stanatl

I am expecting delivery of my '04 LS430 next week. I ordered it with the Modern Luxury package and also go the Smart Key and Euro Tuned Suspension options.

It appears that many of the new LS's come with the Bridgestone Turanza ER 33 tires. I looked them up on Tire Rack on-line and they are rated the lowest in their catagory (Grand Touring Summer Tires). Does anyone who has these tires have any input as to their performance with respect to handling, traction control (wet/dry) and noise?

Thanks in advance for your input.

zdude

I have the same packages on my LS that you have. That said, the Bridgestone tires are not the best tire I've seen. Their handling on dry road is pretty good, wet is not so good and snow - forget about it. They are a somewhat noisy tire and the rating on tirerack.com is pretty accurate. On another Lexus website a forum member bought Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires and he said the tire was quieter and the ride and handling in wet/snow was vastly improved. I'll probably be looking for a set of those next year, these Bridgestones also have poor wear (or so I'm told).

stanatl

That's what I was concerned about. I guess I'll see if the dealer will let me switch them out before I pick up the car. If they pick up the cost of the new tires, they get to keep the OEM tires which are pretty expensive per Tire Rack ($246.00 each).

By the way, how do you like the Euro Tuned Suspension?

zdude

My dealer would not let me swap the Bridgestones out. He will swap the whole wheel, rim and all, or nothing (if he had it on the lot). I like my 18" rims so I willI wear these tires down a bit (they're not that bad) and pick-up the Michelins later this year. As far as my sports suspension, I really like it. I am an ex-BMW driver so handling is important to me and my LS430 is very sweet. BTW, I have the Flint Mica with Black interior, I had ordered the Ash interior but one with black popped-up first so I took it and it rocks. Hope you enjoy your ride the way I am enjoying mine

carguyay

Hello guys. I put the pilots on my LS 18 in chrome, modern w/ sport. I like them and I am waiting on some snow here in Chicago. We have had a great winter so far. Mine is black black smart key. I have 2900 miles on it. I tinted the windows with escort 8500. I might sell my take off tires with 500 miles or get a set of Lexus 18's from Sewell Lexus.I am not sure I want to change out wheels and tires for the next 4 seasons or buy new tires in two years. I have pushed this sport pkg pretty hard and I like it a lot. I do think most Ls owners would like the standard pgk better. Not many of us buying Ls 430 to push them in corners etc.I drove everything first and listen to others for almost a year. I am so happy with it.

eblue

carguyay

what has improved with the pilots-is it the traction,the noise reduction,the grip on turns,or the comfort level over ruts?

you're not the first person who has said that people who have tried and bought the sports package eventually buy a base suspension LS-why do you think so?
I personally am not convinced (yet) the euro-tuned suspension picks up value points on handling more than it loses on comfort. maybe the pilots make up for the noise...not sure about the plush ride-or does it?

carguyay

Stock tires are summer tires only. If it snows 1 in Georgia you will not be able to get out of your drive. If no snow just keep them . I would have. Pilots are more aggressive thread and all season. Great in rain corners nice as well. Others have tried another brand and seem to be happy. I think they were 17's not sure. Seemed the noise almost the same when new now with 2500 miles they seem louder. Heck I am not really sure.I am 55 and don't hear as well as when I wore a younger mans clothes.I think the ride is a little better. But I drive hotrods and other stuff so I think it is fine.I drove a 1996 Impala for 135,000 miles and enjoyed it. I didn't want a soft ride like the standard. I know very few people want the handling enogh to give up some soft smooth ride. Turanza are poor in rain even on my buddies ford. If you never drive the LS really hard into corners around corners etc then you simply do not need sport pkg. Most folks do not. They only sold 19,000 LS last year. How many sports did they sell? Less then 500? Who knows? I am going to drive about 75 to 100,000 and sell it to one of my three children. I guess it doesnt really matter as long as I take care of it.

eblue

carguyay

sorry, i didn't tell you i live in california.
so here's my (mid-life crisis-turning 50) dilemma. I sold my BMW 00 540i sport pkg last year only to get a MINI Cooper S. I like the S precisely because of the handling but I now realize I can't carry my twins (5 year old boys) in the back because of safety reasons (fear of freeway crashes in one) when I'm not using the LX470.I use the S mainly for office commute.Frankly, I think the LX470 is similar to the LS430 plush ride, and I'm probably getting old and mellowing down becasue I'm beginning to like such a ride! So I'm probaly going to replace the S with a bigger car.

my original candidate was either the A4 QV6, S4,M3,E-class, the FX 35, the Touareg, the new 5, a second hand LS400, even the RX330 (I know, it's supposed to be for the wife)...but everytime I looked at the price/value equation(the candidates ranged from $35K to $60K) plus test drives,of course, the LS430 was the best value at $52K (base) to $56K(sports) and best ride and creature comforts-not to mention, overall "air" to it .

the added info that came to my attention is that after 3-4 years, the $4K differential in options from the base car is nearly fully depreciated, ie they lose their value in terms of resale.

so based on these considerations, i am now leaning towards a base car rather than the sports...

Brandon@TR

The ER33 are very mediocre. For the best ride quality and performance combination the Pilot Sport A/S would be an excellent choice.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S

eblue

mr tirerack

the sp5000m (mud and snow) tires seem too thin and may be too weak at the turns. do you have a recommended v/z/w rated tire with a wider width (245/50 or 255/45)?

eblue

ultra63

I love this car. Hate the tires. Very noisy on highways with seams. Is there any good reason(for the driver not Lexus)why Lexus would use such poor tires? Does Lexus get thjem fo $50 a tire from Bridgestone? I complained to Lexus re these and they provide no explanation for this choice that degrades their car.