Dunlop Winter Sport M3 235/45HR18 - $89
12-09-2003, 12:01 PM
#26
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Originally posted by rx8cited
Hi WHealy,
Good point you made about the unidirectional tires. I think you have the directions backwards? Is it not:
"The driver side tires rotate counter clockwise in forward motion where the passenger side ones rotate clockwise" .
If you orient the direction arrow to the top of the tire, it should be pointing to the front of the car.
Also, again, keep in mind, snow tires need 36 psi cold. A gottcha' for me was the lug nuts are 21mm - so make sure you have a 21mm socket handy for your torque wrench. If you don't own a torque wrench, Sears has some on sale for $49.99 this week (I'm guessing that's a good deal? I bought mine there a years ago).
regards,
rx8cited
Hi WHealy,
Good point you made about the unidirectional tires. I think you have the directions backwards? Is it not:
"The driver side tires rotate counter clockwise in forward motion where the passenger side ones rotate clockwise" .
If you orient the direction arrow to the top of the tire, it should be pointing to the front of the car.
Also, again, keep in mind, snow tires need 36 psi cold. A gottcha' for me was the lug nuts are 21mm - so make sure you have a 21mm socket handy for your torque wrench. If you don't own a torque wrench, Sears has some on sale for $49.99 this week (I'm guessing that's a good deal? I bought mine there a years ago).
regards,
rx8cited
Pressure wasn’t a problem. TireRack delivered at 35. Left them there for now.
Oh, and as for the 21 mm, yep you’re right, for the STOCK LUG NUTS. My new wheels lug nuts needed 19mm or ¾. Had to run out and get that too even though I had already bought the 21 mm.
One more thing, i just received word that the tire sensors are in and shipped! Good thing, my warning light went off durring lunch!
12-09-2003, 12:22 PM
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Originally posted by WHealy
One more thing, i just received word that the tire sensors are in and shipped! Good thing, my warning light went off durring lunch!
One more thing, i just received word that the tire sensors are in and shipped! Good thing, my warning light went off durring lunch!
Great! Now when you get the sensors in, you'll be taking these beautiful new wheels somewhere to have the sensors installed, right? Suggestion: Go over the mint condition of the wheels with the installer before they touch the wheels and verify that they can do the job without scratching up the face of the wheels.
rx8cited
PS: If you're not going to a Mazda dealer, taking a copy of the TPMS service bulletin might help:
http://www.finishlineperformance.co.../02-002-03.html
Last edited by rx8cited; 12-09-2003 at 12:26 PM.
12-09-2003, 03:41 PM
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Originally posted by Gord96BRG
Stop it! Don't you dare complain about vehicles being equipped with performance summer tires! 
All-seasons are a compromise both summer and winter. Just what the hell are they good for, anyway? Poor performance in summer, poor performance in winter. Unfortunately, there's much too common a mentality that people should cheap out on tires and accept marginal performance year round. There's no such thing as one tire that is good year round.
ANY vehicle equipped with performance summer tires (certainly not just Mazda) has lots of warnings about driving in winter conditions - go ahead, check your owner's manual! I'm personally grateful that Mazda put proper tires on the RX-8 for summer, instead of useless all-seasons that I'd still take off for the winter anyway, and want to replace for summer use also.
Bottom line, it's a performance sports car, not a minivan. It deserves performance tires - both the summer variety and the winter variety. I factored in the need for separate winter tires up front before even buying the car, as I would have with any other car that I'd be driving in winter conditions.
Regards,
Gordon
Stop it! Don't you dare complain about vehicles being equipped with performance summer tires! All-seasons are a compromise both summer and winter. Just what the hell are they good for, anyway? Poor performance in summer, poor performance in winter. Unfortunately, there's much too common a mentality that people should cheap out on tires and accept marginal performance year round. There's no such thing as one tire that is good year round. ANY vehicle equipped with performance summer tires (certainly not just Mazda) has lots of warnings about driving in winter conditions - go ahead, check your owner's manual! I'm personally grateful that Mazda put proper tires on the RX-8 for summer, instead of useless all-seasons that I'd still take off for the winter anyway, and want to replace for summer use also.
Bottom line, it's a performance sports car, not a minivan. It deserves performance tires - both the summer variety and the winter variety. I factored in the need for separate winter tires up front before even buying the car, as I would have with any other car that I'd be driving in winter conditions.
Regards,
Gordon
Gordon, you'll have to remember, some folks live in areas where the winter weather is relatively mild and may opt for one set of tires year round. They may be willing to sacrifice some performance for financial reasons.
12-09-2003, 05:24 PM
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The difference in ride Whealy refers to is most likely from the difference in unsprung weight. Those MM Evo5's are like 26 lbs apiece just for the wheel...not including the weight of the tire. That in itself would account for a change in ride quality.
Mark
Mark
12-09-2003, 05:56 PM
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Originally posted by troch
The difference in ride Whealy refers to is most likely from the difference in unsprung weight. Those MM Evo5's are like 26 lbs apiece just for the wheel...not including the weight of the tire. That in itself would account for a change in ride quality.
Mark
The difference in ride Whealy refers to is most likely from the difference in unsprung weight. Those MM Evo5's are like 26 lbs apiece just for the wheel...not including the weight of the tire. That in itself would account for a change in ride quality.
Mark
Well I'll find out when I get the tire sensors put in. I called Tire Rack today and told them that I'm having pretty bad vibration at highway speeds. Bad enough to affect voice when talking! They said the tire needed to be broken down. Translated, rotated 180 degrees on the wheel and re-balanced. They said the ride should not have changed. I'll get that done when the sensors are installed. TireRack is picking up the bill. So I'll see what the outcome is and let you know.
I'm probably going to switch back to my OEM tires anyway till at least next week. Nut should be hear by Friday and I really don't want to hand over the flood prone "8" (
) to a tire dealership. So I think I'll just hand them tires instead. Besides I have a calipar paint kit coming on Friday as well! So hopefully by this weekend, I should know more.By the way, thanks for the stats 80cuin. I checked speed with mile markes on the interstate today with the cruise set to 60. Even with just my watch stop watch I got 61 seconds and some change. Of course the number was supposed to be 60 second flat. Doesn't sound like much, but that's around 2.5% off. but to be honest, it's real close to the same number I got using the same technique on the OEM tires.
12-09-2003, 06:13 PM
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Thanks for the great tip rx8cited! I cant believe I got 4 snow tires for under $400 bucks! Compared to some of the stupid stuff Ive been spending money on for this car, this is an incredible buy! Indianapolis doesnt get that much snow, but once in awhile Mother Nature likes to have her way!
Thanks again! =)
Thanks again! =)
12-09-2003, 06:20 PM
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Pardon my ignorance, but there is a 10mm difference on the tire's width. Even though the pic shows that it fits and it's slightly taller, thus changing the speedo readings, I was wondering if and how this extra width would affect the tires' tread wear, safety, performance, etc?
12-09-2003, 07:05 PM
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Originally posted by downshift
Pardon my ignorance, but there is a 10mm difference on the tire's width. Even though the pic shows that it fits and it's slightly taller, thus changing the speedo readings, I was wondering if and how this extra width would affect the tires' tread wear, safety, performance, etc?
Pardon my ignorance, but there is a 10mm difference on the tire's width. Even though the pic shows that it fits and it's slightly taller, thus changing the speedo readings, I was wondering if and how this extra width would affect the tires' tread wear, safety, performance, etc?
Not quite as good as narrower snow tire options, but still infinitely better than the OEM summer tires for winter conditions.
Regards,
Gordon
Regards,
Gordon
12-10-2003, 07:43 AM
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Originally posted by 80CuIn
Update: 235/45HR18 Dunlop M3
No problems or issues with these tires and size whatsoever. Had them mounted on Friday. Tested them during the blizzard on Saturday (6-8 inches of snow) around the block. No problems in the snow and, no rubbing issues.
Drove into work this morning 6:00am over some icy patches, DSC kicked in once. Again no problems.
For those who missed out on M3 225s, the 235 are a great alternative (albeit 18"). Although 225s or 215 on a 17" rim is better, the 235s on 18s work for me.
Al
Update: 235/45HR18 Dunlop M3
No problems or issues with these tires and size whatsoever. Had them mounted on Friday. Tested them during the blizzard on Saturday (6-8 inches of snow) around the block. No problems in the snow and, no rubbing issues.
Drove into work this morning 6:00am over some icy patches, DSC kicked in once. Again no problems.
For those who missed out on M3 225s, the 235 are a great alternative (albeit 18"). Although 225s or 215 on a 17" rim is better, the 235s on 18s work for me.
Al
12-11-2003, 07:21 AM
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Downshift,
I have the TPMS installed with the OE wheels and snows. I removed the wheels from the car (car on jack stands); put them in our minivan; droped them off at the dealer; picked them up later that day; mounted them; ran the TPMS recogintion (as per TSB). There was no TPMS light or sound.
However, I did check the tire pressure before I ran the TPMS recognition proceedure (had to add 3psi more).
Al
I have the TPMS installed with the OE wheels and snows. I removed the wheels from the car (car on jack stands); put them in our minivan; droped them off at the dealer; picked them up later that day; mounted them; ran the TPMS recogintion (as per TSB). There was no TPMS light or sound.
However, I did check the tire pressure before I ran the TPMS recognition proceedure (had to add 3psi more).
Al
12-12-2003, 08:56 AM
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Hi All,
You're quite welcome on the "Thank you"s.
FYI - if you were considering these tires, I just noticed this on the Tire Rack web site for the subject tires:
"Estimated Availability: Low Stock"
regards,
rx8cited
You're quite welcome on the "Thank you"s.
FYI - if you were considering these tires, I just noticed this on the Tire Rack web site for the subject tires:
"Estimated Availability: Low Stock"
regards,
rx8cited
12-13-2003, 09:58 AM
#37
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Originally posted by WHealy
rx8cited,
Just the tires we're talking about here on this thread. The wheels are 18x8 Mille Miglia Evo5 Bright Silver. All this arrived from TireRack this morning and made it on just before evening. The dry pavement ride is a little bumpy. But not through the steering. So I assume it's not a balance issue, but rather a difference in ride. But when the bolts finally come in for the tire sensors, I'll have them check the balance when the install the sensors. ... assuming they fit! Interesting, I did a test drive tonight (obviously) and no warning light ... yet. I swear I drove for over 15 mintues before I stopped to fill up. I guess I'll just have to go on a longer drive!
rx8cited,
Just the tires we're talking about here on this thread. The wheels are 18x8 Mille Miglia Evo5 Bright Silver. All this arrived from TireRack this morning and made it on just before evening. The dry pavement ride is a little bumpy. But not through the steering. So I assume it's not a balance issue, but rather a difference in ride. But when the bolts finally come in for the tire sensors, I'll have them check the balance when the install the sensors. ... assuming they fit! Interesting, I did a test drive tonight (obviously) and no warning light ... yet. I swear I drove for over 15 mintues before I stopped to fill up. I guess I'll just have to go on a longer drive!
12-17-2003, 04:28 PM
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I checked on the Tire Rack special on the Dunlop 235/ 45HR18's today. They called me back and said that they were completely out of stock and would not have any more. Any other deals out there that any of you are aware of?
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12-27-2003 01:26 PM
