seemed to be for the DWS.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

DWS is all season and has a prorated 50,000 mileage warranty
DW is summer (which is generally better than all-seasons in all weather conditions above 40 degrees) and has no mileage warranty


I agree with brociouz... especially given the OP isn't likely to put a ton of miles on the tires, the Hankook V12 is an excellent performance tire for cheap...about $300 shipped for 2 fronts from Tire Rack.... (even cheaper if you can find someone who needs 2 rears- since you can split the $80 Hankook rebate on buying 4 tires )

califlexus

I'm leaning strongly to the Hankook's. Locally the place I talked to says it is $400 all-in for the 2 tires installed and balanced with tax. Sound like a good deal?

La24

I've got some yokohama 580, pretty good tires. But if your on a budget and might get rid of it then maybe some kuhmo or falken tires are pretty cheap less than $100 each.