newtoncd

75K on our 2004 RX330. The dealer didn't want to touch it at the 30K service and I have started going to an independent now. I had a flush done at 60K and from now on will do a drain/fill at 30K intervals.

I went to a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus and they did a flush on 2004 RX330. At the time, it had 62,000 miles on it and it currently has 75,100 miles. The flush ended up using 14 quarts of T-IV to get the system with fresh fluid. I have heard of horror stories when people don't change their ATF until 100,000 miles and then they flush it, but in my experience (on our both 99 ES300 and 04 RX330), as long as you do it every 60,000, the flush seems to be fine. YMMV.

I just got this from Firestone, it may change the dynamic a bit ... I emailed back my info and I will post the results. I did check the Bridgestone site and they don't even list an 18" Turanza LS so, I am guessing it isn't true. "First, I would like to thank you for visiting Firestone Complete Auto Care's website. You were inquiring on the replacement of the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza. The Bridgestone Turanza LS is replacing the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza and is available now. If you would provide me with the size you require, along with your zip code, I will gladly look up pricing and availability. Thank you and have a great day."

I think the TSB is # BO008-04.

Generation 3, update 6.1 ... the part number should be: pt219-gen23

I sat the Bridgestone beside the Michelin and the tread is a bit more aggressive on the Alenza, but not by that much. The added warranty and better handing during inclement weather was a huge factor for me .... but, after two sets of Michelin's and only getting 36K apiece on them, it was time to move to something else. If I don't like the looks of the Alenza, Discount Tire will swap them over to the Yokohama YK520 for just a bit more.

RX, Here is what happened. Bridgestone started using a different product code, because the Alenza is being produced at a different plant, so when Discount Tire called, they were correct to say the tire was discontinued. They got their rep on speakerphone and I called the 800 number you provided and we cleared things up. In the end, you are correct, the tire is still being produced and they can't keep up with demand. I now have 4 on order (they said it could take up to 3 weeks to get them in) and they matched the Firestone price of out the door (with certificates) for $701. Thanks again!

I have an update. Discount Tire called Bridgestone and according to the guys at Discount, Bridgestone confirmed they are discontinuing the Alenza. I called the Firestone store back and he said he didn't know about that, but there were 9 tires in Colorado and all the rest were on "back order". Based upon that, I went with the YK520s from Discount Tire (60,000 mile warranty); I will report back how they are doing.

Just FYI, Firestone is having a sale on the Bridgestone H/L Alenza this coming weekend (3/24/07). I priced the tire today and it was $857 out the door with all of the packages; if you buy this coming weekend, the price is $701 out the door. I thought I read on here that Bridgestone is doing away with the tire, but the Firestone dealer didn't seem think that was true .... he said he has 9 in stock but he does show them on back order after that.

When you replace the brakes, make sure to have the updated pads/rotors/shims (per TSB #BR00404) put on. I have had to replace the rotors at 30K and again at 62K (along with pads). The first time, the dealer didn't install new pads (unlike the TSB instructed) -- I complained and Lexus said tough luck. At 62K, I went to an independent and they followed the TSB to the letter; no problems since.

The photos don't lie .... http://auto-rx.com/rms13/

Hey RX in NC; how about some photos of the Bridgestone Alenza's on the RX330??

if you go to the tirerack.com, you will notice that the michelins are stock tires for the RX. many people say its good in the snow as well. The point is, they have to be meant for the car, in some sort of way, for lexus to use them... >>> If the surveys on tirerack say that, it must be very light snow they are talking about. I live in Colorado and have been displeased with the OEM Michelins (both the first set and the second set). I only replaced the original set with Michelin again because Discount Tire had two tires for sale; a Goodyear tire and a Michelin tire. Now, there are other options and there is no way I will be putting the Michelin's back on. YMMV.

Our 2004 RX330 (73,000 miles) has the problem. It was fixed under warranty, but it came back. Hope your stays fixed; I have just started turning up the radio.

Discount tire has a no questions asked policy, but the tires need to be less than 30 days old and/or less than 1,000 miles on them. I agree with you, I absolutely despise the Michelin's on my wife's RX330. I forgot to mention, we have had an annoying noise (it isn't a rattle) from the right front pillar near the bottom of the windshield. Lexus tried to fix it once, but it came back. Other than that, great car.

The YK520 carries a 60K warranty and is $171 per tire, before the add-ons at Discount Tire. After reading the reviews here and on tirerack, I will be getting the Alenza's. Thanks for the info on the Destination LE, I will pass that on to some of my family members that have SUVs.

I read the excellent reviews on the Bridgestone Alenza's and in about 4-6 weeks, I will be putting them on my wife's RX330. Even with AWD, I don't feel comfortable with the Michelin's on the car. We had an 88 Camry that had 302,000 miles on it and we sold it to her sister and it is still running trouble free with 321,000 miles .... my wife has decided for her RX330, she is going to beat that mileage .... we will see. Congrats on your purchase.

On my wife's RX330, we just hit 72,500 and I don't plan on going back to the OEM Michelin's. I put replaced the factory tires at 40K and the tread is down to 5/32. I am also debating between the YK520 and the Bridgestone Alenza. I am leaning towards the Bridgestone at this time. Anyone else have experience with either?

2004 RX330 AWD with 72,500 miles. 1) Brake pedal pulsation: Dealer turned the rotors at 29K and the pulsation came back at about 62K. I found a TSB on the subject, but I was out of warranty and they weren't willing to do anything. I had an independent replace the rotors/pads per the TSB; no problems since. 2) Transmission: At about 30K, my wife noticed the transmission lag issue. The dealer performed some type of service (reset ECU) and it went away. We haven't experienced the transmission lag issue since. 3) We have the sport package and the 18" inch tires. Only 3 manufacturers (Michelin, Goodyear and Yokohama) make a tire to fit the vehicle and they are pricey. The OEM Michelins wore out at 40K and I replaced them with the same tire and they are at 5/32 with 32K on them; so we are getting ready to replace again. I wish there more options. Yokohama now makes a tire (only offered at Discount Tire YK520) that will fit it and it is quite a bit cheaper; I am going to try it next time. Other than the items above, our RX has been through 72K of trouble-free miles and more importantly, my wife loves the vehicle.

When I took my wife's 04 RX330 in, Lexus wanted $900 and Toyota wanted $650. I took the maintenance sheet provided by Lexus to a shop that specialized in Toyota/Lexus and they did the job (using OEM parts) for $405. The one thing that I didn't get was a free car wash and the nice showroom that Lexus has, but at over twice the price, I was wiling to give that up...:-)

We are getting about 21 in our RX330 AWD as with some of you, are a bit disappointed also. Speed limit in Colorado is 75 and my wife drives 30 miles each way almost all Interstate, so that might explain it, I don't know. Perhaps Lexus is doing this on purpose to push us all to get the hybrid RX400 (thought I saw that is what the RX330 hybrid would be called) when it hits the stores in 2004/05 :D