Tom57

My '01 has OEM 16's (as in 1st pic) and of course no brake clearance issues. I use the 16's for snow tire rims, and stock 17's for the other 9 months.

BradTank

I'm on the factory 17's

I'm honestly fine with the ride, 17" is a good balance between cosmetics and tire life, ride, price, etc. I just don't like to go larger than that. But my first preference would have been the 16" wheels, I just don't think it's worth the price to buy a whole new set of rims.

Did the later generations changed the front calipers for 2004-2006 where they can't go smaller than 17"?

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

It was the same problem with the LS400. Due to the size of the disk most aftermarket 16" wheels won't clear.

SW17LS

Aftermarket 16s maybe, but OEM 16s will fit on the 430.

As for the ride, our LS430 rode great on the 17s.

Tom57

With 3 LS's, I've driven on 16's, 17's and 18's. The 17's offer the best combination of ride comfort, handling and style/appearance.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

OEM 16's will definitely clear but they are hideous looking wheels. At least the LS400 wheels.

warminwisc

Driven back to back I thought the 18's had crisper steering/handling. 17's are alot less money and the difference while noticable to me would not be a deal breaker if I buy a third.

SW17LS

I don't think they were hideous looking on the 400, but they're too small for the 430 I agree.

Tom57

Just replaced Michelin Premiers on a Toyota Sienna - lasted a grand total of 22K miles. Worn down to the wear bars at 3/32nds. Received a pro rata (pre-mature wear) credit of approximately 66% of the cost of the tires. (Replaced with Continental ControlContact Tour A/S.)

I've been a loyal Michelin fan for decades. Have to say the Premier had the worst mileage wear of any tire I've owned, except for the cheap Bridgestones that were OEM on the Sienna. The Premier is a soft composition rubber, with new siping that appears/emerges on the tread as the tire wears - which it did rather quickly - that does improve traction as the tire is worn. However, there is a trade-off - - the soft rubber composition together with the significantly reduced 8.5/32nds initial tread depth also result in shorter mileage life.

Of course, this experience was on a Sienna, not a LS. But, I also recently put Premiers in service on two of my LS's (17" on the 2001 LS and 18" and one of the 2006's), and the jury is still out. However, I'm beginning to have buyer's remorse. If I had it to do over again, I'd have tried the Pirelli Cinturato P7 on the LS's. I am happy that I grabbed 4 new Primacy MXV4's 18" V-rated on a closeout for the third LS. There is no way the Premier will have the mileage longevity I have had with the Primacy MXV4.

For those who have had your Premiers now for a year or so, what are your experiences? Take a tire gauge and measure your current remaining tread depth & mileage on the tires and report back.

jpv7774

Oh boy...this is gunna be good Im kidding. The only thing I will say in defense of any tire is that some cars for some reason example Honda CRVs, chew up tires. Could be camber.....weight.....all wheel drive....I have no idea. Not sure about the Sienna......Longevity report is still out on the P7s as well....but so far so good...fingers crossed.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

That's not good news Tom. One wonders if Michelin designed such a a long lasting tire with the MXV4's that the Premiers were intentionally designed to wear out more quickly.

Tom57

You may recall Lav, I posted that specific comment in this thread not long ago and was dissed.

jimbosr1

i have 14k miles on my premier a/s and i dont have a gauge but i put a penny in the treads on all four tires and it goes up to lincolns eye.

Tom57

The ole penny tread depth measurement. Thanks Jim. http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/....jsp?techid=51

I measured to Lincoln's eye with a tire gauge = approx. 6.5 - 7/32nds.

jimbosr1

tom,whats the tread depth on a new one?