Got rid of the stupid run flats!!!
02-16-08, 12:19 PM
#46
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After having the number 1 rated Bridgestone Potenza Pole RE960A/S for 4 weeks, I got rid of them and got the Continental ContiExtremeContacts replaced free at discount (30 day try out policy). The bridgestones were the worse tires I have ever had in my life on any car. They were stiff and flatspotted horribly in the morning. The steering felt numb in the center, and the tires had intermittent vibration on highways varying from cement to blacktop. After several balancing and even Force balancing and rotating the tires after 3 weeks, made it better, but still lousy tires. They could not suppress simple road irregularities and transmitted everythign to the steering wheel and passenger chair. I change PSI from recommended by Lexus to a higher one and a lower one, never got a smooth ride.
The Continentals are heaven on wheels! They are smooth and have better stability and absorb bumps very nicely especially on highways. The contis might be slightly noisy, but not that bad at all. They are softer compounds, so a higher PSI of 37-38 will balance it out and make the car feel nimble, sporty, without compromising the ride. GO for ContiExtremeContacts. I had these on my SC430, and should of gotten these for my car when I replaced my ContiProCOntacts back in January. Bridgestones are cheap, dangerous, and unstable. BTW, I have the 18 inch GS430 wheels.
The Continentals are heaven on wheels! They are smooth and have better stability and absorb bumps very nicely especially on highways. The contis might be slightly noisy, but not that bad at all. They are softer compounds, so a higher PSI of 37-38 will balance it out and make the car feel nimble, sporty, without compromising the ride. GO for ContiExtremeContacts. I had these on my SC430, and should of gotten these for my car when I replaced my ContiProCOntacts back in January. Bridgestones are cheap, dangerous, and unstable. BTW, I have the 18 inch GS430 wheels.
02-16-08, 01:04 PM
#47
Lexus Test Driver
I guess it wouldnt matter if you put Z rating tires to replace V rated tire. If anything, the side walls are stiffer which will give you better handling. I see it has the silica-based compound which is great for wet or snow traction. I dont see a 225/50/17 for the extreme, Which size did you end up with? the 215 or 45?
Last edited by The G Man; 02-16-08 at 01:16 PM.
02-16-08, 01:35 PM
#48
Tirerack recently posted a snow comparison test (as compared to the survey results), unfortunately it doesn't include the conti's.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=102
1. Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season
2. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
3. Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
4. Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=102
1. Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season
2. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
3. Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S Pole Position
4. Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S
02-16-08, 03:46 PM
#50
Latest tests results as of September 26, 2007 showed Contis in the result as the 4th in ranking, and still going strong and great. In my opinion the Contis are the best balance of both worlds, sports and luxury ride. It does not compromise both at all. At PSI of 37-38 you get the best.
There are some bad road force on the bridgestones due to stiffness and flat surface of their threads. The bridgestones I had rode literally like stones even though they were quiet, but they could not roll so smoothly. Maybe they were defective or thats how they are, but I would rank them 20th on the list with Michelins and Contiextreme Contacts on the top. I never understood why the Bridgestones were top ranked, and 2 reasons why, they don't have as many miles raked up in terms of overall reviews as compared to Contis and they also are not designed very nicely for the low profile groups as compared to 15-17 inch rims,
After 200 miles on the contis, my Lexus is like a dream even with 3-4 inch of snow on my road near home, the bad pot hole roads of Michigan, and even the cold 20 degree temperature.
No flattspotting also!!
The contis are on my 18 inch 245/40-18 size specs.
There are some bad road force on the bridgestones due to stiffness and flat surface of their threads. The bridgestones I had rode literally like stones even though they were quiet, but they could not roll so smoothly. Maybe they were defective or thats how they are, but I would rank them 20th on the list with Michelins and Contiextreme Contacts on the top. I never understood why the Bridgestones were top ranked, and 2 reasons why, they don't have as many miles raked up in terms of overall reviews as compared to Contis and they also are not designed very nicely for the low profile groups as compared to 15-17 inch rims,
After 200 miles on the contis, my Lexus is like a dream even with 3-4 inch of snow on my road near home, the bad pot hole roads of Michigan, and even the cold 20 degree temperature.
No flattspotting also!!
The contis are on my 18 inch 245/40-18 size specs.
02-16-08, 06:19 PM
#51
Rexus300, the test I posted in response to G Man's comments about snow traction is specifically a snow test. The Conti's were not included in this test. Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.
02-16-08, 06:47 PM
#52
Oh, thats ok, I knew what you were trying to get across. I just wanted to show the overall rate of the tires. The continentals have been out longer than the bridgestones, and are shown in an older test on tirerack. I drove the contis in the snow recently, much less skidding and less activation of the traction as compared to the bridgestones.
02-16-08, 07:04 PM
#53
Lexus Test Driver
The conti use a silica-based compound just like the Michelin cross terrains, the cross terrain is one of the best all season tires in the snow. Rexus300, did you change your rims or did the 06 GS300 AWD have the 18" wheel option. On the 08 GS350 AWD, there is no factory option for 18" rims in my region, only 17". Its too bad that the Conti dont come in the 225/50/17 size, because the conti are much cheaper than the Bridgestones or the good year F1 and its rated just as good in the snow.
02-17-08, 07:55 AM
#54
The conti use a silica-based compound just like the Michelin cross terrains, the cross terrain is one of the best all season tires in the snow. Rexus300, did you change your rims or did the 06 GS300 AWD have the 18" wheel option. On the 08 GS350 AWD, there is no factory option for 18" rims in my region, only 17". Its too bad that the Conti dont come in the 225/50/17 size, because the conti are much cheaper than the Bridgestones or the good year F1 and its rated just as good in the snow.
I got rid of my standard 17 inch rims with runflats when I got the car back in Aug of 2006. I had the runflats, they were harsh and horrible, so I ordered the 18 inch 5 spoke GS430 rims back then. You can get a set of 4 GS430 rims for 800 dollars at sewell lexus online, great bargain now! I got them for 1200 back in 06. Check it out at:
http://www.lexus-parts.com/category.asp
BTW, the 2008 standard Rims are much more luxurious and better lookin than the 06-07 Toyotaish looking standard rims on the GS. I would take a good look at the goodyear, not bridgestones base on my experience, but you can try them out at discount tire for 30 days and see how you feel. Otherwise theres Michilen Pilot which are more expensive but worth your money since they can last long. Too bad the Contis cant come with the 17 inch rims, they are wonderful. Let me know if you have any other questions G man.
02-17-08, 08:03 AM
#55
Lexus Test Driver
Are those Good Year F1 new, I never heard of them before. Good Year have been making some pretty good tire lately. I had the Good Year Fortera on my old truck and they were very good tires.
02-17-08, 08:42 AM
#56
The test:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=84
Had an IS250 AWD which will handle very similar to the GS350 AWD with these tires. I never thought about these tires, but they look promising.
02-17-08, 09:32 AM
#58
Lexus Test Driver
Here is another good review for the Good Year F1. I did not know that it uses a silica compound just like the conti and also have a Kevlar linning and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Rubber. Thats alot of technology for the price.
http://www.eurotuner.com/techarticle...res/index.html
http://www.eurotuner.com/techarticle...res/index.html
02-17-08, 09:37 AM
#59
Pole Position
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my first experience with driving in snow was the past 3 years when I lived in Chicago (originally from TX). The ContiExtremeContact was the first purchase I made. Did great in the snow (relatively speaking) and lasted a while. 
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