I was at the Lexus dealer in Fremont today for a car wash and while browsing the cars, I noticed that a couple of the IS's in the showroom with the 18 inch wheel option (both 250 and 350) had Bridgestone Turanza tires. I didn't ask around or look at others outside, but the window sticker didn't indicate anything out of the ordinary except your typical 18 inch wheel option.

I know 06 was Dunlop, then they went to Potenza RE050, but can somebody confirm they changed the tires again?

BTW, I don't think 350 production is an issue in CA. I was at 2 Lexus dealerships in the past week... Tustin in SoCal, and Fremont in NorCal. Both had plenty of inventory on hand. Both must have had at least 7 each. The dealership in Fremont had several with the rear ground effects and factory exhaust options that I haven't seen before in NorCal dealers prior to today. It's the latest set of unreasonably priced options. I saw an IS250 sticker for over 40K because of these options... (not dealer add-on... it's factory)

 

yea, my stock 18" was bridgestone turanza er33 tires too but if you look online it says the stock tire is potenza. i dunno if switching is common or what but i already took them off for better tires.

 

050 Bridgestones were discontinued.

Koz

 

I think I have Bridgestones too...

 

I've got Bridgestone Turanza's on my new baby.

 

Not according to Tirerack

 

My 07 came with Dunlop

 

Are those Turanzas like the Potenzas? Or more beefy tires?

 

What's the real difference? I mean performance wise???

 

I think I would have rather had Dunlop....

 

Turanza is more towards All Season.

Potenza is more performance.

 

They never really "changed" the tire - which tire each car comes equipped with is completely random. '06 IS's came with both Dunlops and Bridgestones, regarless of production date. '07 IS350's are still coming with a mixture of Dunlops and Bridgestones.

Javier

 

So the Potenza RE050 is not discontinued at all?

 

I haven't seen or read anything about the RE's being discontinued - they're still readily available everywere. However, that doesn't mean that they aren't discontinued...

Javier

 

my 06' 250awd came with bridgestone potenzas...but its not the RE050... mine is RE92...