Anybody knows why my car (AWD) comes with the Dunlops, while the rest of the lot at the dealership have Michelins???

 

Ask the dealer to do a swap if you didn't take delivery yet.
I would if I didn't have Michelins.

 

It may have to do with where your vehicle was assembled. I have a 450h which was assembled in Japan and it came with 19 inch Dunlops. I am quite pleased with them even though I have had Michelins and Continentals on just about every vehicle I have owned over the last 15-20 years. Smooth ride, no road noise, and great handling in this winters snow storms here in PA.

 

It's just luck of the draw, what ever is assembled to the wheels installed on your particular car. Mine is from Japan also (all 450h models are) and I have the Michelin's.

 

^^ I agree. My 450h, built last November, came with the Dunlops. The dealer agreed to switch them out for the Michelins but no RXs on the lot had them, only Bridgestone. I'm glad I didn't change them because I've read some complaints here about the Bridgestone. The Dunlops are fine to me.

Are you having issues with the Dunlops?

 

I have Dunlops on my vehicle, it was manufactured in Japan. After 32,000 KM (Canada Eh?), there was feathering from one tire, because I have AWD, all 4 have to changed. This is causing vibration, humming and shaking at certain speeds. I've ordered 4 Yokohama Parada Spec-X from tirerack.com. They are one of the best rated tires for sport luxury vehicles. I can't wait to get them on! After reading reviews on the Dunlops, I can't bring myself to replace the tires with another set from the same manufacturer.

 

Our January manufactured RX350 has the Michelins. Very smooth and quiet ride, and although we didn't get to try them out in the snow they're very good in the rain.

If it had had Dunlops we would have asked them to switch them. Michelin are some of the best IMO, although I've been very happy with the Toyo's I recently got on my '01 ES.

 

Mine 450h is a December build, Japan, and has Dunlops. I had some damage to a sidewall due to an unfortunate incident during the heavy snows this past winter (those huge snowpiles created by "clearing" the roads can contain things other than snow). Since sidewall damage is potentially dangerous and very tricky to impossible to repair, I called my dealer to replace (my fault, my cost, no argument) the tire that was damaged. Since the other tires were Dunlops, I wanted a replacement Dunlop. I don't think it's a good idea to have different brands on different wheels. To my surprise, they told me they only had Bridgestone and Michelins in stock, despite the fact that the Dunlops are original manufacters equipment. Makes me feel like those with Dunlops are second class citizens.
I just went to a local tire dealer who ordered the correct tire and put it on after I showed him the correct jack points, etc. Also, I'm sure I saved money relative to what the Dealer would have charged if they had the tires.

 

Thank You all!!!

 

We had an agreement if our RX did not have Michelins when delivered the dealership would get us a set. Thankfully it did have Michelins. I have driven loaners with Dunlops and Bridgestones. After comparing our RX with Michelins I have come to the conclusion I would not walk across the street for a new set of Dunlops or Bridgestones.
Each time I decided to try another brand I am always very happy to get back to Michelins.

 

I just purchased an RX350 Sport, which of course is sourced from Japan. The unit I acquired had to be trucked in from the dock as the dealer did not have the combination I requested. On delivery day, I was escorted by my salesman to the RX, and the first thing I checked was the tires; as I suspected they were Dunlops. Dunlops, Bridgestones and Yokohamas (which are highly rated, btw) are generally made in Japan. So it stands to reason that shipping costs would be lower for Lexus on their homeland. Similarly, the Cambridge factory would find it convenient to install Michelins as they do produce them in the USA.

I immediately told my salesman that I wasn't taking the RX until it was fitted with Michelins. My dealer had graciously provided me with a low mileage RX the week before; the tires on that unit were Dunlops. I drove the car for three days and found the tires to be quite noisy even though the odometer only read 800 miles. The manager was a bit reticent to make the change, and hinted that I should foot the cost for the changeover. I flatly refused, and he finally gave in. A half hour later, the deed was done, and the difference in performance is like night and day. So, I suggest to anyone out there to follow what I did, as even the Tirerack numbers validate what I suspected. The Michelins are a superior tire, but I would probably have accepted Yokohamas as Tirerack rates these the highest overall performance-wise.

I strongly encourage any new car buyer to survey the tires supplied and pull up the specs on Tirerack, which will give you a heads-up when negotiating or taking delivery of your new ride. After spending such a large wad of cash, you shouldn't have to feel cheated over something as mundane as tires, which you will be stuck with for 30-50K miles. Do a little research, and hold your dealers' feet to the fire. They'll resist, but in the end, it's your way or the highway...

 

High reviews of other tire brands have pulled me away from Michelin's in the past. I have always ended up replacing them with Michelin's after a few thousand miles. I don't care if god rates another brand better, I am going to stick with Michelin from now on.

 

A wise decision DNC...

 

Where are these bad (or good) Dunlop reviews? I found only one review of our Grand Trek touring on Tirerack.

 

I had not seen any reviews on the Dunlops last time I looked a few months ago. Since I couldn't switch them out for the Michelins, I'll keep them until they wear out. I think they're ok. One thing I was surprised to find was the Bridgestone Dueler OEM tires that some 3rd gen RXs came with are not as nice as the non-OEM Duelers I had on my '04. So I am going to wait and see if there are more choices when the Dunlops go.

I am glad Lexus finally dropped Goodyear. Now they were crappy tires