I have around 5K on my 8 so far, but was getting my oil changed at a place that does tires also and asked him what the replacement cost would be for these tires. He said around $180 apiece, but he also stated that 18" tires don't get much longevity. He said he had a friend push a set to 20K, but that was about all you could expect. Is this for real? Anyone have any experience with larger tires like these?

 

20k is pushing it? Oh man and I was grumpy replacing tires at 30k on the Miata

 

I hope to get 15 K on the stock tires. I'm still deciding on what to replace with.

 

I've heard many people say the potenza's that came stock won't go past 15k...especially if you drive the car like you should. Red_rx8...what tires are you considering?

 

I managed to squeeze 12K out of my stocks. I should mention that I was quite hard on them. Replaced them with S-03 Pole Positions 225/45/18.

Price was about $900 installed.

Definitely going to ease up a bit this time around.

 

My expectations is to eke out 15K sometime this summer/fall and then consider a set of the UH all seasons - like P-Zero Neros... They are a trade off but my aim is to be able to get home if stuck in rough winter weather not to be able to get through snowbanks...I am also not going to AutoX the 8 for a few years if ever.

 

Tire size of 18" has nothing to do with the longevity, which is more a function of the tread compound. The stock Potenzas are a soft tire, so if you get 15K out of them you're doing good.

 

Omicron has it right. All thinks equal, a larger diameter tire would get better longevity than a small diameter.

The 8's overall tire diameter is not unusually large, though. the wheel diameter is large, but the tire profile small. High performance configuration.

Tires marketed for this configuration are mostly all high performance, low treadwear tires. Tread compound is the factor connected to low treadwear.

I have been interested in finding a tire with performance equal to or exceeding the OEM tires but with better treadwear. I think it was Omicron who posted info on his Pirellis that seem to fill that specification. No more Potenzas for me.

 

Have you checked into the pricing of Pirellis yet and if so would you mind sharing your finding?

 

Yup, that was me. Treadwear on the Pirellis is 400, as opposed to (I think) 160 for the Potenzas. And they are definitely better than the Potenzas on dry roads, not to mention quieter. Still not sure how they'll do on slick/snow/ice, as it still has yet to snow here since I got 'em. Durn georgeous weather - don't the weather gods know we have an experiment to run here?! But hell, anything would be better than those Potenzas on the slick stuff - even skis. :D

 

Been discussed extensively here. But when I bought them, they cost about $150 each. Heckuva bargain.

 

I'm gonna read that thread. I appreciate the tip on how to read up on that here.

 

Aaaaaack embarassing. :p

 

I'm think about these Kumho tires. There 300 AA A and only $139 for 245/40YR18.

 

"Omitron?" LOL!!! :D

No problem.

 

Yeah, I considered those... but for $20 more, you can get the Pirellis. Be sure to read the customer reviews on the Tirerack.com, they're very helpful.

 

I think I'll go with Pirellis too.

 

i'm at under 10K and i need to replace them already...

 

Sheeeit man. This makes me re-think these fun little weekend drives. $1k for new tires every 9 months wasn't part of my original budget plan

 

So...the 400 means they would last over twice as long as the Potenzas (if the Potenzas are indeed 160)? I'm looking for better performance + good tread life. Snow performance means nothing to me, being in Houston, although it does rain plenty.

I just passed the 10k mark and hadn't put the slightest thought into new tires. Then last night my rear passenger wheel caught a curb as I was pulling out of a parking lot. Now there's a very big ugly chunk missing from the tire, it looks like a pit bull took a nice bite out of the sidewall, plus the lip of the rim is scratched a little.

But then again, it sounds like 10k miles is 2/3 or more of the tires' life anyhow...plus I was looking for an excuse to go ahead and strip/polish the wheels. I guess I'll do that and get new tires in the same weekend. Pics and guide to follow if all turns out well, I guess.

 

Yep, 400 would mean more than double the life than the 160 rating. And the Potenzas are a decent tire, but these Pirelli's are better in every way. :D