All Season Tire Ideas
 

Hi all,Say, I'm looking for input re: tires for my 8. When I bought it in 06 it had Cooper Zeon AS, they had a wide foot print, did great in the winter and rode wonderfully. Loved them...and, unfortunately they stopped making them)Since then I've tried different tires.. I found the NITTO Motivo for it, it has a wide tread width, a 60k tire at a nice price but when I put FOUR on, it's jarring, bouncy and unpleasant - a dramatic downturn in handling and comfort.The odd thing was that I had two of them on the back with a set of Altrezza AS from BIG O on the front it drove great.I purchased another two NITTO's because the first two seemed to work and now the whole ride has changed. Yuk. (I've tried different tire pressures btw.)*So, I need to find a good set of four and wanted to hear what you all like. They aren't making the conti dws anymore btw. Thanks

Shit... Really? I love my DWSs

Try a set of Kumho Ecsta ASX's; quiet and a nice ride.

yeah, I was told they stoped making them -kind of like my Coopers. There's probably some still out there so if you wanted to get a set... They come out with a new replacement tire but they're so new there's no information or reviews on them yet.

I just might. How long have you had them ? And they're good on long highway trips?

Somewhere I saw hankook ventus rated high, I dunno how they are on an rx8 though..

About a month now. They are very comfortable (and quiet) on the highway!

Humm.. Well, I went back to Discount Tire, got a set of four Michelin Pilot A/S. They put on 91V rather than 91W. The tires aren't very good, the steering wheel is now heavy and the response on driving is slow and mushy, flat out don't like em.

They're giving me partial credit on the tires 123 of 175 so now figuring out the next set. Am leaning towards the Kuhmo's. The Hankooks will cost me another $300. I so miss my Coopers!

Hey I just did a fast check of several nationwide tire sellers and they are still selling Conti DWS tires. Don't know where you heard they aren't making them anymore. I use the DWS on my 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 and love them.

conti
 

Thanks for checking, I just might try them this time. Several places say they are being discontinued, I guess im trying to avoid having to go through this again after they wear out.

How are they with responsiveness? And is the steering wheel heavy at low speeds ?

They are very responsive, not the same as summer tires, but not much different , and the most responsive all-season ultra-performance tires I have driven on any of my seven rotary Mazdas. Great in the wet and snow. They will wear for the full 50,000 miles. And then by that time there may be a newer and better Conti or something else on the market. Go to Tire rack website and check on the ratings for ultra-performance all-season tires. These Conti DWS have the most miles tested and rated.

I have found Pirelli A/S (245x40-18) tires to be great summer tires. I even did track days with them. They didn't do so well in the snow. All tho, I was able to get through everything in the winter.
Continental A/S (225x45-18) are the other tires I have tried. They were a great all around tire. Smooth ride and had good traction in snow. I truly felt that I didn't need snow tires with these on. The only problem I had was ground clearance in deep snow.

If you surveyed loads of RX8 owners here on this club forum , I think the Conti DWS are the favs for all-season ultra-performance tires. The comparative ultra-performance all-season tire ratings also have the DWS at the very top, with millions of driver miles tested and rated. They are very smooth and comfortable and sure footed and long wearing. Truly a great find and buy.

Just say no to all-season tires. Your 8 will thank you.