dgbklexus

I am ready to purchase new tires for my 2001 RX300 after getting about 30,000 on my factory installed Duellers. I am considering Michelin Cross Terrains and Michelin LTX M/S's. Has any one purchased either of these two tires? Which would you recommend? I like what I have read on both of them, though the Cross Terrain has a slight lead. The down side is that it looks like a 4x4 Truck tire where the LTX has a more traditional car tire look. I would appreciate any advise you can provide!

Thanks!!

David

mikey00

If you check the ratings at tire rack you will see that CT's beat LTX's in both ride comfort and noise comfort and most other catagories. The CT's also have a treadwear rating of 700 while the LTX's are at 440. Which means the CT's should last 1.6 times as long as the LTX's. The LTX's have a lower initial cost but if you do the math cost more in the long run.

LexRexBlue

I replaced my originals with Michelins and they had better traction. This winter I replaced those (can't remember what model) with Cross Terrains. They had great traction in the snow and rain. They ride a little harder, but they will let the car corner well. Living in NJ with a fair amount of precipitation I feel confident with these tires. I have no regrets for spending the little bit extra.

BlackRX300

Michelin Cross Terrains!!!!!!! I have these on my 2001 Silversport.

PROS: great ride, great traction (dry and wet), quite, very good reputation.

CONS: Pricey. (but worth it)

jazzsax

We love the LTX M/Ss for all around use, including ocassional snow. Never had the others.

NeverSatisfied

Michelins are the bomb!

Lil4X

Welcome to ClubLexus, dgbklexus!

Michelin CTs for sure! I put them on my RX 300 at about 28K and when I turned the car in at 60K they were barely worn. Consider upsizing to 235/70 -16 to gain a little more footprint. No problem with fit of the spare into the well either. Best all-around mod for the least money - improved handling, feel, ride, and grip - plus reduced tread noise over OEM 225/7-16 GY Integritys. Wet traction was very good and hydroplaning was non-existent (unlike OEMs). Mounted with the OWL facing inward to reduce the disco look. The slightly larger tire with a bit more aggressive tread was a good look for the 300, without looking like a monster truck.

mikey00

If you do go up one size to the 235's be aware that the treadwear rating drops from 700 (225's) to 440. So in theory, 225's should last 1.6 times as long as 235's. Thats why tire rack has such a great deal on them. Buyer beware.

HarrierAWD

I do plan on switching to Michelin Cross Terrain when my current Integrity wear out, based on recommendations from other Lexus owners. I had Michelin X-One on my last car. Put 80K miles on them and they were only 20% worn. So I do have faith in Michelin products.

I would also consider the Toyo OpenCountry M410 tire. It was the top rated "on-road" SUV tire by ConsumerReports, very good in snow and ice, too. I can't find this tire locally, other than Internet. CR has yet to test the Michelin Cross Terrain. CR did test the Michelin LTX, which had so-so result.

mhc0725

I would highly recommend the Cross-Terrains, but not so sure about uping the size to 235. I did this and noticed significant performance increase, but also a significant mileage decrease. I use to average about 18.9 mpg of mix driving, now I'm barely pushing 17 mpg. If I do a lot of city driving, I'm hitting 16.5 to 16.9 mpg. It's a tradeoff for the slightly larger width, but if you're in a heavy snow area, go for it. The OEM Integrity were junk from day one. The Cross-Terrains are over twice as much as the Integrity, but for your safety and peace of mind, go with the Cross-Terrain.

Last winter when I spun out (luckily in an empty street at the time) with the Integrity, and I have AWD, I said it was time to get better tires. Went with the Cross-Terrain, did the same street, same manuever, absolutely nothing. Traction is like day and night compared to Integrity. The Integrity is a car tire, not a 'truck' tire.

Lexusfreak

I would also give some serious consideration to the Toyo Open Country M-410. Came in first overall in a major consumer magazine ahead of Michelin! Tire would last just as long & be much less cost wise. Next would be the Yokohama Geolander G-051 which came in second.

Lexmex

Nothing like my Cross-Terrains, 235s, south of the border they come with 5 ply (more expensive, but worth it).

Tammy

We run LTX M/S 235 75- 15 Load range C on our 84 Landcruiser and Cross Terrains 225 70-16 on our 2000 RX-300. The Cross Terrains are slightly better with handling feel but howl a bit more on the hiway.
I expected this since the rubber compound of the C/T is stiffer than the LTX. Treadware and grip usually trade off each other. Both work great in water condictions with hardly any hydroplane. Of course, vehicle
weight comes into play with water. Traction is very good with either tire. Good in snow . The LTX four-wheels over large rock and sand very well with durable sidewalls. My next set, I will consider LTX M/S for the RX; since multiplied by four tires the price difference is worth noting. Both are good investments in tires... my opinion, the LTX M/S is a slightly better buy... Don't confuse the LTX M/S with the LTX A/T standard equipment tire... They don't compare!

steevr

I've got an '02 RX with 30K miles. I have the OEM Bridgestones. I look the look of the sidewall on those. More sportylike than the trucklike look of the CT's on our Expedition. The Bridgestgones are awful in the snow, even with AWD. It feels like your driving on ball bearings. Also considering the CT's for replacement. Why do they only come in RWL, which have to be reversed??

HarrierAWD

Just ask the tire guy to reverse the tires. It's not uni-directional.

Toyo M410 does not have white letters.