Hi,

I'm thinking of getting an RX-8 and am just doing some research on the expenses involved with getting winter tires. I have a few questions (and .. yes, i've done searches and couldn't find specific answers):

1)
Some guy at a tire store told me that I cannot get 16" wheels/tires on the RX-8 GT due to the brakes? Is this true? I'm only asking cause ANOTHER guy at a ANOTHER tire store didn't mention anything about this.

2)
Option 1: get new 18" tires and keep my existing OEM wheels.
Option 2: get new 16 or 17" tires AND wheels.
I realize that changing tires on Option 2 is cheaper by around $70 ... but other than that .. is there any REAL advantage or disadvantage in either case? (I don't care much about the whole salt in winter thing on my aluminum wheels as I'm only leasing).

Looking forward to some help. Thank you in advance

VJ

 

oh .. one more thing

3) I was told that changing from a 18" to any other size affects the speedometer and trip calculator on the car. Is this true? And .. does not having 18" wheels in the winter have any other adverse effects?

thanks again,
VJ

 

VJ,
I recommend that you do a search in this Canada section of the forum and in the Tires/Wheels section of the forum for "winter wheel" and "winter tire" - your questions have been answered many, many times!

To summarize:
- 16" wheels do NOT fit any Canadian RX-8s (they all have the Sport suspension/brake package). Not all 17" wheels fit, either.

- In the long run (3+ years), it's cheaper to get a separate set of 17" wheels and 17" winter tires, so you can change them yourself. Getting tires remounted and re-balanced twice a year gets expensive, and 18" tires are more expensive than 17" tires.

- the outer diameter of the tire is the same, whether the inside hole is 17" or 18". You just have to buy the correct size! Ideally, you want slightly narrower winter tires than summer tires, so you should get 215/55-17. An alternate size is 225/50-17.

For details on wheels that fit and winter tire recommendations, see the earlier threads (via the search).

Regards,
Gordon

 

1) This is true...the smallest rim size that will clear the front brake rotor/caliper is 17". I tried to find a set of 16" steel rims for winter but was forced to purchase a set of aftermarket 17" rims and tires.

2) The cost of 18" snow tires is about $50-$80more per tire (as you assumed). I was able to purchase my 17" rims and Bridgestone WS-50 snows for $1495 + taxes....

3) This is also true. Changing from 18" to 17" rims will change the overal radius of the tire - there are a couple of websites that have calculators that determine the acceptable % difference in size from OEM to the tire size you are shopping for. The stock RX-8 GT tires are Bridgestone RE040 225/45R 18. I accounted for the difference in rim size from 18" to 17" by installing 50 profile tires - this creates almost the exact rolling radius.

Don't forget the cost of mounting and balancing tires twice per year....and the potential damage/scratches on the rims from this number of changes. I decided that it was a lot less trouble to install an extra set of rims instead of changing tires.

check out www.1010tires.com and www.tirerack.com for rim/tire pricing.

Best of luck.

 

Just to chime in,i opted to buy a set of 17x7 bsa 5 spoke rims,with a high end snow tire.
The rx8 was amazing in the snow with this setup.
But now my rx8 is lowered and several other work down.
Mint blue body kit will be in place soon.
If anyone is interested contact me by phone:519-650-9520 or email : info@essentialspeed.com
asking 1400.00 no taxes.
i will confirm what brand the tires are.
originally the tires alone cost me 320 per tire with no rim.
kevin

 

Hey Kevin,

Do you have any pics of the rims?? That sounds like a pretty good deal.

-Nathan

 

Hi ... yeah this might be a silly question considering it's the Canada Forum and all .. but is that in C$? And .. how much have they been used? One winter? Can you send pics? I'm very interested.

Thanks buds,
VJ

P.S.: Gordon .. thanks for your help