is150

iTrader: (10)

I Suggest only replacing two tires (tire with bubble and the other tire on the same axle) only if the other 2 tires have 50% or more tread remaining.

SW17LS

They have a machined finish on the spokes, not a painted finish all the way around like they are in this picture. I've tried to find a picture but haven't had s lot of luck. Those wheels are the rarer of the 19" options.

Not sure how to describe a machined finish for you. Google it.

Scrutator

Try a search for Lexus part number 4261A50140 or 4261A50150 or try Hollander 74285. There's a chrome-plated one on eBay here.

SW17LS

All those pictures are clearly painted, perhaps I'm mistaken...could have sworn that they were a machined finish when I saw them in person...

The lip of the OP's wheel right by that bubble certainly looks like its been repaired though, my guess is someone hit a big pothole or a curb and they repaired the wheel but not the tire.

Thats another idea for the OP, is the spare the same tire? You could always just swap that whole wheel for the spare. Then you'd have a tire the same age. You could find a local shop that shaves tires and they can shave it down to the same tread depth as the rest of the tires, then you could replace the one tire for the spare.

I'd still replace them all though.

jasone36

Indeed, it's very possible the wheels have been repaired, indeed they look almost "too perfect" to NOT have been refinished (or whatever the term is).

Today I will be going to a Michelin retailer to see what kind of "deal" they can agree to... I'm kind of locked into Michelin's though for this effort (potential tire warranty claim would offer some discount on all four tires... possibly).

The original OEM tire on this car has been discontinued, and they're saying the closest alternative would be the Michelin Primacy MXM4 (45K warranty), which has an MSRP of $354 but sells for under $300.

I'll keep the group updated on this effort.

I certainly appreciate all the on point feedback I've received thus far!

Thanks again

SW17LS

I wouldn't put Michelin Primacy MXM4s on my LS.

dlbuckls10

Why not? Extremely quiet and smooth riding tires. I have a set on my LS.

SW17LS

They're fine tires, they're just not the best tires you could buy for the car. I had them on my GS and they were okay, not particularly long lived, not particularly smooth or quiet, wouldn't have purchased them again.

If you're going to buy tires I would buy the best tires you can.

jasone36

Just letting the group know this item is still "pending" with Michelin, they've agreed to prorate my slightly used tires... will provide a final update by end of week.

Making progress!

rld14

Replace ASAP. What happened was the tire had a sidewall impact and the inner, but not outer sidewall plies were torn.

The bubble is from that inner sidewall cut, meaning that your tire only has half the sidewall strength in that one spot.

Edited to add: Virtually all LS 460 Ls sold in this market (Northeast) in 13 have Levinson, 19s, Luxury Package, Auto High beams (LEDs), leather covered steering wheel airbag, etc.

jasone36

FINAL UPDATE:

I'm very happy to say that Michelin really stepped up!

Long story short, Michelin generously prorated my slightly used tires toward the purchase of new Michelin tires.

The first step is to contact them at 866-866-6605, explain your issue, and ask them to generate a case number.

Then they will send you to a local Authorized Michelin Retailer where your used tires will be "appraised", based on remaining treadware, etc.

Next, they will issue the Authorized Michelin Retailer what's known as an "AA Number", which corresponds to your discount on a purchase of new tires. Of course, you are responsible for the all the labor involved, they are only discounting the tires.

The entire process is less bureaucratic that you'd think, with the entire process taking less than 30 minutes end-to-end (as long as you go in during Michelin customer service business hours, 8AM - 8PM on weekdays, and some Saturday hours until 5 PM too).

In some cases, you'll have to walk the tire shop through the process by "holding their hand" (they may be reluctant, as they have to physically ship your old tires back to Michelin for inspection... which generates more paperwork for the shop, but you get your discount right away).

Here is the breakdown for Michelin:

Prorate Amount based on Tread Wear (percentage of cost of new tires that the customer is responsible for)

8/32 – 10%
7/32 – 25%
6/32 – 40%
5/32 - 55%
4/32 - 70%
3/32 - 85%

Overall, I was very pleased with the experience. Michelin was surprisingly fair throughout this process, and did not try to make the claim "go away".

For no other reason than this surprisingly pleasant experience, I think they've gained a customer for a long time.

SW17LS

Michelin is a good company, they just don't make an excellent tire for this car in its OEM sizes.