I searched for this thread. I am sure they are out there.2005 LS430 with 18 inch wheels. What is recommended for a smooth touring ride? I need to keep it under $1000.00.

Thank you
AlphaRed

 

I highly recommend the Michelin Cross Climate II. However, it may put you over your limit (I paid $1,217 out the door at Discount Tire). They ride well, are superb in rain and really good in moderate snow. They are directional tires but I have zero regrets and can easily see 40-50K on these which makes them a pretty decent value IMO.

 

I am hoping that tire prices are coming down. Discount and Costco are my go too's. I came here first for recommendations.

Thank you for your help.
AlphaRed

 

I'm in need of tires. I'm looking at the Michelin Cross Climate II, Michelin Defender II or Continental TrueContact Tour. I cant recommend any of these, as I have no firsthand experience with them. I will be follow this thread to see what others say. Thanks to @OutlawTita for the high recommendation on the Cross Climates

 

I just put Michelin Defender II, H speed rating, on my LS400 and so far like them a lot. Very quiet, excellent grip. My Pirelli Pzero All season Plus tires , Y speed rating, on my LS430 have been excellent 3 season tire and I should get about 40,000 miles out of them when they are done in a year or so. Extremely quiet and also great in the rain.

 

I like the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus. In the US, Continental will have a rebate of $110 with the purchase of four (4) beginning June 1, 2024. Take a look at the test results from Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=324, there is a link on that page to read the full test report.

I've got a set on my wife's ES350 and will be putting a set on my LS430 in a few weeks when the rebate starts. Super tires in my experience.

 

I purchased the Michelin CrossClimate last July. The sidewall failed on the left front tire within 6 weeks of installation; IIRC they were within 3 months of manufacture (2 from the US and 2 from Canada, but I do not remember which failed). I filed a request to Michelin through Discount Tire where I purchased them from to exchange for Defender2 tires and am pleased with the Defender2s. The cost was just slightly over $1000 for the 17" on my 2004.

Louise

 

I believe these are what I have on my LS430 (too lazy to go outside and look). Great tire, have about 15k on them and they have been super. I have a short highway commute to work and sometimes I come home pretty late and night when there is minimal traffic. Tires are super quiet at speed and provide good stability. Triple digit cruising is really where the LS430 shines and with the right tires... *chef's kiss*.

Previously I had Falken tires and will never run those again after they lost a decent chunk of tread while driving.

 

Tons of tire threads, and tons of opinions. I think in tires you will get what you pay for. All new tires will feel great, but it's the wear that justifies the price.
I have always bought Michelin Primacy's for this car and X-ICE3's for winter, but when I needed touring last time Michelin was only offering Primacy's in run-flat, an extra $100 per tire for a feature I did not need (I'm still pretty young and I have AAA). I went Goodyear Assurance Comfort Drive. Wonderful tire. On my last 10-hour road trip, I stopped at a Discount Tire (my place) to check pressure because they felt too squishy to me. Pressure checked out, so pretty good testimonial there.

 

One type I would NOT recommend is Michelin Pilot Sports. I got a set for my 18" 5-spoke wheels last year, and while they handle very well, they're pretty loud and the stiffness takes away from that magic carpet ride we all know and love. Next time I'm going to back to non-sport tires.

 

I almost went with Goodyear Assurance Comfort Drive’s. Ended up with my usual Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3’s (had the 1st and 2nd versions) last week, now in V-rated only instead of H. They’re quiet but I feel some bumps but many people praise their ride quality. I’m wondering about switching while I’m still in my evaluation window. How do the Comfort Drive’s handle really poor roads?? I live in San Diego and some areas have 3rd world roads. Also thought the Defender 2 might be another to consider.

 

Same here in SLC, snow and treatment takes its toll. Some nice newer roads here and some are terrible. You are always going to feel some bumps though. An edge is an edge. I am sure the Pirelli's are great.

I should add I am riding on the 17's, so 55 series. I love the look of the 18's but didn't want to be on 45's. It is so strange to me that luxury sedans are riding 45's and 40's now, but the buyers are younger and want the performance and huge wheels inside the well!

 

thx, ya that’s crazy to me too, I don’t want high performance at all in my luxobarge. 2 ideas - a slight width change to 235’s would yield a thicker sidewall by 0.2” but speedometer would be off by 1 mph and mpg calculations would be off in trip computer as well. OR, more dramatically, I’ve thought about downsizing to 16’s which barely fit the calipers and offer 225-60-16 tire size and a substantially more generous sidewall…that would really smooth things out.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is/was the best overall (wet grip + dry grip + handling + noise) in the 17" size. I believe the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the one for 18". Read through https://www.tyrereviews.com/ and other such sites for head-to-head standardized testing, make note of the top X tires in your desired categories, then see what they cost at your local retailers.