jtrue28

How is it possible to have tires that even Bridgestone doesn't list as a valid size? The OEM tires on my AWD are BS Turanza EL400-2...235/40/19. These are standard touring AS tires. Why would they not put high performance tires on this car? Hell, 3GS came with high performance run-flats.

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

That's easy to answer....

AWD.... and the Region you are in.

~ Joe Z

jtrue28

But they technically don't exist....

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

Well they do if they are on your car....

Tire manufacturer has to supply all of their inventory to Lexus (initially). Especially if they were designed for the AWD GS..

I'm sure Bridgestone will be updating their sites soon..


~ Joe Z

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah car is very new, in due time...

flipside909

I spoke with the Bridgestone USA rep at the GS drive event, the tire and its spec are odd size and very new. It was funny but he also used the Mason Dixon line as a reference to which region gets which transaxle version and wheel/tire package. As for your AWD having A/S tires, its all what your particular region orders. Since your car is an AWD, you usually don't put summer spec tires on cars like that. If you really wanted summer tires, maybe you should have gotten a regular GS 350 F Sport RWD instead?

A small handful of 3rd Gen GS came with high performance run flats. I've only seen them on a few rare GS 460 with **** and a few GS 450h....they're loud and they suck.

jtrue28

The run-flat Dunlop tires on my 3GS AWD were AS High Performance. But odd size and very new makes sense for why you can't find them anywhere. Hope to God I don't pop one.

flipside909

Yeah those tires were garbage. If you really want a performance tire, get a summer compound purpose built tire, not a mediocre mid range all season high performance.

jtrue28

Summer tires are garbage in the winter, and I'm not investing money in "winter-only" tires.

flipside909

Looks like you're stuck with those tires until another manufacturer or Bridgestone decides to offer different compound.

*Batman*

Did the car come with Bridgestone Turanza EL400-2?

If so I would strongly advise you to ditch those tires. I had those on my GS460 when I bought it new. Over the first 400 miles I experienced aquaplaning and wheel spin under acceleration in the rain, and I considered those tires to be highly dangerous.

Lexus chooses them because they have low rolling resistance and help boost the EPA mpgs. However I think they should have cut a deal with Michelin if that was their goal.

jtrue28

Yeah Lexus screwed up on this size tire. There are ZERO options for a high performance AS tire. Awful! There are hardly any options at all for the OEM size.

*Batman*

Why can't you just go wider and fit 245s. Then you have plenty of choices, plus get some curb protection. I doubt it would rub given the stance is very conservative.

flipside909

I don't think Lexus screwed up the tire size. They spent over 700,000 miles all over the world to develop the proper tire for this car. You have several aftermarket options. Plus sizing is definitely the way to go.

jtrue28

Well since the entire car has been calibrated to that OEM size, deviating from that would erase 700,000 miles of testing. C'mon Bridgestone...make more options!!