Connor, A couple of us are thinking about putting Kumho Ecsta ASX 245/40WR18's on our stock wheels for winter. We're in an area that really doesn't get much snow, but want something that does better in cold weather. Will that combo work? Can we use that size on both front and rear wheels?

So after reading, it sounds like dedicated snow tires and wheels is the way to go. I have an opportunity to get a sweet deal on Pirelli Snow Sports 240s, but they are 225/40/18s, and it sounds like I should go with a higher side wall and even a 17" tire...Not to mention the dealer recommended just swapping tires and not to mess with the pressure sensors on new wheels...Is it easy to have new sensors re-programmed?

I wouldn't worry about the TPMS sensors - you just have the little yellow light on for the winter. I went with Kazera KZ-A's with Dunlop Winter Sport M3's - I went with 18's, but here in Northern Illinois, our snow tends to be 3-5" at a shot, often with a melt in-between, so I wasn't concerned about the extra room in the wheel well a 17" would give you - if you're someplace that gets more than that, a 17" probably makes sense. As far as your dealer changing them out 2x a year on the stock rims - (a) that's a lot of wear and tear on your nice OEM rims each change out, (b) I'd rather slide into a curb with my Kazeras than the $450 OEM rim (not that I want to do that), and (c) that's just more $$$ to the dealer 2x a year. Get a floor jack, a torque wrench and go to town. Plus, if it's snowing too much, I just drive my wife to work in our Xterra...

I'm in Chicago, so I know about the snow... :) I think I'll score a set of wheels...Tire Rack has some good deals...But what about getting 225/40/18 tires? Should I really get 225/45/18s??

You know, I can't honestly remember if mine are 40s or 45s - I'll check tonight. I had no problems last winter. Although it did stay in the garage if there was too much snow...

BTW - check out www.chicagorotary.com if you haven't already. :mdrmed:

Thanks!

The Kumho Ecsta ASX is a good tire for dry and wet conditions. They are designed to handle minimal amount of snow (1-2") with temperatures above 0 degrees. As the temperatures get below freezing the tread compound will harden and they will not be much better than the OE Bridgestones.

In my opinoin, if you live in an area where you get snow and freezing conditions you are far better off with a snow tire. The better question is - do you like your cars and family enough to keep them safe in adverse conditions?

If you are going to stick with 18" snow tires and rims then i would recommend staying with the 225/45/18. A wider tire would take away some of the control in the snowy conditions and if you tried to use a 40 aspect ration you would greatly increase the chaces of bending a rim.

Just as a side comparison for everyone that is contemplating between a 17" or 18" wheels and tires for their 8's. Here is some food for thought.

.....17" tires and wheels.......
215/55R17 Bridgestone Blizzack WS-50 -- 113.00 ea
17X7.5 ASA JH3 -- 119.00 ea
delivered to you mounted and balanced 928.00 plus shipping

......18" snow tires to put on your wheels.....
225/45R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3 -- 182.00 ea/728.00 +shipping for 4
Average mount and balance 20.00/tires, twice a year = 160.00 per year
Average tire life for the Winter Sport M3, 3 years times 160.00 = 480.00
tires (728) plus mount and balance for 3 years (480.00) = 1208.00+shipping.

In the end the 17" package is alot cheaper.

Lew Dog, just checked, & mine are 45s - like I said earlier, I went with Kazera KZ-A rims and Dunlop M3's (both from TireRack) and was very pleased with drivability last winter - I'm just out by Rockford...

Thanks for the info and advice. Our winters are pretty mild - it hardly ever gets below 25 degrees or over 2-3 inches of snow, and even that's only once or twice a season. I'll post feedback on the Tire Rack site next Spring and let you know how we did :)

Hey bud. I live on Long Island and I drive a Brillian Black RX-8 w/ sport package. That's traction control and DSC.

I purchased four Dunlop Winter Sport M3's because when I first bought the car, it was the last snow of the 2004/2005 winter and we had some slush left over and just driving the car home for 10 miles was the scariest thing. I bought the 18 inch M3's for the 2005/2006 winter season and, let me be brutally honest, YOU'LL NEED THEM. Night and day, man; NIGHT AND DAY!

The best I could find on your site was rims for $129 and continentals for $122 each or a little over $1,000 before shipping. I need to order mine soon, getting cold here in MD.

Connor, I need a fast price on the new Goodyear Ultragrips.

A package, actually, with 17" rims.

Thanks.

Blizzaks with microcell compound are the absolute best non-stud winter tire, don't waste your money on anything else ...

OK, so this thread has died off because it is no longer relevant for the season. But someone is going to read this thread later this year in anticipation of next winter. So let me be clear. Does it snow where you live? Do you own an RX-8? Do you plan on driving it this winter as opposed to parking it? If your answer is yes to all of the above, I can strongly recommend buying snows and wheels. I ordered mine (Pirelli Snowsport 210's on Kazera 17's) from TireRack. They arrived mounted & balanced with TPMS sensors installed. All I had to do was put them on and torque them to 108 ft/lbs. [Read various Service Bulletins to discover that the owner's manual is wrong] It won't turn an RX-8 into an SUV but will make it a reasonable daily driver in places where it snows more than once a year. [If you live in Colorado ski country, you probably don't own only an RX-8 anyway.]

Look, I don't know connor@tirerack at all. But my take from his posts, after reading this thread, is that he is solid. I would be inclined to accept his advice.

I know I know it is July, but I just got my RX8 and know I will need winter tires. I already bought a set of Mazda 3 17 inch rims and now am trying to decided on tires. I was thinking of either:

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D 205/50VR17

or

Dunlop Winter Sport M3 215/55VR17

I am leaning towards the 3Ds since thinner is supposed to be better for winter right? But I have never read about anyone useing 205s. Are they too narrow for our car? I don't mind that the speedometer will be bit more off if it will mean better performance in the snow/ice.

Here is to thinking cool in the summer!

No tire is helping you in a snowstorm with this car. I live in new england and anybody who says otherwise obviously does not know how to drive in the snow. Rear wheel drive + highway + your best tires takes extreme skill and praying to make it anywhere in a heavy storm. Even if you downshift to slow it's still going to shift your car left and right.. allowing you to take up 3 lanes, not slow down, and not have traction due to it's light weight. My only suggestion is toss over 1K worth of weight in the trunk. I understand they make them and people love to buy/sell stuff, but lets be realistic here... spend the money on a beatup truck or another car to drive in the winter

I beg to differ Sharpystyles16, tires make a huge difference in traction be it at the track or for ice and snow the tires that are created for these conditions do make the driving experience much better.

I am nott saying that they will grip like a track tire but it makes it possible to drive in snow or cold conditions. The traction control option for the 8 makes a great deal of difference as well.

Driving with winter tires on the 8 has been the best winter driving I have ever done and that is after previously having front wheel drive cars.

RX8convert22 the Wintersport 3D and the M3 are similar. I think the M3 Wintersports may only come in RunFlat so I will replace mine with the Wintersport 3D when it comes time. ;)

you have ABSOLUTELY no idea what you are talking about.

I've had an 8 for 4 winter seasons in NY and had no problems whatsoever driving in 12 inches of snow with dedicated snow tires ( i had Dunlop M3s) I could get places that some trucks were getting stranded at.

please refrain from posting about things you are obviously not experienced with.

Mugatu is right.....(Lord I get tired of typing that!)

I've had my daily driver '8 for four winters too.

In northern Canada.

Where it snows.

Kazera 17"s, Toyo Garit snows with the shells in the compound, never a hesitation.

The RX-8 has traction control, DSC, ABS and a real LSD - my old Acura had "none-of-the-above".

S

Ummm...that's a problem. Don't downshift to slow down in the snow. Use the brakes. Drive in one gear higher than you would on dry roads.

That's a good idea. Even if you know what you're doing, you can't do much about the yahoo who skids into you. I kept my two-decades old Accord for snow days.

Ken

i think the real problem is that Sharpstyle does not know how to drive in the snow.

I bet he could get lessons somewhere. :dunno:


:D:

so now that winter's nearing yet again does Conner have any new suggestions for a good set of winters for a Saskatchewan winter?? or anyone else for that matter.... I'd rather not turn my 8 into a toboggan :)

I called Tire rack last week because thats what the online winter package for my 07 RX8 told me to do - the customer service guy said " There is no package available for my car as we have not yet seen an 07 RX8 to fit tires and rims on!!!"

WTF?

The winter package is on the web sight today!

AND

I ordered my wheels and Blizzacks today. I am poor again!:wiggle:

But you'll feel good a couple of months from now when everyone's complaining the winter tires they wanted are sold out for the season.

yes - It's that warm and fuzzy feeling - like just after you pass cash to the shot girl - and you bask in the anticipation of her - and the glare of your buddies waiting their turn! :uhh:

Hi Connor & everyone,

I bought my 8 not long ago and I am planning to purchase an all-season performance tire since MD/DE don't snow that much. I have been checking at the reviews and the ratings and i still don't know which one to go for. Here are my options

Avon Tech M550 A/S
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
Pirelli PZero NERO M&S

The ratings for the bridgestone for snow tractions are pretty good, but reviews from people show otherwise. Not sure at this point which of all these 3 you would recommend. Or somebody in this forum can give me a suggestion it will help me a lot.

Thanks

There is a local guy here that has the PZero Neros.

He doesn't drive that much in the winter with his 8 but he says they do pretty good all around.

One guy drove his Dunlop Wintersport M3s all summer long without wearing them out...

I did the same exercise recently, as my Toyo Proxes 4 are coming to an end and winter is close by...
Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S (not tested myself, a buddy used them though)
Nitto NeoGen (coming my way - great reviews from people)
Toyo Proxes 4 (good tires all the way to the end of their life...)
Kumho Ecsta ASX (had them and unless driven to the limit, they were fine)
Any of the above should be fine in light snow, heavy rain, sporty driving and the occasional autox ;o) No reason to spend more than $150 per tire... NeoGen and Proxes threads and Ecsta sidewall designs look cool too (my view, of course)

PS I always ran 245/40-18

Got my Winter Tires on today (yeah I'm late-was driving a beater instead).
Wow! Is all I can say.
They grip the road like it owes them Money.
We get crazy snow up here where Michigan meets Canada.
Bought the Blizzak WS-60 From Connor at Tire Rack.
They Rule!
I'll post pics of them & the new rims soon.
Thanks again Connor!
Mark G
aka SvenSweden

I can't tell you how good my 8 is in the snow!!! Even in the freezing rain/ice storm we had today. I live in the Pocono Mountains right now, and this little thing just claws its way up hills like nothing...second gear, no traction control and let 'er run! It's all tires my man...tires. I spent $1200 for the successor to the Dunlop M3...and bought the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3d in a size of 265/35/18. These things help me go, go and go. Hell, I've passed 4wd SUVs in the snow up here. ICE, SNOW or H2O...Dunlop helps you GO! LOL...

265 snow tires.... ouch

You'd be even happier with 215's

i have a question guys i am buying my 8 in ither the fall or i will wait till after the winter to get it but i plan to use it as my every day car in i live in CT so what do you guys think i should get all season or winter?

The summer tires are great for summer - and the winter tires are great for winter

daaaaa - ok that was Captain Obvious speaking.:lol:

Call Conner and buy a set of mounted winter tires and switch back and forth in season - You will enjoy the drive that much more with season specific tires.

Concur. Although you could certainly get by with all-season tires in CT in the Winter, if you can afford it get dedicated snow tires/wheels and switch seasonally. All-season tires are too much of a performance compromise in the Summer. Get 17" rims for Winter to save money and afford greater clearance.

Huey thanks for the advice
my brother and his best friend own a evo and wrx and they both are telling me to get all season but i guess all i have to look into how much i want to spend.

Does anyone here live in ct and own a 8? let me know how it is in the winter so i kinda know what to expect im sure it is very differnt from drive a 96 nissan altima

has anyone tried the general excalim UHP tire for snow?

Dont ever try that.

Its UHP (not the best, but) Ultra High Performance

Not made for snow at all. They'll be hard as plastic in cold that has snow.
It'll be dangerous as hell.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Exclaim+UHP

Read that, not suggested for snow at all.

They are summer tires, which meet MINIMUM requirements for M+S tread pattern, but the compound wont work in the cold.

I have an 04 that still has the summer OEM tires and I want to go to Blizzak snow tires for use in the Denver Area. What about the tire senors? Will they stay on when I have new snows mounted to 18 '' wheels? I th ought about contacting Firestone to see what they cost. If I use tirerack then what about the cost of shipping the tires?

Thanks

If I read you correctly, you're going to go with dedicated winter rims/tires - good choice. But again, you'd be better off with 17" rims to afford greater road clearance. I know that sounds backwards, but you'll be going with taller tires (aspect ratio) on the smaller rims. 17" steel rims are also less expensive and just right for winter sand/salt/snow.

If you don't get TPMS sensors mounted on your winter rims than Yes the 'alert' will always be displayed. I wouldn't bother with the sensors for winter. Just, continue to, be vigilant about checking your tire pressure.

Tirerack has very reasonable shipping costs and you'll see what they are before you place your order. Consider one of their winter bundles.

Well Huey, I was trying the cheaper route and staying with the OEM wheels which are 18" I might just go All Season but I'll check out the bundles from Tirerack and compare the available options. Its easier to just transfer wheels with tires already on them but then you are stuck with 4 wheels in the garage or some other place no matter what season it is. There's some pros and cons to consider but I understand the 17" wheels and a clearance are worth consideration as well.

Thanks

Heck, these days, the roads are plowed clean the very next day. All-seasons, on your existing rims, are the most cost effective way to go. Goodyear Eagles, Blizzaks, or Michelin Pilot Sports are excellent. See the ratings on Tirerack.

Tayninh, if your old tires are ready for replacement, then getting all seasons makes sense. If you plan on switching between summer and winter tires, get another set of rims. Four mounted tires take no more storage space than four unmounted tires, and are much less hassle to swap twice a year. You get atomatic rotation, too. ;)

For snows, definitely look at the 17 inch packages. Narrower tires are better on snow. Also, the price difference between 17 and 18 inch tires covers a *lot* of the cost of a set of low-end wheels. First couple of times of not paying for remounting and rebalancing will cover the rest.

Ken

Hi Ken: My OEM tires has 12K on them. That's 50% reduction right? I guess I am going to try Firestone's Potenza's Pole Pos. Consumers rates them pretty good for an All Season tire. I just hate putting out $1,000 for the whole deal

2008 Winter tire availability
 

I just wanted to post some information up here to give everyone a heads up if they want winter tires. Due to some recent laws changing in Canada and the price of oil (rubber is a petroleum product) all of the tire manufacturers have lowered their avaible US quatities of snow tires about 20% across the board. This summer Canada has passed a law requiring all cars to have dedicated snow tire for winter driving. Due to this all of the tire manufacturers are sending large amounts of theire stock into the Canadian market and shorting the US distributors like Tire Rack. Any one who has ordered snow tires before know they tend to sell out around the end of November and early December. We already have several thousand snow tire orders on back order waiting for the product to come in and they will be filled first. As always orders are filled on a first come first serve basis. Once snow tires are sold out they are gone until next season.

Just to give you an idea on product available this winter i have compiled some information below for you all.

Recommended snow tire package for manual transmission models:

225/50R17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 -- 142.00 ea
17X7.5 Sport Edition A7 -- 115.00 ea
TPMS SENSOR -- 66.00 ea

Recommended snow tire package for automatic transmission base models:

225/55R16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 -- 114.00 ea
16X7.5 Sport Edition A7 -- 99.00 ea
TPMS SENSOR -- 66.00 ea

The Sport Edition A7 Rim was chosen specifically due to the lowest price. We have other rims available however the price would go up depending on the model of rim. I have listed other options below for your reference also.

215/55R17 Dunlop GRASPIC DS-2 -- 103.00 ea
215/55R17 Dunlop WINTER SPORT M3 -- 135.00 ea
215/55R17 Michelin X-ICE2 -- 131.00 ea

225/50VR17 Bridgestone BLIZZAK LM22 -- 157.00 ea
225/50R17 Bridgestone BLIZZAK WS-60 -- 142.00 ea
225/50R17 Continental Winter Contact TS810 -- 139.00 ea
225/50R17 Dunlop Winter Sport 3D -- 141.00 ea
225/50R17 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 -- 175.00 ea

225/45R18 Bridgestone Blizzack LM25 -- 195.00 ea
225/45VR18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3 -- 181.00 ea
225/45R18 Michelin X-ICE2 -- 160.00 ea
225/45VR18 Pirelli W240 Snow Sport -- 199.00 ea

Just to make sure everyone is aware i am not longer directly moderating this forum anymore. If you have any questions or would like to place an order please email or call me directly. Since i am not on this from regularly anymore i will not be able to answer question quickly if they are posted in the forum. I try and look at my PM's at least once a week but since i am paid by commission i have to focus on the direct calls and email.

If you would like to place an order please call me directly at 800-428-8355 X269. if you get my voice mail just leave a message and i will call you back right away. If you would like to email me i can be reached at Connor@TireRack.com .

Just ordered a set of 215/55/17 Blizzak WS-60's and some 17 inch rims to go with them from Tirerack.com. This will be my 1st winter with my 8 and it doesn't have dsc or tcs (Sport Package) so im curious to see how it will handle the snow this year.