Zipit555

Does anyone have any thoughts on the starting tread depth difference? For example, the Perelli starts with 10/32 and the Michelin starts with 8.5/32. I'm going through the same decision making process on an RX 350 right now. In that case, the Perelli starts with 11/32 and the Michelin starts with 8.5/32. Tire rack actually shows the Michelin with a better rating on treadwear but I'm struggling with that since it starts with less tread depth.

SW17LS

Harder compounds can equal longer life with less depth. That can also lead to other negatives though...

BigRon12

Can anyone chime in for those of us with the 18's that actually like to drive somewhat sporty at times?

I am in a toss up to get new tires within the next few weeks here and its come down purchasing a Ultra High Performance All Season tire...

Choice #1 BF Goodrich G Force COMP-2 A/S

Choice #2 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+

Can anyone comment?

Thank you

Dave Mac

I don't have or like 18's but the best tires I ever had on a car were Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+

Dave Mac

SW17LS

If I wanted to sport it up a little the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ would be my choice...

BigRon12

Thank you guys for the responses. I usually buy my tires at Costco so I will wait and see what kinda deals they have come the week of Black Friday. Its a near 200 dollar difference between those two.

jloftus

Hello my fellow Lexonians,

What's a 'sidewall' on a tire, and how does it affect the ride? Why would a 17 inch tire have more of a 'sidewall' then an 18 inch?

I have Goodyear tires on my ES 350, and I keep thinking I should get a different set of tires to make nicer w the bumps - that too is my top
issue in a car. We have so many rough roads anymore, especially in urban areas.

Can I put any tire on my car, or do only certain brands/sizes work w certain cars? I've also been considering the Perilli P7.

I only have 7k miles on it now though.

lesz

If you have a new ES, it should either have Michelin tires (most likely the MXV4) or Bridgestone Turanza tires. As far as I know, Lexus does not build and ship any of the ES with Goodyear tires.

Poppa

Jloftus, a sidewall on a tire is exactly what it sounds like, it is the side wall of the tire. it's where the tire's information is normally engrained into the rubber like the tires name, size, etc.... and the reason a 17 inch tire would have a bit better ride than an 18 inch tire is because there is 1 inch "less" sidewall on the 18 inch tire. That means there is one inch less of "cushion" between the rim and the road. As someone stated, I don't believe that the Lexus ES was ever sold new with goodyear tires, I could be wrong about that, but I haven't seen any. Around this part of the country, the ES with 17 inch rims come with Michelins, and the 18 inch rims are equipped with bridgeston turanzas.... I have the turanza's on my car but at 30K miles, I only have a couple of thousand miles of rubber left before they will be trashed. Haven't actually orderred my new tires yet but I've pretty much decided to go with the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus. If you have 18 inch rims, your tire size would be 225/45r/18. If you're really interested in the Pirelli's, make sure you check out the cinturato p7 all season PLUS... There is also a cinturato p7 all season that does not h ave the "plus" designation. It is not the same tire as the Plus. The Plus tire is currently ranked as the number one grand touring tire on tirerack.com Supposedly they are very quiet on the highway and provides a nice soft ride as well... Just go to tirerack.com and you can research the tire there... hope this helps.

Poppa

amphiprion

You will enjoy the car that much more thanks to those new Pirellis. After 13,000 miles, the tread on mine has held up very well and the tires are as quiet as they were when new, which is the exact opposite of my experience with the Michelin MXMs that I had prior. Tread wore quickly the tire got excessively noisy

Poppa

amphiprion, thanks for the post. I have been going back and forth for a couple of weeks on whether to go with the pirelli's of the michelin mxm4... I have really been LEANING toward the pirelli's.... but was just afraid of buying a brand of tire I have never used before... but there have been soooo many posts like yours and reviews that were "pro" perillis I just have to try them. Think I'll call my tire guy next week and tell him to get them ordered... thanks again.

Poppa

SW17LS

I've had both tires, the MXM4 and the Pirelli P7 Plus. get the Pirellis.

jloftus

So it's basically 18 inch versus 17 inches for the Pirellis?

225/45r/18 would be for the 18s, and then maybe 225/45r/17 for the 17s ?

Is 17 inches the circumference of the rims?

I have about 7000 miles on my ES 350 now, so I guess it's too early to get a different set of tires. I'd really love to have a smoother ride though....

azipod

Some of you guys may laugh at me .... but I'm proud to say I run Ohtsu FP7000 225/45/18s on my car.
They are about $65-70/each online including Amazon.

Amazing price for these tires.... excellent reviews online. I have about 10k on them now. No complaints at all.

gmanusmc

18" or 17" refers to the diameter of the wheel. Visit tirerack.com - lots of technical info on tires, etc.