Its about that time, to get new tires. I live in central Illinois so we get a decent amount of snow and ice in the winter. I don't really want to get two sets of tires so I'm looking for some all seasons. I've been looking at the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus, Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season, and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS. I'm leaning toward the Michelins or the Continentals. If anyone has any recommendations or other suggestions please let me know.

 

I just got on some Cont DWS two months ago. So far it seems to be driving pretty good including in rain. Haven't gotten it into snow yet but so far I like these Conf DWS. Michellin is a bit more expensive then the Cont so for now we'll see how these work out since it's also cheaper.

 

I've heard very good things about both the Michelins and the Continentals. I've never really cared for any of the goodyear tires i've run in the past. Both are pretty decently priced

My two cents. With the amount of midwestern snow and ice you're better off with dedicated snow tires for the winter. I get less snow in Cincinnati than you and last winter would have been tough with all seasons. It's not impossible, but not ideal. All season tires are really no season. They are mediocre at best all year around. I have all-seasons now (Yoko Advan 4s) and don't really care for them. The have ok dry grip, terrible wet grip, and barely enough grip in the cold to keep me from being stranded. They came with the wheels, and i haven't really been able to justify spending the coin on good summers this year. They'll be gone by next spring for sure though.

 

Continental ExtremeContact DWS all the way. I have them and they are great tires. No snow where I live but even for their wet traction, it is worth to have them.

 

Look in to Yokohama S. Drives. I'm also looking in to buying a new set of all-season tires, and I think these might be what I'll be going with.

They're definitely not for snow or ice, though. Most high-performance tires aren't.

 

the A/S Plus is pretty good too. I had them on my Maxima. cool looking tires, very quite. very good grip when wet, even 10 inch of snow didnt stop my Maxima going thru.

 

I hope the all seasons will do, I have a friend that has a 370z and he said did fine in the winter with all seasons. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

S Drives aren't all season (unless there's a version I haven't heard of?). I picked up a set to use between track events and they're acceptable, but I'd never put them on my car in Illinois in winter unless I also had a bus pass.

I know there are some pretty good all-seasons out there these days, but I really don't understand the concept of putting them on a car like the RX-8 which is most notable for its great handling. I know cost is probably a big consideration for you, but think about springing for an inexpensive set of wheels and throwing some winters on them. You'll be protecting your investment (your car) by being safer in the snow and ice, and you'll enjoy the car more in the summer with proper rubber. Just my unsolicited two cents.

 

Continental ExtremeContact DW/DWS is the best you can go for right now as far as all-seasons.

 

Ive driven on a lot of tires, the continental dry rot faster. Michelin Sport A/S Plus 245/40 18 are a great tire. I'm not sure what wheels you have. Mine were so perfect when I balanced the tires I didn't have to add a single weight to any wheel. I wouldn't recommend them for heavy snow though. They are ultra high performance all season tires though. They even have the center rib which lowers road noise.

 

Whatever you do, just dont get Eagle RS-A's. Theyre dirt cheap on tirerack.com, I bought them and they suck royally on dry pavement. Like my tires scream when Im taking a turn at normal speeds and it totally watered down the driving experience. They perform great in the rain though, havent seen snow yet (and probably wont drive in the snow anyways).

Just a suggestion, I know how cheap prices can lure people in

 

cant agree with you more.
I had RS-A's very bad tires, more expensive than A/S Plus for my old car's size.
no grip in snow, no grip on wet, even no grip on dry.
255hp fwd and they were burning like hell. A/S plus gripped awesomely.

 

Yea Im dissappointed. I miss taking corners at 50mph

 

My only problem with buying a winter set is honestly price. I'm 19, this is my first rotary (actually learned how to drive a manual in this car too) and I bought the car about 2 months ago. I work pretty much full time, but I start my second year of college in the next few weeks and price is kind of an issue lol. I would love to get a winter set and a summer set its just the money especially with other stuff coming up too, will need to do brakes relatively soon and my 60k maintenance.

 

Your theory makes sense, however budgets can mess with plans unfortunately. I only opted for all seasons for emergencies in the winter. My car doesnt move from Oct to March, but in the event that it needs to move or I lose my job (company car too) I know that I have a temporary way around until I find another job (with another company car ).

For me, it just made more sense. I dont track my car (not yet at least), so it didnt make a whole lot of sense to spend unnecessary money on my RX8 which drives on weekends in the summer (2000-3000 miles).

Thats my excuse, lol

 

<<< Goodyear Eagle GT's ... they're All-season but high performance. Theres no tread warranty (which normally comes with a all-season) but if you talk to one of the guys at Discount Tire or Tirerack you might be able to get one...

not to meantion they look sexy as hell...

 

RS-A ? ... if you hate your car yea get that.

I use RE960 A/S pole position. Great tires all around, not as good as pure extreme Performance Summer like RE11 nor Blizzark LM25 in Winter, however.

 

good tires to drift around. very low grip

 

Yea it was a very poor move to get those. The only 2 benefits Ive gained are cheaper and supposedly longer tread life. Other than that, they suck....royally.

 

I have those on my 8 now and I don't think they do to well when its wet but its time for a new set anyways. Do you drive in the snow and winter with them? How do you think they do?

 

I live in Texas... so that should anwser your question