I'm planning to buy a new 2004 TL within the next 6 months. How can I tell if it has the newer Bridgestone tires on it? Aren't both the old tires (with flat-spotting problems) and the new tires both EL-42's? Help.

 

yeah the new tires are el42's. look at the production date of the tires. there will be 4 numbers. like 0804 meaning it was made in the 8th week of 2004. anything past that is the "new" compound. no reported problems with this(at least not as much). since you are from arizona i would suggest going with the High performance tires(HPT) and avoid the el42's. i don't think it snows there too much does it? its a 200 dollar upgrade but you can probably work it into the price somehow and get a deal for it.