Ok, so like the other post, I recently purchased and installed a mostly unreviewed product from the TireRack.

In 245 40 R 18's these came to roughly $575 shipped, including a free Magellen 1200 Nav unit($129 value) of which I was basically ready to ppurchase a similar product, so let's call them $450 shipped.


I drive my car as an aggressively driven Daily Driver. 20k miles at $1000 a set is not feasible with 20k miles per year, at least to me. I should get twice the mileage at half the price, and be able to much more safely navigate a MD winter(I made it with the Dunlops last year).
After the wax wore off, I gave them a bit of spirited driving.

They are much quieter then mostly bald stockers(better be), smoother ride, etc, all as expected. The wider tires allows them to be nearly as sticky, there is only one problem... Turn in is not nearly as precise. There is a bit more slop in the front end as you set up for a turn. All in all the dry pavement, summer driving is certainly a compromise from stock, that said, I'm willing to live with it, and expected more(compromise that is).

I have yet been unable to test the rain, snow or tire wear, so this will be a long term post. Thus far, I consider it a reasonable alternative for a high mileage Daily Driver. If I get into Auto-X or the like, I will certainly have to add another set of wheels/ Tires, but that seems the best way anyways.

 

just a quick add to my review...

Dry traction improved over the first thousand miles. The softer sidewall still does affect turn in, but still increases ride quality. Dry traction is suitable for DD purposes, though I think auto-x would be asking too much...

Wet traction is phenominal. at least 100% better then stockers.

 

The reason your turn-in is not as precise is because of the wider tire causing more sidewall roll. The only way to really compare two tires is to have them both be the same size. 245 on a 18x8 rim is pretty ideal though. The stockers are narrow probably to save money. While you are sacrificing response you are increasing lateral grip which with a slight change in your driving style should still make the car faster.

Good review, sounds like a pretty good tire for the money.

 

In fact I'd say the stockers are 225/45 to give the RX-8 better transition characteristics and a more enjoyable driving feel. If Mazda wanted to save money, they could've gone to 18x7.5s for the 225/45s instead of using 18x8s.

 

also, narrower tires get better gas mileage.

 

The sidewalls are definatley softer. i can feel the difference over small bumps and expansion joints.

We'll see in January and February, but for now I absolutely think it's a good tire for the money, on a DD car. I'm planning on it being a 24 month, 4 season tire in MD. If it accomplishes that I'll be very happy, driving nearly 20k/year.

 

I haven't been back to this sight in months, but alas, it snowed today and prompted me to come back for this thread.

THE TIRES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Last winter i was commenting how my 8 was nearly undriveable with any moisture on the road under 40 degrees with the stock dunlops, and now i drove through 2" of snow and temps in the mid 20's with ease. And this is only an A/S tire, an UHP one at that.

This tire is becoming a strongly recommended tire for a DD that may come accross a bit of snow each year. Treadwear has been minimal thus far in 10-15k.

 

Updates on the tires? I have the exact same tires on my RX8 but with only a few thousand miles on them.