this just in from Mazda USA:

"Dear Charlie,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

The RX-8 for the U.S. market will not come with run flat tires or a
spare tire. However, it will come with the Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair Kit and 4 years or 50,000 miles of
Roadside Assistance coverage.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely
satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also
contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500."

i guess that settles it Pelucidor! but it might still be RE040's according to C&D

i thought everyone hated the runflats! doesn't anyone have a comment?:( :confused:

Originally posted by zoom44
i thought everyone hated the runflats! doesn't anyone have a comment?:( :confused:

Yeahhhhh....death to runflats!!!!!!!! :D

Seriously though, I'm glad there are no runflats and especially no spare...saves weight and better tires. Now I just hope they don't use the RE040's. Unfortunately, I bet they will.

Sorry for the late reply - I have to occasionally pretend to do work between posting here. Anyway, great news. Now we just have to persuade Mazda the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 is a better and cheaper tire (at least to the public) than the Bridgestone Potenza RE040.

Taken from TireRack comparison - the S03 is better in every single category (note the S03's YR rating means good for 186mph and the RE040's WR rating means 168mph):

I hope so too! if the S-03's are better in the wet than i need them. it's wet roads about half the year around here! i need to get some work done too-my productivity has gone straight down the tubes since the detroit show.:o :D :cool:

Originally posted by MattZ


Yeahhhhh....death to runflats!!!!!!!! :D



Runflats are for me to poop on!!

Seriously, doesn't one of the upgrade packages also give tire inflation sensors or is that only for contries that are getting run-flats?

Anyway, I am glad to hear we aren't getting run-flats in the states. Now lets get a better tire on the car.

Everybody:

S-03's!!! S-03's!!! S-03's!!! ...

-Mr. Wigggles

I've voiced my vote for the Potenza S-03 to rx8orders.

oh yeah! i sent a reply asking them to say exactly what tires we were getting and put in my vote for the s-03's also. i'll let you know their answer:)

Originally posted by zoom44
oh yeah! i sent a reply asking them to say exactly what tires we were getting and put in my vote for the s-03's also. i'll let you know their answer:)

The S-03's definitely have my vote too! Considering there is no price difference or even the S-03's being slightly cheaper, the least Mazda can do is give a car that handles, the best rubber it can to do just that!

Mazda, we want S-03's PLEASE!

The S03's are not only the best max performancetire on the market, they are also the cheapest!!!!

I have heard enough bad things about the RE040's from Audi owners (they used to be standard on the S4's) to last a lifetime!!

WE WANT THE S03's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by MattZ
The S03's are not only the best max performancetire on the market, they are also the cheapest!!!!


I don't know about that...

I'd rather have Falken Azenis. They won something like 95% of the Solo II National events in the street tire classes. Unfortunately, they're not available in 18 inch sizes.

I've voiced my vote for the Potenza S-03 to rx8orders.


I'm on board with the same sentiments... havent spoken to my dealer yet ...has anyone out there got some positive response ...ie ...the dealer will swap them at n/c or do the swap for a marginal charge. If enough people say something, hopefully something will happen. Why did Mazda choose more expensive tires that dont perform as well as the S-03's??

everyone should email mazda telling em

I think it is way too late for Mazda to change tire specs. Haven't they already begun production?

Originally posted by babylou
I think it is way too late for Mazda to change tire specs. Haven't they already begun production?

well its just tires so its not big deal

Bridgestone must cut manufacturers some great deal on the 040's - I bet they're cheaper to mazda than s-03's. They're oem on tons of performance cars (S4, TT, IS300 just that I've had direct experience with) and they're lame. The only halfway mixed blessing is they seem to get flats easier than other tires, giving you a good excuse to swap them.

Originally posted by babylou
I think it is way too late for Mazda to change tire specs. Haven't they already begun production? They haven't started production for US models, only Japanese (which probably have different tires anyway).

And yes I bet Mazda (and other manufacturers) get these tires a lot cheaper than the S-03s, but I would be really happy if they let people pay a small amount (say $200-$250 total) to upgrade to the better Bridgestones when first buying the car.

Let's e-mail Mazda and phone the dealerships to get this underway. We should start with an e-mail to ask what tires will be on the vehicle and strongly suggest the S-03s. If the response keeps coming back as the RE040s then perhaps at that point we should ask about a dealer upgrade to the S-03s. The jpg from TireRack I attached above might help Mazda understand why we want this and perhaps we should include it with the e-mail.

This is an interesting new color scheme and look. Kinda like it even in bright light.
As far my own tires, if we end up with RE040s I'll likely consider selling them (Ebay likely) after purchasing S-03s; or just drive the heck out of them [AFTER a proper mild break-in] and plan to replace them early on.

here is a reply that i received this morning it seems tire selection is not yet set in stone. read on:

"Hello Charlie,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations.

Mazda may use couple of different type of tires for the RX-8. Thus, at this point, I can't determine which ones we'll be using. However, I will forward your comments to our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products and services to our customers.

Thank you again....."

the folks at mazda have been quite nice in listening to us in the past, so please if you are going to write to them be civil!

I got this just after noon today :
"Got the official word from Mazda early this afternoon:
"Hi Daniel,

I have just received an official announcement from our Product Planning department regarding the RX-8 tires. The tire will be a Bridgestone Potenza RE040 at production start. I hope this helps!"

Booo... down with the RE040's.. :mad:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Laguna Seca 1:50 lap done with the RE040's? If so, the handling of this car is gonna be absolutely SICK with some decent tires...

I am glad to hear they are not going with run flats. I have a 2000 Corvette that had a set on it and they ride like crap. The side walls are stiff enough to support the vehicle so you can imagine how rough the ride is. They are eagle F1s and I just replaced them witrh the non-runflat version of the same eagle F1 tire. Wow what a difference. The car rides MUCH better and still handles just as good as before. It is like a different car without the run flats on it.

here is a reply i received about an hour ago:

"Earlier today, we did get the confirmation that RX-8 will have the
Bridgestone Potenza RE040. "


:(

I heard that runflats are coming standard in Canada with the RE 040's ....and get this ...I heard that in the US Market, they will be offering the S03's as an available "option"... can anyone verify this?

the scc mag article (posted in the media section) says the tires are not run flats. now i'm confused all over again:(

Originally posted by zoom44
the scc mag article (posted in the media section) says the tires are not run flats. now i'm confused all over again:( Not all RE040's are runflats. See the Notes column in this chart (http://www.bridgestonetire.com/dpp/sizespecs.asp?passproductid=1013).

yeah i have seen that chart and did some research on my own. so i know that it comes both ways. SCC magazine says the car comes with reo40's that are not runflats hence the fixaflat kit in the trunk.

140 treadware!?!?! We'll be buying tires once a year.

S03's for sure!

Originally posted by TJRX8
140 treadware!?!?! We'll be buying tires once a year.

S03's for sure!
Remember that manufacturers treadwear ratings cannot be compared directly. So a michelin 140 could be/is different than a Pirelli 140. Bottom line though, any high performance summer only rubber is soft and will wear out quickly, especially with extended doses of track and auto-x. :D

Originally posted by tribal azn


well its just tires so its not big deal

just tires eh? i hope by that you mean that tires can be replaced; probably by your parents, right?...

Originally posted by Quick_lude

Remember that manufacturers treadwear ratings cannot be compared directly. So a michelin 140 could be/is different than a Pirelli 140. ...
Well compared to the tires we were discussing (the S03 at 220 and RE040 at 140 are both Bridgestone products) it should be a direct comparison. I also don't believe that there would be much difference between companies that would negate the whole purpose of having a treadware number to begin with. Of course I could be wrong :D

This is the response I got from rx8orders today:
I am pleased you took the time to bring your suggestion regarding the RX-8 tire selection to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as yours help us to achieve that goal.

Rest assured I have documented your suggestion for our corporate record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products to our customers. As requested, I have also forwarded a copy of your comments directly to those with decision-making authority.

If we really feel that the tire selection is just plain wrong, let's all write and express our feelings and opinions...BEFORE they start building the cars.

Originally posted by TJRX8
If we really feel that the tire selection is just plain wrong, let's all write and express our feelings and opinions...BEFORE they start building the cars.

And what will Mazda do with that warehouse full of RE040s and that contract with Bridgestone for about 100,000 RE040s? Lead times and contracts with suppliers mean that there's NO way the initial tire choice can be changed at this point. Any change in OEM tire would be at least 9 months down the road.

Regards,
Gordon

Then nobody say anything because they won't listen.

So you think they keep 25,000 cars worth of tires in stock huh? And that would only be for the 18" wheels on the RX-8. So with your theory they have a warehouse of say 2-3 million tires to supply all of their models of cars and different sizes. Yeah they probably have stock of every part for every car they are going to build for the next year huh? Wow Mazda must have some huge warehouses.

Originally posted by TJRX8
So you think they keep 25,000 cars worth of tires in stock huh? And that would only be for the 18" wheels on the RX-8. So with your theory they have a warehouse of say 2-3 million tires to supply all of their models of cars and different sizes.

That's not my theory - I only see you suggesting that. What I said was that contract with Bridgestone for about 100,000 RE040s. See? contract. Legally binding document, not warehouse of 2 to 3 million tires. A few votes on an internet forum are not about to change that arrangement.

I don't disagree at all that a prefereable OEM tire would be the S-03, but reality is that it isn't that easy or quick to change.

Regards,
Gordon

Most companies these days do not keep large inventories of ANYTHING. It's called Just-in-time delivery. Mazda (or whoever) negotiates with a supplier ahead of time for anticipated demand/requirements. Their supplier then produces those items on a schedule to match mazda's. Keeping inventory is an expensive proposition.
So tires can be changed but through a renegotiated contract. They won't stick with a particular tire for inventory reasons but through contractural obligations which are easily changed. It's not that difficult to change the mold to make a different tire.

Originally posted by jdj1971
Most companies these days do not keep large inventories of ANYTHING. It's called Just-in-time delivery.http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2003048776314.gif

yup... JIT was a Japanese creation... 0% warehousing, 1000% more heart attacks, as eccles has so elequently illustrated with his Dilbert cartoon. :)

Originally posted by Gord96BRG

And what will Mazda do with that warehouse full of RE040s... Gordon

I stand corrected. So how many tires is a "warehouse full"?
Peace!

Some of the car companies are stocking things because of the war. Up to two weeks or more of stuff that can be delayed by shipment supply lines. This may or may not pertain to the tires on our RX-8's, but it's an interesting read non the less.

Click here to read (http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0303/19/autos-112023.htm)

And yes I agree they do use JIT in most normal times.

Originally posted by TJRX8


I stand corrected. So how many tires is a "warehouse full"?
Peace!

Look, I'm not here to fight or argue. I just suggested that there are constraints to Mazda switching their OEM tires when they are on the verge of beginning production, and it's not as simple as saying "Hey Bridgestone, a bunch of guys on the RX8forum want us to switch tires - send over those S-03s instead of the RE040s".

You seem to be desperately looking for an argument - perhaps a Monty Python skit would serve you better? ;) If you didn't insist on quoting half a sentence at a time to give a false impression of what I've said, you wouldn't have much of an argument!

As others have mentioned, just-in-time production is the norm for Japanese auto production. They would easily have several weeks worth of tires on hand at production startup, in their own mini-warehouse and production line to be mounted to wheels prior to being installed on the cars on the main production line. Meanwhile, Bridgestone will have their own mini-warehouse of RX-8 specific RE040s being produced prior to shipping to Mazda. Bridgestone will have production lines/molds, resources, and raw materials allocated to their RX-8 OEM tire contract. Again, these can't be re-arranged overnight. Also - most OEM tires these days are tuned specifically to a particular car, and are not the same as the seemingly identical tire model/size sold by Tire Rack etc. in the aftermarket. I don't know if that's the case with the RX-8 RE040 tires, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised. Tread compound, casing, and belts can all be different than the regular aftermarket versions.

Regards,
Gordon

The jap's use JIT us americans use MRP...one of the many reasons why american quality is so low. S03!!!

Is anyone getting the dealer-option spare? i don't like the idea of being without one in a car with low-profle 18" tires. My old Diamond-Star Laser Turbo (205-55/16) flatted all the time...

Originally posted by DonG35Miata
Is anyone getting the dealer-option spare? i don't like the idea of being without one in a car with low-profle 18" tires. My old Diamond-Star Laser Turbo (205-55/16) flatted all the time... Not me.

Being that I get 24 hour roadside assistance as a part of getting the car, I can always call them. Besides having 18s on my car now (which soon will be removed) I've learned to drive more carefully and attentively. Besides the Millenia's suspension isn't meant to take thin tires.. the rims and tires will take all the abuse instead of the suspension like the RX-8 will. So I'll have better luck in the RX-8, undoubtedly.

Originally posted by DonG35Miata
Is anyone getting the dealer-option spare? i don't like the idea of being without one in a car with low-profle 18" tires. My old Diamond-Star Laser Turbo (205-55/16) flatted all the time...

Wow - what did you DO to your tires?

I had a 2001 Audi TT that had the exact same size tires as the RX-8 and never had flat one in 2.5 years and a bit under 30K miles...

Running 205/45/16 tires for almost 3 seasons now.. Alost 60K km.. no flats.. Knock on wood. :)

I dont know if it means anything, but in the current issue of "Mazda Fuel" (a magazine sent to dealers, don't know if it's available to the public) it shows a picture of the rx8 with s03's on it. It looks like they specifically positioned the car in the photo to show the s03 logo on the side wall. It was the first thing i noticed when i saw the picture