I will admit it, I am cheap.

I want to spend as little on tires as possible so i can spend more in other stuff... like a titanium shift ****, or MORE LEDS for the inside of the cabin.

Can you get a tan from enough BLUE LEDS? :P

Anywho, I need to replace two tires on my 8 and the local house of tires wants to charge me like 280.00 /tire.

I felt like I was getting hosed, so i walked. i would love a reality check from folks on what is average for this vehicle and what are some cheaper solutions others have used.

Thanks in advance.

 

You could get some Falken FK 452's for around $170.00 apiece. 245/40x18. I have these and love them.
Excellent tire. I would use the internet and do some searching.
Check this http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...r=45&tc=FALHZB

 

exclaim UHP tires were around $120 a tire for 19" from what I recall (tirerack.com), they perform pretty well for the street. Felt a bit stiffer (less sticky) than the F1 goodyears I had on prior, but for the cost savings, and the fact that they'll last a lot longer, I didn't mind.

I'm using some Kumo's now, they're also pretty cheap, and work nicely.

 

Look at Toyo's proxes4 or t1-r. You can find them for 130-150 ea.

https://www.tiresavings.com/tireShop...season=Regular

I like my t1-r better than the stock dunlop sport 8090 and they're half the cost.

 

Careful with the blue leds, ModestoGuy!

I put a couple of three-watt blues in the map light console - they need a huge resistor each, plus a fairsized heatsink on the back - melted the plastic cover!

S

 

Stealth,

Thanks! I stuck with normal colored lights in the map lights and the ceiling and went with LEDS in the Footwells and any OPEN areas I wanted to light, but I appreciate the heads up.

 

Have you priced them through Costco?

 

I've been looking for cheapo tires too because I burn thru them so quick. I found a couple on Ebay that's pretty damn cheap, about 52 bucks each Nankang for 209 w/90 bucks for shipping and these Wanli for the same price. Don't know how safe they are but I know they are damn cheap.

 

What are the stock tires? I have only had my 8 for a few weeks and the previous owner replaced 2 of the 4 tires... prolly knew he was going to sell it

 

Kumho Ecsta MX's 160 through tire rack.

 

Dude dont be cheep on tires. I have Kumho Tires and I still slide in the back when its a li'll wet out. But if you need a good deal with or with out warrenty hit up discounttire.com they dont work off commision like the stors do and will work with you on the price.

 

I would add, however, that tires are one of the great bang for the buck mods you can make from stock/OEM. Also, there is safety to consider. A poster below your op mentioned Kumho Ecsta MX. I have never tried them, but I did replace the OEM with the Ecsta SPT ($80-90 each), and it was a huge improvement. Very soft, sticky tires that sometimes would not even squeal in corners where the Bridgestones broke loose. One driver's experience.

I have recently also heard good things about the Dunlop Sport Maxx, though it is more expensive. Good luck.

 

How do you guys feel about Yokohama YK520's? they run about 150 each... I've ran yoko's on my firebird for as long as I've had it and theyve been great, but my 8 handles a bit different...

 

Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position
(Max Performance Summer)
Overview | Specs | Warranty | Reviews | Test Results | Survey Results
Sidewall Style: Blackwall

Size: 225/45ZR18
Serv. Desc: 91Y
UTQG: 220 AA A Orig. Price: $234.00 (each)
$129.00 Closeout
Estimated Availability: In Stock
Qty:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8



Tire Rack

 

Saw that on TireRack- seems to be a hot deal.

 

Anyone try the Yokohama all season tires? They have a 500 treadwear number

 

I am also looking for new tires, I replaced my OEM ones with the KUMHO Ecsta SPT's and they only lasted about a year. The MAzda service guys told me I had to replace all 4. I figured it was impossible, but looking at the tread, it's worn down a lot. I am thinking of staying away from the SPT's. Hope that helps.

 

To the OP's question $280 per tire is a ridiculous amount! You should be able to find high quality tires for ~180-150 per tire and $10/$20 to mount and balance them. Check out tire rack or some other dedicated tire shops.

I personally have BF Goodrich KDW's. They're a great street tire and excellent rain performance and not that expensive. I think I paid $150 each. My dealer actually bought the tires through tire rack at the T.R. price for me and charged me just their mount/balance/alignment.

Definitely get a second opinion.

 

I was in the same situation about 25k miles ago. I bought Kumho Ecsta SPTs, 225-40-18 from Tire Rack. They were, like, $80-85 each and the grip, cornering, turn-in response, etc., was far superior to the OEM Bridgestones. They have only recently reached the "no choice left; must be replaced" condition. At the price, I don't see how you could go wrong.

Warning: I don't post often, so if you see this and post a follow-up reply Q, I may not get to it for some time. I think you already have many good responses, however.

 

kuhmos in general probably the best tire per $ on the market

 

I used to be a manager for Discount Tire Co. Kumho's ARE the best bang for your buck. I myself run the BFG KDW 2's all around on my 8. It is one of the best rain/dry pavement tire on the market right now. Price wise they are not to bad, I think they are selling in the $160-$170 range these days and you are still getting a very good name brand tire as well.

Believe me when it comes to tires you really do get what you pay for in most cases. If you go dirt cheap you will regret it. Dont get me wrong you probably dont need those $350+ Michelin Pilots, but you dont WANT those $70 Nankangs or Wanli's either.

 

One thing to remember, if anyone reading is a relative newbie, is that high-performance tires generally should not be expected to give the 40-60k of passenger-car tires. The same things that make them sticky and let them grip ferociously doom them to shorter lifespans (not to mention the way we drive them).

 

ive got maybe 10K on my kumho MX and they are getting down there. some autocross and a little drifting wears them down fast. they have stayed pretty sticky towards the end of their life (performance tires typically start out great and then get hard and slippery with time- thats why so many people will say new tires are better than the OEM tires- they arent often better than *new* OEM tires but even cheap tires will be better than 20K mile 040's because the rubber gets hard)

MX isnt a good rain tire- the KDW 2's are incredible rain tire.

i might get a set of MX again, not sure but looking around.

james

 

I put the Nankang's on about 3000 miles ago. 450 bucks, mounting and tax included, and they're good looking tires. They hold the road great and ride smooth. I was going to get Dunlops at 155 dollars each but the sales guy said the Nankang was a better tire. Having said all of that I still worry about the "Made In China" part, but so far so good.

 

I was running Hankook Ventus II 245/40 on all cornersand they were great. Smooth ride, very little road noise even at high speeds, great dry/wet traction. I got them for like $130 per tire, but got a buy 3 get 1 free deal at pepboys. Not a bad deal.

Currently Im looking at tires for my new rims, and am leaning towards the General Tire Exclaim UHP. I can get them for $110 per tire for 245/40 (fronts) and $130 each for 275/40 (rears).
You guys think this is a decent deal, or should I spend a few more bux and get the Kumhos?

BTW sorry to thread jack