Thanks - my mechanic (not a lexus dealer) was recommended the OE tires - asking me if I liked them when they were new (well - I really don't have anything to compare them to - of course I did - I bought the car because I liked the ride!) Anyway - an owner of a tire store was leading me toward the same tires used for OE stating that OE tires are often inferior - they are after market ones sometiimes and that buying them as a replacement many times gives you a bettter product.
Anyway - based on this forum and my research I plan on purchasing Michelin CT's or LTX (if I can get them for a decent price), Yokohama Geolanders or Bridgestone Dueler H/L's(suppossed to be similiar to the Michelins). Cooper also makes an all terrain but I think that may be a little too aggressive.and my mechanic doesn't like Cooper's (he did suggest a Mastercraft though which is made by ccoper) The Michelin's are so darn expensive and I've heard they wear out faster and the sides damage easily and something about aluminum rims and rim leaks......but hands down ...I wish didn't start this research - I'm learning more that I want to!
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I have an RX300 and bought the Michelin Cross Terrain SUVs (P225/70-16) to replace the crappy tires that the factory installed (wore out in less than 20,000 miles). After about 1 year, the sidewalls on the Michelin's were COMPLETELY ruined from just turning the wheels in to the curb when parking on a slope. The treads are fine (but I don't drive a lot of miles). I would not recommend the Michelin Cross Terrains, but don't know the difference between them and the LTXs.
