If I’m looking for the absolute quietest and softest tires for my 430, which of the following do you recommend?

1. Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack
2. Michelin CrossClimate2
3. Pirelli Cinturato Plus II

or something I haven’t heard of yet?

I strongly believe that tire reviews should contain a decibel test over various surfaces with a control car. As it stands, I have no idea what is objectively the quietest tire.

 

Always try to find reviews of tires from people that have the same car as you of if not the same at least close. Example:
https://www.tirerack.com/survey/Surv...irePageLocQty=

I don't have the Turanza's but would likely buy those out of the ones you list (or any tire).

 

I have CrossClimate2 installed last December, replaced worn Michelin MX4. Driven about 20k miles since.

My observations are:
1. surefooted in rain
2. dampens bumps better at 32-33PSI than the MX4 (also comparing new tires against old, thus not exactly apples to apples)
3. sidewalls looks saggy at 32PSI
4. tires have tall shoulders compared with some others, and at 32 PSI it does appear shoulders are wearing faster than the center
5. others have suggested 35-36 PSI, I tried it, the ride feels bumpier at 35/36 PSI than 32PSI, maybe a hair bumpier than MX4 at 32PSI. I want the tire to wear evenly so now I'm at 35/36PSI
6. similar quietness compared with MX4

 

I've been on a hiatus here in the Lexus world but now I'm back and I can offer some experience regarding the Vredstein Quatrac Pros in the 245/45r18 variety. All I can say is, they are amazing!! The only advantage my Pirelli P7+ MAY have had is with noise, as they were very quiet tires. But the Vredsteins roll smoother and absorb bumps like you wouldn't believe..
See, when I buy tires my #1 priority is to buy a tire that rides smooth as glass on the highway -- noise and comfort are still important, but secondary. A shimmy or shake, even a minor one, drives me absolutely crazy.. And the main issue I had with the P7s was that they seemed to develop minor flat spots after sitting for 12+ hours that would take a little bit of driving to completely smooth out. With the Vredsteins, they ride perfectly smooth right away.
So anyone that needs tires, check out the Vredsteins, you will not be disappointed

 

+++++on the Vredsteins...quiet, responsive, surefooted...at half the $$ of the Michelins I normally mount. They do have a flat spot issue after a few days sitting, it works out after a few miles but wlll freak you a bit till then.

 

MICHELIN PILOT SPORT ALL SEASON 4 is a great option if anyone is in the market. Also she seats a little taller.

Fun fact: Spare wheel still got the original made in Japan Dunlop. Will replace it will something newer whenever I find one on sale or maybe slightly used tire from brand name manufacture.

 

Just wanted to drop in and say that I picked up a set of Kumho LX Platinum KU27 tires at Walmart this past weekend for about $93/tire for my '06. I had to go with 235/50-R18 since they don't make that tire in 245/45-R18, and decent tires in our size are $125 minimum otherwise. No issues with rubbing going up a size with the sidewall, difference is around 2% overall with 235 width, and the guys at Walmart didn't give me any issues about it aside from asking me if I knew my tire size. All said and done I spent around $477 for tires + installation, which is pretty good considering the size of these tires. I was able to place the order and schedule the install on the Walmart website, which was convenient.

As for the tires, I'm incredibly impressed with these tires given their price. I can't speak for how they perform in the snow just yet, but they're great in the rain, seem to be quiet, and have a much smoother/softer ride than the Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires that they replaced. Granted, those Michelins should have been replaced 3,000 miles ago, but I'm impressed nonetheless. I'm sure the extra sidewall height also contributes to the improvement in ride quality. My second option was the Kumho Solus Majesty 9 TA91 at Discount Tire or Tirerack, but it was hard to justify the extra $150+ installed for those compared to the Kumhos at Walmart. If anyone is looking for a decent set of tires on a budget, they're definitely your best choice when it comes to a <$100 tire.

 

Thinking of dropping down to 235/40 R19 from 245/40 R19s. Currently have the Pirelli DragonSport line on my LS, though since I have dropped the car the tires have now seen considerable wear. I need to replace them as soon as possible. Cheapest option in my area is the Kumho Ecsta PS71 in 235/40 on 19 inch wheels. Anyone ran these before? Granted I don't think they will last that long considering I am rubbing a bit in the front, but it's a last hoorah before I revert everything back to stock and get new tires for the 17" factory wheels that I had ordered. Personally I feel like these 245's look a bit puffy for the stance it sits at right now, so I assume the 235's will look more suitable

 

How does anyone who is driving on Continental extreme contact DSW 06 Plus feel about it being a quiet tire? I hear comments about it being noisy and having soft side walls, yet other owners absolutely love them! I know they are great in the rain, but quietness and and not being squirrelly is important to me.

 

In the UK/EU all tyres have to be advertised with a Noise rating in DB.
Noisy tyres are those who generate above 77Db external noise in the standard tests and are only legal for road use in the UK/EU under limited circumstances.
Fairly quiet tyres are 69-77Db. This is the most common range for all of the LS430 tyre sizes.
Very quiet tyres are those below 69Db and so far only include Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS marked) tyres, Hankook Ventus, and Continental ContiSilent models.

However, remember that these tests are for EXTERNAL noise and do not always translate into internal noise levels.
An 18" tyre with a rating of 70Db will generate more internal noise than a 16" tyre with the same tread width and pattern with the same 70Db rating.
This is because there is more sidewall on the 16" tyre and that reduces noise transmission to the car itself.

Also remember that wider tyres will create more noise than narrower tyres with the same treat pattern.

This is the rating sticker for the tyres I currently have on my LS430. The Avon ZV5s that they replaced had the same external noise rating but were much quieter inside the car.

 

That's interesting stuff about noise. I had always had Michelin Primacy's and loved them, expensive but kind of worth it I think. Last time they were nationally unavailable so I bought Goodyear Assurance Comfort Drive. They ride really well with low noise, but I feel confident after 2 full seasons and a couple of trips I am not getting the MPG's I did with the Primacy's. Not sure what would cause that, higher silicone content?

Michelin's are great. I have gone through 2 pair of XICE 2's and 3's and such a high performing tire. Quiet and great MPG's, almost matching the Primacy.

 

I'm so annoyed Michelin ever stopped making the Primacy MXM4 in my size (225/55/17). How similar did you find the Goodyear Assurance Comfort Drive with the characteristics of the Primacy in noise level and handling? Tire Rack recently gave this tire a pretty good updated review in it's class (Grand Touring All Season) . I'm not sure many even know about this tire as I haven't.

 

Hey, @Bocatrip , sorry, been out of it for a few days. I also have the 17's...so really, they are done with them? I thought it was just a shortage. Why?! Uggh. To your question, I have no professional driving experience and since my driving experiences were 6 months removed (6 months of X-ICE 3's), compairing brand new Assurance's to Primacy's that were at 4/32 when removed, I can't sound like an authority. I will tell you that I did not do a ton of shopping but Discount Tire, my shop for 12 years, told me to look into them. I found 2 reviews equating or giving them an edge over Primacy. In ride quality and handling they have been good. I won't know about durability for a few years yet. I just think they may have more resistance and are not permitting the same mileage. You could argue that resistance should result in more road noise, but considering the criteria mentioned previously, I could not tell. They are no doubt good tires and I used to have Good Year on my Nissan in the 90's and they did wear well so I am hoping for that. But wow, I will miss the Primacys. I still do not believe the Crsclimate 2 is the everything tire. I have mentioned in other threads I reqally think a lot of what you pay for in a tire is how they wear.

 

Just installed Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus 3 tires , 245/45 r 18 on the '05 LS 430, considered an ultra high performance all season tire. Initial impressions are it is exceptionally quiet. excellent wet handling and braking, and absorbs impact, road imperfections very well. According to Pirelli and various reviews I have seen, it is a improvement over the previous iteration of this tire (P Zero all season, which I replaced just now) and so far I agree with that. I got them for about $ 180 per tire at Discount Tire. I have no idea how they would do in ice and snow but I don't care as I would rarely if ever drive this car in winter conditions but they do have a M&S designation. Y speed rating too.

 

They don’t make P Zeros in my 17” size. Good tire though.