Winter Wheel & Tire pics (installed)
 

The argument could be made that this post belongs in the multimedia/photo gallery section; however, I think it will be more helpful to people here. Basically, I'd like for people to post pictures of their cars with the installed wheels & winter tires. I know many of you have posted these pics in other threads, but I thought that having a single thread with a library of suitable winter wheel/tire packages would be invaluable to other owners who are considering the purchase of a new set of wheels/tires for the winter. Searching through dozens of threads can be rather exhausting.

I'll start this thread by posting the pics that I have acquired so far through limited searching. I had been naming the image files with only the basic information, so I'm sorry if I don't specify the owners of these vehicles or detailed information about the setups. I still haven't decided which package to purchase, so any additions to this library would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

ADR GT-Sports (17) with 215-55-17.jpg

ASA_LW5 (17, blue caps) with Dunlop M3

ASA_LW5 (17, silver caps) with Donlop M3

ASA_LW5 (17, silver caps) with Pirelli Winter Sport

Core Rcing (7x17) with Nokian Hakka WR 225-45-17 H

FRD 6 (17) & Toyo Garits

Konig Holes (17) Toyo Garit HT 215-55-17

RS Limited Elite gunmetal (18)

I don't believe he has winter tires on here, but somebody probably could if he/she desired.

18x8 Mille Miglia Evo5 Bright Silver (18) with Dunlop M3 235-45HR

I'm glad I live where I don't have to worry about that.

Not much to see on mine, but here's my 8 with Dunlop WinterSport M2's (225/40/18's) mounted to my stock 18"s. Eventually these will become my winter wheels, and I'll get some nice light 18"s for my summer tires.

Kazera KZ-V
 

My winter wheels are a set of 17" Kazera KZ-V rims with Pirelli Winter Snowsport tires.

Exel Seven (7x17 gunmetal) with Blizzak LM22 (225-50-17)

That looks familiar! ;)

Nice work, RX8_Buckeye. I think we'll sticky this thread before winter comes again! (someone remind me in August!)

Regards,
Gordon

Thanks Gord, and to those who have added pics to the thread. I know it's a bit early to be thinking about next winter, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared! :D

With the shortages in 18" winter tires in the middle of the season last year (and probably 17"s as well), it's very wise to be thinking about it now, rather than after you slide into a snow drift. I had ordered my snowshoes weeks before I took delivery of my RX8 since I've had prior experience with the Potenzas in the snow.

Does anyone know when the leading retailers i.e. tirerack market their winter packages? When I check the sites now, I don't see much and when I called a couple of places, they had nothing in stock.

Looks like you can get a package here .

Sumitomo HTR+ in 245/40WR18 Ultra High Perormance All Season Radials mounted on my stock wheels!

http://images3.fotki.com/v25/photos/...MG_2985-vi.jpg

http://images3.fotki.com/v25/photos/...MG_2982-vi.jpg

Nice thread... wish I had access to it last fall.

Be careful when ordering the ASA LW5 rims. They come with blue center caps as the default from Tire Rack. The silver caps are available, just ask. See this thread.

Snow and ice are just around the corner for those of us who live up north. I thought I'd bump this thread to help out those looking for a new set of wheels and tires for the winter. TireRack just got most of its winter tire stock within the past couple of weeks, so you should have a large selection if you buy soon. Don't wait too long or you could be out of luck, as some people discovered last winter.

I purchased a set of Sport Edition Fox 5 wheels (pic of wheel below), and Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 winter tires (size 225-50-17). Sorry Gordon, I didn't follow your recommendations about the WS-50. Actually, I was prepared to buy a set of Dunlop M3s when I called TireRack, but the salesperson was adamant that the WS-50s were significantly better in snow and ice than any "performance" winter tire, including the LM-22, M3, Wintersport, etc. according to tests that TireRack conducts. He admitted that the WS-50s would compromise handling on dry roads, but my main concern is being able to get to work in the worst of conditions. After reading dozens of reviews regarding the WS-50 on TireRack's website, I feel confident that the WS-50s will work okay for me. An added benefit of the WS-50s is that they're significantly cheaper than the LM-22s or M3s. The total cost of 4 wheels, 4 tires, a set of locking lugnuts, and shipping came to $1157.

I'll post pics after I install the new wheels and tires, but I suspect it won't be until late November or December.

Wow...thanks a lot for the thread! Keep the pics coming folks. I'm going to have to order some winter tires / wheels pretty soon.

What size winter tires?
 

Okay, I've tried going thru all the tire threads to decide what is best for upcoming winter in south-central Indiana. From what I gather, most of you opt for 17" tires, which, if I understand correctly, means I need to buy new wheels to replace my stock 18" wheels. I also, see where many of you recommend and/or buy from TireRack, but when I follow their links using my vehicle info (RX-8, Auto, with Grand Touring Package), it allows me to select 17" tires, but then tells me:

You selected: 17" Winter Tires for 2004 Mazda RX8 Automatic Touring Package . (There are no wheels available for your vehicle.)

Huh? Where is everyone getting 17" wheels for their RX-8's? Is TireRack simply out of stock right now? Are there other sources I should consider? Please help me understand! I want to get my winter tires/wheels before everyone else is racing to get them.

Thanks!
Kern (have had my '8 for 3 weeks and enjoying every minute behind the wheel!)

Kern:
I have the same car and did the same dance in November '03. Call Jim at Tire Rack in South Bend. Tell him what you need... he'll hook you up. Also, be sure to look at this thread with regard to Tire Rack's customer support.

Thanks! I'll give him a call, tho' it may not be until tomorrow. Just thought it odd that the website came up empty!

Kern

Oh, and I forgot to ask my obvious question: What size tires did you end up getting for snow tires? From reading threads and talking to tire stores, sounds like I should be aiming for 225/50-17's.

Kern

I think it has to do with the "Auto transmission" selection. As far as I can tell, there are no differences at all between a manual and automatic RX-8 when it comes to wheels, but the web site seems to think there is a problem if you have an automatic. You might get a different result if you select the "manual transmission" option, then just ask Jim about the selection you want just to be safe. I believe Tire Rack guarantees that the wheels will fit if you go through their salespeople... that was a big reason I went with them.

Yep: 225/50HR-17 Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport, $1492 from Tire Rack, including cost to drop ship the wheels to a local installer who installed them for $12. If you go with an installer, be sure to ask that they hand tighten the lugs using a torque wrench or have a "torque stick" on the airgun. The impact wrench used on my car destroyed the wrench socket, and I had to purchase a new one. Another thread to read: this one.

You should be aiming for 215/55-17, and settling for 225/50-17 if you can't get 215s. For winter use, narrower is better (Tire Rack has an article about exactly this in their tech section). There are several choices available in 215/55-17.

Regards,
Gordon

Are you sure about the size? I see 245/40/18, 245/45/18 and 235/50/18...but not the one you have. Where did you get them? I like them, but don't see that size...at least at the TireRack anyways.

I was just copying and pasting configurations that other people used. Follow the link below to see where this one came from. I believe these were a one-time "special" that TireRack was offering... probably because of the unusual size.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...+Bright+Silver

Panther emt428 wheels, pilot alpine pa2 winters.

WOW!!! That was an awsome deal!!!! I wish they'd bring them back this year...those were cheaper than 17" snow tires.

My winter wheels are a set of 17" Kazera KZ-R rims with Pirelli Winter Snowsport tires.

WinterSnowSport 240s on 18" Kazera KZ-A's

Gordon, is this stickied yet?

Looks nice! I wanted to go with the KZ-A's, but unfortunately they don't come in the 17" size. :(

just got these on this weekend- Dunlop wintersport M3s on Motegi FF7's (17x7). had to get creative though.. the Motegis didn't fit over the front calipers at first.

Anyone get the Eagle GW3s V rated yet? I orded a set and just wanted to see if they have performed as well as the Dunlop M3s.

Here are my wintertires, they are Dunlop Winter Sport M3 on 17" wheels from my local mazda dealer (I have no idea which brand it is)

Here are mine

Core Racing 17" rims (I'm not sure which ones exactly)
Hankook W300 Icebears 225/55-17

17x7 Momo with 225/50x17 Hankook W300s. Rides really quiet and handles the cold wet stuff pretty good. No snow yet to test them in. $840 at Beggs. Notice the dog nagging me about the rock chips! :p

Kazera KZ-T with 225 X 17 Dunlop M3

I finally installed these: Blizzak WS-50s (225-50-17) on Sport Edition Fox 5 wheels.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...er_wheels1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...er_wheels2.jpg

A question for everyone with an 18 inch setup who went to 17 inch fro the winter. Didn't you also have to change your brakes? I went to Tire Discounters (who first tried to sell me Blizzacks for $300 per tire...jerks) and they said that if I downgraded to 17 inch wheel I would also need different brakes because the larger brakes that come standard on the manual transmission will not work with a 17 inch wheel.

I ended up getting Pirelli Snow Sports. 225/45/18

No, but you can't move to ANY 17 inch wheel; this is where TireRack is most helpful. They've preselected 17 inch wheel packages that will clear the 8's brakes. I just changed out to my winter tires this last week and had no problems.

Kern

Thanks...I'll be sure to remember that next time

Put them on Sat, Why when it's going to be 60 (in December!) Tomorrow I don't know. The look with a taller sidewall is beginning to grow on me.

225/50QR17 Dunlop Graspic DS-2
ASA JS1 Rims 17 X 7
NO TPMS
All for Under $1,000 from Tire Rack

Funny, I put mine on Saturday and am starting to feel the same way.