tire selection
Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: California
Dueler H/L Alenzas
I have them on my car, they look great and have a wide tread width for more rubber on the road. After 20K miles though they are starting to ride pretty harsh, not as quiet as they used to be. I'm thinking about replacing them with the Yokohama V4S. They are a little bit wider (8.0 vs. 7.7) than the Alenza's and weigh 3 lbs. less per tire so hopefully I can save on gas.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Florida
If you are shopping price, you might want to try www.onlinetires.com.
Last edited by metal; Dec 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
We drive a 2007 400H.
I upgraded and upsized to the Bridgestone Alenzas - but went with 255 x 55 x18 from the stock 235 x 55. Purely from the standpoint of appearance, it is a remarkable upgrade - the car now looks balanced. Previously it looked like it was perched, balanced on skinny tyres.
Yes, they are more heavy than the stock tires, and I am very familiar with the issue of unsprung weight. But the difference in how the care "feels" is substantial, in addition to being simply superior when the roads are very wet.
The Michelins felt like raw steel on their finals days, and despite being trouble free the car never previously felt grippy when on twisty roads. The larger footprint imparts a very discernible feel to the car.
I accept the penalty of MPG, whatever it may be. It might be 1-2 MPG, it might not - it depends how the car is driven during a given tank. I mean if you fret that sort of issue, and it is clearly your right to do so, I have no comment.
I simply know the cars feels and handles better for us, the way we drive and under the conditions which we travel.
chmod
I upgraded and upsized to the Bridgestone Alenzas - but went with 255 x 55 x18 from the stock 235 x 55. Purely from the standpoint of appearance, it is a remarkable upgrade - the car now looks balanced. Previously it looked like it was perched, balanced on skinny tyres.
Yes, they are more heavy than the stock tires, and I am very familiar with the issue of unsprung weight. But the difference in how the care "feels" is substantial, in addition to being simply superior when the roads are very wet.
The Michelins felt like raw steel on their finals days, and despite being trouble free the car never previously felt grippy when on twisty roads. The larger footprint imparts a very discernible feel to the car.
I accept the penalty of MPG, whatever it may be. It might be 1-2 MPG, it might not - it depends how the car is driven during a given tank. I mean if you fret that sort of issue, and it is clearly your right to do so, I have no comment.
I simply know the cars feels and handles better for us, the way we drive and under the conditions which we travel.
chmod
However, you are correct in that for the wet and in places like sunny CA and FL that a wider contact patch on the road does help. There is also a different feel in the steering wheel.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: CA
our climate and the choice of the wider Alenzas
But, in response to your statement - you are right. We live in a wet, mountainous area ( ~50 inches of rain annually) and otherwise it's CA weather. So the amount of tread on the ground is a real issue, and these have a very good feel on wet or dry mountain roads.
I can't quantify the issue, simply assert it feels so much more stable. Your 330X is inherently a better handling car. We have some pretty significant unsprung weight in the form of the batteries under the rear seat. I am sure these have been factored into the design. But I cannot fathom the skinny tires for what I presume is 80%+ of the use of the 400H - non snow use.
chmod
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
Just a note to correct the assumption that your batteries are "unsprung" weight. They are indeed sprung.
I was also interested in hearing your views of the hybrid's snow abilities compared to a conventional RX. I've a friend with a hybrid who emphatically doesn't like the hybrid in snow and ice conditions.
I was also interested in hearing your views of the hybrid's snow abilities compared to a conventional RX. I've a friend with a hybrid who emphatically doesn't like the hybrid in snow and ice conditions.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: CA
I was also interested in hearing your views of the hybrid's snow abilities compared to a conventional RX. I've a friend with a hybrid who emphatically doesn't like the hybrid in snow and ice conditions.
I found the car to behave OK, not unsafe. But my son's 96 4Runner 4WD can run circles around it, no surprise. I think if a person bought the car thinking it would handle snow and ice like an AUDI Quatro, for example, they are very sorry they bought the car. It DOES handle snow and some ice better than a non AWD car, and I have ridden in a 400H AWD with real snow tires (Blizzaks) and it was significantly better than All-Season tires, but not as good as a true 4WD. And like I said, the lack of ability to go either ALL electric or all gas in an effort to handle a specific set of circumstance, is somewhat of an issue.
chmod
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: WA
I am running the Bridgestone Dueler H/L in a 255 width, I prefer the looks and the slightly more off road oriented tread pattern to the original Goodyears. It handles better in the rain as well.
I ask because all other reviews indicate Alenza as the preferred tire for the RX330. This little sentence causes me concern, since I am ready to purchase new tires.
Please follow up with more information as to what was causing your problem.
thanks
Chris
Driver
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
I have the 235/55R-18 Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 tire for about 4 months on a 2007 RX350 and they are fine. After installing yes there is more of a feel to the road, but the stock tires make the drive feel like [insert dead hooker analogy here.]
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: WA
I too have the Kumho Road Venture APTKL51 tires for 3 yrs or so (24k miles on them). They are way better in the rain than the stock RS-A. In the snow, it did fine without any issue (also better the RS-A in this regard). I drove it to work when most folks in the Seattle area staid home during one of the few snow storms we have around here. Will probably buy it again when they wear out.
I'll be buying a set of tires in the next few weeks.I was going to go with Alenza's but these Kumho Road Venture APTKL51 at just over $500 delivered from Tire Rack have my interest.
The Kumho's on Tire Rack have some very good test results and consumer reviews.I've also read some very good reviews on forums.
Noise and ride opinions with the Kumho's from you guys here?
The Alenza's and Kumho's are 4 lb per tire heavier than the stock Michelins.
The Kumho's on Tire Rack have some very good test results and consumer reviews.I've also read some very good reviews on forums.
Noise and ride opinions with the Kumho's from you guys here?
The Alenza's and Kumho's are 4 lb per tire heavier than the stock Michelins.
Last edited by Joeb427; Dec 28, 2009 at 04:20 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 506
Likes: 113
From: Arkansas
I have the Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 OE tires but I only have about 11K on them. I am not looking for replacing these tires anytime soon but those that have had these tires would you buy them again and if not why ? So far these tires have performed like a champ.
Cat
Cat
Most tires at half or more wear lose traction,get noisy etc..
I can't see going for over $200 per for the OEM Michelins when other tires tested and in surveys have better results.
I've also found through the years that most OEM tires are average at best and there are many tires that perform better for same price or less.
IMO,Bridgestone Alenza's are better than OEM Michelins at $30 less per tire.
Great reviews on certain Kumho tire.One is Kumho Road Venture APTKL51 that I may try.