KINGLS430

I currently have 16's with bridgestone blizzark's on my 06 LS- 430 UL. I have 18"s for the summer with Nexxen 3000's on and their done. I was thinking of replacing with the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 245/45 ZR18. Just looking for an opinion or if anyone knows about anything better out there for an extreme performance summer tire.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

The Potenza RE-11 is a bit aggressive for the LS' suspension. I personally like its cousin, the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport .

KINGLS430

Could over agressive tires be the reason i have blown rear struts in the past?

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Tires alone, probably not, but tire/rim combo are very possible since you are adding resistance to the load on the shock. Keep in mind a shock's main job is to keep the tires planted on the ground from bouncing first and foremost. When you add any kind of unsprung weight (anything below the coil like rims/wheels/brakes), you are adding resistance.

KINGLS430

I have another quick question. I am currently running 245 45 ZR18's but it looks like there is more room available for a deeper tire like a 255. Since im running the stock wheel and tire size ive left it alone in the past. But now that i look at it adding a deeper tire might improve ride a little. Is this possible or would i have to deal with rubbing both when i turn the wheel and when i put the car in sport mode on the highway and it lowers itself?

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Maybe not in the back, but possibly when turning the front wheels. Plus your tires will look beefer and your car will be higher off the ground. Is your car lowered by any chance?

The wider you go, the lower tire profile you have to go with to keep the over stock ratio. Not sure if you can get away with 255 for several reasons, one being wheel width, second rubbing issues. squeezing a wider tire in the same size rim will not really help, only give you more alignment and tracking issues since a wider tire is being squeezed in the same rim width. The wheels will start tracking off in slight road imperfections.

You would be better served by purchasing a sticky tire in my humble opinion.

LS430inDE.

You have air suspension on the UL. Are you saying one or both of your air suspension components were blown/damaged in the past?

If so, the reason isn't your tires nor rims...but generally just so/so reliability/life expectancy. We've read on here the UL's air suspension isn't as bulletproof as the rest of the car is.

KINGLS430

[QUOTE=LS430inDE.;5349046]You have air suspension on the UL. Are you saying one or both of your air suspension components were blown/damaged in the past?

Yes i have blown the rear driver side one twice now and i have blown the rear passenger side once. And im only at 100,104 Miles.

LS430inDE.

[QUOTE=KINGLS430;5349089]Holy cow...and it's an 06? That is certainly excessive---more than what I've read from other UL owners. Search for air suspension or something like that, and read up on those threads..although I'm not sure if you'd have much control on what you can do.

If the dealer replaces, for example, the rear air suspension component (strut/shock/whatever it is), do you know how long the dealer will warranty it for?

KINGLS430

When i first bought it it had 60,000 and the driver side rear strut was blown, replaced it warantied it for like 20,000 then at 95,000 the driver and passenger side strut blew. Replaced them, warantied for like 10,000 miles. I like to use sport mode on the highway and i have a lot of highway miles on the car so if that doesn't explain it maybe my car is just broken lol.

KINGLS430

Maybe not a wider tire maybe a deeper tire. I'm sorry im kinda new to the tire world, still trying to figure out the do's and don'ts. I think what i was trying to say was a 245 55 ZR18 or a 245 50 ZR18 not a wider tire but a deeper tire but again still looking into rubbing issues.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Two things you have to worry about when changing ratios.:
1. Clarence
2. speedo error (and ODO effectively)


245 50 18's will raise the car, and reduce handling. The more sidewall flexing, the more comfortable, and less controlled ride. It also makes the car look funny as the wheels will look smaller and the car be higher off the ground. It will all depends on what your aiming for.

It will also register a slight error with speedo, so try and stay within factory ratio.

This calculator will best illustrate the above:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

playa3uhh

You have to keep in mind that the stock 18" wheels is 7.5" wide as well. 255 will fit I think, but it may take away from the performance because of the odd setup. Turning may be an issue as the 255 might have some problems with clearance. And as stated above, the speedo will be off. I would personally stay with a 245 45 18.

My recommendation for a summer tire would be any Nittos. They are louder in terms of cabin decibels but they perform really well.

KINGLS430

So i decided to just go with 245/45 R 18's It's very very close between the bridge stone RE-11's and the Yokohama Advan Neova AD08's. I like Rain reliability since i will be driving 60 miles too and from work mostly highway four days a week. But looking for some support/ opinions. about each tire. I'm really conflicted and can't seem to find a definite answer. I have enclosed the tire rack sites Competitive comparison of the tires that includes graphs and charts if you have some extra time please take a look at it and let me know what you think it would be greatly appreciated since either way I'm spending $1,000 on Tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=118