I was driving in my RX-8 to my local Mazda dealer to pick up my son's Maz3 which just had its first oil change. I suddenly spied some old roofing tiles in the road (apparently dropped from some in-bred yahoo's pick-up truck), and a combination of my lightning reflexes and RX-8 handling ability allowed me to avoid the tiles.

Didn't see the roofing nail, which inbedded itself in the edge of the tread, along the sidewall. A roofing nail is about an inch long, and is attached to a metal base about an inch square. When you run it over, the base keeps the nail firmly planted on the ground, in penetration position.

The local Mazda dealer and a tire dealer confirmed that the hole, which created a slow leak, can't be fixed. Damned if I'm going to buy another RE040, so I ordered a set of BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW-2 in 225/45/18 from Costco, for just under $800. I was planning on getting them eventually, but not after only 2,400 miles. Should have them in about 5 days, and I'll post results.

Will be selling 3 RE040's with 2,400 miles soon.

 

that is too bad
mazda should have given you a tire being the car is so new

 

Check if you can get the road hazard replacement, you'll pay a little more but it's worth it.

RX8Power

 

Mazda certainly is not a charity giving organization.

 

There is no Mazda Claus

 

actually my gf had her tire blow out on her new Mazda 3...they replaced it for free...no questions asked

 

This wasn't a defect in the tire. I didn't know the nail was in the tire until I pulled into the service area at Mazda (the service rep and I saw it at the same time). The thought never crossed my mind to ask Mazda for a free replacement. Hey, someone damaged my bumper about a month ago, and I wouldn't expect a no cost replacement from Mazda.

 

be sure to let us know how you like those BFG's, those are the tires I'm looking to put on my new wheels

 

What's the tread life rated on the KDW-2???

Won't you be replacing those every 2400 miles as well?

 

The tread rating on the KDW-2 (300) is higher than the 040 (140). There was no noticeable wear on the 040's at 2,400 miles. Don't think that the KDW-2's are any more nail-resistant than average. Hopefully I won't be puncturing them on a regular basis.