LS430-Tire tires discussions (The Mother thread)
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: GUAM
LS 430 tires
Soo...did anyone ever give a good answer on a good tire to replace stocks?? heheh i know i need to change my 2003 LS430 tires by the time I get home in Dec. good to hear another member on here is from GUAM like me hehe HOLLA!!
Fred
Fred
Driver
Joined: May 2005
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From: louisiana
Originally Posted by daryll40
The short version of my question is "what are good tires for my 2004 LS430 that won't wear out in 20,000 miles?". But there is a longer version and I am posting this on both the general LS board and on the LS430-specific board.
My 2004 LS430 is now about 2 years old with 22,000 miles. The factory Dunlops were pretty well worn when I pulled off the Nokian snow tires last spring. So I went to NTB to buy Michelins but the guy talked me into a cheaper (price) "Cooper Sigma" tire. Well, that was a mere 4,000 ago and the tires are LITERALLY worn by half....they started with 11/32nds and now have about 6 32/nds. IN JUST 4000 MILES!
So the manager at NTB tells me that the tires are "V" rated and that even if they give me a different brand (for yet more money, of course!), they'll wear fast too. My comment to him is my question for you all:
This is Pittsburgh. Up and down hills all day. Take my kids to school and wife to the supermarket. I don't do "touring". I want a REAL WORLD tire for city driving (vehicle has never been on a trip!) that will get, if I am not asking too much, at least 30,000 miles in, I admit, hard driving.
What happens if I don't get "V" rated tires? Will lightning strike? Will the car disintegrate?
What do you Lexophiles recommend?
My 2004 LS430 is now about 2 years old with 22,000 miles. The factory Dunlops were pretty well worn when I pulled off the Nokian snow tires last spring. So I went to NTB to buy Michelins but the guy talked me into a cheaper (price) "Cooper Sigma" tire. Well, that was a mere 4,000 ago and the tires are LITERALLY worn by half....they started with 11/32nds and now have about 6 32/nds. IN JUST 4000 MILES!
So the manager at NTB tells me that the tires are "V" rated and that even if they give me a different brand (for yet more money, of course!), they'll wear fast too. My comment to him is my question for you all:
This is Pittsburgh. Up and down hills all day. Take my kids to school and wife to the supermarket. I don't do "touring". I want a REAL WORLD tire for city driving (vehicle has never been on a trip!) that will get, if I am not asking too much, at least 30,000 miles in, I admit, hard driving.
What happens if I don't get "V" rated tires? Will lightning strike? Will the car disintegrate?
What do you Lexophiles recommend?
are those tires are original tires? i thought original tires are 225/55HR17 and "h" rated. that's what i have on my 03 ls430. you can check your tire size at the door panel.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 48
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From: International
The 2004 LS430 comes with Dunlop SP Sport 5000 M. I had to replace mine at 20k miles, so I went with the Kumho ECSTA ASX based on the rave reviews at tirerack. The Dunlops are quieter at highway speeds and give a smoother ride, but the Kumhos are less expensive, higher rated, more confidence-inspiring, and they don't squeal in the turns like the Dunlops. If the Dunlops weren't so expensive, I would get them again because they are so quiet on the highway. But they are expensive, so I will likely continue with the Kumhos and enjoy the improved handling instead.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7
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From: Texas
Tire For Best Ride Ls 430
2002 Ls 430 Ultra Looking For Smoothest And Quitest Ride Possible
CAR RIDE HEAVY AND LOUD ON GOOD ROADS ALSO HANDLING IS VERY TUCHY
TIRES ARE 255 60R17 PSI IS HIGH TO ME 36PSI.
CAR RIDE HEAVY AND LOUD ON GOOD ROADS ALSO HANDLING IS VERY TUCHY
TIRES ARE 255 60R17 PSI IS HIGH TO ME 36PSI.
Last edited by Gary13; Dec 9, 2007 at 07:43 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 271
From: Kansas
The main route to the "smoothest and quietest ride possible" is to use the OEM standard size wheels and tires - 225/60-16 tires on 16" wheels.
Here is what Lexus says about using 17" wheels and 225/55HR17 tires that were optional on the 2002 LS430:
"Optional 17 x 7.5-in wheels with 225/55HR17 tires are expected to experience greater tire wear than the standard equipment tires, 225/60HR16. Tire life may be substantially less than 15,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. Your riding comfort may decrease and road noise may increase during driving. Please consider all this when selecting an LS 430 equipped with this option."
The 255 section tires you currently have on your car put a lot more rubber on the road which makes your car find a lot more road imperfections.
Here is what Lexus says about using 17" wheels and 225/55HR17 tires that were optional on the 2002 LS430:
"Optional 17 x 7.5-in wheels with 225/55HR17 tires are expected to experience greater tire wear than the standard equipment tires, 225/60HR16. Tire life may be substantially less than 15,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. Your riding comfort may decrease and road noise may increase during driving. Please consider all this when selecting an LS 430 equipped with this option."
The 255 section tires you currently have on your car put a lot more rubber on the road which makes your car find a lot more road imperfections.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 4
From: Lou-Evil KY
the lexus quote is based on their factory tires. there are numerous other tires available that will last much longer than the factory oe tires in 17".
255 60 17 is a weird size. definitley shouldn't be on the car as it is much too tall.
a wider tire will be louder than a narrower tire. i'd get the factory spec size 225 55 17. that will quiet the noise down.
have you inspected your current tires for wear? if they are wearing unevenly, that will cause noise too.
36psi is about right... too low pressure will increase the chances of bending a wheel on a pothole or other road hazard.
if you're not a brand snob, one of the best stock size quiet tires for an ls430 is a kumho solus. i've installed many of those on people's cars and they ride and handle as well as a michelin and usualy take less weight to balance. oh yeah, they cost half as much too.
255 60 17 is a weird size. definitley shouldn't be on the car as it is much too tall.
a wider tire will be louder than a narrower tire. i'd get the factory spec size 225 55 17. that will quiet the noise down.
have you inspected your current tires for wear? if they are wearing unevenly, that will cause noise too.
36psi is about right... too low pressure will increase the chances of bending a wheel on a pothole or other road hazard.
if you're not a brand snob, one of the best stock size quiet tires for an ls430 is a kumho solus. i've installed many of those on people's cars and they ride and handle as well as a michelin and usualy take less weight to balance. oh yeah, they cost half as much too.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
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From: California
Try the Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus or the Primacy MXV4 which is better than the Energy MXV4 - the Energy is more of a low rolling resistance tire while the Primacy has better treadlife and better wet behavior.