Schramm

Need help deciding which brand of tire and model is best for my 1996 LS400. I will be staying with the OEM spec. P225/60R16 97V. Interested in luxury grand touring tire category. I live in MN climate and run a set of Michelin Xice3 mounted on a second set of OEM wheels during the winter.

Unfortunately this tire size/speed rating is not common any more and I am frustrated with so few options available. There are over half a dozen OEM spec options from Michelin for the LS430, but none for the LS400. Previous owner had Michelin Symmetry tires with S speed rating and the handling is terrible with these tires, too much body roll. Need stiffer side walls.

Unfortunately, Michelin discontinued the MXM4 (was the preferred option with winter tires rotated in my opinion) and MXV4 that used to come in V rating in this size in late 2014. Closest match for Michelin is the Primacy A/S, but it only comes in H speed rating. Much better than S, but still not ideal. I drove a different 1995 LS400 with correct V rated tires and it was a very significant improvement in handling.

Has anyone tried Bridgestone Potenza 97A/S, Goodyear Eagle Sport, BF Goodrich T/A? These seem to be the current options in V speed rating, but I see mixed reviews. I am looking for recent feedback. Looking for normal driving in heavy traffic, with occasional aggressive evasive maneuvers to avoid accidents. Sadly, there are a lot of terrible drivers in Minneapolis!

lev00221

iTrader: (28)

Have you looked at the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity S? I have them on my Ls 400 and love them.

Legender

I've got the Pirelli P7s on a couple of 400s now and really like the ride they provide for the $$ spent. Of course I've never experienced MN winters so my input may not be of assistance. Not sure if the Pirelli's come in V speed rating either.

GH5T

Running Bridgestone Ecopia on my 98 quiet, comfortable, and handle very well.

kagoostin

I work at a tire shop and yokohama yk580s are ususally the best bang for your buck tires

Schramm

Most of the tires mentioned thus far in response have excellent reviews, but are H speed rated tires:
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity S, H speed rated.
Pirelli P7 All Season, H speed rated.
Yokohama YK580, H speed rated

The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus can be ordered in V rating, but given my use of dedicated winter tires, I would rather go for more a performance oriented grand touring tire during the spring/summer/fall seasons. In my experience super hard wearing long life tires do not have great feel when it comes to handling. The Bridgestone POTENZA RE97AS Grand Touring All-Season 98V fits the goal, but I am hesitant mainly due to not so great reviews online. I am hoping for a good handling tire with excellent dry/wet performance that is still quiet. Heck, I am even considering this option:

Firestone Firehawk PV41. They are super expensive though and cannot really find any reviews on them because they were specifically intended use on the Ford P71 Crown Victoria. These might be a little too stiff though for the LS400's plush ride.