Shamblerock

DaddyG, bad news: We don't have TPMS on the Canadian models so you don't need to worry. ou are also better with the 17" rather than the 18" in the winter because there is less chance of damaging a rim on a pot hole etc which you cannot see because its covered with snow.

Did you get the same rims too? I hope Lou at Mississauga Tire gave you the same pricing or better than I got. If not, let me know and I'll blast him!

daddyg

Same price. Picked up the tires on Sat. and installed them myself with a friend, rather than wait 3 or 4 hours to get them put on.

I didn't even realize that we didn't have the TPMS.

ANything else we don't have in Canadian versions?

Thanks!

Shamblerock

Aparently that it. They gave us headlight washers to compensate.

Kart Racer

about the install, did you guys have to buy "tuner lugnuts" or you just used factory ones......also, shamblerock, does Lou carry assortments of hub centric rings, as the wheels i have, do not have the proper ring insert for the RX-8.....thanks! im probably ordering tires tommorow....as it looks like winter is about to start!

Shamblerock

Kart Racer, I got a set of chrome nuts with the new rims and are using those instead of the ones from Mazda. Didn't have to buy anthing further and they fit perfectly. Mississauga Tire a few weeks ago installed one in the fron and one in the back to ensure the fit was bang on. And I put them on myself this weekend and they went on perfectly without any additional rings. Whether or not Lou has the pieces you are looking for, I'm not sure. Give him a call and I'm pretty sure he will be agle to get whatever you need. His number is in a post below.

Let me know how it went and what you ended up getting. I'm curious as your opinion has some weight!

ChrisP

I'm using the standard nuts with my F120's (including the locking nuts). The thing that Danny pointed out was that a "thinner" socket would be needed and the wheel brace that comes with the car won't fit (you might be able to confirm that Shamblerock?). Since there's no spare wheel as such, it's a problem that Superior Tire and Airport Mazda can worry about - not me

Shamblerock

Chris, the socket s the same size for both the stock rims and the new RTX rims. The chrome bolts provided with the RTX rims are just longer. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "wheel brace that comes with the car won't fit" Are you talking about the stock wrench that comes with the car? I use a torque rench with the same socket. Please clarify. Thanks Chris.

ChrisP

Yes, the socket is the same size, but apparently, the outside diameter of the stock wrench (sorry about my terminology) is a bit too big to fit into the channels(?) that the nuts sit in. I didn't bother checking it at the time - but now I suppose I'll have to if only to satisfy my curiosity.

ChrisP

Checked this morning. The stock wrench, which does fit the nuts, can't be placed over a nut. Danny was right, it needs a socket and possibly one with "thinner" walls. You obviously have the right tools, Shamblerock. I, on the other hand, will be leaving it to Danny

Bellef

I had toyo garrit with RT rims installed last week at Performance Mazda in Ottawa for $1230 plus taxes. I was supposed to get Hancooks but they ran out so they let me have the Garrits instead. The normal proce for the package was $1530, still much lower than 1800 you guys are getting in TO.

:D

Shamblerock

Bellef, interesting. What size are the tires and what speed rrating are they. Also, what are RT rims and what are their dimensions? Any pics? Can you break down the pricing? So we all know.

atf

Got my from Best Buy tires in Richmond Hill...
Dunlop G2. 215/55/17. w/ rims for less than $1300.. :D

Kart Racer

really??? less then 1300 with tax?? where is this place?

Shamblerock

ATF: Are these the Graspic DS-2 Tires? If so, did you know they are q rated i.e. max 99 miles/hr or 160KM/hour? Just be careful and watch you speed. The 8 can get up there pretty quickly when you are not paying attention.

Did you notice a big difference in handling?

Spiro

Just got quotes from Gyro Mazda in Toronto. I have had winter rims and tires from here for my mx6, millenium and now for my 8. Pirelli tires 215 55 x17 and SPYN wheels. In stock at 1585.60
breakdown
pirellis 236.40 x 4
SPYN 160 x 4
I have always loved the Pirelli winter tires as they make no sound, drive like summer tires but work well in the snow

Kart Racer

hey spiro, i was quoted that from gyro as well, i think im going to go for the tires alone....since i have 17's already. what do the spyn wheels look like???

Spiro

The SPYN are a 5 spoke wheel, basic aluminum or gun metal grey. Pretty nice for a winter tire. I like the 17" wheels on Apauls yellow 8 better though. Gyro has the wheels in their service bay wait area if you drop by.

sriwata

Picked up my snows today from Paul at RNJ Tires in Pickering; 225/50/17 V rated W300 Hankooks with steel rims $1070 installed and balanced. Someone else with a titanium grey RX-8 also picked up his the other day.

Stacy

sriwata

Rather spend my money on springs, shocks and bars for next summer.

Steveo67

Good job on the price. I got the exact same rims with Blizzak WS-50 225/50/17s for $1450 last November.

Do you find that the extra profile on the winter tire makes for a smoother ride than the stock RE040s ?

Red338

I'm a new kid on the block. - post #1.

Just had winter wheels & tires installed 2 weeks ago on my 04 RX8 GT. Done at Kipling Tires in Toronto. I was super budget conscious. Had lot of troubles. Originally installed with FRD68 17x7.5 5x114.3 wheels with 225/50R17 Hankook W300. They gave me 20mm offset wheels (bad) and so they stick out too much and the rear tires touch the fender going over humps. Had to wait one week to get new wheels with 40mm offset. Didn't drive the 8 for a whole week. New wheels came in with 40mm offset. Installed. Couldn't drive it out the shop. Front wheels calipers stuck to the inside of the wheels. Dumb tech didn't bother to test for clearance before giving me back the key. They rushed out and got a set of FAST Impact 17x7 with unknown offset (something like 37mm). Never heard of these wheels (anyone know these wheels?). They fit. Been driving for a week. The new set feels almost like the original wheels & tires. Subjectively, the W300 feels about 80% of the original RE040 on dry. Most noticable difference is braking. I took a crazy turn onramp to the 427 and I was sure I was going to tail off, but the W300 glued on the pavement and I came out of the onramp at almost 100km/h. I am sure the DSC help a great deal too. Consider I spent about $1,400 (15% taxes and all included) for V-rated winter performance tires and OK wheels, I am safe to say this is a good deal, just bad experience with the shop.

I did quite some research on the Net before deciding on the Hankook W300. On paper, the W300 beats all other performance winter tires hands down just based on cost, for the RX8:
- Hankook W300 (V) is $140.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM22 & LM25 (V) are both about $250 each.
- Dunlop Sport M3 (H) is $220.
- Kumko KW17 (V) is $190.
- Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 (V) is $260.
- Pirelli Winter 210 (H) & 240 (V) are $240.
- Toyo Garit HT (H) is $230.
- Yokohama AVS V901 (H) is $230.
Also are Continental, Nokian, General, Goodyear, and even Canadian Tire.

I chose W300 also because there have been good reviews from different Boards. So I took the plunge and tried it out. So far so good. Will see how well these Hankook perform with snow and ice. Waiting for snow in TO.

Needless to say, when my friend inquiried about Hankook W300 last week at Kipling Tire, they said they didn't carry them.

atf

Yup, the ride is much smoother. Feel like driving a camry...I like the rims, it sort of give the 8 an angry look too. :D

Is your 8 a red one? Cuz I just saw one Red 8 with same kind of rims pass by in Woodbine turing to 16 Ave... I was coming out from the gas bar..

How do you like your Blizzak?

atf

Best Buy Tires. # 905 508 3674.

I've mentioned to them about the RX8 forum, they will hook u up with good deals.

Besides those rims will keep ur 8 a chick magnet.. So MJ wouldn't be upset :p