pulpZ

My wife currently has a 2015 IS 350 F-Sport that exhibits the adverse inner front tire wear that the dealer dismisses as normal on a "sports car". I can go into my own personal opinion on this topic based on my experience with other sports cars. But I won't. I will only say I do not believe it is "normal" to expect significant non-uniform wear across the tires of a factory setup under normal use, and that this issue is a byproduct of a design lacking robustness. And I'm surprised its gone on for multiple model years.

It is time to turn in our IS 350 F Sport off lease and my wife wants an RC 350 F-Sport.

After searching the threads here on Club Lexus, it is unclear to me if the 2017 RC 350 F-Sport AWD exhibits this same issue. I know some folks here are replacing tires between 15,000 and 20,000 miles or less. But is there anything driving this beyond driving style, modifications, wear rating? i.e. is the RC 350 front end screwed up like the IS 350?


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2016 Cayman GTS 6MT X73
2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport - Wifey's DD
2012 Acura TL SH-AWD - My DD
2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold)
2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

louczar

I did as much research as I could before buying my used 2015 RC 350 FSport. From what I saw people posting....this is not an issue with all of them. From every Lexus forum I could find with a thread about this, not many have this issue. I bought my car used (13K miles) and wanted it to have used tires on it....just so I could see how that vehicle was wearing the tires.

Hope this helps

15RC350F

I too bought a CPO 2015 RC350 F-Sport with 15K miles. Still has the original tires and at 18K miles they're still kickin'.

tfischer

I'm at 19,000 miles after 3 years on my original tires and they do not need replacement at this time.
I've never heard the IS referred to as a sports car.
I've never heard that sports cars display uneven tire wear, unless you live in one of those states that has banned all left turns, so she is only turning right all the time.

forcaport7

iTrader: (1)

I have had my tires on for over a year now, and my RC is my daily driver, and I am still good with the tires I have on. No need to change them anytime soon.

pulpZ

Our local dealership repeatedly refers to the IS as a sports car to substantiate the expectation that uneven tire wear (even severe as demonstrated on the IS) should be tolerated. I just politely tell them that I disagree and state that it is a sedan with a sport-tuned suspension.Its not a purpose-built sports car. And that this issue is a legitimate safety concern.

A few years back my buddy leased a 350 F-Sport and at 10,000 miles the front inside tread had worn to the belt. This was very alarming as the middle and outside tread, as well as the rears, showed normal wear. So one could be led to believe their tires are in very good condition and unexpectedly experience severe tire failure. He immediately called and warned me and when I inspected my tires, they were adversely warn as well.

And agree, uneven tire wear on sports cars shouldn't happen, but some have been known to because of the softer compounds and more stressful suspension setup. I understand this was an issue for the early Acura NSXs and I experienced it first hand on my 2003 Nissan 350Z. I went with after market springs and sways to fix the problem. This was a BIG problem on the 2003s and some of the 2004s. By 2005 the problem mysteriously disappeared and Nissan never formally acknowledged there was a problem. Those that didn't want to modify their car had to live with eating tires and excessive road noise.

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2016 Cayman GTS 6MT X73
2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport - Wifey's DD
2012 Acura TL SH-AWD - My DD
2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold)
2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

stevez2

23000 miles and tread depth still ok and with even wear (per Lexus at just completed service). They also said that many are ready for new tires at 15K. I must be getting old and driving like it.

mjeds

speaking as an RC-F owner, not an AWD owner, but both my rear tires where showing the belts by 22k miles results of summer tires and a by design negative camber. most if not all sports cars come with a negative camber as it is a desired design for cornering, Simply put, negative camber helps counteract the natural tendency for a tire to roll onto its outer shoulder while cornering, keeping the contact patch squarely on the road while cornering allowing for more grip and higher cornering speeds.

IMO it is one of the trade-offs for owning a performance vehicle.

redspencer

iTrader: (1)

Historically, Lexus performance vehicles suffer from premature wear to the inner treads of the front tires due to the soft OEM front LCA bushings which causes dynamic toe changes when braking or turning. Replacing the front LCA bushings with an aftermarket high durometer polyurethane version (e.g. FIGS Engineering or RRRacing) will help resolve the inner wear issue to the front tires.

pulpZ

Good to hear. Even tire wear is expected regardless of tire selection. Tire selection and driving style should dictate safe wear rate.

pulpZ

This is consistent with what I was able to deduce from reading through other threads. It's my understanding the RC uses the same front-end as the IS which leads me to ask the question is this an issue on the RC, and does it require the same mod? And if no, it would be iteresting to know why.

Wabash

I have a 2015, and the original tires are still on the car. Bought the car new in April 2015 and current mileage is 22,500. Granted I did have winter tires/wheels on the car for one winter.

RCjets

RC's use the GS front end, IS rear end and IS C for the middle.
My 2016 RC350 F Sport AWD currently has 34,183mi with the original tires measuring 6/32 (5mm) and going strong with no signs of adverse wear. I do rotate my tires every 5k and make sure the cold tire pressure stays above the recommended 36psi. I hope to make 40-45k before needing new tires. My driving style is mostly "normal" with occasional fast curves or acceleration for enjoyment, so it's not like I'm pampering it all the time.

Flic1

I have the RC 350 F-Sport RWD and I replaced the rears at about 30k miles. I now have 37k and the fronts are close but I am rolling into a new 2017 next week so will not need to replace. I had uneven wear on the rears and it was driving pretty awful above 70mph (rough ride) which is was prompted the new tires. I'm not sure the tread depth was all that bad....

TuanDang

I also have a 2015 RC350 F-Sport RWD and the tread is doing fine at 22K miles. Of course it may depend on everyone's driving style.