Hey folks,
I need new tires, so I've started looking. I've searched this forum a bit, plus I have done some other online browsing. I'm going to go with a bigger tire on the stock rims, probably a 245, though I'm wondering if anyone is having any luck with a 255. Also, I'm a California driver, so these will be max performance.

Here's what I've come up with so far:
Tire................................Size.......... .....Price.......Where?...............Shipped..... .Installed
Bridgestone S-03..........245-40-18..........$183.......TireRack.............$814
Bridgestone S-03..........255-40-18..........$195.......TireRack
Falken Azenis RT-615....245-40-18..........$177.......America's Tire.....$708..........$828
Falken Azenis RT-615....255-40-18..........$181.......America's Tire
Falken Azenis RT-615....245-40-18..........$156.......Edge Racing........$700
Falken Azenis RT-615....255-40-18..........$155.......Edge Racing
Falken Azenis RT-615....245-40-18..........$150.......Vulcan Tire..........$648


Any tips? Recommendations? Other tire at a similar price?

Thanks,
~ Matt

 

I'm looking at the BF Goodrich KDW-2. I am sticking with stock size and its $179 per tire installed with warranties at Costco. You can check prices at Costco.com.

 

I don't have experience with the S03, and I've heard that they're very good. I do have the Falken Azenis 615s and they're incredible! Even grippier than my Kumho MXs. I would assume that the Azenis have newer/better technology than the S03s. If you can get them cheaper than the Bridgestones, I'd say go for them.

 

Since he lives in California weather, I would recomend the KDs instead of the KDWs. There are some negative threads on this board about the KDWs. I know Jon had them on his RX8 and hated them.

 

Thanks for the advice. Right now I'm leaning towards the Falken's in the 245-40-18 size. I figure any bigger and you're just adding weight.

 

If you're sticking with the stock wheels or any 8" wheel, then the 245 is the maximum width you should run. You will not be dissapointed with the performance and looks of the 245 RT615s.

 

i have the 245/40/18 RT-615's on my 8, awesome tires, made even better with the great price!

 

The S03s should be on clearance; I thought that's why they brought out the RE050 A PP...to replace the S03 PP. The original RE050 should be on closeout too. Damn, all these model numbers sure get confusing.

If it was me I'd choose top of the line Bridgestones or Pilot Sport 2 or Cup. Forget all that Kumho and Falken stuff, they're nothing but second tier crap. Proponents of those shoddy brands are totally uninformed (to put it mildly).

 

That is the clearance price at Tire Rack. What's interesting is that the OEM size (225-45-18) aren't on clearance and are $231 each.


If money was no object, I'd be driving a Ferrari F430...as it is I drive a Mazda because both performance and price per performance are important to me. I haven't actually seen one bad thing written about the Falken's. I think Grassroots even put them at the top of a comparo. However, I'm open minded, so if there's other info out there, I'd like to check it out. $700 to $1000 for tires isn't a trivial purchase!

~ Matt

 

What about the Hankook Ventus RS2 Z212?

 

 

You are pretty harsh on Kumho and Falken tires. Have you had any of the tires we have discussed? Oh wait, they're second tier crap.

You're full of ****, you're the one that is totally uniformed. Again I ask have you had any experience with the RT 615. By the way I have driven both the s03s and the PS2s.

So, please explain, why are they crap?

 

they don't come in 18's w/ the correct width for the 8

 

So. Cal. driver myself and I would recommend the Falken RT-615s in 245/40-18. I have them on stock rims and all I can say is WOW. Great tire. Doesn't get pulled by the groves in the road and very quiet.

EDIT: It is BS about Falken's being second rate. If you are a brand junky go for the PS2s if you want performance go with the Falkens. I have tried the PS2s and they are not as good as the 615s and they typically have a Hollywood price.

 

We are going to try Toyo's.

 

what on earth, do you have stock in bridgestone or michelin???

or are you just a complete moron...

 

oh yeah, & to answer the original poster's question, the Kumho MX is a great deal @ tire rack at the moment. i'm waiting on a set myself for the M...

 

Cheerleaders for Kumho and other korean garbage can rest easy mounting their choice of rubber on their Williams-Hyundai or McLaren-Kia F1 cars, knowing they have the best of the best. Those, are indeed, the true morons.

 

...the irony...

 

I'm getting the RT-615s tomorrow.

 

I ordered them today

 

How are the RT-615's is wet weather? I need a good tire for dry and wet.

Toyo T1R? I've heard good and bad. anyone with experience with them?

 

The Lie that I'm believing is some folk use the 615s as their 'wet-weather' tire, instead of the R1s they run in the dry. The Azenis on my Miata did fine in wet weather.

 

I just (finally) ordered the RT-615s from Vulcan Tire. I can't wait for them to arrive! The little bit of rain we've had here combined with my bald tires makes me a bit nervous!

~ Matt

 

I ran the 615's through 2 summer seasons with out having any problem in wet weather. That is until this past August when they were wore to 2/32nds of tread.