SW03ES Posted January 13, 2007 Posted January 13, 2007 Well first of all let me say that the install job is not perfect, which it never is on a Lexus for me unless Lexus does it. There's a small balance issue I need to have them fix, and the steering wheel is about an inch cocked to the left from the alignment (I can't stand that). I am however very pleased with the tires. Either they've gotten to be as quiet as the MXV4s were or I've gotten used to them. I much prefer how these tires ride, more solid and stable while being softer on impact joints etc. It rained today and wet traction was a significant improvement over the MXV4. They look good too, I'll be happier once I can clean the car up (its been raining). Tire shops always make a mess of tires and wheels and they look ugly before the first wash. So, its all smiles over here.
SW03ES Posted January 17, 2007 Author Posted January 17, 2007 Hey crew, just an update. They seem to me like they're a little louder although I just checked and the sudden drop in temperature dropped my cold PSI, I've re-inflated them and we'll see if that helps with noise. If it doesn't, I may actually opt to swap them out for new MXV4s. Its not that they're loud its just that at low speeds they do have a little road growl which is something the MXV4s absolutely don't have, although on the highway they're fine. As for traction, wet traction so far is excellent.
Lexusfreak Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 I guess no chance yet to test them in the snow eh Steve?
SW03ES Posted January 18, 2007 Author Posted January 18, 2007 I'm wondering if I'll ever get that chance again LOL The extra pressure helped a LOT with the noise by the way, they're quiet again.
RX in NC Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Keep 'em at 31/32 psi yearround. They'll be quieter, they'll last longer, and you'll get better gas mileage. You'll be happier all around with these tires if you'll just keep that pressure up a bit....
SW03ES Posted January 19, 2007 Author Posted January 19, 2007 It wasn't that 29 was too low, it was just with the extreme change in temperature they were down to 26-27. They're aired up to 30 now, I may try inching them up a little bit. The Toyos rode best at about 32, the Michelins got hard over 30. I just have to play around with these and find where they ride the best. I'm leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow so that will give me a nice long test.
Lexusfreak Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 It wasn't that 29 was too low, it was just with the extreme change in temperature they were down to 26-27. They're aired up to 30 now, I may try inching them up a little bit. The Toyos rode best at about 32, the Michelins got hard over 30. I just have to play around with these and find where they ride the best. I'm leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow so that will give me a nice long test. Safe drive Steve......give us your impressions of how the tires performed when you return. B)
SW03ES Posted January 20, 2007 Author Posted January 20, 2007 Just got back, they were great! They need to correct a very small balance issue, but other than that no complaints.
Lexusfreak Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 Bridgestone's with a balancing issue huh? Shocker lol ;) Just buggin bud. :whistles:
SW03ES Posted January 20, 2007 Author Posted January 20, 2007 LOL I've literally never had a set of tires mounted on a Lexus and have them get them balanced the first time. Its not the tires, its just a poor balancing job.
Lexusfreak Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Where did you purchase them? I've only needed a re-balance once when I got my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for my 2001 Maxima way back.
SW03ES Posted January 22, 2007 Author Posted January 22, 2007 NTB. The only place thats ever balanced a Lexus right for me the first time is the Lexus dealer.
SW03ES Posted January 22, 2007 Author Posted January 22, 2007 Drove in the snow with em last night! They were okay, not the huge improvement I was expecting over the MXV4s. They are much more sure footed in the rain though.
Lexusfreak Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 You raved about the rain performance of your previous MXV4's. :whistles:
SW03ES Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 When they were new, as they got older they got pretty slick.
dcfish Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 When they were new, as they got older they got pretty slick. Sw, Can I ask your opinion of Kumho tires. I am soon to be in the market for a set and aia want to try a tire other than michelins. Dunlops and bridgestones are out. Thanks...
steviej Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 NTB. The only place thats ever balanced a Lexus right for me the first time is the Lexus dealer. My Lex came with perfectly balanced Bridgies but I can't say it was my Lexus dealer as the car may have been shipped that way. I have put four sets of tires on my Lex. (2 all season and 2 summer). 3 of the sets where done perfectly by a chain in my area that only uses the Hunter Road Force balancer. The 4th set was my first set of summer tires (Toyo) and they were not perfect but they also didn't use the Road Force balancer. Last night, we had the first accumlation of snow, just under 2 inches. I was somewhat impressed with the Exaltos in what little snow I had. Still waiting for something to shovel though. The rain traction is excellent. steviej
SW03ES Posted January 24, 2007 Author Posted January 24, 2007 Sw, Can I ask your opinion of Kumho tires. I am soon to be in the market for a set and aia want to try a tire other than michelins. Dunlops and bridgestones are out. Thanks... I personally don't have any experience with Kumhos. I have however heard very bad things from tire dealers and other people I've talked to, and in fact I had two seperate tire dealers refuse to mount Kumho tires on my car for liaility reasons. One agreed to sell me the tires unmounted and one refused outright. SO, I'd steer clear. Why no Bridgestones or Dunlops? The LS-Vs I have seem very good, and I've had good experiences with Dunlops too.
Lexusfreak Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Sw, Can I ask your opinion of Kumho tires. I am soon to be in the market for a set and aia want to try a tire other than michelins. Dunlops and bridgestones are out. Thanks... I personally don't have any experience with Kumhos. I have however heard very bad things from tire dealers and other people I've talked to, and in fact I had two seperate tire dealers refuse to mount Kumho tires on my car for liaility reasons. One agreed to sell me the tires unmounted and one refused outright. SO, I'd steer clear. I concur.....stay clear of Kumho......they are not highly rated on my Subi site either.
LexusLooker Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 I'm following this thread with much interest. Steve, you and I have similar taste in tires. We both had a bad experience with the Toyo Proxes ST. I replaced them with a set of MXV4s on and am much happier with them - very nice tires. They have 35K on them and are down to about 4/32, so I'm trying to decide what to get next. They have a 65K warranty, but won't go nearly that far. Because of a communications error, they put H-rated on instead of V-rated, so I'm not sure whether to go with another set of MXV4s, but this time a V-rated tire, or Turanza LS-V or Dunlop Sport 5000. I may also check into Blake's Goodyear recommendation. You'll have to keep us posted on how you like the Bridgestones over time. Great timing! James
SW03ES Posted February 2, 2007 Author Posted February 2, 2007 So far I'm still happy with them, they are a slight bit louder than the MXV4s at low speeds, but they ride good and smooth and have much better wet grip.
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