I'm looking for winter tires for my new RX-8 and was wondering if anyone had used the Hancook W409 Pike tires as they get pretty good reviews on 1010tires.com and other places I've checked.

If you have used them are they good on both ice and snow? In particular in the Toronto area we have often get a sheet of ice built up from cars on the highway running over snow at slower speed during rush hour and my Miata used to hate this stuff so I'm looking for a tire that is very good on ice.

 

Gerald,

What year rx8 are you driving ? Auto or Man?

I just got my 2005 rx8 (auto) and need winters as well... Looking to put 18's on the OEM rims and get new rims in the spring. I have no clue what tires to get.. Not many options in the 18's.

Where are you thinking of buying yours? Know of a solid and decently priced place in Toronto?

J

 

you could always go smaller and buy some 17's which really make the price go down for the tires and the narrower the better with snow/winter tires.

 

Problem is then I'd need new 17" rims and I kinda want new 18" rims for my summers... I know this has been posted but what tires and rims would you recommend for my 2005 Auto rX8 GT? So many conflicting opinions around...

 

I will have a 2008 40th anniversary edition starting tomorrow. I plan on going down a size as the 40th already has 18 wheels so I was looking for rims and tires in 225/50R17 as a smaller tire usually does better in winter in my experience. I live north of Toronto in Newmarket so that is the area I am looking at, I liked the guy at Extreme Wheel & Tire in Richmond Hill (www.extremewheelandtire.biz), very easy to deal with but I'm not sure how they are on price compared to others.

 

You want separate rims for summer and winter tires otherwise mounting costs will be more then the price of the wheels after 2 years. Cheapest way is to buy a used set of OEM 18 usually about $100 per rim. I want a set of Enkei RPF1 17x9 they are light weight and top of the line about $300 per rim.

 

Funny Gerald. I bought my last set for my Old Acura EL from Extreme Tire as well... The prices there are comparable to other tire and wheel stores in the city and the service is quite good. A set of 4 Blizzaks are going to set me back $285.00 + tax per tire... Then I need to get my rims in the spring and leave the winters mounted on the OEMS.

Do you guys get your wheels aligned when getting new wheels and/or tires or just get them balanced...?

I'm quite fresh into the whole automotive thing so I'm still learning the ropes. Thanks for all the wicked info on here.

 

You can do the alignment on your own without too much difficulty. If you are not doing any racing then all you want is zero toe you can check it by looking across the wheel and make sure they are both in a straight line. It is quite easy to see if you have any toe out or toe in. If there is either fix it yourself or take it for an alignment.

 

I'll be going on my 3rd winter on Pike's and have never had a complaint . In fact during the winter I insist that the Mrs drive the RX8 withe the pikes than the Corolla we have on all season tires . I bought a 17in rim/tire setup myself . As far as ice,I don't really have an answer . It's mostly just snow,not alot of ice . Well not in my neck of the woods anyway .

 

I'm getting a set of OE sized Mich X-ice in a week or so. We get more snow than ice in MN so I'm opting for the more aggressive pattern to dig in more.

 

I ended up getting the Hancook tires on cheap allow wheels. No bad weather so far but they feel allright for day to day driving considering they are a winter tire.