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The KDWs are a downgrade from the OEM r3 tires. Take a look at the tire review section on tire rack. They have a very good break down of various top tier tires.
I am not going to go research current prices and such for you, but I can tell you I put 245/35/19 Hankook V12s on the car. Plenty of performance for the street, and I have put 2 good track weekends on the car at Roebling Road which is known for punishing the front left. About 300 or so track miles and 4,000 street miles. Good in the wet, great in the dry. Wear is good. Would definitely recommend them, and when I bought them the price was pretty good from the local shop.
Ive put 245/35/19 Falkens and they are great, not noisy, great handling (thends to slip more when cold than the stock potenza's) but over all great knowing the are 1/3 of the price of the potenza
Many options. As for 19's, I had great experiences with the Yokohama S drives, they handled great, and did not wear too fast. I also know that Shinka mami runs the S Drives in 19" and is only on her second set in 3-4 years and she drives quite a bit.
I might as well ask, since the cost of living with taxes will (most likely) go up faster than ever... Gas efficient tires. I'd like to milk all the 92/93 for every drop these days.
Yes, I know tire pressure is a big part of Gas Efficiency.
__________________ 2008 VW / Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T / Reflex Silver Metallic Clearcoat. Current.
2009 Mazda / RX-8 R3 (FE17) / Aurora Electric Blue Mica. Traded
2001 Toyota / Corolla CE (E114) / Sandrift Metallic. Totalled - Not at Fault.
"My happiness can be measured by my odometer."
Last edited by RogueTadhg; 08-10-2011 at 09:23 AM.
I have a 2009 gt 6mt, so I have smaller wheels than you do, but I put 225/40zr18 michellin pilot super sports on a couple months ago and love them.
I'm doing my first-ever track day at watkins glen in late august so I dont know how well they work on the track, but as a street tire they're exellent. They're comfortable and grippy. definiltey an upgrade over the stock dunlops I had.
ah young grasshopper.....Dunlops are stock on Series II non R3s. I have a MY10 GT with Dunlops
I like the dunlops, and they lasted nearly 30,000 miles of 100% street driving, but it was hard to justify $60 a tire (on tire rack) more than the pilot super sport.
In the October 2011 issue of Grassroots Motorsports they test the fastest street tires in wet and dry conditions. Two two fastest dry tires were the R-S3 and AD08, respectively; the fastest wet tires were the Dunlop Star Spec and AD08.
My last street tires were the R-S3 and I'm currently on a set of AD08s. For pure street driving, I prefer the AD08 as they are a little quieter in highway cruising.
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2009 RX8 R3
Last edited by kster; 08-16-2011 at 07:53 AM.
Reason: Fixed typo.
I have the Hankook Ventus V12 Evos on my R3 wheels for the street. They work fine for the street, but I pussyfoot it on the streets and save the actual driving for a set of NT-05's for toying around on auto-x and track days.
im also about to get new tires on my r3, and i think im sold on the v12's aswell but i wanted to know will 255's fit with any rubbing issues or anything?
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Mine, 2010 RX-8 R3, velocity Red, Racing beat Revi intake and intake duct, Axial Flow Series 2 Short throw shifter, BHR ignition, BHR Midpipe. Black / Red Custom Paint
Girls, 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 tomato red. Mazdaspeed oil cap, whiteline end links front and rear.
I have the Bridgestone RE 050A pole position and they are great for daily drive with reasonable treat wear life.
I also have the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Positions 225/40/R19 on my R3 (Based on your experience and recommendation a year or more ago). I did feel like they were not as hard gripping as the RE050A's, but the treadwear and road noise on the RE050A's (Stock R3 tires) was terrible. Especially when they came near EOL (EndofLife), the RE050A's were so loud, bumps and railroad crossings were terrible experiences, and my tires would slip upon downshifting and braking...ABS would kick in. Later on, they were ok as they were almost slicks.
Overall, the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Positions were decent as it balanced double treadwear rating, with most of the grip of the RE050A's, but not enough in my opinion. I always feel like they were not as good, or lacked that little bit of grip I wanted more.
For new tires, I feel like there are really two choices (Daily Driver R3 all year round in Texas):
Michelin Pilot Super Sports
and
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions
After reading reviews, and looking at the specs, the Michelin's practically have me sold. Waiting for the Michelin special saving now.
My question now is why are people fitting 235's, 245's on the R3? What's the benefit? I know it is flush with 225, and maybe a little more, but what do you gain? No one seems to be able to answer that question. I understand if you wanted a particular tire, but it didn't come in 225, then maybe....but if you have the choice, why go higher?
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