dankgummy

Is there a huge discrepancy in tire life for 18s and 19s? Also, I've read from several ppl in the forum that their OEM tires from personal experience last from 20-30k miles. I'm currently about 20K miles so this is why i'm likely to go w/19s this coming summer. any thoughts would help.

thx

mlx8

You are (or should be) working with approximately the SAME rolling rubber diameter, so I don't see any "there must be more surface area, so I'll get more milage" arguement justification.

Purely on a hazard surviveability basis, I'd think the 18" have got a better chance of surviving a pot hole.

On an economic/gas mileage basis, the 18" will almost always be a lighter tire wheel combo than, as a generaly rule, most 19" wheel set ups ~ You'll tend to get better milage with lighter rotating mass.

The only "rational" justification I can see for 19" vs. 18" (ignoring "bling, bling" modifications) would be if one were to need the larger diameter to clear an after market kit's humongous brake rotors. And since it seems the Rx8's stock brakes are PDG as they are, unless you're running on a track with some really, really serious braking zones 19" are IMO a huge waste of time and $$$ from most performance stand points. But I'm willing to listen to any one who can tell/show me you'd definately get better turn in or something sufficient to over come the above drawbacks.

dankgummy

i'm leaning towards the thruxtons or some 19" volks. the volks would be light and made very strong so i think overall it would be the same as the OEMs.