Kumho Ecsta SPT's (245/40/18) Installed
04-12-2006, 09:40 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by swoope
you are getting ganked by your wheel shop... go to tire rack and go to the installers section. put in your zip code and read the reviews.
you could have had your tire shipped right to the installer.
they machined a wheel to make it straight???? BS!!!!
beers
you could have had your tire shipped right to the installer.
they machined a wheel to make it straight???? BS!!!!
beers
You are absolutely 100% correct. First, I moved front tires to back one at a time. No difference, still shimmies. I got so fed up with Wheel Techniques that yesterday I took the RX8 into Mazda. I asked Mazda to do an alignment and while they were at it to rebalance the wheels and verify whether or not the tires were installed correctly with red dot aligned to valve stem (I had serious doubts whether or not Wheel Techniques even mounted the tires correctly). Today I pick the car up from Mazda. Smooth as cream!!! I read another post on this forum by Rotar Nut that included special instructions to balance RX8 wheels. Apparently, not only do they need to use the proper machine, they also do some hand calculations to get the wheels balanced to the 10th of an ounce (search for "tire vibration"). After having read that and that Mazda was the only one that knows how to balance these things, I had really high hopes that Wheel Techniques were just a bunch of ignorant bastards and that Mazda would balance these things correctly. Fortunately, that WAS the case. Smooth as ever now.
I apologize for pointing the finger at the Kumhos as the source of the problem. Real problem was the boneheaded incompetent technicians at Wheel Techniques. I'm glad this is the case because I was on the verge of buying all new tires, thats how much these shimmies upset me.
As for the reviews, I read those before I even bought the tires and researched heavily from this forum. I saw that the vast majority of RX8 owners love these tires so that was so surprising when I ended up with the vibrations. Easy to point the finger at the tires when that was the only thing that changed. And in the past, I never had balancing issues with Wheel Techniques when they polished out my stock rims and obviously balanced them there. But something must have gone out of whack with their machine in the meantime.
Long story short, I spent $255 at Wheel Techniques for incompetent mounting and balancing and apparently repairing a "bent" wheel of mine. I spent another 99 for Mazd to do alignment and only $37.50 for mazda to fix the balancing botch job per Wheel Techniques. I don't mean to be a terrorist for Wheel Techniques, they did a superior job polishing out my stock rims to make them chrome-like. But the obviously don't know how to balance wheels so for that I am upset by the wasted money. In any case, lesson learned: stick with your competent Mazda dealership (Almaden Mazda).
04-12-2006, 11:08 PM
#52
Originally Posted by breezy_rx8
Swoope,
You are absolutely 100% correct. First, I moved front tires to back one at a time. No difference, still shimmies. I got so fed up with Wheel Techniques that yesterday I took the RX8 into Mazda. I asked Mazda to do an alignment and while they were at it to rebalance the wheels and verify whether or not the tires were installed correctly with red dot aligned to valve stem (I had serious doubts whether or not Wheel Techniques even mounted the tires correctly). Today I pick the car up from Mazda. Smooth as cream!!! I read another post on this forum by Rotar Nut that included special instructions to balance RX8 wheels. Apparently, not only do they need to use the proper machine, they also do some hand calculations to get the wheels balanced to the 10th of an ounce (search for "tire vibration"). After having read that and that Mazda was the only one that knows how to balance these things, I had really high hopes that Wheel Techniques were just a bunch of ignorant bastards and that Mazda would balance these things correctly. Fortunately, that WAS the case. Smooth as ever now.
I apologize for pointing the finger at the Kumhos as the source of the problem. Real problem was the boneheaded incompetent technicians at Wheel Techniques. I'm glad this is the case because I was on the verge of buying all new tires, thats how much these shimmies upset me.
As for the reviews, I read those before I even bought the tires and researched heavily from this forum. I saw that the vast majority of RX8 owners love these tires so that was so surprising when I ended up with the vibrations. Easy to point the finger at the tires when that was the only thing that changed. And in the past, I never had balancing issues with Wheel Techniques when they polished out my stock rims and obviously balanced them there. But something must have gone out of whack with their machine in the meantime.
Long story short, I spent $255 at Wheel Techniques for incompetent mounting and balancing and apparently repairing a "bent" wheel of mine. I spent another 99 for Mazd to do alignment and only $37.50 for mazda to fix the balancing botch job per Wheel Techniques. I don't mean to be a terrorist for Wheel Techniques, they did a superior job polishing out my stock rims to make them chrome-like. But the obviously don't know how to balance wheels so for that I am upset by the wasted money. In any case, lesson learned: stick with your competent Mazda dealership (Almaden Mazda).
You are absolutely 100% correct. First, I moved front tires to back one at a time. No difference, still shimmies. I got so fed up with Wheel Techniques that yesterday I took the RX8 into Mazda. I asked Mazda to do an alignment and while they were at it to rebalance the wheels and verify whether or not the tires were installed correctly with red dot aligned to valve stem (I had serious doubts whether or not Wheel Techniques even mounted the tires correctly). Today I pick the car up from Mazda. Smooth as cream!!! I read another post on this forum by Rotar Nut that included special instructions to balance RX8 wheels. Apparently, not only do they need to use the proper machine, they also do some hand calculations to get the wheels balanced to the 10th of an ounce (search for "tire vibration"). After having read that and that Mazda was the only one that knows how to balance these things, I had really high hopes that Wheel Techniques were just a bunch of ignorant bastards and that Mazda would balance these things correctly. Fortunately, that WAS the case. Smooth as ever now.
I apologize for pointing the finger at the Kumhos as the source of the problem. Real problem was the boneheaded incompetent technicians at Wheel Techniques. I'm glad this is the case because I was on the verge of buying all new tires, thats how much these shimmies upset me.
As for the reviews, I read those before I even bought the tires and researched heavily from this forum. I saw that the vast majority of RX8 owners love these tires so that was so surprising when I ended up with the vibrations. Easy to point the finger at the tires when that was the only thing that changed. And in the past, I never had balancing issues with Wheel Techniques when they polished out my stock rims and obviously balanced them there. But something must have gone out of whack with their machine in the meantime.
Long story short, I spent $255 at Wheel Techniques for incompetent mounting and balancing and apparently repairing a "bent" wheel of mine. I spent another 99 for Mazd to do alignment and only $37.50 for mazda to fix the balancing botch job per Wheel Techniques. I don't mean to be a terrorist for Wheel Techniques, they did a superior job polishing out my stock rims to make them chrome-like. But the obviously don't know how to balance wheels so for that I am upset by the wasted money. In any case, lesson learned: stick with your competent Mazda dealership (Almaden Mazda).
glad you got it fixed.
i would be getting money back from the bad guys.
beers
04-13-2006, 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by swoope
glad you got it fixed.
i would be getting money back from the bad guys.
beers
i would be getting money back from the bad guys.
beers
04-14-2006, 08:02 AM
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I had two 245/40/18 SPTs installed two days ago and put them on the rear only. They were balanced in no time with one tiny stick on weight on one wheel and two on the other. He was surprised how well they balanced. I have no tpms though (Canada) so there was little to compensate for. So far so good. They are quieter than the Dunlops and the Bridgestones.
04-14-2006, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by breezy_rx8
OK. Now, Tire Rack sent in two brand new tires. They replaced both front tires. While doing so, the shop told me I had a bent rim and that was the cause of vibration. So they machined out the rim to make it true.
So, now have two new tires and supposedly all my rims are perfect. They did not spin all the rims on the machine, only the one they claimed was bent. The other rims they spun around by hand and told me they were good. I don't know how I could have bent rims anyways since I've never hit anything and always avoid potholes. Also, the Bridgestones were perfect and I never had any vibration issues with them from day 1 until the day they were replaced.
So I'm starting to think these guys are incompetent when it comes to mounting and balancing tires. They are a wheel shop, not a tire shop (Wheel Techniques). This is where I got my wheels polished. I took it there since they do have the equipment to handle 18" wheels and wont scratch them up. And in the past when the polished my wheels, I never had any vibrations with the Bridgestones.
So either the Kumhos tires are lop sided peices of crap in general or perhaps Wheel Techniques balancing machine is out of whack. Next, I'm going to rotate the front tires to the back and back to front. If the steering wheel stops vibrating, then its obviously a tire or rim problem on one of the two tires now in the back. If it still vibrates, then I'm back at square one (Kumhos are crap tires or incompetent shop guy). I'm starting to lean toward incompetent shop since what are the chances I could wind up with that many out of round tires. Especially after Tire Rack just shipped in a new pair.
Wow, this is one gigantic hassle. The shop says let the tires "wear in" which I find to be BS. The tires should be perfectly round when they come and the Bridgestones never vibrated when they were new. It's just a run-around in my opinion. While I can see it being possible that a high spot would eventually wear faster than the rest of the tire and thus even out over time, that is only hiding the problem.
By the way, I've been charged twice for mount and balance and for one "bad" rim. This is the last time I buy cheap tires.
Question: The red paint dots on the tires, do those represent a high spot or low spot? These guys said low spot..
So, now have two new tires and supposedly all my rims are perfect. They did not spin all the rims on the machine, only the one they claimed was bent. The other rims they spun around by hand and told me they were good. I don't know how I could have bent rims anyways since I've never hit anything and always avoid potholes. Also, the Bridgestones were perfect and I never had any vibration issues with them from day 1 until the day they were replaced.
So I'm starting to think these guys are incompetent when it comes to mounting and balancing tires. They are a wheel shop, not a tire shop (Wheel Techniques). This is where I got my wheels polished. I took it there since they do have the equipment to handle 18" wheels and wont scratch them up. And in the past when the polished my wheels, I never had any vibrations with the Bridgestones.
So either the Kumhos tires are lop sided peices of crap in general or perhaps Wheel Techniques balancing machine is out of whack. Next, I'm going to rotate the front tires to the back and back to front. If the steering wheel stops vibrating, then its obviously a tire or rim problem on one of the two tires now in the back. If it still vibrates, then I'm back at square one (Kumhos are crap tires or incompetent shop guy). I'm starting to lean toward incompetent shop since what are the chances I could wind up with that many out of round tires. Especially after Tire Rack just shipped in a new pair.
Wow, this is one gigantic hassle. The shop says let the tires "wear in" which I find to be BS. The tires should be perfectly round when they come and the Bridgestones never vibrated when they were new. It's just a run-around in my opinion. While I can see it being possible that a high spot would eventually wear faster than the rest of the tire and thus even out over time, that is only hiding the problem.
By the way, I've been charged twice for mount and balance and for one "bad" rim. This is the last time I buy cheap tires.
Question: The red paint dots on the tires, do those represent a high spot or low spot? These guys said low spot..
Do you have a picture of your wheels polished?
04-16-2006, 09:10 AM
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Pictures would be exactly the same as the ones at the start of this thread. There is really no curb protection lip near the rim like on the Bridgestone and less so on the Dunlop oems which I was actually looking for to help protect the rim.
04-18-2006, 10:17 AM
#58
Originally Posted by Johnboy
Pictures would be exactly the same as the ones at the start of this thread. There is really no curb protection lip near the rim like on the Bridgestone and less so on the Dunlop oems which I was actually looking for to help protect the rim.
04-19-2006, 03:46 PM
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I had my Ecsta SPT tires installed last weekend (OEM size), and so far I am very satisfied. For less than half the price of the Potenzas, these things are great! For street driving I don't see these tires could be inadequate.
What I am not happy about is the damage the installer did to my stock wheels and air dam (plastic molding below the front grille). I made sure to clean and check the condition of my wheels before bringing them to the installer, and every one of the wheels now has several chips in the paint along the edges. Two of them have very noticable gouges right in the middle of spokes
. Whoever drove my car off the lift and then parked it must have scraped an overhang, because my plastic airdam is stripped to hell. A 6x1" section on the right side has paint shavings hanging off of it. I would know if I did something like this on my own.
This whole experience is awful. Because I didn't insist on showing the shop the condition of my wheels and vehicle, I have no proof of the damage. Also, I didn't notice the damage to the plastic molding until the next day (and now it has been 4 days). Just thinking about it makes me sick, but I don't want to even bother going after these guys for damages, because I think it would just stress me out even more. At some point we have to realize that these are just material posessions, and aesthetic blemishes are not the end of the world, right? That's what I'm trying to tell myself anyhow.
I should have gone with one of the recommended installers on Tirerack's website... It's just that the closest one was over 10 miles away despite the fact that there are 4-5 shops that could do it within 2 miles of my house. Why does this happen to me? Why?
What I am not happy about is the damage the installer did to my stock wheels and air dam (plastic molding below the front grille). I made sure to clean and check the condition of my wheels before bringing them to the installer, and every one of the wheels now has several chips in the paint along the edges. Two of them have very noticable gouges right in the middle of spokes
. Whoever drove my car off the lift and then parked it must have scraped an overhang, because my plastic airdam is stripped to hell. A 6x1" section on the right side has paint shavings hanging off of it. I would know if I did something like this on my own.This whole experience is awful. Because I didn't insist on showing the shop the condition of my wheels and vehicle, I have no proof of the damage. Also, I didn't notice the damage to the plastic molding until the next day (and now it has been 4 days). Just thinking about it makes me sick, but I don't want to even bother going after these guys for damages, because I think it would just stress me out even more. At some point we have to realize that these are just material posessions, and aesthetic blemishes are not the end of the world, right? That's what I'm trying to tell myself anyhow.
I should have gone with one of the recommended installers on Tirerack's website... It's just that the closest one was over 10 miles away despite the fact that there are 4-5 shops that could do it within 2 miles of my house. Why does this happen to me? Why?
04-19-2006, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by RX8_Buckeye
I had my Ecsta SPT tires installed last weekend (OEM size), and so far I am very satisfied. For less than half the price of the Potenzas, these things are great! For street driving I don't see these tires could be inadequate.
What I am not happy about is the damage the installer did to my stock wheels and air dam (plastic molding below the front grille). I made sure to clean and check the condition of my wheels before bringing them to the installer, and every one of the wheels now has several chips in the paint along the edges. Two of them have very noticable gouges right in the middle of spokes . Whoever drove my car off the lift and then parked it must have scraped an overhang, because my plastic airdam is stripped to hell. A 6x1" section on the right side has paint shavings hanging off of it. I would know if I did something like this on my own.
This whole experience is awful. Because I didn't insist on showing the shop the condition of my wheels and vehicle, I have no proof of the damage. Also, I didn't notice the damage to the plastic molding until the next day (and now it has been 4 days). Just thinking about it makes me sick, but I don't want to even bother going after these guys for damages, because I think it would just stress me out even more. At some point we have to realize that these are just material posessions, and aesthetic blemishes are not the end of the world, right? That's what I'm trying to tell myself anyhow.
I should have gone with one of the recommended installers on Tirerack's website... It's just that the closest one was over 10 miles away despite the fact that there are 4-5 shops that could do it within 2 miles of my house. Why does this happen to me? Why?
What I am not happy about is the damage the installer did to my stock wheels and air dam (plastic molding below the front grille). I made sure to clean and check the condition of my wheels before bringing them to the installer, and every one of the wheels now has several chips in the paint along the edges. Two of them have very noticable gouges right in the middle of spokes
. Whoever drove my car off the lift and then parked it must have scraped an overhang, because my plastic airdam is stripped to hell. A 6x1" section on the right side has paint shavings hanging off of it. I would know if I did something like this on my own.This whole experience is awful. Because I didn't insist on showing the shop the condition of my wheels and vehicle, I have no proof of the damage. Also, I didn't notice the damage to the plastic molding until the next day (and now it has been 4 days). Just thinking about it makes me sick, but I don't want to even bother going after these guys for damages, because I think it would just stress me out even more. At some point we have to realize that these are just material posessions, and aesthetic blemishes are not the end of the world, right? That's what I'm trying to tell myself anyhow.
I should have gone with one of the recommended installers on Tirerack's website... It's just that the closest one was over 10 miles away despite the fact that there are 4-5 shops that could do it within 2 miles of my house. Why does this happen to me? Why?
Exactly why I had Mazda do it. Cost me $85 for a mount and balance. Thats about $20/tired. They broke a TPS sensor but they replaced it for me as they should have.
There will be 2 people working on my car, Mazda and myself.
04-19-2006, 04:09 PM
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Did that price also include dismounting of the old tires and putting the new assemblies on the car? I don't know why I never thought of going to the dealer. I guess I figured they would charge even more than that. I paid $58 for my damages...
04-19-2006, 04:15 PM
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Yup it was a flat $85 including disposal of the old tires. Not a bad deal at all. I got a car care coupon for $75 wheel alignment I may use to my advantage for the hell of it.
04-28-2006, 05:02 AM
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Just got my Kumho Ecsta SPT on (245/40). The ride is a whole lot better with these tires compared to my low profile tires I originally had of 225/40 on my Volks. I also noticed that these tires don't tramline as much. Im still debating if I should get an alignment this weekend since I got new tires. Any input if I should or shouldn't?
04-28-2006, 06:05 AM
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I just put Kumho Ecsta SPT tires on last week because I had serious cupping problems with the Bridgestone tires. I only have 18,000 Km so just because the car is new and has never been driven over pot holes does not mean the steering geometry was correct when in came out of the factory. For example, my Freon in the a/c was very low and needed to be topped at 4000 Km. There was no leaks either.
I am taking the car in for an alignment next Friday and am going to an alignment specialist, not a Mazda dealer. I was told that whenever you install new tires, it is always a good idea to get an alignment.
By the way, I love my Kumho Ecsta SPT tires. They are so quite compared to the 'whump whump whump' noise my Bridgestone tires made.
I am taking the car in for an alignment next Friday and am going to an alignment specialist, not a Mazda dealer. I was told that whenever you install new tires, it is always a good idea to get an alignment.
By the way, I love my Kumho Ecsta SPT tires. They are so quite compared to the 'whump whump whump' noise my Bridgestone tires made.
04-28-2006, 12:56 PM
#66
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Originally Posted by FABRO
Just got my Kumho Ecsta SPT on (245/40). The ride is a whole lot better with these tires compared to my low profile tires I originally had of 225/40 on my Volks. I also noticed that these tires don't tramline as much. Im still debating if I should get an alignment this weekend since I got new tires. Any input if I should or shouldn't?
Looks great Fabro! So far I'm very pleased with their overall performance and looks.
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