ZINFANDEL22

WOW,Amazing scores on this tire lexusfreak, I own a jeep limited also thanks for the update.

If these are anything like their passenger car Triple Treads......they will be an all out awesome tire! (which I'm driving on with my ES now). :D

Whith the scores they have earned they are the tire to beat in my opinion.

Foam pads (Lake County Mfg) are available in various sizes from 3.5 – 8.0-inch diameter, but I have found that for the application of a polish the optimum size of foam pad for whole panel (i.e. hood, trunk, fender, etc.) is 6 to 6.5- inches, with an effective pad contact diameter of 5.5 to 6.25- inches.

For the ‘spot-repair’ of blemishes on a specific blemish or paint defect, I prefer working with a 4- inch pad. This pad size allows me to focus on just the problem area and not affect the surrounding paint.

~Hope this helps~

[each one / teach one, then student /becomes teacher]

You always help John as I knew you would again.. thanks

yeah i went with 195/60R15, because they lasted longer. :) thanks for the concern though.

No problem bud, couldn't remember what size you purchased. You'll be good for a long time then. :)

Just for a note.... my daughters car has the falkens in a 205x55 16 and I am taking them off with 43,000 miles on them . They are on a corolla and she is now 21 ,and they were rotated but not as well as I would of liked. I am happy with that though.Thats all 4 seasons also.

Which tire did you replace them with?

:)

Same thing army!!! Why turn away a good tire at a good price that can handle the wi. winters.. :)

SIZE DOES MATTER-

Just ask any female detailer ;-)

Always use a smaller sized Velcro backing plate then the Velcro foam pad you are using (i.e. a 6-inch Velcro backing plate and a 6.5-inch Velcro foam pad) Never use a Velcro backing plate that is larger then the Velcro backed foam pad as the backing plate will damage / scratch the paintwork.

That part I understand TOGWT,but I am seeing 2 3/4 inch backing plates and wondering when or if I will need this size? I have been looking at the 5 " backing plate with the 6 1/2" pads but now I am wondering how many sizes do backing plates come in and what is really needed? I just want to buy the right items to do the best job.

I was wondering when a smaller size disc on your porter cable is necessary? Or if it is really necessary? I am just starting out with my 7424 and notice a 5inch and 6 inch plate i believe but after looking into it further I now see like 2 3/4 backing plates. What is the best size to have please? or sizes? :cries: ;) :whistles:

Really only .5 pounds heavier? Seems heavier.

Could have to do with the displacement of weight also....

yeah i went with 195/60R15, because they lasted longer. :) thanks for the concern though.

No problem bud, couldn't remember what size you purchased. You'll be good for a long time then. :)

Just for a note.... my daughters car has the falkens in a 205x55 16 and I am taking them off with 43,000 miles on them . They are on a corrola and she is now 21 ,and they were rotated but not as well as I would of liked. I am happy with that though.Thats all 4 seasons also.

I charged $80 an hour or so when I did it ;)

You should shoot me a line when you come into DC, I'd love to get together for some lunch or something!

From some of these pics I see from the pros they should get that kind of money its hard work. So a 96 es is soft black correct? I am planing on these steps let me know if anyone disagrees...

wash,clay,porter cable,not sure on pads yet havent bought them yet but looking at steves site he recomended,menzerna polishes,wolfgang paint sealant, menzerna full metal jacket,s100,pinicale liquid wax just to have the last 3 around for waxes,and of course I must try the 303 protectant. :whistles: Let me know what you all think,like nc its pretty much my first time with a machine but I have clayed and did the cleanse with zaino and zymol in the past with their waxes all by hand. I love to clean my cars.

I got the same tires in 17" (mounted on new wheels) on my 97. I'm very happy with them..

Your ride pretty good on the 17's cuz I'm putting on chrome 17's in the spring with the falkens just wondering how you like them?

Even if they are the same treadlife....we still are comparing a summer tire to an all season. ;)

they dont have the same tread ife. the ZE512 i have is a 60K treadlife, the tires above have a 30K treadlife. and they WILL NOT WORK in the snow. i have a friend who has them on an AWD eclipse, and that car is essentially parked for the winter. no can do with those in the snow. the ZE512 is a better all around general purpose tire. if you want GRIP in the summer and ONLY the summer... the ST115 is better. i find the ST115 is more suited to Hi-po RWD cars, like supras and the like.

Agreed Army. B)

I am sure they will not work in the snow but I know I saw them rated with the same tread life in dtd I believe.Both are 360AA.

the ZE512 comes in 50,000 miles and 60,000 miles (400 and 420 treadwear rating)

I havent seen those ratings army at least in my size tire.. 215x50 17's I just went off of dtd ,I hope it is longer. I just bought my daughter 4 more ziex 512's ,she got over 40,000 miles out of them.

i didnt know you had the 50 series, once you drop below the 55 series sidewall, treadwear rating drops to 360 (30-35K miles)

if you are an easy going driver, its possible to squeeze 50K out of a 55 series or less, providing you never squeal the tires. they are simply too soft at that tread depth. but you will still be hard pressed to find a 50 series tire that wears as well and as slowly as the ZE512.

Sorry for the confusion, i assumed we were talking about non low profile tires here in reference to the ZE512.

I kinda figured that army cuz I know you know your sh@t. I am fine with 40,000 miles out of a 75.00 tire. They look good wear good in all weather best tire for the buck buddy I agree..

Even if they are the same treadlife....we still are comparing a summer tire to an all season. ;)

they dont have the same tread ife. the ZE512 i have is a 60K treadlife, the tires abouve have a 30K treadlife. and they WILL NOT WORK in the snow. i have a friend who has them on an AWD eclipse, and that car is essentially parked for the winter. no can do with those in the snow. the ZE512 is a better all around general purpose tire. if you want GRIP in the summer and ONLY the summer... the ST115 is better. i find the ST115 is more suited to Hi-po RWD cars, like supras and the like.

Agreed Army. B)

I am sure they will not work in the snow but I know I saw them rated with the same tread life in dtd I believe.Both are 360AA.

the ZE512 comes in 50,000 miles and 60,000 miles (400 and 420 treadwear rating)

I havent seen those ratings army at least in my size tire.. 215x50 17's I just went off of dtd ,I hope it is longer. I just bought my daughter 4 more ziex 512's ,she got over 40,000 miles out of them.

any swirl mark remover works too to remove the "foggyness" and scratches in the clear acrylic over the wood.

Use it on the wood steering wheels too to remove ring marks.

Hmm.....definitely gotta try that one.

Made your own wood trim?!? Very crafty

It was a fun project after i got it right

And actually i think it was maple but i don't care..wood is wood! LOL The rx300 REALLY needed wood there in my opinion.

Looks pretty slick .

So I heard from a few people about the wood interiors from searching on the site. I finally ended up picking Sherwood Dash with the natural factory match. I really like the way it's coming out. Make sure if your looking into doing this that you research the wood, testimonials, factory match, etc. Also make sure you read all the instructions carefully and don't skip cleaning the dash where the wood is placed or else the warantee is void and the part will most likely come off over time - which could be terrible because the cleaning process with Alcohol dulls the plastic and looks terrible so take your time. Here is a few pics off the begining of the project:

Wood looks real nice...

Hello everyone,

I am thinking about buying 4 new tires for my 2002 GS300. I got a real good price for "Toyo Proxy 4" tires. Does anyone have any insights as to how good this tire is? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Tire Specs:

225/55/R16

Treadwear = 300

Traction = AA

Temp. = A

Much better tires out there for the money. goodyear tripple treds,falken512's,bridgestone turanzas. just to name a few

$240 at my dealer for oil change and tire rotation.

HOLLY SH@T!! I pay $40.00 and bring my oil. That extra $200.00 gets me a top meal and a great bottle of wine .thats tire rotation also included.and dat be the best english i could come up with. ;)

Even if they are the same treadlife....we still are comparing a summer tire to an all season. ;)

they dont have the same tread ife. the ZE512 i have is a 60K treadlife, the tires abouve have a 30K treadlife. and they WILL NOT WORK in the snow. i have a friend who has them on an AWD eclipse, and that car is essentially parked for the winter. no can do with those in the snow. the ZE512 is a better all around general purpose tire. if you want GRIP in the summer and ONLY the summer... the ST115 is better. i find the ST115 is more suited to Hi-po RWD cars, like supras and the like.

Agreed Army. B)

I am sure they will not work in the snow but I know I saw them rated with the same tread life in dtd I believe.Both are 360AA.

After that is all done (4 wheel alignment included) let us know how your car feels. It should be a big improvement. B) Good choice in tires......one of the best overall values you can get in a performance all season! ;)

new tires means wheel alignment? I see people asking about wheel alignments ,but when is this necissary?

I always get a 4 wheel alignment when I get a new set of tires installed. I don't hit curbs & such & avoid nasty potholes the best I can. It just ensures good tire wear....especially since one is investing a fair chunk of change in a new set of tires......a 4 wheel alignment is about $60.00 or in that area. ;)

good to know thanks, I switch out wheels in spring and then fall again but never do an alignment unless i see a pulling or problem,so good to know thanks lexus.

After that is all done (4 wheel alignment included) let us know how your car feels. It should be a big improvement. B) Good choice in tires......one of the best overall values you can get in a performance all season! ;)

new tires means wheel alignment? I see people asking about wheel alignments ,but when is this necissary?

Thought some might find this very intresting who might be shopping for new premium all season tires for your Lexus SUV......I give you the new Goodyear Fortera Triple Tread! B) ;)

http://www.goodyearfortera.com/tripletred/

WOW,Amazing scores on this tire lexusfreak, I own a jeep limited also thanks for the update.

I'd put my money on the shop.

I'd say it happened during the dismount/mount procedure.

I guess it sounds like the shop but, the low profile tires can cause alot of stress on a rim going over railroad tracks and such . I just think in that case it would bend the rim but you never know .

Hi All,

I've been driving my Lexus cars for over 10 years in Boston winters. Buy yourself a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 tires. I used them on my 92 LS and now my 05 LS430. They are dynamite in the snow, I've never had a problem with them..

I do find that it is necessary to turn the Traction Control off when you are going up hills, as the Trac just cuts the power so you just sit there.

Hope this helps,

Sam

Sam ,thanks for a piece of advice with shutting off the Traction Control. It is my first winter with 1999 LS and I got Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires, very happy with them, haven`t got stuck once so far, In my opinion those are very good tires, I will summer tires for summer(not all season) ;)

I think the dunlop winter tires are a great choice. Compare some other winter tires on tirerack and you will see a few that compete and even beat blizzak's. For traction in wet , snow noise all around winter driving blizzak only wins in one feild "SNOW TRACTION" and not by much either,so in my opinion you still are looking for ride ,noise, wet traction also so there are other winter tires out there.

Best of luck cb.......not as high a treadwear as some other choices but they 'appear' to be decent from the postings on tirerack.  B)

 

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Too bad... I have four new tires Falken St115 alot better than the Zeix you were thinking of for cheap. $350 plus shipping for all 4.

Did you have the st 115's on your car? They actually have the same tread life as the 512's,if you did not like them please explain. Also what size you were running? thanks John

Do you smoke?

U CRACK ME UP !!!

I was wondering if anyone here knows of a good body shop in the Chicagoland area that I can take my GS400 to fix the numerous rock chips on the front bumper and hood and isn't going to rip me off. I was thinking of the Lexus dealer, but 1) I'm not sure if they would do it and 2) they'd probably charge twice what a body shop would. Thanks.

Depends what you are looking for ? Quality job or poka-dot bumpers ? anybody can spray the hood or bumpers and shouldnt cost alot but if you really want to save money try it yourself but its always going to look like pooh up close. In chicago I dont know where to go but in kenosha I do if you are interested?

Recommend you check out used car values such as at http://www.kbb.com/ & see what they show as the value(s). Also check cars.com as well as local newspapers for similar cars in your area. Note: I have sold two cars using cars.com.

What he said!! and never buy a car unless your mechanic says its ok also.You drive it off its yours check it out good.