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Ben Rose

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  • Lexus Model
    GS-450h

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  1. I have no doubt whatsoever that the improved wet handling of a winter tyre is partially attributed to tread depth - they intentionally have 10mm of tread for a reason. But they will wear, for sure. At some point, they will have 6mm of tread, which could be the same as a summer tyre. Even with the same tread depth, however, the actual pattern of the tread will give the winter tyre better wet cornering, better wet braking and reduced risk of aquaplaning - even on a warm day. On a cold day (below 7C) the rubber on a summer tyre freezes and goes hard. This makes it more brittle and more prone to slippage - this creates increased wear on the tyre, reducing its value. Where you live has absolutely no relevance here - being on the correct tyre reduces wear, full stop. There is no increased overall cost with winter tyres and you can actually end up saving money. If you fit a set of summer tyres to your car, they won't wear at a fixed rate - they will wear more in the colder months. If you take them over during this period, replacing with a more suitable winter tyre, you eliminate this high wear period and save the summer tyres for the warmer months in which they operate best. Ultimately, if the tyres cost the same, you are better off wearing 2mm off a winter tyre than you are by taking 3mm off your summer tyre in the same period - and you end up safer on the roads on cold/wet days. It doesn't matter about driving standards, or driving to the conditions, a winter tyre will ALWAYS stop quicker than a summer tyre in the cold/wet. If a child runs out in the road from a blind spot, or similar, you have more chance of stopping when using the winter tyre in the winter months. This is, by definition, safer. In my eyes, it's a complete no brainer. It's safer and overall cost is the same.
  2. I have some water displacement stats of new summer tyres (8mm tread) versus used (3mm) and just legal (1.6mm) but I don't have any specific one for winter tyres - 10mm tread. No doubt it's a serious amount as they go through standing water like it's not there. Since I had my winters fitted in September there have truly been very few days where I haven't benefited them. Incidentally, a summer tyre will wear 40% faster than a winter tyre in winter months - that's another stat for you. In real terms, that means if a winter tyre wears 2mm in winter, then your summer tyres would have lost almost 3mm in the same period.
  3. You couldn't pay me enough to drive that awful set-up on a public road. Still, in a few thousand miles the extensive camber on the IS200 rears will have those winters worn down to the canvas and you can start moaning about the loose back end again.
  4. Let's make some points very clear here: 1) You don't appear to even understand what a winter tyre is. You constantly go on about driving on snow but this isn't the primary function of winter tyres. Others have corrected you, but you choose to ignore this. 2) You don't appear to have ever driving on a winter tyre. If you haven't done this, how can you ever make out that you have expert opinion? 3) You don't represent the motor trade or its opinion at all, at most just a few blokes you work with. If you look at the motor trade as a whole, you'll see a very different picture. BMW, Audi, Lexus etc. are all offering winter tyre programmes right now as they feel they offer a genuine benefit to their customers. Organisations like the SMMT, the AA and the RAC all recommend them. You may work in the motor trade, and have your own opinions, but they certainly are not the opinions of any motor trade organisations.
  5. Dear Mr. Expert Tyre Fitter, There's a guy who works in my local off-license. He's happy to give "expert" advice to people who come in and sell them as much wine and champagne as they like. Fact is, he knows jack sh*t about wine, has no formal training and has never even tasted Dom Perignon. Just because you sell something does not automatically make you an authority on it.
  6. I have the 2008 model year with the indicators on the mirror. The significant change on this model, for me, was the presence of an line-in aux connection for the stereo in the centre storage box. Additionally, this model had reduced CO2 which counts for some buyers in urban areas. Waiting for the new GS depends on your budget, I guess - I don't see prices for the new one being that cheap - especially with another budget Lexus added to the range.
  7. I've had 3 x RX300, 2 x RX400h, 2 x GS430 and now I'm onto a GS450h. I also had a GS300 for a few weeks on trial. I found the RX400h to be about 10mpg better on average. I got about 16-17mpg out of the RX300 and 26-27 out of the 400h. I ragged the nuts off the GS430 and also got sub 20mph, closer to 15mpg a lot of the time. Being used to a powerful GS, the GS300 felt a bit dead by comparison so I got truly awful fuel consumption with the GS300 in an attempt to get it to drive in the way to which I had become accustomed. The GS450h is even faster than the V8 430 but I've grown up a bit since then. As with the RX hybrid difference, an extra 10mpg is easily possible for me with 30mpg+ easily achievable on long runs that I never really saw on either the GS430 or GS300. In theory, if you're used to the relatively lacklustre performance of the GS300, you should get pretty reasonably economy from the GS450h - it's also a bit quieter and smoother. Boot space I do miss but I've never really struggled to carry what I need to. We can fit the baby buggy in the boot, a full load of shopping etc. I'm told it's useless with golf trolleys though. The later models have an increased load space, which I would recommend you go for. In my eyes, it's still better than the boot in an IS, especially due to its wide opening. Appeal for me over the GS300 was performance, road tax and re-sale value. The hybrid model commands a premium on resale as it has lower CO2, cheaper car tax and is currently exempt from the London congestion charge. By comparison, I couldn't see as many people wanting to take a GS300 off my hands when I'm ready to change.
  8. Only if necessary, it's not required on all model years. Just enter the VIN into the website.
  9. Let's be honest, the A10s are never that good and even worse when it gets cold or rains.
  10. On a similar note, my 450h has gone in for its valve spring recall work today...going to miss her :(
  11. If I'm honest, I think your feedback is pretty irrelevant - there are many people who successfully drive short journeys home from the pub every night, it doesn't mean we should all surmise that it is safe to do so.
  12. Yes, he ordered them in for Stani who was then informed he was making a huge mistake. Looks like neither buyer nor vendor were prepared to admit they were wrong. This conversation is a bit like asking if anybody who doesn't use a hands free kit has had an accident whilst on the phone or has anybody who doesn't wear their seatbelt gone through the windscreen ;)
  13. If you read earlier in the thread, you'll realise that stani refused to pay for 4 tyres so the vendor had a choice of selling 2 tyres (that he'd already ordered into stock) on none - not that this might have influenced their opinion of what was safe and what wasn't. As far as I can tell, Stani hasn't taken any expert advise, hasn't notified his insurer and doesn't drive a GS. Are we on Candid Camera? Only somebody in a wind up could be this stupid, surely? Knowingly driving a car with a bad set-up can lead to manslaughter charges following an accident.
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