I just passed 10,000 miles and have been getting my oil changed and tires rotated every 3,000 miles. When I got it done last week the mechanic showed me the wear on my right rear tire. It is already showing wear bars. Now while I do drive my car briskly, I don't go around burning rubber. The other three tires are not so bad, but I doubt they will get past 20,000 IF they get that far. I know that high-performance tires wear quicker, but I have gotten better mileage out of similar tires. I will not buy another set of these. Is anyone else out there experiencing fast tire wear? If so, what tires are you thinking of replacing these with? I am looking at the Goodrich g-force T/A KDW. Anyone got any experience with these tires?

 

Well, I'm at 2800 miles and I have no visible wear at all.
I know that isn't much in the way of miles, but I go to the local mall lot at night and do a little yaw control training every couple of days, if you know what I mean.

 

High performance tires aren't going to last that long anyway- and these tires are worse than some. I'm expecting I'll be buying new tires between 15k and 20k miles, at the very latest.

 

I had to replace one tire because a broken tweezer managed to find its way into the side of my rear tire. Nobody had the tire, not even the dealer. I had to order them from the internet ($200 from www.tirerack.com).

When I received the tire, I compared the new tire to the old (~4.5k mikes) tire, and I could see the old tire had significant wear. I also do not burn my tires, and enjoy the occasional brisk driving .

The amount of wear and the difficulty/cost of this tire has made up my mind to replace these with another brand. Too soon to shop for tires now, but will be looking for different tires when needed.

 

20k miles is about the maximum reasonable expectation of modern ultra high performance radial tires, irrespective of brand. Bear in mind also that the primary factor in tread life is driving style. Bottom line - the more apexes you strafe, the more often you can expect to replace tires.

 

The RX8 also comes with RE040s. It is generally accepted that these tires suck in the tread life department. Go on tire rack and take a look at the ratings.

No one can figure out why manufactures (Mazda isn't the only one) keep giving out these crappy tires.

*Edit*
Here is a link to the tire rack page.

 

The RE040's are "trade-off" tires...by that I mean in order to make up for a softer sidewall (for a better ride) they use a very soft compound for good grip (and lousy treadlife some thing like 140). They came as the OEM tires on my S4 and I had them on for about 10K miles and the tread wear indicators started to show (the S4 is a rather heavy car with quattro). I swithed to S-03's (treadwear = 220)...they made a huge difference in steering feel (stiffer sidewalls) and the ride was not that much harsher. Also they looked a lot better since the actual tread width (contact area) was a half inch wider that the RE040's (go check out Bridgestones website if you don'e believe me).

 

I was actually looking at these myself (actually, the KDW-2).

I've read only good reviews but do not know anyone that has them. If anyone has any personal experience with these tires, at least two of us here are interested in your feedback.

 

I have S0-3 on my 993 Carrera. I really have liked them. I previously had Continentals that were loud and a pain.. Once i changed to SO-3, it was like a new, better handling car. Much quieter, and good in rain. On my 8 I only have 3500. miles, so too early to see problems.
On the 993 due to the engine in the back, you are lucky to get 10K on your rear tires. So from my perspective, SO-3 are a good tire.

 

mine are fine and im at 7k miles

 

right now i think i'll be going with the KDW-2s as well when the junk RE040s wear out. I guess we'll have to get the 225/40/18 unless a 45 series comes out soon...

 

The thread originator may need an alignment done if only one of the 4 tires is showing unusual wear. If a rear toe setting is out of whack it can wear the tires very quickly.

When it's time I'll replace my RE 040's with a 245/40/18, which is within 0.15" of the OE tire height, and a full inch wider. The 225/40/18 is almost 1/2" shorter than the OE tires. More unsightly tire gap, you know.

Check it out; there are a lot of choices in 245/40/18.

 

that's great, but will 245s fit on the stock wheels? I have no plans to buy new wheels for the car, probably ever.

 

A 245 series will fit on an 8" rim no prob, and won' t look stuffed on, either.

I have 245s on my 16x8" 3rd gen rims, which originally carried 225/50/16's.

 

interesting...obviously I'm uneducated about such things. thanks for confirming.

 

by the way does anyone have anything negative to say about going from 225s to 245s? Obviously the 245s will be slightly heavier and put more rubber on the road, so it'll be a little harder to get going...anything significant?

 

hi h0rde,

I wonder how your gas mileage would be affected by the 20mm wider and a bit heavier tires?

regards,
rx8cited

 

i'd also be curious. I suppose it wouldn't help things, would it? haha... I already get like 210 miles from a tank so I don't really need that getting worse.

 

I have 45 miles and my tires look like brand new.

 

My 8 only has 600 miles on it but I'm already looking forward to the day I get to change tires I've never had to buy anything but passenger auto tires over the last 15 years so it sounds kind of fun buying high performance tires.

I think I paid almost $600 for tires and alignment the last time I changed tires on my Nissan Maxima.

 

check again......i think i see the wear bars already!!!

 

I went to Continetal ContiExtreme Contact 245/40 18s (all-seasons), and have had no effect on gas mileage at all. So far, they've been much better tires all around than the RE040s, in my experience... but this is during cool/cold mostly wet (some dry) weather. The true test will come toward the end of Spring, but so far I'm anticipating good things. AND they have a treadwear rating of 400, and traction rating of AA.

my 2c.

 

so you've had no problems using 245s on the stock wheels? good to know.

 

wow I have like 555 and I can see the tires wearing already. They must be soft compound, huh?