From various sources on the web and seeing for myself in person, I'm aware of two 18" tire models, both from Bridgestone that are mounted on the '14 IS in Canada and US:

All-Season: 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 - Bridgestone Turanza EL 400 2
Summer: 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 - Bridgestone Potenza S001

The 350 F-Sport RWD gets the summer ones. The rest with 18" wheels including 250 F-Sport and all AWD models seem to get the Turanzas. I'm not too fond of these as they have only a 260 treadwear rating and 9/32" tread depth. And worse, they rate horribly bad on TireRack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ranza+EL400-02

Has anyone seen different tires in N. America or any other market for that matter?

 

The Potenzas are some of the worst tires out there. I had them as OEM on my 2IS. The only saving grace is that the life span was only about 16000 miles and then they needed to be changed.

 

S001's are one of the best tires... Turanza's are one of the worst :-)

 

I think that the Continental Extreme Contact DW is a much better tire for noise level, handling, and wear. That is just my opinion. I am not a fan of the Bridgestones.

 

The EU lexus IS also comes with bridgestones.
I'll probably replace them with michelin primacy or michelin pilot sport tyres when their lifespan are over.
When I worked as a mechanic for mercedes, they definitly did ride best on michelin tyres. And michelin tyres also had a very low noice level.

 

You had new S001's, launched in 2011? They come factory on cars like LFA, RS5 and 458. Not a bad company to be with.

I would not like Turanza's though, nobody likes them.

 

Are you sure you had the Potenza S001s and not the Potenza RE050s? I don't believe the S001s were OEM tires on the 2IS but I could be behind on my knowledge...

 

S001's do OK in tests... sometimes best, sometimes mid-pack... seems like Ferrari drivers like them for track days.

 

Bridgestone S001 are actually horrible tires. My friend had them on his 330 BMW and the grip is terrible on these tires and he ended up throwing them out and getting Continental ExtremeContact DW instead.

Even on the LFA, the S001 were criticized a lot by various magazines and pro drivers like Sharef Abdelbasset, Randy Pobst for not being able to handle the 553 HP and for very easily breaking traction at low speeds (at higher speeds, the downforce made it better) resulting in very inconsistent 0 - 60 mph numbers. The Nurburgring Edition came with better RE070 high-grip tires.

If you remember reading the insideline (edmunds) review of the IS-F when Lexus switched from Michelin PS2 to Potenza RE050, insideline blamed the Bridgestone tires for the weaker numbers.

Funny how you mentioned 458 Italia, but Ferrari actually dumped the Potenza S001 very early on in 2009 citing "unsatisfactory" performance results and contracted Michelin for developing a special version of super sport for the 458 Italia that are almost like racing slicks. You will not find any of the test/reviews since 2009 where it wore Potenza S001. All 458 Italia were tested with early on with PS2 K1 and then Pilot SS tires.

If you read some of the reviews of the IS 350 F-sport, the only complaint being made about it, is regarding the tires not having enough traction.

If I end up buying an IS350 F-sport, I will swap the tires out for Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

 

In Canada, it is sad to see a RWD car comes with all season tires. I find it a minor inconvenience because in winter, all season with RWD is the worst combo and so I have to switch to winter tires. In summer, the ****ty all season cannot give you the best performance. I can see for regions where there is no snow, it is easy to sell a car with all season. You get the best of both worlds.

Back in 2006 when I got the 2IS (only RWD that time), it came with summer tires (Dunlop SP Maxx) and it makes sense.

 

Sorry, the RE050's were the OEM in '08. I meant to say the OEM replacements for my 2IS. In any case, I was not and am still not a fan of Bridgestone tires with either model of Potenza. I went to the Continentals as I had the ContiContacts on my BMW 5 series.

 

Saw an IS 350 F Sport today w/ Turanza ER 33s

 

I have read reviews of S001's on Ferrari forums where people think they are some of the best tires on the track for their Ferrari's, of course without being dedicated track tires... I am talking about people logging their times with various tires.

I have had few Potanza's before and found them good... i usually buy tires based on reviews and then end up being disappointed.

 

When it comes to grip on dry and handling respons the bridgestones are great.
I've driven a few cars with bridgestone tyres, and my Impreza STI are equiped with Re070.
Same tyres as the GTR comes with.

However, these tires give a harsh ride, are stiff as hell, and makes more road noice than studded tires. They also have poor grip on wet.
So the "sporty" ride comes at the expence of all the comfort.

Why would anyone sacrifice the comfort when they can have both sportyness and comfort with michelin or continental?

 

TALLY UPDATE

Confirmed sightings:

Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 All Season (250 AWD, 350 AWD)
Bridgestone Turanza ER33 Summer (350 F-Sport)