GR888T

I stopped by Discount tires yesterday and put down a deposit for Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires - 225-50-R18s. The service rep there said that I could mount the winter tires on the stock wheels before winter starts and replace them with the summer tires (that came with the car) after winter and that repeatedly switching tires would neither damage the tires nor the wheels.

My initial plan was to get 4 new wheels and have winter tires mounted on them. It was going to cost me $500 for the 4 wheels that I'd use just for 4 months.

I'm thinking about just buying the winter tires and slipping them on and off twice every year. What do you guys think?

midlife crisis

It's going to cost about $100 per switch and thats twice a year sooo not counting wear and tear on the tire beads themselves and your time, plus risking the TPMS units I'd go with the new wheels. Two and a half year payback.
I bought an extra set of stock wheels and tires with TPMS for about $700 off of ebay. Tossing the old tires with about a millimeter to the wear bars in a couple weeks after mounting the snows.

GR888T

Actually discount tires charges $40 for lifetime switching of tires and wheel balancing. And they say that they'll replace the sensors if they damage it.

Paul_in_DC

I'm facing the same decision. At the moment I plan to put snows on the stock rims, then (maybe) buy lightweight wheels next spring for the summer tires.

Japan8

Exactly... put the winter tires on your stock rims. Save up during winter and buy some nice new rims in the spring for your summer tires.

rx8_250f

what size do you guys recommend for winter tires on the stock rims. i already have aftermarket rims and i want to put winter tires on my stocks.

GR888T

Go to tirerack.com. It says 225/45R!8 same as the Potenzas.

ShogunQ

"Actually discount tires charges $40 for lifetime switching of tires and wheel balancing. And they say that they'll replace the sensors if they damage it."

My local Discount Tire store has an "at your own risk" policy. If they break the TPMS sensors they will not replace them. I would make sure, if I were you, to speak with a manager about the $40 lifetime remounts and their liability for your TPMS sensors in the event that they destroy one. You may have gotten an overzealous sales person. I'm not slamming Discount Tire here either. I really like them and they did a decent job mounting my new tires but if I were you I would make sure to get those policies in writting before you count on them. Also, wear and tear on the wheels is inevitable. They will get scratched with the remounts every season. Good luck getting your tire shop to replace your wheels when they do damage them 'slightly' (small scratches and scuffs).






"Exactly... put the winter tires on your stock rims. Save up during winter and buy some nice new rims in the spring for your summer tires."

That is an excellent suggestion. Especially if you want to get sexier wheels for your 8 to mount in prime driving weather (summer). Winter is hard on your wheels anyway so you can let the OEM wheels take the abuse.

GR888T

I've decided to Get 18" ATS Competition wheels for the winter.They're $89.03 a piece. I called the dealership to find out how much each stock wheel would cost (so I could justify investing in winter wheels) and they quote me a ridiculous figure $659.00. In any case I'm sure the stock wheels are around $500 new and I don't want to risk damaging them in winter. I'm going to leave the summer tires on the stock wheel and use those only in summer.

It'll be an additional $360.00 expense for the winter wheels but I guess it's better than having to shell out $500 for a damaged stock wheel.

Dinhx8

This is my upcoming 2nd winter with the 8
last i switched at my Mazda dealer (charged 80 bucks out the door)
Pirelli Winter Sports 18 on stock rims. Since its a Mazda dealer they know all about TPMS and stuff so it was painless. Then i was back in April and got the OEMs back on-...worked pretty well for me...

figure 160 bucks a year.
Or cheap rims for about 400 and change and do it yourself...as mentioned earlier, this way is cheaper, but not after about 3 years of doing it.


I plan to upgrade my rims for summer in about a year, so my current plan works for me, but wherever you go, i'd recommend trying a Mazda dealer as to not stress about TPMS.

Red Devil

I'm doing the same as others have mentioned. Leave the stock wheels for the winter abuse and go with some nice aftermarket for the summer. It'll be more expensive to get the nice summer wheels, but I'd like to upgrade down the road to 255 or 265's at all four corners so for me it makes sense.

GR888T

I don't know why everyone insists on using the stock wheels for winter and buying new wheels for summer. The stock wheels are expensive as f^&%. I called up the dealership yesterday and they quoted me $679.00. Why would you want to run the rist of damaging such expensive wheels in winter?

GR888T

I went to discount tires yesterday and order 4 18" dunlop M3s on ATS Competition wheels. Cost me $1300 with Lifetime Wheel Balancing ($40 and they will switch the wheels twice every year after balancing them) and Full Road Hazard Protection ($88).

I'm relieved knowing that I will be able to safely drive the 8 in winter. I might have ended up paying more because of the wheels but I didn't want to take a chance. I was going to buy a new set of wheels next year anyway.

Dinhx8

cause we all buy even MORE expensive wheels for the summer - im saving up for BBS RSGTs, which are more than stock rims, but lighter and cooler looking. Hence the stock ones get the snow...

GR888T

Jeez...those RSGTs are $720 a pop....just too rich for my blood.

Dinhx8

believe me my blood isn't rich, hopefully i can get them if i keep saving and don't get sick of eating ramen noodles.

GR888T

When I was a student I'd add Taco Bell Fire sauce when making Ramen noodles. Tastes awesome.