Bubble in tire - Realistically how bad is it?
03-31-16, 08:01 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Driving around on that tire is insane. To put your and your family's safety at risk not to mention others on the roads for a $250 tire is nuts IMHO.
If it were my car I would replace all 4 tires for a couple reasons:
1. The tires are already 3 years old. They may have plenty of tread, but tires do age too.
2. Clearly the tires have sustained impacts and damage.
3. Those tires aren't great tires anyways.
Get yourself a nice new set of these Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus many of us have, and motor on.
But, you can replace two if thats what you want to do. AWD would be fine. I wouldn't do that because of the same reasons, and then you're stuck with two new still crappy tires.
If it were my car I would replace all 4 tires for a couple reasons:
1. The tires are already 3 years old. They may have plenty of tread, but tires do age too.
2. Clearly the tires have sustained impacts and damage.
3. Those tires aren't great tires anyways.
Get yourself a nice new set of these Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus many of us have, and motor on.
But, you can replace two if thats what you want to do. AWD would be fine. I wouldn't do that because of the same reasons, and then you're stuck with two new still crappy tires.
03-31-16, 08:24 AM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
Based on all the feedback, I'm definitely leaning towards replacing all four now, and probably this very weekend if I can.
I actually didn't know that the original Michelin MXV4 S8 tires weren't good.
I was initially planning on replacing them with the exact same model, because I read that the Michelin tire warranty would very likely give me a substantial discount (25% - 35%) due to all the unused tread, in the name of "customer service".
But now I'm thinking maybe indeed I should research other good tire options for the LS460... I'm going to read up on the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus tires.
I actually didn't know that the original Michelin MXV4 S8 tires weren't good.
I was initially planning on replacing them with the exact same model, because I read that the Michelin tire warranty would very likely give me a substantial discount (25% - 35%) due to all the unused tread, in the name of "customer service".
But now I'm thinking maybe indeed I should research other good tire options for the LS460... I'm going to read up on the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus tires.
Driving around on that tire is insane. To put your and your family's safety at risk not to mention others on the roads for a $250 tire is nuts IMHO.
If it were my car I would replace all 4 tires for a couple reasons:
1. The tires are already 3 years old. They may have plenty of tread, but tires do age too.
2. Clearly the tires have sustained impacts and damage.
3. Those tires aren't great tires anyways.
Get yourself a nice new set of these Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus many of us have, and motor on.
But, you can replace two if thats what you want to do. AWD would be fine. I wouldn't do that because of the same reasons, and then you're stuck with two new still crappy tires.
If it were my car I would replace all 4 tires for a couple reasons:
1. The tires are already 3 years old. They may have plenty of tread, but tires do age too.
2. Clearly the tires have sustained impacts and damage.
3. Those tires aren't great tires anyways.
Get yourself a nice new set of these Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus many of us have, and motor on.
But, you can replace two if thats what you want to do. AWD would be fine. I wouldn't do that because of the same reasons, and then you're stuck with two new still crappy tires.
03-31-16, 10:23 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Its not that they're "bad" tires, its just that there are much better tires out there today. If all the tires were good I'd leave them on, but this is an opportunity to put better tires on there. The Pirellis will be way cheaper than the Michelins to boot.
03-31-16, 02:08 PM
#19
Advanced
Go to Costco and buy 4 NEW tires......... Consider it a "Investment for the Future" because this way you will know what you have and they come with a road hazard warranty. Sell the other three as good tires to the "Thrifty Guy" who needs one or two tires.
03-31-16, 02:17 PM
#20
Buy a used tire to replicate the wear on the other tires. $100 and you're done.
I do it all the time, with 18 vehicles on the road...all day long.
Please don't waste your money, on 4 new tires.
I do it all the time, with 18 vehicles on the road...all day long.
Please don't waste your money, on 4 new tires.
03-31-16, 02:19 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Seeing that the tires are the only part of the car that contacts the road, and that the right set of tires has a huge impact on how an LS rides I don't consider buying a new set of great tires a waste of money.
I replaced the OEM tires on mine with 8k miles on them and consider it money very well spent.
I replaced the OEM tires on mine with 8k miles on them and consider it money very well spent.
03-31-16, 02:30 PM
#22
First, I would replace that tire immediately, your safety and others around you is simply not worth it especially with a blowout.
I've had AWD for the past 15 years, I've done it both ways, replacing 1 or 2 tires with new if the treads were close. Measure it with a gauge and determine if its acceptable to you and weigh the risk for your transfer case.
I've had AWD for the past 15 years, I've done it both ways, replacing 1 or 2 tires with new if the treads were close. Measure it with a gauge and determine if its acceptable to you and weigh the risk for your transfer case.
03-31-16, 06:24 PM
#23
Pole Position
If you are set on michelins or will get some money back for your tires and have to buy michelins, they have a newer grand touring tire called premier a/s that might be good. I read about it on tire rack as a good tire for Thai car. And it compares to the Pirelli.
03-31-16, 08:12 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
The Premier does not come in the LS460's size.
04-01-16, 07:00 AM
#25
Instructor
Thread Starter
First, a big thank you to everyone still following this thread.
Now, on second thought, perhaps I am "making a mountain out of a molehill"... figuratively speaking.
Here's why:
I wasn't aware of the "bubble" until a recent Lexus dealer service. They pointed it out and tried to sell me new tires.
After being away from home for a week, I finally had the opportunity to personally look at the "bubble". It took me about 5 minutes of very close analysis to find it... for a minute I thought it was an April Fool's joke!
By all accounts, the bubble appears to be tiny...
Please take a look at the attached pictures, and please let me know your thoughts.
The bubble is outlined in white chalk (by the Lexus dealer)... does it even qualify as a "bubble"?
Any additional insight from the group would be much appreciated.
Thanks again for all the assistance!
Now, on second thought, perhaps I am "making a mountain out of a molehill"... figuratively speaking.
Here's why:
I wasn't aware of the "bubble" until a recent Lexus dealer service. They pointed it out and tried to sell me new tires.
After being away from home for a week, I finally had the opportunity to personally look at the "bubble". It took me about 5 minutes of very close analysis to find it... for a minute I thought it was an April Fool's joke!
By all accounts, the bubble appears to be tiny...
Please take a look at the attached pictures, and please let me know your thoughts.
The bubble is outlined in white chalk (by the Lexus dealer)... does it even qualify as a "bubble"?
Any additional insight from the group would be much appreciated.
Thanks again for all the assistance!
Last edited by jasone36; 04-01-16 at 07:12 AM.
04-01-16, 08:34 AM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
I wouldn't leave a tire on a car with that bubble in it. Its evidence that the sidewall of the tire is compromised, its just going to get worse.
Looking at your pictures, the lip of your rim in that area looks to me like its been repaired. Can you take a picture of your entire rim? The finish also doesn't look right to me for that style rim.
Looking at your pictures, the lip of your rim in that area looks to me like its been repaired. Can you take a picture of your entire rim? The finish also doesn't look right to me for that style rim.
04-01-16, 08:53 AM
#27
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply.
Attached is a picture of the full wheel on my LS460 (although, not the same wheel that has the bubble in the tire... I don't have one handy).
The configuration is P245/45R19, and it has the rim that typically comes on the long-wheel-base models, which is different from the 18 inch wheels on the 2013+ "base" model (if even an LS can ever be called "base"...)
Attached is a picture of the full wheel on my LS460 (although, not the same wheel that has the bubble in the tire... I don't have one handy).
The configuration is P245/45R19, and it has the rim that typically comes on the long-wheel-base models, which is different from the 18 inch wheels on the 2013+ "base" model (if even an LS can ever be called "base"...)
04-01-16, 09:08 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Those wheels should have a machined finish to them...I bet yours have been refinished for some reason...
04-01-16, 10:39 AM
#29
Instructor
Thread Starter
Considering I bought the car used (not CPO), it's very possible the wheels have been refinished... although I'm not quite sure what a "machined finish" would be.
