4482

Does anyone know the brand of tires that they're putting on the 2010 RX's coming out of the Cambridge, Canada plant ? I wonder if it's only one brand, or do they mix them up ? My new RX should be in the first of next week as it shipped the 17th. There is one brand of tire I definitely don't want on my car. I wonder if the dealer can make changes, or is it best they don't because of the factory balancing of the wheels ?

Thanks

data2009

Mine came from Cambridge with Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 tires. Not a great tire, most likely will replace it after 1 year. I think Hybrids are the only RXs built in Japan, and I believe they come with Michelin Latitude tires, also average.

4482

I just checked on Tire Rack where it said just what you said, the Bridgestones
only. You would think on a car that sells for big $$$ that they'd come with a better tire. Looks like I'm going to be in big trouble driving on snow and ice according to the tire reviews.

data2009

Check out these tires:

Hankook Ventus AS RH07

Most likely these will be the replacements for Bridgestones.

data2009

Older RX models used to come with GY Integrity tires. Duelers are leap years away, in comparison.

4482

My current 05 RX has the OEM Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 tires. I have 35,000 on the car, and traveled twice from the east coast to the west coast. I've never had a problem with these tires, and have many miles left on them. I can't believe they went to the Bridgestones thinking they are a better tire for the AWD cars up north here. It must be a money thing... :-(

data2009

It must be what it cost them from the suppliers, compared to other brands. Considering a complete redesign from 2009 model, and the MSRP actually is less, you can bet its a money thing. Cheap audio system. Cheap (actually, not so cheap, just crappy) tires. This does not go well with the overall feel of higher quality craftsmanship, compared to other brands in a similar segment. Hankook tires I mentioned cost about $50 less, and have better specs all-around, and they get good reviews, plus they look better.

pagemaster

Hey 4482. Most of the RX350 (just over half) of the USA RX models are built in Cambridge. Canada does export some of the Rx350 that they build. I have yet to see a Canadian spec RX350 without the Michelin Lattitude tires.

I believe what decides what tires you get is what region of the United States you are in. For example..in some regions of the United States the LX570 comes with Dunlop Grand Trek AT320 tires....in contrast in all of the Canada the LX570 comes only equipped with Michelin Lattitute while some select areas in the United States the LX comes with Michelins.

4482

data2009 above said his 2010 RX came with the Bridgestones from Cambridge.

I had never heard of the Hankook tires before, but they look good.

data2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hankook_Tire

data2009

I think this is it. I only wonder who decides, which tires each region will get. I understand when it comes to choice of all-season touring vs summer performance tires between Southern vs Northern states, but when its Michelin Latitude vs Bridgestone Dueler (both all-season), its not an equal comparison: Latitude is a little better, but more costlier.

pagemaster

I had a chance to stop today and take a look at the RX350 on the lot. Oakville Lexus had about 20 of them, 12 were cambridge the other 8 were Japan. All Cambridge RX350 came with Michelin Lattitudes. All the Japan RX350 came with Dunlop Grandtrek....yes Dunlop Grandtrek.

Did not see one model with Bridgestones.

data2009

Did you happen to note the differences in equippment between RXes from Canada vs Japan? Just curious. Also, was it 18" or 19" rims (5-spoke vs 6-spoke)?

According to TireRack, Michelins are the costliest, and Dunlops are the cheapest:

Michelin Latitude Tour HP............$205
Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400..........$186
Dunlop Grandtrek Touring A/S.......$169

pagemaster

I didn't have the chance to look at tire sizes or rims. I wish I did.

For what it's worth. The Bridgestone Deuler and Dunlop GrandTrek tires have been around for ever. Toyota offered the GrandTrek tires with the 4runner back in the 1980's. Granted the current GrandTrek tires have been improved, the GrandTrek have been offered on LC, LX, 1st Gen Tundra/Seq, 2nd gen Sequioa, current LC/LCX, FJ, 4runner and now Tacoma. I have seen Toyota use them all over the place.

The only Lexus I have seen the Duelers is on the current GX470. I have yet to see them on a Toyota but perhaps I have seen them on Sequioa.

As for the Michelins. The Lattitudes are new tires. From what I have read is that the Lattitudes perform well but do not last as long as the LTX or Cross Terrrains. The Cross Terrians are great tires but were only found on 4runner/GX470 models.

tazdevl

Not to resurrect a dead thread but I noticed something interesting. Wife and I were visiting my folks this weekend. Mother and I have the same 2010 rx's, awd, 19s, identical options (see sig) and built 30 days apart in japan. I've got bridgestones and she has the dunlops. Both vehicles were regional special orders for the western us.