The other day starting up from a stoplight on wet pavement. I was making a left turn and it's possible my right foot dug a bit too deep for those conditions. :D

Halfway around the corner I felt the DSC kick in. It felt like it engaged the ABS on the right rear tire only, which of course is the one that would have let go in that situation, if someone were accelerating a bit too enthusiastically of course.

It kicked in so quick the back end couldn't have moved more than an inch sideways. I went around the corner in a clean arc. Of course it sounded like I was driving a jack hammer! Neat.

 

I got stock tires and no DSC and my 8 hold up great in the rain. I tryed to push it in the turn and she wont fish tail?/ Guess I need to get my wheels hot.

 

Dominion, I tried to poweslide my car in the wet too and it's hard to do. The bridgestones I feel have a lot of grip in the rain. I just pitched it into the corner and realized there was a car coming towards me on the next lane and had to tighten up the line and it just stuck! As far as hydroplanning while your going fast on the freeway, I didn't realize too much of a problem there either. Maybe they have different OEM tires in england.

 

Ok - few points from someone in the UK who owned an RX8 when that tv program aired.

First, they had a new car, with new tyres.

Second, it had been a long , hot summer (for the UK) and JC took the 8 out on prety much the first rainy days of the autumn(fall for u peeps). This meant tyres that arnt scrubbed in on greasy oily wet roads.

I had the same experiance, and the Re040's when new OR cold fairly poor in the wet. Once scrubbed in and warmed up there not to bad for summer performance tyres, a lot better than their reputation, but in ice/real cold there lethal.

I'll be changing mine for S03's or something soon tho.

 

nope, damn I should have read the whole thread, you guys covered it, becareful you non DSC/TC guys unless you've drivin a RWD car before, it wont be pretty

 

What the heck is with that TG video? It's the "best" car he's driven this year, but then not in the studio speech because of the wet driving experience due to the tyres, but if you notice in the vid, he's driving in the wet closer to the end of his test (ie. used to race cars, but it kinda shows...the Jane Austin bit) But doesn't say anything about the tyres at that point, only when back in the studio. If the tyres are so terrible in the wets, why not say something about it before he's back in the studio? Think there was a Bridestone vs. Michilin thing going on there?

Must admit, where the helmeted guy is driving the lap qualifying of 1.31.8 on par with an M3 and 350Z, is pretty ******* impressive. Wish I could drive my 8 likewise

 

Ditto. I don't know what they're going on about in here. It's not like it's a sure footed AWD subaru....

--KC

 

Most important thing about Jeremy Clarkson is he's jeremy Clarkson, and doesnt want anyone to forget that, he's an atention seeking git sometimes, but that review is one of the best I've seen him give of any car (he gives the Macca F1 more stick). If the worst he can say about it is its twitch in the wet , and blame that on replaceable tyres, then thats great.

You havnt heard his views on the 350z then lol, now thats hate...

 

We get sunshine in Vegas pretty much year round so I am completely happy with my stock Bridgestone Potenza's...nothing better imo.

 

Well when I had RE040's on my WRX they were fine, even at 3/32" (very low tread) in the rain. But yeah, I have an extra diff

I don't think it's been said yet in this thread and it needs to be.

YOU CANNOT RUN SUMMER TIRES IN THE SNOW.

It's not a "shouldn't", it's not a "try to avoid". Summer tires aren't meant to be used below 40 degrees F, and ESPECIALLY in snow.

Get another set of stock wheels, or something, but don't run RE040s in the snow.

john

 

Repeat the mantra after me...

S-02s...
S-02s...
S-02s...
S-02s...
S-02s...
S-02s...
S-02s...

379 Hp at the rear wheels in a 2600 lb car driven, um, with spirit (yeah, that's it) in Florida rain with no trouble.

Don't laugh, it rains so hard here that the visibility is LESS than in a New England blizzard.

 

S-02s don't come in 18s, so how do the S-03s work?

 

They sure used to.

My FD had 255/35ZR18 front and 285/30ZR18 rear Bridgestone Potenza S-02's...

 

Well according to Tire Rack they stop at 17s, I might take S-02s if I could find them anywhere they are RX8 stock size.

 

thats weird, I've configured blizzaks, 18 inch, at tire rack and they are in stock

I think you need to go to their winter tire section, it is like a seperate store almost but same website, look around you'll easily find it

good luck, I'm looking for some too but I have minnesota's weather to deal with

 

THE FIRST NIGHT I HAD MY CAR, I let my uncle drive it. It was wet out, but I had the DSC off because I had been driving it, but I had forgotten to turn it back on. He's a competent driver. Well, coming around a tight right hander, the rear end went out on him and he spun it off the road and took out a metal stake! D'oh! I wasn't concerned with the car; I just didn't want him to feel bad. Fortunately, though, the only mark on it is underneath the car! We lucked out big time.

As far as the RX-8's wet performance, I'll just say that it's very driftable, or dangerous, depending on who's driving. :D

 

NEVER let an Uncle drive your 8 :D

 

I think I needed more clarification. Tire Rack lists the largest size for S02s as 17in. It says there are no 18in SO2s.

 

I thought they said F1's cant handle rain?? hmm

 

I don't know where you read this.
Take a look at the F1's tread pattern, it's designed to part water just like Moses parting the Red sea.