01 Ultra

I purchased a set of Toyo Versado LX's about 6 months ago & have been very happy with them. I also do not care as much for the speed rating as I do the quiet & comfort of the tire. They are also considerably less expensive than the Michelin's.

I just had my windshield replaced a few weeks ago, and I haven't noticed any difference between the OEM and aftermarket PPG. By the way, I have USAA insurance, and if everyone insisted on them paying for a $1,300.00 upgrade just to stay with OEM (for no noticable difference), I'm sure that our rates would certainly increase accordingly. If you are still that concerned with staying with OEM, it sounds very reasonable for them to ask you to pay the $500.00 deductable to get a $1,600.00 windshield. It really boils down to USAA paying the $300.00 for PPG (with no cost to you), or $1,100.00 for OEM (with you kicking in the $500.00). Being a concerned shareholder, I would rather see you stick with the PPG and save everyone some money. Just the fact of not having the 'Lexus' stamp on the windshield IMHO is really not worth it.

Just throwing my 2 cents in, but every 5,000 miles since I have owned it, my LS has had the Mobil 1 synthetic changed. Keeping it at 5K is a lot easier to remember, and it happens to coinside with the mileage that I rotate my tires also.

A few responses to your questions: I have an '01 LS430 with the 'Ultra' package, and there are very few changes on the models since then, until the new generation LS460. I think that the only thing that may be 'missing' from my '01 vs. the '04 & newer would be the bluetooth capability. There are also a few more items that you get with the 'Ultra' package: heated and COOLED front seats, reclining back seats, driver adjustable suspension (Sport/Norm), ride height (High/Norm), and adaptive cruise control (I think that this may have become standard now). As for the responsiveness, a lot of that 'marshmallowy' ride may be due to the tires. I have since upgraded to 18" wheels and 'summer performance tires', and I feel that it is an excellent compromise between the incredibly smooth & quite ride that the LS is renowned for and a more of a 'performance' ride that you may be used to in the BMW. There is a definate difference between the 'Sport' and the 'Norm' settings, as this adjusts the damping of the shocks which will give less 'body roll' through the twists and turns. The ML sound system is incredible - you just have to listen to it to appreciate it. If you are one of the people that must have their bass cranked up so high that the windows are vibrating, this may not be the system for you, but for 'balanced' listening, you will be able to hear the entire range of what is being played (you may even catch some sounds from cd's that you hadn't even been able to hear before). These are just a few responses to your posed questions - not to mention the incredible reliability that you will come to appreciate. I purchased my LS used with 75,000 miles it now has over 105,000 and the only things I have done have been regularly scheduled oil changes (the timing belt was scheduled for 90K, but I have put that off until 120K, when I will get a major service done (timing belt, water pump, new plugs, wires etc..). Good luck in your quest for your new Lexus & consider the 'Ultra' package option for the '01' to '03' years also.

jhm555 - Just put on the 900th mile. I am VERY happy with the TOYO Versado LX tires. I would highly recommend them. The 18" wheels that I went with were the Vortex, made by TSW. It seems that they have several different models that will fit. The other rim that I was looking at was one from Enkei, but price and immediate availability of the TSW's was the deciding factor. I purchased both the wheels and tires through a local Discount Tire store, but I did a lot of comparison shopping on the internet, found the lowest price available & they matched it. As far as the fitment for the '07 to the '01, I would imagine that they would work, but the '01 has incredibly large brake calipers, so that would be the only concern that I would have. I have a post on the Show and Shine forum showing the TSW rims, just to let you know how they would look. Note that these pix are with the Dunlop Direzza tires that I returned because of 'flat spotting'. I can post more pictures if you are interested.

If you are still looking for replacement tires, I just put on a new tire from Toyo, they are the Versado LX's. I stepped up from the stock 17" rims to new 18" tires and rims, and even with going to a larger tire (smaller sidewall), they are comfortable and quiet (I only have about 100 miles on them so far). I would say that they are very similar to the Michelin Energy MXV4+ tires that were just replaced. For the 225/55-17 size, the Versado's are available in a H rating with a 60K mileage warrany for $109.00 each, or a V rating with a 40K mileage warrany for $118.00 each (I found the prices at www.treadepot.com).

I had posted previously with the Riken Raptor ZR, but after Discount Tire could not get them for me, they substituted with Dunlop Direzza DZ101's. The Dunlops had a tendency to flat spot overnite in the cooler weather here in Minnesota, but other than that, they were very nice. I don't think that you would have the same problem down in Florida.

I just got the new 18" Toyo Versado LX's mounted yesterday & so far (about 100 miles), they are a very nice riding tire, and just as quiet as the 17" Michelin MXV's that were replaced (will keep those on factory rims for use for snow tires). I will keep posting as the tires wear & let everyone know how they go.

Here is where I found them: www.onlinetires.com They have great prices, but I can't speak for anything else, I decided to use a local Discount Tire that matched their price.

I did briefly consider the Goodyears, but from past experience, they (previous Goodyear brand in general, not any experience the the Eagle F1 GS-D3's) seem to wear very fast. For the price that you pay for them (any decent tire in general, but the Goodyears are about $65.00 more per tire), I would like to get a little more mileage for the money. The new Toyo's that I am looking at at least have a 40K warranty, which is about what I would like to get (about 3 summer's worth of driving) until I need to replace them again. How have your Eagle F1 GS-D3's worn?

Supposedly Toyo has come out with a new V-Rated touring tire. It's called the Versado LX - has anyone heard of it? Their website is claiming that it is in the same catagory as the Michelin MXV4+, and the Turanza's. It sounds like it has some new technology for reducing the wind noise that whistles in the grooves of the tires at highway speeds. I'm returning the Dunlop Direzza's that I just purchased from Discount Tire (problems with 'flat spotting' after sitting overnite) & I will try to let everyone know how it rides.

I had no idea that changing from 17" to 18" wheels would be so hard to find quiet, smooth tires. It seems that just about everything made for the 245/45-18 size tire comes with a Z-rating. Does anyone out there have 18's on their car now that they are happy with in regard to noise/comfort levels? I have Dunop Direzza DZ101's on now, but they 'flat spot' overnite & it takes about 10 miles for them to finally get 'round' enough to be comfortable.

Well, the increase in psi had minimal effect on the flat spotting of the tires in the morning, but it did increase the road noise. I'm definately returning these & will hopefully get better ones - anyone have suggestions for 245/45-18 size?

Thanks for the info, I didn't feel that 'warm-up' period when I had the Michelin Pilot MXV4's on the vehicle. I will try inflating them to 36 psi & see if that works - I usually stayed around 32 psi for the MXV4's, and that seemed just right. Your right though, with the winters here in Minnesota, it would be near impossible to get these things 'warm' enough. My plan is to keep the Michelin's and have them siped for use for my winter tires/wheels. The only reason that I went with a Z rating is because I had started looking at the Riken Raptor tire (a Michelin private label) that was very reasonably priced ($79.00 for a 245/45-18) and all of the reviews that I had seen on it seemed very positive. The only problem was that Discount Tire wasn't able to purchase them & suggested the Dunlop's. I'll post on whether or not increasing the psi works. Hopefully it will, if not, I did return to Discount Tire today to check the balance (it was right on), but the manager said that if I still wasn't happy, he would take the Dunlop's back & try another tire. Any suggestions for a touring tire in 245/45-18 size? I have read that the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS is supposed to be nice, but there again, I believe it is a Z-rated. Thanks again for the help/info.

Just an update for the ride on the new tires (I've put about 600 miles on them so far). Every morning for about the first 10 miles, they seem to be seriously out of balance. This goes away after driving on them for about 10 miles & then everything smoothes out & they ride great. A question for any tire guys out there - could this be due to the fact that they are 'ZR' rated performance tires & are probably a much softer compound than 'H' or 'V' rated touring tires? Could different inflation pressure help? Other than the first 10 miles every morning, I love these tires, but if I have to put up with that every day, I may decide to take them back & exchange them (Discount Tire has been very helpful & has great customer service, so I don't think that would be a problem). Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Just a quick pic for anyone looking for tires/rims. These look nice (imo), and better yet they don't cost an arm and a leg! They do JUST clear the brake caliper - boy, they cut that really close.

I've attached a pic of the buttons. The 1st button or 'sport/norm' button sets the damping of the shocks, which will give you a bit of a stiffer ride (not much, keep in mind this is an LS, not the GS or IS). The next is the height button which the 'high' setting is only active at lower speeds. It will raise the car about an inch for driving around town, but as soon as you exceed a certain speed (not sure the exact speed), the suspension will automatically lower itself to the 'norm' setting, and then when you slow down, it will raise back up. The next button is the 'ECT' which has the pwr & snow settings. For the pwr setting, the transmission will hold the shift points a little longer (go from 1st to 2nd then to 3rd etc..) at a higher engine rpm. In the snow setting, the transmission will start out in 2nd gear, to limit wheel spin on ice and/or slippery surfaces. On the bottom row, there are the rear shade up/down buttons, the VSC off button (turn this off if you are stuck in mud or whatever) so that you can 'rock' the car in and out of the rut that you are stuck in (I personally thick that if you are driving this car in that type of condition, you deserve to be stuck!!). The next button puts the reclining rear seats back to the full upright position and moves the headrests completely down (you will need to hold this down until they get all the way back). Next is the high pressure washer for the headlights. Hold this down, and there should be a spray of washer fluid directed onto the headlights. The last two buttons/switches are for the heated/cooled front seats, with the middle or white area on the rotary swich to circulate 'cabin' temperature air through the seats.

There was a little bit of a problem when I went to get the previously mentioned Riken Raptor ZR tires mounted and installed earlier today. It seems that Discount Tire was not able to purchase these tires, so instead the store manager suggested that I go with the Dunlop Direzza's. It seems that he knew what he was doing & he was 'upgrading' the tires for the same quote that I had gotten for the Riken's, so I figure what the heck, why not. After a couple hour wait (at least these tires were in stock locally) I was finally able to get out on the road with the new setup. So far, 150 miles on the tires, these are just as quiet & comfortable as the 17" michelins that were taken off. There had always been a nagging concern in the back of my mind of plus sizing to 18" & how it would affect the ride quality. Let me tell anyone who has the same concern, don't worry about it, at least with these tires so far, there have not been any adverse effects with going to the 18" wheels/tires. As smooth & quiet as these are, I don't think there would be any problem with even going to 19's - but the problem with that is it will be much harder to find tires (there's an abundace of manufacturers for the 245/45-18's, but not too many for the 245/40-19's). I will try to post updates as the tires wear, but from the reviews at a few of the tire sites, they should be just fine. Here are pics of the new setup, and how they JUST barely clear the front calipers.

I should have my new tires (Riken Raptor ZR's) and wheels (TSW Vortex) mounted today. I will let everyone know how they ride since nobody seems to have ever heard of Riken tires (other than that they are a private company of Michelin).

I just purchased a set of Riken Raptor ZR (private Michelin company) 245/45-18 tires for my LS430 & should have them mounted today. I will let you know how they ride as soon as I put a few miles on them.

I've been searching online for any pix for an LS430 with 18" TSW Vortex wheels, but haven't seen any. Anyone out there have any you can post? Also, anyone had any experience with Riken Raptor ZR tires? They are supposed to be made by Michelin & the few websites that I have found them on have had high reviewer ratings.

I don't know if the window gasketing on the 460's are the same as my 430, but when I use the 'auto up' feature for the window switch, the window will actually roll up too tight. All that I do is tap the switch lightly to get the window to move down just a fraction of an inch & it seems to clear up the wind noise coming in. Again, don't know if this would be the same on the 460's, but it may be worth a try.

Here is a link to a helpful webpage that will calculate the exact size you will need. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Anyone ever heard of these tires, they are supposed to be made by Michelin?

Does anyone know if the LS400 and LS430 front brake calipers are the same size. I'm looking at getting 18" rims (MRR HR-1), and one of the wheel websites has the LS400 listed as a correct fitment. Just wondering if it will fit the '01 model?