Toyo Proxes STII 255/50/18
01-03-09, 11:22 AM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Toyo Proxes STII 255/50/18
Okay so I took the plunge. I wanted a wider tire, but I also didn't like the idea of going to a 255/55/18 and mess up the speedo accuracy. From this link here http://forums.audiworld.com/tt2/msgs/22803.phtml it shows that a 235/55/18 is 28.177 in height and a 255/50/18 is 28.039 in height. So the speedo would be off less than going to a 255/55 which is listed at a height of 29.043 I originally replaced the Goodyear with Michelin MXV4's (stock dimensions - hated them) So I finally decided that these new Toyo's would be my choice. Luck would have it that the new Toyo Proxes ST II is more of a crossover suv tire than the old Proxes ST. With Mounting and alignment I paid under 900 for it all.
My first impression: Very nice looking tire. Air pressure is at 37 psi. Ride comfort on surface streets so far is great. I do notice that hard, hard bumps seem more harsh, but after running of some railroad tracks, and some other hard bumps, even my own driveway, the Toyo's ride much nicer. Later today I will be venturing out on my 60 mile (to and from) trek and I will have a better feel for the tires after that. Here are some initial pics I was able to get of my RX sitting next to another one with the same tires I had on before today. First one is of my new tires.
My first impression: Very nice looking tire. Air pressure is at 37 psi. Ride comfort on surface streets so far is great. I do notice that hard, hard bumps seem more harsh, but after running of some railroad tracks, and some other hard bumps, even my own driveway, the Toyo's ride much nicer. Later today I will be venturing out on my 60 mile (to and from) trek and I will have a better feel for the tires after that. Here are some initial pics I was able to get of my RX sitting next to another one with the same tires I had on before today. First one is of my new tires.
Last edited by LophatRX; 01-03-09 at 11:31 AM.
01-03-09, 02:04 PM
#3
Nice set of tires!
01-03-09, 02:05 PM
#4
How much did it cost?
01-04-09, 02:58 PM
#5
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
120 + Mile update and observations
So after my 120 mile Saturday trip, I am about 85% pleased with these tires.
First the good; very quiet, I could leave the stereo volume at about 10 and hear the words of the songs unlike with the Michelins , very stable, great smoothness and control. smooth over pavement to concrete transitions and other freeway patches and add ons, smooth on lane changes over reflectors and lane turtles(as we call them here) common place on SoCal freeways, and so far driving at a comfortable 75 mph with family and partially loaded trunk gas mileage was unchanged. Making sharp turns at intersections and such the tires don't flex or curl under like the Goodyear or Michelin, and I would say a very confidence inspiring tire for quick turns and lane changes.
The bad;( but only cause I am not the driver 90% of the time) rough roads feel rough, opposite of the transitions, if there are washboard type freeways spots, you feel and hear them, much like a sports car(my BMW Z4), on surface streets and lower speeds it actually seems like they were louder until reaching a reasonable cruising speed between 35-45 mph, from stop light to stop light. I put it in neutral once and coasted to a stop at one stop light and I didn't feel any extra lag or drag due to the wider contact patch.
Why only an 85% opinionated rating? Well in conclusion, like I said I don't drive it 90% of the time. And the wife hasn't driven it yet so I don't know what she will notice. Like me, when she is by herself the stereo is turned up more, and on occasion is known travel over 75. She doesn't lane change as much as I do and she has always loved the RX for it's smooth ride. Which like I said over most of SoCal freeways it isn't always smooth. If I drove the vehicle more than she did I would probably give it about 93% approval rating. Only because with any car rough roads don't feel good with stiff tires, I even feel my BMW is harsh on some occasions, even though I have been driving lowered, sportier cars most of my life. I paid about 820 for the tires with the road hazard type warranty. Much less than the MXV4's nearly 3 1/2 years ago. And even with Goodyear RSA's listed about 196 a tire, if Lexus had done more research they probably could have put a tire that was more promising and offered less complaints from the daily RX driver. Though with most auto companies they probably have a contract with the tire company so they get deals and are required to put those tires on them. Look my BMW came with run flats which are terrible tires, but with no room for a spare it is the safe bet. For a lot of Lexus drivers who are just leasers they won't see the end of life on their tires and their next lease will either have better tires or they don't care about ride and performance like those of us who are keeping our vehicles longer than the life of the stock tires.
First the good; very quiet, I could leave the stereo volume at about 10 and hear the words of the songs unlike with the Michelins , very stable, great smoothness and control. smooth over pavement to concrete transitions and other freeway patches and add ons, smooth on lane changes over reflectors and lane turtles(as we call them here) common place on SoCal freeways, and so far driving at a comfortable 75 mph with family and partially loaded trunk gas mileage was unchanged. Making sharp turns at intersections and such the tires don't flex or curl under like the Goodyear or Michelin, and I would say a very confidence inspiring tire for quick turns and lane changes.
The bad;( but only cause I am not the driver 90% of the time) rough roads feel rough, opposite of the transitions, if there are washboard type freeways spots, you feel and hear them, much like a sports car(my BMW Z4), on surface streets and lower speeds it actually seems like they were louder until reaching a reasonable cruising speed between 35-45 mph, from stop light to stop light. I put it in neutral once and coasted to a stop at one stop light and I didn't feel any extra lag or drag due to the wider contact patch.
Why only an 85% opinionated rating? Well in conclusion, like I said I don't drive it 90% of the time. And the wife hasn't driven it yet so I don't know what she will notice. Like me, when she is by herself the stereo is turned up more, and on occasion is known travel over 75. She doesn't lane change as much as I do and she has always loved the RX for it's smooth ride. Which like I said over most of SoCal freeways it isn't always smooth. If I drove the vehicle more than she did I would probably give it about 93% approval rating. Only because with any car rough roads don't feel good with stiff tires, I even feel my BMW is harsh on some occasions, even though I have been driving lowered, sportier cars most of my life. I paid about 820 for the tires with the road hazard type warranty. Much less than the MXV4's nearly 3 1/2 years ago. And even with Goodyear RSA's listed about 196 a tire, if Lexus had done more research they probably could have put a tire that was more promising and offered less complaints from the daily RX driver. Though with most auto companies they probably have a contract with the tire company so they get deals and are required to put those tires on them. Look my BMW came with run flats which are terrible tires, but with no room for a spare it is the safe bet. For a lot of Lexus drivers who are just leasers they won't see the end of life on their tires and their next lease will either have better tires or they don't care about ride and performance like those of us who are keeping our vehicles longer than the life of the stock tires.
01-08-09, 09:53 PM
#6
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Update
So last update for now, after a week of driving they are great tires. The good way out weighs the bad, for a quick update too, I used this final site (http://ejelta.com/tiresize/index.htm...&maxdelta=2)as a measure for buying tires for the Lexus and the BMW, I ended up with about the same percentage of loss in tire height between both vehicles I can live with the speedo reading barely 1 mile and hour difference faster than what I am truly going rather that reading slower than I am actually going. One better picture below of the tires. When I get a chance to make some smaller ones I will probably post some comparisons of the goodyear, michelin and the toyos.
01-09-09, 12:24 PM
#7
Interesting and appreciate your research and observations. We went from the Goodyear's to Michelin MVX's and now, after about 30k miles (the Goodyears were shot at just over 16k), the MVX's are starting to look a bit on the smooth side, although there is still alot of tread left. Will be quite curious as you continue to drive and get a few miles on them, any noticable difference in fuel mileage as well as handling. Also wonder how the Toyo's would do in snow.
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03-02-09, 06:26 PM
#9
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Okay here are some comparison pics
So I finally had time to get some pics of the RX with old Goodyears and the New Toyos, sorry I thought I had some of the Michelins too but I don't have any. So here are the pics of the two. First the Goodyears, and then the Toyos.
03-07-09, 06:42 AM
#11
I will definitely look at the Toyo's on my next set of tires. Looking good. I like the tread design, too.
Can you take a pic of the tread design?
Can you take a pic of the tread design?
03-09-09, 02:19 AM
#15
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Nice writeup. I've been debating whether to change my tires too (but I'm also contemplating new rims).
Off-topic, is that a TRD kit? How's the fit? I just got a Wald Sportsline kit and the sides/rear fit perfect. Just the front doesn't fit, only because its not made for the hybrid.
Off-topic, is that a TRD kit? How's the fit? I just got a Wald Sportsline kit and the sides/rear fit perfect. Just the front doesn't fit, only because its not made for the hybrid.
