I have read a ton of threads regarding tires to replace the Potenza stock POS that came with my car. Unfortunately there are so many different types of driving going on that it's confusing. If I'm going to spend a nice chuck of change on tires I'd like to know I got the best advise possible before buying. Can't try them on like shoes and walk around the store before buying unfortunately.

Here is my deal. I don't do the track although I drive REAL HARD on the road to the tune of 3 tickets in 12 months. I need something that's going to get better mileage than the 13,000 I'm looking at on my spedometer right now but also give me decent handling. Something less than 90 decibels in the cockpit would be a plus as well.

I have also gathered by reading that moving to 245/40-18s will open up my options with no drawbacks. Will they indeed work with the stock rims without any problems?

Any advice is appreciated. I'll most ikely be buying from Tirerack.

 

I just recieved my Kumho Ecsta SPT's (245/40/18) yesterday. I ordered them from Tirerack.com for $125 each. I spoke with several people who have these and they are all very very happy with them. Not to mention the price was right. No problem going with that size on the stock wheels.
Out of 46 tires rated in the Ultra High Performance class on Tirerack they ranked 9th. I think the stock RE040's ranked 45th.


just my .02

 

Tiggerlee

Those are definately at the top of my list at the moment. Good price and seem to be getting good reviews. Do you have pictures of them on your car? Do they look much different? Might be too early to find out mileage estimates on these.

 

Falken Azenis RT615

 

I do have pictures but not on the car. I'm having them installed Monday. I'll post some pics afterwards.

 

Got my Kumho Ecsta SPT's Wednesday. So far so good.

 

TIGGERLEE,

Tire Rack lists the Kumho ECSTA SPTs in the stock 225/45/18 size also. Why did you opt for the wider tire?

 

Yeah, I contemplated staying with the stock size but after seeing numerous photos posted here of that size, I just like the looks of the wider tire on the 8.

 

this might be a bit harsh, but... the stock tires are very good, but they wear fast and are loud.... the fact that you got 3 tickets in a year means you dont have a clue about driving.... you got a speeding ticket????

as to tires this is my rant. you cannot drive more than 8/10s on the street... so think before you buy...

i have been running the stock size spt for 10k miles and could not be more pleased....

and in the rain... stunning.

just my opinion, i could be wrong.

beers

 

I'm also looking at buying these tires...very interested in pics if you have time. Thanks.

If you go 245 vs. 225 do you get any rubbing on hard turns or heavy weight?

 

Pardon my being slow. I assume you mean that since you spend 80% of the time driving on the street, one needs to buy a tire that works well as a street tire.

Did I get it right?

 

Toyo T1R is tire tread life is an important criteria (also check out www.edgeracing.com for Toyo's & Falkens), but great overall tires. For maximum dry traction the RT-615's are a great choice. Depends on what type of weather you drive in/where you are.

 

could be wrong, but i think he was talking about 80% of the car's limit, as in you don't push your car on public roads like you can on a track. i could not agree more with this.

as for tires, i have 245/40 T1R's, & will be getting them again if/when they wear out. i will also be putting them on my m3 when the coopers (which i like) wear out as well. i love these toyos. quiet comfortable, excellent performance & durability, so far. hooooooray...

 

I will prolly order th e Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's tomo in the stock width. Can't complain for $95/tire.

 

you got it correct, thanks for making it clear.

beers

 

wow,
they went down in price again. so far i have just hit 13k miles on them... they were a great deal at $105.

beers

 

I have heard some folks say great things about the Pirelli Nero Zero M&S. "Omicron," I think, gave especially useful feedback. The tire is a bit more expensive, but some say, a superior tire. Then again, it is an "all season" tire, so it might give up something to an Ultra Summer tire in performance, and possibly gain something in tread life. Pirelli rates the tread life super high (400), but I have read many posts disputing this.
Good luck,
JT

 

You can get an idea of relative performance from the following two test reports:

Kuhmo ECSTA SPT
- http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...laim_uhp_c.jsp
- 225/45R17 on a 17x8.0" wheel

Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S
- http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...csta_asx_c.jsp
- 225/50R16 on a 16x7.5" wheel

They test out pretty close, which is interesting since the Pirelli is not an Ultra High Performance summer tire. As expected, the Kuhmo is better in all areas except "wet" and "comfort". Of course the two tests are run with different tire/wheel sizes, neither of which matches the RX-8, so this is only a "guide" of how they might preform on an RX-8.

FWIW (I'm is the same boat, trying to decide on my next set of tires since my Potenzas are almost gone).

 

I like Falken's.... tried the Kumhos, great handling but the ride was pretty harsh compared to the Falkens.

 

I posted pictures here today.

 

Miscreant:
Thanks for the nice heads-up. Actually, I had read both reviews and your assessment is right-on.

 

sooo many threads about tires and I'm still clueless as to what I'll buy when I need tires.

 

Wider tire puts more rubber on the road. The 245/40s are 3/4 inch wider, but match the stock circumference (and speedometer/odometer within about 1%) and fit the stock rims just fine. They also look better IMHO.

 

Yes a wider tire adds "stick". However, my understanding was that you lose some steering responsiveness when you upgrade to a wider tire without going to a wider wheel. Is that correct?

 

I am in the market for getting new shoes for by WB RX8 A/K/A "Blue Crush", and I have been looking at the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position and Dunlap Direzzas. I want a tire that is quiet, looks good and handles excellent. I HATE the stock Bridgestones, because of the loud noise...IMO they are terrible. Anyway has anyone considered the pole positions, or direzzas?