Luke27617

iTrader: (2)

I don't know if you have read the other thread on front vibrations. From my recent experience dealers do not know how to balance wheels (or don't have right equipment) which causes vibration and wheel shake. Just went to discount tire and problems are gone. Dealer even replaced couple tires blaming flat spot for not being able to balance wheels.

What exactly is happening with the steering in your case?

MickeyS

I haven't picked up my GX yet so I don't really know what tires it has, however the GX they have in the showroom and the one I test drove had the Michelins, do you think mine will have the Michelin as well?

SaniDel

MickeyS:

There's no way to know in advance, but if you have your heart set on the Michelins, make it a condition of the sale. It's easy and reasonable to request a tire swap before the sale ... it is not after the sale as the tires are then 'used' ... as if there is such a thing as an "un-used" tire mounted on any vehicle!

As you already know that their showroom model and their demonstrator have Michelins, your dealer has a ready source of Michelin tires to swap if the GX you have ordered arrives with "non-Michelins". Don't forget to also swap the spare.
Regards,

SaniDel


P.S. Our dealer knows we will accept nothing but Michelins. If our GX had anything but Michelins, they did the swap before it was presented to us!

Craig B

It was also part of my deal, but mine came in with Michelin's.

SaniDel

Interesting that Bridgestone does NOT claim that their tires have been approved for factory installation on any Lexus vehicles.

http://bridgestone.co.jp/english/tire/approve/

T4Fun

well its on many other toyotas too, includign the fj and 4runner.

sudhs

I'm in the same boat as one of the users above. Haven't yet picked up my 2011 GX 460 but made a $1000 deposit. I'm due to pick up my vehicle on Oct. 15th 2010. It is at the port and has not been delivered to any Lexus dealership. When I asked my sales person 'bout which tire does my truck have, she said that there's no way to tell right now. However I did mention that I would request the tires to be changed to Michelin, if they are Bridgestone. She said that service department may require some charge to do this and also said that most of the 2010s came with Michelin. Did not put this as a sale condition BUT I've some +ve feeling that they may turn out to be Michelin. If not, and if dealer insists, I'll pay some extra and get the Michelins.

Luke27617

iTrader: (2)

Deal is not closed until you pay for the vehicle. Just wait for the vehicle to arrive. If it comes with Bridgestones, request wheels swap with a different vehicle or a demo.

Craig B

+1, I agree...

MickeyS

I have the Michelin Latitude Tour HP, they have a nice and smooth ride. Is interesting to note that since Lexus dealers are independently owned how some vehicles differ even on tires from other dealers. One dealer in NYC which was horrible, nasty and rude had Duelers on their Gx's and my dealer had Michelins.

Luke27617

iTrader: (2)

Region/climate may have something to do what tires the vehicle comes with. I bought three cars while in Chicago and never got an option to get high performance tires. When moved to NC mostly what you see is high performance tires. Personally don't care about them as they do not last long.
My GX came with Michelin Latitude Tour XP, but I was not happy with them. Dealer couldn't get them balanced, two were replaced. Suprisingly they were wearing quikly too. After 5k miles the went down from 9 to 6 depth thread. Replaced them under customer satisfaction with Michelin to Michelin LTX MS2 and those feel much better.

sudhs

You mean tire swap or wheel swap ?

Craig B

It would be easier to swap wheels and tires from another vehicle. It wouldn't make sense to break down 10 wheels and tires. They would just move 5 wheels and tires from another new vehicle...

Luke27617

iTrader: (2)

They have tried to make me switch the whole package (wheels and tires), but since I have just bought the Michelin LTX MS2, I have made them switch just wheels. Took two people couple hours to do the operation The original Michelin HP Tour that comes with the truck will not last long (mine went down from 9 to 6 within 5k miles). There is no way I will let them keep my superior tires. Check reviews on tirerack.com, LTX MS2 are no brainer as replacement.

Just 8 wheels to do. I've let them keep the spare. Glad that I have a good local Lexus dealer. They break things, but at least they are willing to do whatever it takes to make a customer happy.

sudhs

Hmmm.. guess i'll just have to wait for the vehicle to get here. If they have more brand new 2011s (i know they do) with them, I'll ask them to switch the wheel or else the tires. Don't wanna switch the wheels with a demo or already driven car. I know its a silly thing but that just gives me staisfaction on my end. all I'm hoping is that the dealer does not make it a big thing and 1. either not do it at all OR 2. levy a heavy charge on me for something as basic as wheel/tire change.

Per the tirerack.com the LTX MS2 is of lower value than Latitude HP Tour but the former has better reviews than the latter.