Today, I replaced my "original" Turanza EL 42 tires with Turanza LS-Z tires.

I chose the LS-Z over the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S due to the theoretical smoother/quieter ride of the LS-Z's.

Pluses

- Quite ride (unless you are on coarse concrete pavement, you do not hear the tires at all).
- Smooth ride (I do not feel every single pavement imperfection anymore). Don't worry, the TL still handles like a TL and not a Lincoln.
- No vibration (except for when the engine is struggling on 5th gear and low RPM at around 1,500 RPM)
- No apparent worsening of handling (I did not "push", though)
- I drove a newer TL with the new EL 42's, and the LS-Z's are better.

Minuses

- Expensive. They go for $217 at tirerack. I paid a total of about $1K, including mounting, balancing and taxes. I went to a local Firestone dealer and had them price match tirerack.
- I ended up giving my money to Bridgestone, who, through Acura, sold me a crappy tire in the first place.
- Somebody is this forum has observed flatspotting with these tires, but today it was too warm for flatspotting (about 50F)

Bottom Line

Not happy with having had to spend $1K on top of $34K, but very happy with the end result.

 

Please keep us updated after a few days or long drive. I'd like to see your further reports if possible. This is one of tires in my upgrade list. Thanks.

 

I actually got Bridgestone to replace my EL42s with LS-Z's they are in and I go get them replaced tomorrow. I called Bridgestone Corportate and opned a complaint with them and their process is way easier than Acura's!! I offered to pay differecne and have not been told if I will owe anything on the new tires yet, I will let you know in a few days.

 

My local Firestone won't pricematch TireRack! How did you manage that?

 

I called Bridgestone and complained about the tires being inferior, and a known problem. Told them I have had Bridgestones on cars before and never had anything this bad. The flat spotting on some cold mornings was like riding on rail road tracks. I followed their process, to the Firestone store (it has to be a company store, not a franchise) and they did not know what to do so I called Bridgestone back who escalated to the District Manager who called me. We spoke and he offered to swap the tires out. Actually very friendly they all were, if the LS-Z turn out that good Bridgestone may win well win a loyal customer as their customer service has been way better than Acura's.

 

Have your dealer change them out, Mine is in today getting all new tires for free from Acura. Just log a complaint on the 1-800 number and let your dealer know your having a problem with tem and they will swap them out free.

D.

 

Considering the cost, wouldn't Michelin Pilot Sport AS been a better deal? Or do you think the Turanzas are better than the Pilot Sports?

 

I second Godfreyl's question; Why take the chance on more flatspotting with the Turanza LS-Z's when for nearly the same cash you could have chosen Pilot Sport AS?

I guess time will tell. I realize pilot's are a lower profile and therefore possibly louder or harsher.

Wish there was a way to do a tire comparison directly on a TL with the LS-Z's, the Zero Nero's, the pilot sports and the Falken 512's.

 

For this tire, it's like Grand touring all-season tire. Pilot Sport is like Ultra high performance all-season one. There are all good.

For me, I'm not favored in Bridgestone, but it seems to have some quality tires in its list. LS-Z is one of them.

My final tires would be one of these two kinds.

:smokin:

 

For all you contemplating the LS-Z:

Don't do it!!!

I had them and they flat spot worse than the EL42's.

A/S Sports blows the tire away in my opinion.

The only caveat is they may be a little noiser but is impossible to tell because its real hard to remember noise levels in my opinion.

I have the brand new EL42's in my basement that I got as a swap for the old EL42's. I may try them when I hit 30,000 on the sports. Don't have the energy to ebay em.

 

[QUOTE=DaveB99]For all you contemplating the LS-Z:

Don't do it!!!

I had them and they flat spot worse than the EL42's.

A/S Sports blows the tire away in my opinion.

The only caveat is they may be a little noiser but is impossible to tell because its real hard to remember noise levels in my opinion.

[QUOTE]


Good info. Thanks.

 

 

I'm going with the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S for my replacement tires. The EL42s flat out suck.

 

I dont understand why one would pay $1000K on tires when tirerack is offering Sumitmo HTR(WR rated) tires for $88 on clearance! They have similar offers on other tires. I'd take achnace on those rather than on another Bridgestone tire or on a $200+ Michelin tire(although a good tire).

Also look at Nitto 555 tires...great bang for you buck...I've used them on my BMW for years. Japaneese tires for a Japaneese car!