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Lexus RX 350 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

5521 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 10:37 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 350, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 518 of 552

#5171 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [valueguy] by lexusrx350new

Aug 14, 2012 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: valueguy (Aug 10, 2012 10:03 am)
When I purchased my new 2013 lexus rx 350 a few weeks back, I included the michelin tires in the deal instead of the stock bridgestone tires. The dealer said he is not familiar with this type of request and now, I see you are like me! The dealer gave me the michelins when taking delivery of the car and mentioned that michelins come only in the nav cars. Non-navs come with bridgestone or other brands. Bridgestones and michelins cost almost the same but i know that the michelin drive is going to be very different from the bridgestones and so insisted on it.

#5172 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [lexusrx350new] by conkev

Aug 14, 2012 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: lexusrx350new (Aug 14, 2012 3:46 pm)
I didnt even think to negotiate a tire change when I bought my RX 350 AWD. I wish I had requested to change the Dunlap tires for Michelins. Oh well. When the Dunlaps wear out, I might replace with Michelin tires.

#5173 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [conkev] by lexusrx350new

Aug 14, 2012 (4:17 pm)

Replying to: conkev (Aug 14, 2012 3:59 pm)
I told them flat out that if i dont get the michelins although my car is non-nav, I am not buying the car. if i dont get the tire and wheel protection package free, i am not buying the car. the first thing that i checked when i went for delivery is michelins and then the tire and wheel protection on the papers.

#5174 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [lexusrx350new] by valueguy

Aug 14, 2012 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: lexusrx350new (Aug 14, 2012 3:46 pm)
My 2013 RX 350 was NAV vehicle. It still came with crappy Dunlop tires. IMHO, the Michelin tires are worth every one of $400 dollars over those Dunlops. I got the Michelin tires at NO ADDITIONAL COST so why not demand the swap? Instead, the Dunlop tires make any deal at least $400 different if one must get the Dunlop tires (in my opinion anyway).
 
That said, with AWD I would consider an additional $400 as compensation in any deal for getting Dunlop tires. On a FWD Lexus the Dunlop tires are unacceptable at any price (at least here in Florida where wet traction means life or death on the road). DO NOT ACCEPT DUNLOP TIRES ON A FWD RX 350.

#5175 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [valueguy] by lexusrx350new

Aug 15, 2012 (6:53 am)

Replying to: valueguy (Aug 14, 2012 4:42 pm)
Make sure that someone checked the alignment and balancing after they swapped the tires. It wont be noticeable in the beginning but over time, you will realize that your tires are wearing unevenly and/or vibrating and by that time, its too late. I got mine checked after the tire swap and found an issue that needs to be corrected with the alignment/balancing. Its a trade off i guess, good tires but not factory aligned OR factory aligned but bad tires... lol.. There are a few internet posts that suggest that the bridgestones are better than the latitudes but tirerack still shows the michelins at 7.6 rating vs the bridgestones at 5.1 rating. Some posts suggest that the pilots are better than the latitudes and that the latitudes are junk and so, its all subjective. Cost of michelins and bridgestones is the same.
 
Do you have a light color interior like parchment or a dark interior like black? Reason for my question is how can i maintain my parchment interior like new without stains. Its so easy to get stains on this light color.

#5176 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [valueguy] by nazzy100

Aug 15, 2012 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: valueguy (Aug 14, 2012 4:42 pm)
Tires:
 
Also, there is no manufacture's tread wear warranty at all on the Dunlop Grand Trek Touring A/S.
 
What is wrong with Lexus, putting a Tire with no warranty on a $45-50000.00 luxury car ???
 
The Michellin Lattitude and Pilot have a 55000 or 50000 mile warranty.
 
Bridgestone has a warranty, but not sure what.
 

#5177 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [lexusrx350new] by valueguy

Aug 15, 2012 (2:22 pm)

Replying to: lexusrx350new (Aug 15, 2012 6:53 am)
I've gotten new tires on wheels before on cars after purchase. An alignment is usually unnecessary if all you do is change out the wheels/tires. A wheel balance may be indicated but not always.
 
A wheel balance costs about $30-40 at your local tire shop. If you need a wheel balance then the cost of this service ($40) is far less than the cost of a Michelin tire upgrade from the Dunlop tires.
 
My new Michelin tires run smoothly on my RX 350 but I will keep an eye out if they need a balance at 5,000 miles. This simple item can be performed during the first tire roatation.
 
I would not let the small possibility of a $75 alignment (not likely when swapping out identical wheels and sized tires) or a $40 Wheel balance (more likely) prevent you from requesting Michelin tires on your brand new RX 350.

#5178 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [valueguy] by nazzy100

Aug 15, 2012 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: valueguy (Aug 15, 2012 2:22 pm)
For others perhaps just joining this thread, that I think Valueguy started:
 
If you go to TireRack.com, and bring up the Dunlop GrandTouring A/S 235/55r/19
and read the numerous reviews there, you will see a majority needing to replace at around 22000-25000, and most claim they do the rotations and recommended care. And there is no adjustment for those folks, since NO warranty on wear, by Dunlop.
 
Lots of variables of course on how each drives a car, understood, but, for Dunlop to have NO warranty (mileage) tread, I think we can see what's going on there.
 
And, that tire(Dunlop) is listed at $195 each, installed, in the SW here, by Discount Tire. Hard to believe.
 
Why is Lexus putting a bunch of those on 2010- 2013 Rx 's ? Expense deal no doubt.

#5179 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [valueguy] by lexusrx350new

Aug 15, 2012 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: valueguy (Aug 15, 2012 2:22 pm)
Agreed, in your case specifically, cant go with dunlops as the drive will not be close to a michelin smooth drive in my opinion. Alignment and balancing factors should not affect getting michelins particularly if you are getting no warranty dunlops. I would not have bought my rx if the dealer was not willing to swap the stock bridgestones with michelins although the bridgestones are better than dunlops and come with warranty. The alignment issue if any, is ok compared to not getting michelins.

#5180 of 5521 Re: Advice on Tires [lexusrx350new] by nazzy100

Aug 15, 2012 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: lexusrx350new (Aug 15, 2012 5:38 pm)
I couldn't believe it either, as I don't think I've heard of a name brand tire, with Zero warranty on tread wear.
 
I specifically called Discount Tire, the Real Manager, whose has been here 15 years, and asked if that was true, and he did indeed confirm it to be true. So, I then called Costco, and asked the same question and also got the same answer. Both places said Lexus went with that tire because it was supposed to be extra quiet...even though no tread warranty . I don't buy that, or else they would put all their cars with it... ? I don't think so. They knew it had no warranty, but threw in on a few to keep the complaints down. It's probably a very soft tire..thus wears easily ?
 
And, there is the buyer who replaces his car every two years, or one year leases, etc. No complaints there as those folks turn the car in and walk away. And folks who don't drive much, like we have here in my city.
 
 By the way, when checking with the tire places, I did state, Dunlop GrandTrek Touring A/S 19 inch, 235/55R/19 . I can't speak for their 18 version on the Lexus RX 2010-2013 350/FWD or AWD as I didn't ask on that one.
 
By the way, both places as well as Tire Rack, confirmed. Lexus shows these at all three places, as replacement tires, as well as the Michelins, Lattitudes, Pilots, and Bridgestones.
 
Note:
 
It's important to know here, for those that do have the Dunlops, that there is NO known safety issue here at all.
 
None of the reviews had any remarks about blowouts, or other safety issues. This is just about a non- warranty on tread wear on these tires. And the fact, Lexus put a cheaper brand tire on a very popular Luxury car in their line when there were other better brands with warranties available to them for all their cars.

Messages Page 518 of 552

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