2005 RX330 AWD OEM Michelin tires
05-14-07, 05:40 PM
#31
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NC
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Tire Manufacturers
FWIW:
1. Nitto is manufactured by Toyo, mostly in Japan, but may be from other S.E. Asia countries
2. Sumitomo Rubber Ind. produces Dunlop, Sumitomo and Falken tires around the world. They also produce tires with "GOODYEAR" ON SIDEWALL FOR CARS IN ASIA.
3. My 18" Michelins come from USA. The same factory that produces some lines of BFG and Uniroyal
4. Bridgestone produces tires in USA and Thailand for this size tire. Right next to some Dayton and Firestone tir lines.
Tires can be produced for the U.S. market in Thailand, Canada, Brazil, Korea US, etc. The decision is made based on plant capabilities, natural rubber costs (which has increased 67% in past 2 years!) and labor.
I'll get down from my soapbox.
1. Nitto is manufactured by Toyo, mostly in Japan, but may be from other S.E. Asia countries
2. Sumitomo Rubber Ind. produces Dunlop, Sumitomo and Falken tires around the world. They also produce tires with "GOODYEAR" ON SIDEWALL FOR CARS IN ASIA.
3. My 18" Michelins come from USA. The same factory that produces some lines of BFG and Uniroyal
4. Bridgestone produces tires in USA and Thailand for this size tire. Right next to some Dayton and Firestone tir lines.
Tires can be produced for the U.S. market in Thailand, Canada, Brazil, Korea US, etc. The decision is made based on plant capabilities, natural rubber costs (which has increased 67% in past 2 years!) and labor.
I'll get down from my soapbox.
05-14-07, 06:43 PM
#32
I was looking at the YOKO Advan ST's too.....looks aggressive...
05-15-07, 12:00 PM
#34
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
We got 36K on the first set and 37K on the second set of Michelin's. I just couldn't stand paying that kind of $$$ and not having a mileage warranty.
This time, I put on the Alenza's and couldn't be more pleased.
They look a bit more aggressive from the sidewall and I do think the Michelin's handle pot holes a bit better, but other than that, they have been great (we only have about 2,000 miles on them at the current time). We had one snow storm in Colorado and the traction was excellent.
I got them from Discount Tire after they matched a Firestone offer of buy 3, get 1 free ... At Discount Tire, with certificates, I was out the door for $701.
This time, I put on the Alenza's and couldn't be more pleased.
They look a bit more aggressive from the sidewall and I do think the Michelin's handle pot holes a bit better, but other than that, they have been great (we only have about 2,000 miles on them at the current time). We had one snow storm in Colorado and the traction was excellent.
I got them from Discount Tire after they matched a Firestone offer of buy 3, get 1 free ... At Discount Tire, with certificates, I was out the door for $701.
How do you compare the road noise between the Alenza's vs. the Michelins?
I believe the Alenza's has the highest treadwear of any brands.
05-15-07, 04:48 PM
#35
Advanced
I couldn't tell any difference in road noise; the reviews on tirerack.com will echo the same comments.
I believe you are right, the Alenza's do have the highest treadwear rating of any tire I found in that size. Yokohama makes a tire (only offered at Discount Tire) -- the YK520 -- that has a 60,000 mile warranty. It looks a bit more like a passenger tire and reportedly rides quite smooth, but when I got the excellent price on the Alenza, I went with it.
My only complaint with the Alenza is the fact that it seems like the vehicle isn't as graceful when hitting pothole's -- after this winter, it seems like the roads in Denver need a lot of repair!! Other than that, I am quite pleased.
05-15-07, 07:10 PM
#36
Higher tread wear will compromise something...with the Alenza, I do not know what it is...noise or handling....hopefully none of the aforementioned.
05-15-07, 08:55 PM
#37
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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How does Lexus decide what tires to put on? I have a RX400H and never gave any thought as to what kind of tires I have but with all this talk about how bad Goodyears are I looked and my car and discovered it had Michelin
05-16-07, 05:54 AM
#39
Lexus Test Driver
That is the case most of the time, higher tread rating means harder rubber. There are some tires that does everything above average such as Alenza, cross terrain and the Revo.
05-16-07, 03:18 PM
#40
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
From my past experience with Bridgestone tires. They typically have softer rubber as opposed to Yokohamas.
05-16-07, 06:21 PM
#41
Other than AM1, has somebody tried 255-55's? Is there rubbing in the rear?
05-18-07, 10:47 AM
#43
Yup, found it and it was quite a comprehensive study.
05-18-07, 12:32 PM
#45
Yup, in 5K I will be dumping my RSA's! I was planning on getting 3 and using the spare, after reading through the complaints, I am dumping the Goodyears!