markj Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Hi The choice of tyre to fit my LS430 became too much for me so I decided to stick the tyres fitted as standard 245/45/18W Bridgestone ER33 When I asked for a quote for an ER33 from my local tyre fitting centre I was asked which version I wanted as there were four different types. A 245/45/18 W 96 version, a 245/45/18 W 96 DZ version, a 245/45/18 W 96 JZ version and a 245/45/18 BST W 96 JZ version. When I told him I did not know he asked what make of car it was for I was then told that there was a forth version 245/45/18 W 96 JZ (Lexus) version. Can anyone shed some light on these different versions of the same tyre I believe that JZ and DZ indicate country of manufacture Japan and Germany, But this does not explain the Lexus specific one or the £70.00 price difference across the four tyres. Of course the Lexus one was the most expensive. The price is not really the issue I just want to make sure that the correct version is fitted to the car. My spare tyre is marked 245/45/18 W JZ but no indication of BST or that it is specific to Lexus. All advice appreciated. Mark J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Example: 185 65 R 13 91 V 185 :- Section width 65 :- Aspect ratio R :- Radial 13 :- Rim diameter 91 :- load rating V :-speed rating. and the extra letter on the end is tyre compound marking. Not usre on the speed rating why you have D, J and W M = 130km/h or 81 mph N = 140km/h or 87 mph P = 150km/h or 93 mph Q = 160km/h or 99 mph R = 170km/h or 106 mph S = 180km/h or 112 mph T = 190km/h or 118 mph U = 200km/h or 124 mph H = 210km/h or 130 mph V = 240km/h or 149 mph W = 270km/h or 168 mph Y = 300km/h or 186 mph Z = in excess of 240klm or 149 mph If the guy at the tyre doesn't understand it then I'd go somewhere else;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 The JZ can be the initial compound or a difference in the construction like an extra ply in the sidewall... The ER33 is the tread patten. I was involved in a case some years back when a main dealer fitted the wrong compound which contributed to the car crashing. The dealer was forced to replace the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markj Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 The tyres are all the same size, speed and load rating. 245 wide 45 aspect ratio 18" rim 96 load rating and W speed rating It is down to the difference between the JZ, JZ Lexus, BST JZ and the DZ notations. These are the notations as shown on the computer screen when he searched for Bridgestone 245/45/18 ER33 tyres. He has stated that he has never fitted one to a Lexus as its not that common and that most people just pick the cheapest one. I have ordered the one listed for lexus, i was only curious as to the different versions of the same tyre. if it is a compound difference its not listed on the bridgestone website, here or in the US they only list the ER33 and a runflat version which was listed as ER33 RFT. Mark J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 It must be the compound then..... Continental do the same thing. They make big fat tyres for the Merc and porscha, identical tread but ones a N1 compound and ones a MO compound, the N1 start compound is like pencil rubber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markj Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Bridgestone don't seem to publish much information on this. if its down to the customer to pick which one they want from a list on screen, and the person on the other side of the counter can't tell you the difference between versions, except price and "that one has Lexus on it" so it must be the one for your car. a lot of people replace like for like tyres on the car if it's been a good one. It make you wonder how many people may have the same name tyre as their previous one but a different construction or rubber compound. Markj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 It's down to the centre to tell the customer in my opinion, the information is widely available to the tyre industry. I often have car booked in with handling issues only to find it's the tyres to blame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 ..a lot of people replace like for like tyres on the car if it's been a good one.It make you wonder how many people may have the same name tyre as their previous one but a different construction or rubber compound. Markj Yeah that's an interesting point. It's down to the centre to tell the customer in my opinion, the information is widely available to the tyre industry. I often have car booked in with handling issues only to find it's the tyres to blame. I've never seen nor heard of any compund specific info. Be funny, something else I could use to peck the heads of my fellow fitters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 A few examples from Black circles webby> 215/45 R17 W (87) £95.07 Add to basket View Details Goodyear Excellence (Mercedes) Customer Rating: View Full Rating 215/45 R17 W (87) £111.40 Add to basket View Details Bridgestone RE050A (Subaru) Customer Rating: View Full Rating 215/45 R17 Y (91) £115.90 Add to basket View Details Bridgestone RE040 (Lexus) 215/45 R17 W (91) £118.44 Add to basket View Details Bridgestone ER30 (Toyota) 215/45 R17 W (87) £119.06 Add to basket View Details Continental Sport Contact 2 (Mercedes) Customer Rating: View Full Rating 215/45 R17 V (91)Reinforced £161.25 Add to basket View Details Bridgestone RE050 (Mercedes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 I think at last count there were about 8 different constructions of the GSD3. These have been tweaked for many car manufacturers to suit the vehicles, so there are some quite different feeling tyres running under the same brand. I've been moaning at the manufacturers for a while now to try and clear this up, make it more obvious so when we're buying tyres in the replacement market we know what we're getting. I can't see why they can't just write "Porsche" etc on the tyre somewhere to avoid the ambiguity... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybarber Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Just had a look in my bridgestone o/e fitment guide your 430 reads as follows: lexus ls430 245/45/18 96w er33 JZ with NO BS APPROVED ALTERNATIVE. hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Problem is jon it would have to read "Mercadies C-class, E-class, SLK but not 203 or sport or S500 coupe or 4 matic with actice yaw control"...... the sidewall would be a book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Problem is jon it would have to read "Mercadies C-class, E-class, SLK but not 203 or sport or S500 coupe or 4 matic with actice yaw control"...... the sidewall would be a book. Well at least have a vehicle code with an easy to reference database online! People are putting the GSD3's they designed for the fiat panda on jap modified cars and wondering why they're not as good as most people make out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Problem is jon it would have to read "Mercadies C-class, E-class, SLK but not 203 or sport or S500 coupe or 4 matic with actice yaw control"...... the sidewall would be a book. Well at least have a vehicle code with an easy to reference database online! People are putting the GSD3's they designed for the fiat panda on jap modified cars and wondering why they're not as good as most people make out!! Agreed, but difficult to police.... I think if we hone into the area that fails it would be the tyre trade it's self, the customer shouldn't be expected to understand what compound/ silica code to ask for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Problem is jon it would have to read "Mercadies C-class, E-class, SLK but not 203 or sport or S500 coupe or 4 matic with actice yaw control"...... the sidewall would be a book. Well at least have a vehicle code with an easy to reference database online! People are putting the GSD3's they designed for the fiat panda on jap modified cars and wondering why they're not as good as most people make out!! Agreed, but difficult to police.... I think if we hone into the area that fails it would be the tyre trade it's self, the customer shouldn't be expected to understand what compound/ silica code to ask for. Agreed. But the customers also shouldn't be going out buying a GSD3 because people are raving about then, ending up with one designed for a Fiat Panda with less grip, then left wondering just what their mates were talking about! I think we should change the world tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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