ix3ph09

Hello Lexus Forum,

I will need new tires soon (per the Lexus dealer I frequent) for the winter and I have looked around. I was thinking of getting these:

https://www.americastire.com/buy-tir...3-plus/p/26096

Do you guys think its worth it? or is there a better tire I should consider? It does not snow where I live and we have dry summers and rain during the winter months. Any help would be appreciated. I would also prefer them to be all season tires.

ItzFilyO

I think those tires are the best ones for the money. I had that on my GS and they work great in the rain.

ix3ph09

Is the ride quality still the same with these tires? Such as smoothness and how quiet the ride is? I am going to purchase them from costco if they are.

ItzFilyO

Yeah, u won't notice any difference, still smooth and relatively quiet. But I'm sure there are more quieter tires out there but more $$$. The handling is a big upgrade from the stock Bridgestone Potenzas that my car came with.

peteharvey

Because the 2014 4GS already has quite firm coils to limit weight transfer to the outside wheels to maximize grip, and firmish dampers to limit floatiness to maximize control, for maximum comfort & quietness, it is best to use Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus 235/45R18, which is a very soft & quiet tire with decent handling, decent mileage & decent price.

UDel

For the money Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 are some of the best all season tires.

bclexus

Or...you can go one size up and choose the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus in 245/45R18 100V tires.

I'm having Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus tires in 245/45R18 100V installed tomorrow.

tompass

I purchased and have enjoyed the new General Gmax AS 05. Extremely affordable.

peteharvey

Are there any advantages to using the taller and wider 245/45R18 as opposed to the OEM 235/45R18 size?

bclexus

The 245s are of course 10 mm wider, which is nice...and a tiny bit taller. The 245s are 100V load rated whereas the OE 235 size tires are 94V load rated. 0.6+ mph difference at 60 mph. No rubbing.

bb700092

Do wider tires make any difference to handling?
Do wider tires make any difference to gas mileage?

bclexus

Not enough to really know. Of course the tires I have on my car are luxury car Touring All-Season tires - not performance tires.

peteharvey

Have you ever compared the same make & model of tires in OEM size 235/45R18 94V vs your 245/45R18 100V?
I wonder if the 245/45R18 doesn't ride as smoothly or quietly?

The reason I ask is that when I first switch to Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S Plus 235/45R18, they accidentally gave me a higher load and speed rating of 98Y if I remember correctly, and I noticed it was kind of softer than the OEM Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 235/45R18 94W, but it was some how knobbier in ride, so I had a good look and I noticed that the sidewalls had 98Y - a higher load and speed rating, so I rung them back, and they said they had no 94 load ratings in stock, and they'd have to order from interstate.
A few days later, they fitted the same make, model and dimensions, but this time with a lower load rating of 94W or whatever, and bang - the ride was so much better at the same tire pressure...

bclexus

Good question.

I too had the OE tires that were 94V or W load rating (Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 235/45R18) and I eventually replaced them with the Michelin Premier in +1 size (245/45R18) that were 100V load rating, and the higher 100V load rating Michelin tires were worlds better in ride quality compared to the OE tires they replaced...even with the extra load rating. But those Dunlop OE tires were worn down (3/32") and needed to be replaced, which always gives a harsher ride. I suspect my new Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S Plus tires in 245/45R18 100V will be every bit a good as the Michelin Premier tires in the same size and load rating in terms of quietness and ride quality .

I honestly can't imagine two high-quality tires of 'like type' known for quietness and ride quality (e.g. luxury touring A/S), one with a 94 or 98 (Y, W, V) load rating and the other being a 100V load rating, would display much difference in quietness and/or ride quality. No more so than maybe a 1 to 1.5 psi difference (at most) in tire pressure would make. The difference in various road surfaces traveled makes it really hard to judge the true contrast in quietness and ride quality in my opinion between two very similar tires.

Im2bz2p345

In my 2013 GS450h luxury model, I went from OEM Michelin Primacy MXV4 235/45R18 94V (which are a highly rated/reviewed tire, but barely got me to 28K miles) to the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus 235/45R18 94V (which are also highly rated/reviewed tire). I only have a few thousand miles on my P7's, so I would hate to do a comparison, but my initial impressions so far.. the tire rides incredibly smooth, provides excellent mileage, is quieter, and provides a more "luxury" ride vs a "sporty" ride (less aggressive tire than others out there). I purchased these in the hopes that they outlast the Michelin's and still provide a comfortable amount of grip in the long run.

I still have fun every now & then with my P7's and the grip/cornering is still excellent (rain or shine!), but if I was driving aggressively more often, it wouldn't be my first choice of tire.

For this reason, OP, I believe it's quite difficult to give a "best" A/S tire (per your topic title), because it really depends on the individual, their vehicle, and their driving style.

To each their own. All the best with your decision!

~ Im2bz2p345