agc

I am looking to get tires for my 00 LS400. I am upgrading to 18" wheels (currently on 16" factory) and am looking for new tires. The things that are important to me are as follows

1. Ride Quality
2. Tire Noise
3. Dry/Wet traction

Performance is not really that important because I use this as my daily driver and drive my two kids in it so going fast is not something I do. Longevity is also not a big factor, I usually change tires ever few years regarless of mileage (I do about 8k-10k per year). I called Tirerack and they recommended the following:

Kumho ECSTA ASX (Ultra High Performance All-Season)
Continental ContiTouringContact CH95 (Grand Touring All-Season)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 (Grand Touring All-Season)

Can you tell me which is better for my use and if you have any experience with any of them.

Thanks
AC

damon

Shocked to hear that TR recomended the Kumho's. They seem to usually push more expensive alternatives.

I think they are great products and have been very pleased with the 16's I have now.

I'm also moving to 18's and am thinking about the Kumho SPT.

94 LS 400

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I'd consider the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S. It may be about $20-$25 per tire more yet the performance characteristics are improved over a touring type tire. You don't need to go fast or corner to appreciate a tire when you you hit an ABS actuated stop. I'll take a grippy tire as a first priority. May be the difference from stopping or getting to meet some unwanted obstacle.

Especially when it is a car in front of you with a performance handling system that exceeds the LS. There are plenty that a 3-4 second space isn't enough because they can cut 10+ feet from a stop.

YMMV

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

I have some Bridgestones on mine. The Potenza RE950. It's a pretty good tire. It's one of there performance tires, handles real nice. Oh by the way, what is the temperature that an A tire can withstand?

lexodude

Im also considering the continentals because I need new tires reaaaally bad right now and it will take 4-6 weeks to get michelins in. Ive heard that the continentals are good tires because my uncle has them on his 2000 S 500, so let me know what you guys think about the continentals before I go ahead and get them.
98 LS400

Thanks

dolefee

I have the Kumho ECSTA ASX (Ultra High Performance All-Season) in a 235/50/18 and I must say I'm quite pleased with the set. Quiet tire with a 400 treadwear rating for $120ea is a steal. From stock 16s to stock 18s(off the LS430), I barely noticed a difference in ride comfort. These tires get my vote. As for the Continental ContiTouringContact CH95 (Grand Touring All-Season), I've heard things such as making sure that the set of tires you receive are specifically "Made in Germany" due to better quality (supposedly). Let us know which route you take...

nthach

you should try sticking to a V rated tire on the LS series, the car came stock with Bridgestone ER33s.

Take a look at the Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus, ContiTouringContact CV95, or the Bridgestone LS-V for touring tires. if you want something more agressive, the ContiExtremeContact is a good choice. I have them on my LS.

Another good choice would be the Toyo Proxes TPT...

GR8TSCOT

iTrader: (1)

To start with, you need to know your stock tire diameter, which is 26.63" for a 225/60-16, the stock tire on your LS.

First question you have to ask yourself: do you want to go staggered or not?


If not, then the "right" tire size is 245/45-18, which has a diameter of 26.68" (0.19% speedometer error). You can push it a bit to 255/45-18, which will give you a diameter of 27.02" (1.52% speedometer error - 60 MPH indicated = 61 MPH actual). My favourite tire choice for non-staggered is the Yokohama AVS-DB2.
See http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=AVS+dB+S2
It's quiet, inexpensive, very good traction, and has a high treadwear rating (320 - important for me, since this determines how often you will have to replace your tires). Only problem is, the only 18" tire size that's compatible is 255/45-18, so you'd have that itty bitty speedometer error. If you want to know how these will look on your LS, check out any 2000-2003 Jaguar XKR; they have 255/45-18 tires all around. Very meaty! Also, I really like the look of these tires...

If you decide to go staggered, yo have to make sure that you can get the same tire for front and back. The "right" sizes are 245/45-18 for the front, and 275/40-18 for the back. You will find that most tires available in both these fitment sizes are *very* expensive. The exception is the Avon Tech M550 All season tire. Reasonably priced, very high treadwear (360), very quiet and available in the required sizes!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ech+M550+A%2FS

I'm saving my shekels up for staggered 18's, and will go with the Avons fer shure.

A final note: make sure the wheels you get are compatible with the LS's "big brakes". The four-piston calipers on the LS are NOT the same as the brakes on the GS, and require greater offset to clear them...

damon

Great Scott,

Nice post. I don't worry much about speedo error since an LS400 is so innocuous to police that I seldom get pulled over unless it is a night Highway speed trap. This has happened only once. For the most part it is hard to get pulled over in an LS.

Stock tire on vehicle in question is 758 revs per mile.,btw

Horta

If you do a search under my name you may still find my old thread. I switched my tires a year or so ago and it was a nightmare. Wasted lots of money and lots of time. I cannot stress it enough stick with your OEM Bridgestone ER33s.

lexodude

Hey I just got continentals put on my98 today and theyre really good tires. I reccomend them. Very smooth and awesome tration.

damon

Very happy with my Tire choice of a 235/45/18 Kumho SPT. This size does not show up yet at the TireRack site but they are available. Outer diameter is 26.3 so there is almost no variation from stock. Car now has a much improved handling characteristics compared to my stock 94 LS 16's.

I did not wish to run a staggered setup. Since mine is a 1st gen w lower hp than later LS variants I'm very glad that I was able to keep the tire diameter so close to stock. I had thought about doing 235/50/18's but was warned off of that path by some here. Now very happy for that advice.