Got rid of the stupid run flats!!!
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Talking](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif)
Well, after owning the car (GS 450h) for just a week I'm happy to report that I feel like I got a whole new car AGAIN!
My car came with Dunlop run-flat tires that make the ride very harsh. Every bump and small pot-hole used to translate into a bone-jarring impact. I picked up my car in Long Island, NY and drove it to Virginia, and I thought I'd loose a few teeth while driving through New York.
So three days after picking up the car I ordered Continental ContiExtremeContact all-season Ultra High Performance tires on Tire Rack. The tires are rated as #2 in the category and have a mind-blowingly low price of $125 per tire. I would've had to pay the Merchant Tire installer recommended by Tire Rack a total of only $60 to install these, but I was punished by the run-flats one last time: Merchant Tire couldn't take them off my wheels!
So I had to take the car to Goodyear and pay a total of $240 (includes life-time balancing and rotation) to replace the tires.
But it was all worth it! The new tires handle very well without the harsh ride. I do think the super-stiffness of the Dunlop run-lats made for better cornering, but I'm happy to trade this off for better overall experience.
By the way, while it sucks that I had to pay extra for the useless run-flat tire package, I'm happy that my car at least came with a spare tire. Otherwise I'd have to shell out $500 to get the spare.
The run-flats are going on E-bay soon. I should be able to recoup the cost of Continentals.
My car came with Dunlop run-flat tires that make the ride very harsh. Every bump and small pot-hole used to translate into a bone-jarring impact. I picked up my car in Long Island, NY and drove it to Virginia, and I thought I'd loose a few teeth while driving through New York.
So three days after picking up the car I ordered Continental ContiExtremeContact all-season Ultra High Performance tires on Tire Rack. The tires are rated as #2 in the category and have a mind-blowingly low price of $125 per tire. I would've had to pay the Merchant Tire installer recommended by Tire Rack a total of only $60 to install these, but I was punished by the run-flats one last time: Merchant Tire couldn't take them off my wheels!
![Frown](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
So I had to take the car to Goodyear and pay a total of $240 (includes life-time balancing and rotation) to replace the tires.
But it was all worth it! The new tires handle very well without the harsh ride. I do think the super-stiffness of the Dunlop run-lats made for better cornering, but I'm happy to trade this off for better overall experience.
By the way, while it sucks that I had to pay extra for the useless run-flat tire package, I'm happy that my car at least came with a spare tire. Otherwise I'd have to shell out $500 to get the spare.
The run-flats are going on E-bay soon. I should be able to recoup the cost of Continentals.
#2
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yes, all the wheel/tire combos on the 450h come with TPMS sensors.
#4
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
One of the purposes of run-flats is safety. You blow a tire in an unsafe area, you can keep moving, you blow a regular tire a busy highway and decide to change it yourself, and some idiot hits you. You drive in a country that shoots your tires or they lay down some puncture strips; you might want run-flats. When I need new tires, I will probably do the same as you.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
One of the purposes of run-flats is safety. You blow a tire in an unsafe area, you can keep moving, you blow a regular tire a busy highway and decide to change it yourself, and some idiot hits you. You drive in a country that shoots your tires or they lay down some puncture strips; you might want run-flats. When I need new tires, I will probably do the same as you.
By the way, while the PAX idea is great and implementation by Michelin is very good, the Michelin/Honda infrastructure for replacing these tires sucks right now. Ours wore out after only 20K miles and it was very hard to find a place to get them replaced (Michelin paid 40% of the replacement cost because of premature wear).
Trending Topics
#8
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The things are very tight. They tried with several people to get them off, but all they managed to do was bend a bunch of bars used to flip the edge of the tire over the lip of the rim. Goodyear told me they had a special machine to deal with run-flats; which they should, since they sell the Dunlops.
Yes, all the wheel/tire combos on the 450h come with TPMS sensors.
Yes, all the wheel/tire combos on the 450h come with TPMS sensors.
Everytime, they tell me how much difficulty they've had because of the stiffness and low profile of the tires.
When it comes time for new tires, I'll stay away from run-flats due to the harshness that prompted this thread.
#10
Pole Position
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=103652
#11
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Most of the run flat issues were based on tires concieved several years ago.
In the case of the newest run flat tires, i.e. Bridgestone Potenzas, folks are getting a long wearing, quiet, and great performing tire.
Still, they are not for everyone. I just can't imagine running a $125 tire on a GS.
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As I wrote before, these are #2 best rated tire in the category, with the same overall score as the $300 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. So they are not cheap, just inexpensive, if you know what I mean.
Plus, it's bad enough that I have to shell out for new tires right after buying the car and paying for the original tires plust the $380 surcharge for run-flats. It would suck a lot more if I had to pay over a $1,000 instead of $500 for the new tires. Installation alone ran $240!
#13
Pole Position
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Found this in another forum:
11 of 18 Re: New Tires (free) [calexander3] by traylor Jan 14, 2007 (6:11 pm)
Reply | E-mail Msg
Replying to: calexander3 (Jan 14, 2007 1:33 pm)
I bought an '06 GS 300 used w/ 22K miles from Park Place Lexus in Plano, TX last May. Tire noise was awful. Service rep said they'd had trouble with the tires "cupping". Since they were more than half way used up when I bought the car, they paid for two and I paid for two new Michelin Primacy's. Solved the problem instantly.
11 of 18 Re: New Tires (free) [calexander3] by traylor Jan 14, 2007 (6:11 pm)
Reply | E-mail Msg
Replying to: calexander3 (Jan 14, 2007 1:33 pm)
I bought an '06 GS 300 used w/ 22K miles from Park Place Lexus in Plano, TX last May. Tire noise was awful. Service rep said they'd had trouble with the tires "cupping". Since they were more than half way used up when I bought the car, they paid for two and I paid for two new Michelin Primacy's. Solved the problem instantly.
Last edited by hughh; 01-30-07 at 05:03 PM. Reason: Typing, as in Ms.
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
maybe I will try to purchase a different tire for each wheel.
That sounds like a good idea.
Ok, just kidding, but I am about to purchase (as soon as the snow melts) some Mich. Pilots. PS2's.
A little pricier, and less millege than it's semi comparable products, but they are just great tires.
Wonderful handling in wet and dry.
The Bridgestone Pilots... (excuse me if name is incorrect) are great products as well. (plus cheaper.... and they give you a 30 day no questions asked trial...)
I was deciding between the two of them.
That sounds like a good idea.
Ok, just kidding, but I am about to purchase (as soon as the snow melts) some Mich. Pilots. PS2's.
A little pricier, and less millege than it's semi comparable products, but they are just great tires.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The Bridgestone Pilots... (excuse me if name is incorrect) are great products as well. (plus cheaper.... and they give you a 30 day no questions asked trial...)
I was deciding between the two of them.
#15
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I can't wait to get rid of my Dunlop run flats. I have about 21K miles on them now, and I can probably wait until maybe 25K miles. But I'm really getting annoyed with the jarring ride on uneven surfaces. I'll probably wait until spring and then spring for a set of Michelin Pilots.
I hope that the problem Modeler experienced with the tire removal isn't a universal problem with all independent shops. If it is, then maybe it would make more sense buying tires from a Toyota or Lexus shop that has the right equipment. The tires will cost more, but maybe it will be made up in added charges for the special removal.
I hope that the problem Modeler experienced with the tire removal isn't a universal problem with all independent shops. If it is, then maybe it would make more sense buying tires from a Toyota or Lexus shop that has the right equipment. The tires will cost more, but maybe it will be made up in added charges for the special removal.