Well hello to all,

I have found the problem/solution to my new lexus owning woes.

The GS300 Sport I bought had a vibration in the steering which i noticed and posted about before has been caused by damaged alloys. I took the car in today to get all 4 tyres balanced and when they came off the car and went to do it, they noticed and pointed out that all of the alloys (including the spare) were all out of true and were all kinked on the inside of the alloy. Every single one, can you beleive it.

I couldn't & phoned the garage (not Lexus) that i bought it from and they basically said tough, or worse words to that effect.

So need to get new alloys and tyres.

What is best at this time?

Go for after market good alloys and tyres instead of something that is as close to the real thing or get reproduction wheels, fit the Lexus center cap and let no one be the wiser?

Good to hear your views.

Have spoken to one company I had a recomendation to and they quoted £900 - £1000 all fitted, alloys, tyres (at the right size) and balanced and fitted.


Does this seem good, rememeber I am in Scotland.

Thanks for any help or advice anyone can give.

Cheers

Andrew

So all five are totaly shagged ,i would get a second opinion seems a bit much all five being like it .would cost you a fortune to replace origional wheels i think they are closer to £400 each .Also to kink every wheel i would start loking to see if there is any suspension damage as car sounds like it has hit a kerb very hard with all four ,i would take it to lexus for a full inspection and see what they turn up than i would give full report to the garage that sold you the car they are responsable for putting the car right and if it has a kink in every wheel then they should replace them as you have only owned the car a few weeks

Whatever you do, please take my advice and don't just go for the cheapest (tyre) solution. Tyre quality DOES differ and just a few drops of rain on the road is IMHO one of the best methods to sort the men from the boys so to say.

On a previous car I had factory fitted Dunlop 200 or something like that. Basically a reasonably reputable brand, but when I changed the front tyres (front wheel drive car...) to Goodyear Eagle F1 it was a completely different car in the wet - no more wheelspin and very precise steering. I know that tyre wear is probably more excessive on the Eagle's due to it's softer compound, but still...

I know that it may be unfair to compare a standard Dunlop with an Eagle F1, but the replacement price difference was actually not that different. So please, don't compromise on tyres just to save a few pennies - after all, they're the only thing to help you stop that heavy car when some id*** decides to cross your path without warning And trust me, this does happen...

I do not have any specific tyre recommendation for the Lexus, but I do know that the rear NEXEN or whatever they're called on my recently purchased GS 300 are due to be replaced very soon - I had a scare today in slightly wet weather, and that was enough to convince me to change them. I have Eagle F1 on the front and I plan to move them to the rear to get better grip and then to get something new for the front - hopefully I can cure my vibrations at around 60-70mph this way. As far as I can see, the Eagle F1s are not sold anymore, otherwise that would have been my choice based on my experience with them. Can anyone recommend any other good tyres for the Lexus?

I would defo get a second opinion.. as these wheels are very sort after and cost a packet.. seems very strange that all 5 are like it.. not saying anything about the garage you used as I dont know them .. but just make sure they are not trying to get hold of your 5 wheels mate..


craig

Hi

It was National Tyre & Exhaust & they are Uk wide. No, they are not a garage that do anything for or with alloys, so they had no axe to grind at all.

Even I could see that the weels were not spinning true when on the balancing machine & that the wobble was there on the alloy on the inside of each. Some are worse than others, but still there all the same.

Car is going to Lexus in Edinburgh on Monday or Tuesday, so will get it taken care of then hopefully.

CHeers

Andrew

Still worth a second opinion I reckon considering the money involved.

As above it seems strange that all 5 are bad.

Was it a 'cone'/centre mount or stud mount? Don't know about these alloys but the centre may not be machined true to the wheel.

Hi they are the standard Lexus issue GS300 Sport alloys & yes, the outside looks great, not in any way ruined, all clean lines, no chips, cracks, defects that I could see, so was very careful of looking at them, but without taking them off and checking there was no way to see what is behind the alloy.

I am taking the car to Lexus themselves to see what they say or to see if they can come up with a solution, so we shall see what happens then.

Cheers

Andrew

The machine does need to be stud mount to be accurate. It seems very strange that ALL 5 are damaged.

If it does turn out that they are damaged it may be worth speaking with some wheel refurbishment companies as they can do some repairs.

I would recommend that you get some good advice.I am no expert but a car dealer surely cannot sell a car with this sort of problem and then just say tough luck pal.

Try ringing what car magazine if they have a help line or try citizens advice bureau or a solicitor but I wouldnt pay for it yourself until you know that you have no choice.

I am sure the sale of goods act must offer some protection.I dont know all the ins and outs of it but the goods must be fit for the purpose they were designed for.

Whatever you decide Good luck

I would recommend that you get some good advice.I am no expert but a car dealer surely cannot sell a car with this sort of problem and then just say tough luck pal.

Try ringing what car magazine if they have a help line or try citizens advice bureau or a solicitor but I wouldnt pay for it yourself until you know that you have no choice.

I am sure the sale of goods act must offer some protection.I dont know all the ins and outs of it but the goods must be fit for the purpose they were designed for.

Whatever you decide Good luck

Hi Again,

Well just a quick question. Does anyone have any recomendation on tyres or suppliers?

What about Hankook tyres in the sport size 18" 245 40 ZR 18. Are they any good, already had a quote to replace my alloys with BK 9 spoke alloys, seems as close to the car as possible and at a great price, just under £800 all round, delivered, VAT & balanced.

Are these alloys a good make and what about the tyres.

Cheers for any thoughts or advice. The same place also has AVON & Goodyear F1 tyres. AVON is £130 each & Goodyear is just under £150 each.

Andrew

I had some hankooks on my escort. Was not impressed by them at all. Went back to the michelins!

Dads GS300 has the bridgestone Potenzas and likes them. There is a newer compound though which I don't think is supposed to be as good!

On my IS200 I have Dunlop SP9000 Sports and love em. Others rate the Toyo Proxes P1 (or T1 - can't remember!!)

Try www.mytyres.co.uk. They are quite cheap and deliver for free. All you have to do is get them fitted. Have heard mixed things about them though.

Pirelli P Zero's

Bit expensive but found them pretty good in the wet although I have nothing to compare them to on a Lex

Hope he doesn't have the RE030. Complete rubbish. Cannot wait to get rid of mine.

Hi Again,

Is there a gold discount with Lexus in Edinburgh or with the following company.

http://www.raceandroad.com/about_us.asp

For what I am about to pay out, it would make a difference and I can join up for going Gold.

They have quoted circa £1100 with Goodyear F1 tyres x4 and Martix Energy 18" alloys.

This includes, valves, balancing, delivery to Scotland, and locking wheel nuts.

Does this seem good & does anyone have any favourites that they know look good with the GS300 Sport Mk1.

Cheers

Andrew

I had my vibrations at 65-80mph sorted by my dealer today - the 2 front wheels were out of balance and balancing them (I watched, so the guy did it properly...) removed the vibration completely. I guess I was just lucky as I can read that many others have gone through much worse to get rid of the vibration.

On tyres, please STAY CLEAR OF HANKOOK and the likes - they're not worth it, unless you don't value your life and you have free unlimited repair for your lexus at a bodyshop. Go with a proper brand like Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, Conti or the likes.

I will get my 2 rear NEXEN replaced one of these days - they were on the GS 300 when I bought it 2 weeks ago and THEY'RE RUBBISH. I have Goodyear Eagle F1 on the front but I can't seem to find them for sale anymore, nor can I find Pirelly P Zero anymore, so I'm thinking of the Michelin Pilot Primacy instead. Has anyone tried these?

It looks from the previous ressponses, that people pretty much agree that tyres are important and a quality tyre makes a worthwhile difference.

I just had pirrelli p zero,s put on my GS £480 for the set from quick fit