99alta

Curious as to winter driver thoughts on the subject tires on 18" rims on Snow and Ice.

How's the noise?
Has it improved with the latest WR3 version?
Do they help hold the *** end for kicking out easily (subjective of course).

I've been running these tires year round on my Acura for years now and find them excellent on ice and snow and a good compromise to changing tires each winter. But it's a FWD and a whole different bred than the AWD GS. AS well my wife uses them on her CRV.

I find the WR2's to be somewhat noisy when driving on dry pebbled hiways. Hit a patch of new asphalt and they are quite quiet. Of course they don't handle as well as a dedicated sport/touring tire, but arent that bad, and again a good comprise for the type of driving I do.

Please share your thoughts with a new GS350 AWD driver that needs to re- learn how to drive a rear wheel biased vehicle in winter! Busted up a rim on my first tank of gas

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

I haven't used Nokian tires but for the Lexus GS, it does better with separate set of all season or summer Michelins and a winter set with Bridgestone Blizzaks. I have the new version Lm32 and its fantastic in the snow and gives great ride and handling feel that is unusual for a winter tire.

The rear end will slide more then the FWD and you will have to get used to it. I have figured it out now about 6 years ago after switching from a FWD car to an AWD car. I never will go back to a FWD car ( too much torque steer and front end slipping).

ZbynekZ

I had WR2s on my previous GS300 and was completely satisfied. Road noise was better then on ruined summer Potenzas.

WR3 has got my wife on small Toyota Auris Wagon and road noise is good too.

I can strongly recommend Nokian winter tires at all. I never had a problem with RWD GS, so you and your AWD with Nokians will be happy

99alta

Thanks for the replies guys. I wish our Lexus dealer sold them, as I want them road force balanced and none of our local tire shops do that

Is Nokian screwing themselves by selling to exclusive dealers and nothing online that no one is putting them on their GS350?
They are friggin expensive that's for sure!

One other point, the Nokian WRG 3's don't come in the size that is on my vehicle 235/45 18, only 235/40 or 235/50. So what size would work and would there be any drawbacks?

TIA

GM11

I use WRG2 in winter on my AWD 350. They are great tires. I find them a bit noisy. Yes you might need to get them road forced. 245/45 is the one to go for.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post8310759

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

i second that, you need to get them road forced! Make sure none of the wheel/tire combo are greater then 10 lbs or the GS will feel awful (vibration, rough, etc).

99alta

Why do the tires need to road force balanced? Isn't that extra expense usually done if your having tire issues?
Also I'm using car tires, so there is no way in hell they are going to weigh less than 10 lbs. a piece!

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

Becareful what you say if you don't know what you are talking about (road force balance lbs) vs actual weight of the tire/wheel which is 45 to 55 lbs. Ok.

99alta

LOL. Thanks for the reply!

More than 10 ft/lbs of force applied when balancing.
Good tip, because your correct I've never seen a tire being road force balanced.