05TiGr8Lady

Connor, A couple of us are thinking about putting Kumho Ecsta ASX 245/40WR18's on our stock wheels for winter. We're in an area that really doesn't get much snow, but want something that does better in cold weather. Will that combo work? Can we use that size on both front and rear wheels?

Lew_Dog

So after reading, it sounds like dedicated snow tires and wheels is the way to go. I have an opportunity to get a sweet deal on Pirelli Snow Sports 240s, but they are 225/40/18s, and it sounds like I should go with a higher side wall and even a 17" tire...Not to mention the dealer recommended just swapping tires and not to mess with the pressure sensors on new wheels...Is it easy to have new sensors re-programmed?

amstarvid

I wouldn't worry about the TPMS sensors - you just have the little yellow light on for the winter. I went with Kazera KZ-A's with Dunlop Winter Sport M3's - I went with 18's, but here in Northern Illinois, our snow tends to be 3-5" at a shot, often with a melt in-between, so I wasn't concerned about the extra room in the wheel well a 17" would give you - if you're someplace that gets more than that, a 17" probably makes sense. As far as your dealer changing them out 2x a year on the stock rims - (a) that's a lot of wear and tear on your nice OEM rims each change out, (b) I'd rather slide into a curb with my Kazeras than the $450 OEM rim (not that I want to do that), and (c) that's just more $$$ to the dealer 2x a year. Get a floor jack, a torque wrench and go to town. Plus, if it's snowing too much, I just drive my wife to work in our Xterra...

Lew_Dog

I'm in Chicago, so I know about the snow... I think I'll score a set of wheels...Tire Rack has some good deals...But what about getting 225/40/18 tires? Should I really get 225/45/18s??

amstarvid

You know, I can't honestly remember if mine are 40s or 45s - I'll check tonight. I had no problems last winter. Although it did stay in the garage if there was too much snow...

BTW - check out www.chicagorotary.com if you haven't already.

Lew_Dog

Thanks!

connor@tirerack

The Kumho Ecsta ASX is a good tire for dry and wet conditions. They are designed to handle minimal amount of snow (1-2") with temperatures above 0 degrees. As the temperatures get below freezing the tread compound will harden and they will not be much better than the OE Bridgestones.

In my opinoin, if you live in an area where you get snow and freezing conditions you are far better off with a snow tire. The better question is - do you like your cars and family enough to keep them safe in adverse conditions?

connor@tirerack

If you are going to stick with 18" snow tires and rims then i would recommend staying with the 225/45/18. A wider tire would take away some of the control in the snowy conditions and if you tried to use a 40 aspect ration you would greatly increase the chaces of bending a rim.

Just as a side comparison for everyone that is contemplating between a 17" or 18" wheels and tires for their 8's. Here is some food for thought.

.....17" tires and wheels.......
215/55R17 Bridgestone Blizzack WS-50 -- 113.00 ea
17X7.5 ASA JH3 -- 119.00 ea
delivered to you mounted and balanced 928.00 plus shipping

......18" snow tires to put on your wheels.....
225/45R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3 -- 182.00 ea/728.00 +shipping for 4
Average mount and balance 20.00/tires, twice a year = 160.00 per year
Average tire life for the Winter Sport M3, 3 years times 160.00 = 480.00
tires (728) plus mount and balance for 3 years (480.00) = 1208.00+shipping.

In the end the 17" package is alot cheaper.

amstarvid

Lew Dog, just checked, & mine are 45s - like I said earlier, I went with Kazera KZ-A rims and Dunlop M3's (both from TireRack) and was very pleased with drivability last winter - I'm just out by Rockford...

05TiGr8Lady

Thanks for the info and advice. Our winters are pretty mild - it hardly ever gets below 25 degrees or over 2-3 inches of snow, and even that's only once or twice a season. I'll post feedback on the Tire Rack site next Spring and let you know how we did

vdelvec

Hey bud. I live on Long Island and I drive a Brillian Black RX-8 w/ sport package. That's traction control and DSC.

I purchased four Dunlop Winter Sport M3's because when I first bought the car, it was the last snow of the 2004/2005 winter and we had some slush left over and just driving the car home for 10 miles was the scariest thing. I bought the 18 inch M3's for the 2005/2006 winter season and, let me be brutally honest, YOU'LL NEED THEM. Night and day, man; NIGHT AND DAY!

Design1stCode2nd

The best I could find on your site was rims for $129 and continentals for $122 each or a little over $1,000 before shipping. I need to order mine soon, getting cold here in MD.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Connor, I need a fast price on the new Goodyear Ultragrips.

A package, actually, with 17" rims.

Thanks.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Blizzaks with microcell compound are the absolute best non-stud winter tire, don't waste your money on anything else ...

KCKen

OK, so this thread has died off because it is no longer relevant for the season. But someone is going to read this thread later this year in anticipation of next winter. So let me be clear. Does it snow where you live? Do you own an RX-8? Do you plan on driving it this winter as opposed to parking it? If your answer is yes to all of the above, I can strongly recommend buying snows and wheels. I ordered mine (Pirelli Snowsport 210's on Kazera 17's) from TireRack. They arrived mounted & balanced with TPMS sensors installed. All I had to do was put them on and torque them to 108 ft/lbs. [Read various Service Bulletins to discover that the owner's manual is wrong] It won't turn an RX-8 into an SUV but will make it a reasonable daily driver in places where it snows more than once a year. [If you live in Colorado ski country, you probably don't own only an RX-8 anyway.]

Look, I don't know connor@tirerack at all. But my take from his posts, after reading this thread, is that he is solid. I would be inclined to accept his advice.

rx8convert22

I know I know it is July, but I just got my RX8 and know I will need winter tires. I already bought a set of Mazda 3 17 inch rims and now am trying to decided on tires. I was thinking of either:

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D 205/50VR17

or

Dunlop Winter Sport M3 215/55VR17

I am leaning towards the 3Ds since thinner is supposed to be better for winter right? But I have never read about anyone useing 205s. Are they too narrow for our car? I don't mind that the speedometer will be bit more off if it will mean better performance in the snow/ice.

Here is to thinking cool in the summer!

Sharpystyles16

No tire is helping you in a snowstorm with this car. I live in new england and anybody who says otherwise obviously does not know how to drive in the snow. Rear wheel drive + highway + your best tires takes extreme skill and praying to make it anywhere in a heavy storm. Even if you downshift to slow it's still going to shift your car left and right.. allowing you to take up 3 lanes, not slow down, and not have traction due to it's light weight. My only suggestion is toss over 1K worth of weight in the trunk. I understand they make them and people love to buy/sell stuff, but lets be realistic here... spend the money on a beatup truck or another car to drive in the winter

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

I beg to differ Sharpystyles16, tires make a huge difference in traction be it at the track or for ice and snow the tires that are created for these conditions do make the driving experience much better.

I am nott saying that they will grip like a track tire but it makes it possible to drive in snow or cold conditions. The traction control option for the 8 makes a great deal of difference as well.

Driving with winter tires on the 8 has been the best winter driving I have ever done and that is after previously having front wheel drive cars.

RX8convert22 the Wintersport 3D and the M3 are similar. I think the M3 Wintersports may only come in RunFlat so I will replace mine with the Wintersport 3D when it comes time.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

you have ABSOLUTELY no idea what you are talking about.

I've had an 8 for 4 winter seasons in NY and had no problems whatsoever driving in 12 inches of snow with dedicated snow tires ( i had Dunlop M3s) I could get places that some trucks were getting stranded at.

please refrain from posting about things you are obviously not experienced with.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Mugatu is right.....(Lord I get tired of typing that!)

I've had my daily driver '8 for four winters too.

In northern Canada.

Where it snows.

Kazera 17"s, Toyo Garit snows with the shells in the compound, never a hesitation.

The RX-8 has traction control, DSC, ABS and a real LSD - my old Acura had "none-of-the-above".

S

ken-x8

Ummm...that's a problem. Don't downshift to slow down in the snow. Use the brakes. Drive in one gear higher than you would on dry roads.

That's a good idea. Even if you know what you're doing, you can't do much about the yahoo who skids into you. I kept my two-decades old Accord for snow days.

Ken

New Yorker

"Those who have to deal with slippery driving conditions will benefit from the RX-8's perfect 50/50 weight balance and available traction/stability control system. Throw a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on this baby and you should be able to handle most anything winter throws your way."—Edmunds.com, long term test

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

i think the real problem is that Sharpstyle does not know how to drive in the snow.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

I bet he could get lessons somewhere.

Jeison

so now that winter's nearing yet again does Conner have any new suggestions for a good set of winters for a Saskatchewan winter?? or anyone else for that matter.... I'd rather not turn my 8 into a toboggan