Special at Tire Rack for the 8's OE tires
The original (original) tires for the 8 (Bridgestone Potenza RE040) which normally go for around $230 or so are on sale right now at Tire Rack for $125 each.
A lot of you always hated the OE tire for the noise and tread life, but I think 500 bucks + shipping is a somewhat decent compromise for them since they always did handle fairly well. EDIT: Brought thread back to life from last year (2009)....special is over, and the tire is back at regular price...ouch |
Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
(Post 3025573)
The original (original) tires for the 8 (Bridgestone Potenza RE040) which normally go for around $230 or so are on sale right now at Tire Rack for $125 each.
A lot of you always hated the OE tire for the noise and tread life, but I think 500 bucks + shipping is a somewhat decent compromise for them since they always did handle fairly well. |
The RE760s seem fairly priced, but with such a high treadwear rating (340), I can't imagine what kind of sacrifice is made when you're trying to do some high speed cornering. Also the General Exclaims you suggested are rated even higher at 380!
Even though the RE040s are noisy as hell and only last about 25k miles (if you're lucky), I still think they're a steal for under 600 bucks considering their handling ability. |
TireRack's own testing and customer online survey results for the RE760 speak for themselves :Peace: .
One man's trash is another man's treasure :) . |
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3025820)
TireRack's own testing and customer online survey results for the RE760 speak for themselves :Peace: .
One man's trash is another man's treasure :) . |
Originally Posted by robrecht
(Post 3025894)
Those tire tests do NOT compare anything to the RE40s and the surveys are of very limited comparative value.
Here's an opinion from an RX-8 owner who has had both from TireRack: "These tires are far better than the OEM re-040. They grip excellent and are quiet and smooth. they say not to drive in near 0 temps because they don't grip as well, but that's not true, I've driven at -9 Celsius. However I would not recommend driving in snow or on ice because they are a summer tire only. I will give and update when there are more miles on these tires". |
One clueless owner's opinion matters not, Cited. Dry grip-wise, the all season 760s are not in the same league as the 040s. A long time ago one or two drivers here expressed their negative opinions about the stock tires and then all the other sheep follow. Contrary to what they say, Kumhp SPTs, Eagle F1 all seasons, and whatever other mediocre rubber they mention do not come close to - let alone exceed - the handling from the stock tread.
Try them yourself - fresh rubber vs fresh. Not worn-to-the-belts OEMs against insert tire of the month here. |
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3027547)
They don't compare based on what?
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3027547)
You've driven with RE040s and RE760s?
|
Originally Posted by RX26b
(Post 3027790)
One clueless owner's opinion matters not, Cited.
Originally Posted by RX26b
(Post 3027790)
Dry grip-wise, the all season 760s are not in the same league as the 040s.
Originally Posted by RX26b
(Post 3027790)
Try them yourself - fresh rubber vs fresh. Not worn-to-the-belts OEMs against insert tire of the month here.
Originally Posted by robrecht
(Post 3025894)
Those tire tests do NOT compare anything to the RE40s and the surveys are of very limited comparative value.
Originally Posted by robrecht
(Post 3028005)
Based on anything--the RE40s weren't even in the comparison tests you cited.
The RE760s have 340 treadwear rating so they must not be any good :Wconfused, never mind the results of TireRack's own testing compared to other tires within the same category? Hey Bridgestone, re-mark these tires with 180 treadwear and you'll have a few more customers :rofl: |
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029434)
I have a new set of RE760s on my car now which replaced my RE040s. I have not noticed any difference in performance.
I wish you'd put some substance behind that hot air aside from this lame statement: I never said they compared RE040s to RE760s, did I? The RE760s have 340 treadwear rating so they must not be any good :Wconfused, never mind the results of TireRack's own testing compared to other tires within the same category? Hey Bridgestone, re-mark these tires with 180 treadwear and you'll have a few more customers :rofl: |
I never understood the 040 bashing. Not the best tire in the world, but far from the worst. They were a little twitchy in the rain, but other than that I think Mazda did pretty good by choosing the 040.
FWIW, I've had the 040s, Toyo T1-Rs, Dunlop Star Specs, and now Toyo R1-Rs. I'd say the 040s were right in there with the T1-Rs. A good tire fore sure, and at $125 a fantastic deal. On the other hand, the Kumho XS can be had for $167... |
Originally Posted by GeorgeH
(Post 3029483)
I never understood the 040 bashing. ....
Originally Posted by GeorgeH
(Post 3029483)
On the other hand, the Kumho XS can be had for $167...
|
Originally Posted by GeorgeH
(Post 3029483)
I never understood the 040 bashing. Not the best tire in the world, but far from the worst. They were a little twitchy in the rain, but other than that I think Mazda did pretty good by choosing the 040.
FWIW, I've had the 040s, Toyo T1-Rs, Dunlop Star Specs, and now Toyo R1-Rs. I'd say the 040s were right in there with the T1-Rs. A good tire fore sure, and at $125 a fantastic deal. On the other hand, the Kumho XS can be had for $167... |
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029503)
Now those are in a whole other category of Extreme Performance. More performance than I choose to afford right now or need. :). Have you heard good things about them?
However, this was on a Miata and not an RX-8. And, the Miata had a STS suspension, which means coilovers, stiffer sways, etc. And, the Star Specs had a taller sidewall than the rest. So, how meaningful the test is for and RX-8 driver remains to be seen. Suffice to say they are all very grippy and very fast. |
Originally Posted by robrecht
(Post 3029479)
..... If I was in the market for a 340 tire, I'd probably buy them, but I want higher performance, and I can tell the difference.
Um, I think you just answered all my questions above in your previous post while I was typing .... :). |
Originally Posted by robrecht
(Post 3029515)
George, how would you compare your T1Rs with your Star Specs? I've had the T1Rs on my Miata but am now thinking about the Star Specs for my 8. I'm hoping they'll be every bit as good as the RE40s in the dry if not considerably better and much better in the wet. I was considering the EXs but have heard they aren't as good in the wet, especially as it gets a little cool. Tire Rack's tests should be out invthe next weekk or so.
The Star Specs are a significant step up from the T1-Rs, performance-wise. The Dunlops are super sticky. There is a reason they are one of the favored tires for street-tire class autocrossing. You'll never find the T1-Rs in that same league. On the other hand, I liked the T1-Rs better than the Star Specs from a subjective standpoint. The T1-Rs have great turn-in and feel alive. The Star Specs have a slightly wooden feel to them. Nothing terrible, but I missed the T1-Rs, subjectively speaking, when I went with the Star Specs, at least for street driving. It just depends on how you get your jollies. I should say that both the Toyos and Dunlops were 245/40-18s, on 18x8.5 wheels. The Toyos in this size are marked as having a reinforced sidewall, so I'm not sure how other sizes would handle. I also found that I didn't like the Toyos on the OEM 8" wide rims - they really needed the 8.5" rim to come into their own. I guess I'm picky on the street, subjectively speaking. [edit] And yes, early reports from the autocross crowd is saying that the XS is not the best rain tire out of the bunch. One of the reasons I went with R1-Rs for this season. |
Originally Posted by GeorgeH
(Post 3029483)
I never understood the 040 bashing. Not the best tire in the world, but far from the worst. They were a little twitchy in the rain, but other than that I think Mazda did pretty good by choosing the 040.
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029503)
Me either. I enjoyed them while the lasted. I probably got 25k+ out of them (I have snow tires too).
|
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029503)
More performance than I choose to afford right now or need. :). Have you heard good things about them?
|
Originally Posted by alnielsen
(Post 3029534)
...... Those tires just don't like the cold, wet or snow. I only got 10K on the tires because after the spin, I got rid of those tires. I wouldn't have them on my car any more.
What tires do you have on your 8 and how do you like them? My car handles great with Dunlop Winter Sport M3s. |
Originally Posted by robrecht
(Post 3029515)
...but am now thinking about the Star Specs for my 8....
|
Originally Posted by alnielsen
(Post 3029534)
They were OK for OEM tires. They were good on the track. But, I only got 10K miles out of mine. And, I spun the car on a wet interstate @ 70 mph when the temperature was about 30 F. Those tires just don't like the cold, wet or snow. I only got 10K on the tires because after the spin, I got rid of those tires. I wouldn't have them on my car any more.
But anyway, if that is a common thing for you, then there are other tires out there that are a better choice. I drove my 040s until they wore out and never had a problem with unexpected spins. Although I never drove the car much in below freezing temps. |
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029524)
:Peace: Cool! So you'd buy RE040s again over any other tires at the same price point if you need tires today? What would you get if the RE040s were not on sale?
Um, I think you just answered all my questions above in your previous post while I was typing .... :). |
I was switching between Falken Azenis in the summer and Pirelli PZero Nero M&S in the winter (on the stock wheels). I gave up and just started running the Pirelli's after the Falkens wore out. The Pirelli's are now worn out and I chose Continental ExtremeContact (all season) for the car. They are great in the snow. Better than the Pirelli's. Not as grippy in the dry. The Goodyear F1 All Seasons may be next.
When I start tracking again, I will have a set of dedicated wheels for that. |
Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029550)
I initially ordered Star Specs, but then decided against them in favor of the more economical higher treadwear lesser performing RE760s since my 8's my daily driver.
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Originally Posted by rx8cited
(Post 3029550)
I initially ordered Star Specs, but then decided against them in favor of the more economical higher treadwear lesser performing RE760s since my 8's my daily driver.
Haven't taken that plunge yet, however. |
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