Sonnie

We are about to purchase a new ES350 with the UL package that has the 18" Bridgestones that I have read a lot of negative about. They are 225/45/18 and actually shorter than the stock 17's at 215/55/17 by .4". We live on some rough back country roads that are rough and noisy. I am thinking about trying a 225/50/18 which is a full inch taller than the stock 18's but only .6" taller than the stock 17's. This will give us about 1/2" more sidewall, which should provide a slightly softer ride. There appears to be plenty of clearance.

I realize the speedometer will be about 2mph faster with the 50/18's. Not a big deal for us.

We are generally slower drivers and care nothing about a sporty ride, cornering and all that stuff. We just want the quietest and softest ride we can get. Therefore, I think we will try the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring that is H rated speed, which should be considerably softer than the V rated Michelin Primacy's.

Sound like a reasonable plan?

steven1f

I Had order the UL package that came with the 18in wheel, didn't what the 45 series tire. My saleman swap then for 17in Michelin 55 series with the upgraded optional 17in split 10 spoke wheel. You can special order the UL package with the optional 17in split 10 spoke wheel. The
code is FT.

Sonnie

The dealer has stated he would swap out the 18's for some 17's with the 10 spoke wheel, but she likes the 18's, so we prefer to try the higher sidewall 18's in a softer tire.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

I think you would be happier with the Michelins over the Goodyears...

Sonnie

Even though they are a harder tire? It would be nice if the 225/50/18's came in an H rating.

zig@tr

The 225/50R18 will been fine and either the Goodyear or the Michelin would be a significant improvement over the OEM tire. You're definitely on the right track.

Sonnie

We gave the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring a spin in the 225/50/18's (H Rated) and they were louder than the Bridgestone EL400's that came on the tire. We also tried a Ecopia EP422 in the same size, but it had a T rating. A tad quieter than the ComforTred Touring, but still had a noticeable humming at 50+ MPH. We are back to the stock EL400's for now. The 225/50/18 Primacy MXM4's are on national backorder and Michelin does not have them in production at the moment, so we are told. I can get the 225/45/18's in the MXM4, so we may give those a go. I am curious though, if we would notice a difference in the noise. Something tells me we are going to hear some noise regardless.