Looking for suggestions for new tires. Have read the reviews on TireRack.com for different ones - but it is always good to hear what other RX8-ers use.

 

Try this link:

http://apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=97

Many choices in different categories from different manufacturers.
I personally bought the Pilot alpine pa2's. They are on my car but winter is not quite here yet so I don't know how well they will perform. I am sure they will be just fine.

 

Good link, however I think Dlrosie is looking for summer tires, not winter... i.e., the PS2s are max summer performance tires. I'm interested too, anyone have the PS2 and if so, how do they contrast/compare to OEM Bridgestones?

 

Oops. I assumed we were talking winter tires as winter is coming.
The link is still good. Click on the info center and then tire info. There is a link for summer tire ratings as well.

 

I just upgraded to 19" wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (235 35 19).
It has only been 2 days, but these tires rock.
The response is much better/faster. It feels like a different car... which it should with $1200 tires... haha
I find myself pushing the car harder and harder on turns now.
I need more time to test, but I noticed a difference immed.
It is hard to make a direct comparison since these tires are a different size totally.. but they are clearly a big improvement.

-B

 

I also have had them for just under a week. They are 245/40/18 mounted on Gram Light 57 Pros'. Up until the switch, I was happy with the performance of the stock SP 8090's, but these tires are in totally different class!

The main word I would use to describe these tires so far is "precise."

These tires are very grippy and inspire confidence, especially when pushing the car at "slightly higher :D " than the posted speed limit around corners and your favorite exit ramp! They've been driven once in the rain, and were very stable.

I'm quite pleased with the decision, as I definately didn't need new tires, but the deal at Costco was excellent, they used a new $25,000 machine to install them on the G.Lights (not a hint of a blemish on the wheels) and I gained about 15 hp now that I have nitrogen in my tires

 

Yep, I've got them in 245/40/18. Wrote a review, too:

Michelin PS2 Impression
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/michelin-pilot-sport-2-impression-39337/

Jeff

 

If I may ask, Costco has Gram Lights? How much did you pay for the set of tires and/or wheels? I might just have to check them out!

 

Costco doesn't have Gram Lights, they have the PS2's.

I ordered the tires from Costco because they had the $60.00 off Michelin set of 4, and mounting is only $10 which made it close to the same price "on the car" as Tire Rack .

They have the best equipment in the city, and no one else would touch the wheels in terms of not wanting the responsibility of damaging them.

 

This is the summer tire link, and the ratings from the site (link)

----------------------------

High Performance Tires



Average price: approximately $230 for a high performance tire and $320 for a very high performance tire of 235/45R17 size.

The high performance tire category, as defined here, encompasses a broad range of tires that includes those fitted to European and Japanese high end or sports sedans as well as those that equip exotic sport cars.

Keep in mind that these tires will only benefit a limited number of automobiles whose suspensions, steering systems, chassis and powerful engines have been designed to exploit their higher adhesion and stiffness. Fitting these tires to an economy car will not transform it into a race car, but will penalise its driver with diminished ride comfort, higher noise levels and considerably faster wear. While it is important to equip one's car with good tires, it is equally important to choose appropriate tires.

High performance tires are now much more durable than they were a decade ago, but they still wear faster than their tamer counterparts and are extremely expensive. Their benefits include very high adhesion on both dry and wet pavement and rapid response to steering inputs. They also provide very high stability at speeds that reach far beyond those allowed on Canadian roads.

Within this category, consumers who opt for very high performance tires instead of high performance ones will not necessarily be penalised in terms of comfort or noise, but will pay more and will own some of the least durable tires on the market.

Needless to say, the "four season" designation that many of these tires bear is in no way indicative of any ability in the snow; it is intended indicate the capacity of a tire to provide adequate adhesion on dry pavement at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, meaning that they can be used from spring until fall. No driver should ever envision using them during Canadian winter, as they are absolutely useless on even the slightest layer of snow.



BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW

Very strong performer intended for sports cars. BFGoodrich is now owned by Michelin. Particularly high adhesion on wet surfaces. Rather high noise level. Average price.

Bridgestone Potenza RE750

High end, very high performance summer tire; very good purchase in its category. Reasonably durable, good adhesion under all conditions. Primarily intended for sports cars; sports sedan owners may want to consider the Potenza RE950. Price somewhat higher than average.

Bridgestone Potenza RE950

Three season tire that, in its V- and W-speed rated variants, is regarded as a high performance tire and is a good choice. Very durable, dual layer tread (two different rubber compounds) that provides more even performance over the life of the tire. Comfortable and silent, with good grip on all surfaces. Designed for sports cars and sports sedans. Average price.

Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position

This very high performance tire belongs only on exotic and powerful sports cars. One of the latest offerings in this category, its performance is close to that of a racing tire in the dry and in the wet. Dual layer tread (two different rubber compounds) that provide a more constant performance over the entire life of the tire. Priced considerably higher than average.

Dunlop SP Sport 5000

High performance, three season tire that consitutes a suitable choice. Better adhesion in the dry; faster wear than average. Designed for sports cars and sports sedans. Good comfort and low noise. Tire quality is not bad, but is not the most uniform on the market. Price lower than average.

Dunlop SP Sport 9000

Very high performance summer tire offering good adhesion in the dry and very good adhesion on wet pavement. Considerably more comfortable and silent than the other tires in its category; the tradeoffs are slightly slower response and lower dry-pavement adhesion. Good choice for those seeking a bit more comfort for a very high performance sedan, for instance. Somewhat more expensive than average. May be compared to the Bridgestone S-03.

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

Very high performance summer tire intended for the upper strata of the sports car world. The F1 GS-D3 is a very recent tire and the APA has little data regarding its long-term performance. Said to be a strong performer. Average price. May be compared to the Bridgestone S-03.

Kumho ECSTA Supra 712

Low end, high performance summer tire at a low price; with good adhesion on all surfaces, a good choice on a tighter budget. Faster than average wear in many sizes (those with a treadwear index of 280). Less uniform quality than higher end tires. Price much lower than average. The more expensive Yokohama AVS ES100 now sets the standard for price/quality ratio.

Michelin Pilot Sport

Very high performance summer tire intended for very high end sports cars. Similar to the Bridgestone S-03 in many respects, the Pilot Sport was brought to the market before the S-03 and provides slightly less adhesion on dry pavement, but it is said to be a bit more durable. When new, its wet weather performance is better than that of the S-03, but this advantage disappears as wear takes its toll. The Pilot Sport PS2 is currently replacing it as the flagship of Michelin's high performance range. Higher than average price.

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

Very high performance tire that replaces the Pilot Sport. It is expected to improve on the latter in all respects thanks to new manufacturing technologies. Competes directly with Bridgestone's S-03.

Micheline Pilot Sport A/S

Three season, high performance tire. Very good choice in this category: comfortable and silent, with good adhesion in the dry and excellent in the wet. Very durable for this category. Considerably more expensive than average. Competes with the Dunlop SP Sport 5000, the Yokohama AVS dB S2 and the Pirelli PZero Nero M&S.

Pirelli P6

High performance three-season tire. This Pirelli tire is manufactured in Europe. Good adhesion in the dry, average in the wet; quick response. Durable. Fitted as an original equipment tire to many fast European sedans and designed for this type of car. Higher than average price.

Pirelli PZero Nero, Nero M+S

Very high performance recent offerings from Pirelli. Made in the United States, but with Pirelli's new MIRS technology that allegedly results in high quality tires. Little data about these tires is available, but consumers who purchased them to date are reportedly satisfied. High level of performance. Slightly higher than average price.

Toyo Proxes T1-S

Toyo's very high performance tire; may be compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport and the Bridgestone S-03. Good build quality, reliable. Average price for its category.

Yokohama AVS dB S2

Three season high performance tire. Good choice in its category. Silent. Very good adhesion in the dry, adequate behaviour in the wet. Designed for sports cars and sports sedans.

Yokohama AVS ES100

High performance summer tire. Low end product, therefore somewhat less stiff sidewalls than its siblings and with slightly slower response. Good adhesion on all surfaces. Very good quality for the price. Intended for sports cars and sports sedans. Substantially lower than average price makes it an excellent purchase for those on a tight budget.

Yokohama AVS Sport

Very high performance summer tire designed for very high performance sports cars. Similar to the Bridgestone S-03, the Michelin Pilot Sport, the Toyo T-1S and other tires in this category. Very stiff sidewall that provides great stability; noisy, less effective on wet pavement than more recent tires. Somewhat outdated. Less expensive than average.

Yokohama Parada Spec-2

High performance summer tire built primarily for modified compact cars; only available in the sizes traditionally associated with these vehicles. Good adhesion on all surfaces, very durable for its category. Depending on size, the price is average or higher than average.

 

very nice, thanks for the post mdmaclean!!

and to the ppl who has the PS2 right now, have any of you tried the S03s? Interested in hearing comparisons between the 2.

 

Thanks all! Keep those posts coming...

 

I'm soon ordering the Michelin Pilot Sport Ps2 in 245/40-18. I was wondering, what air pressure should I be running at? Would like to hear some responses from those of you who run with these tires...

 

I used to have the PS2, it was pretty good, but its too expensive, like over $1000 a set
and then i found a tire which has more grip and a lot cheaper price, like $600 for a set, that's what we are using for daily drive and track, so much grip, better than the RE01R, RT615, PS2
more like a street R tire
Federal 595 RS-R
Treadwear: 140 (more like a street use R tire)
Traction: AA
Temperature: A
Speed Rating: ZR


Sport Competition
King of sport – 595RS-R with reinforced carcass and sidewall offers easy handling while taking the abuse of driving at high speed as well as superior grip and cornering stability, is a secret weapon for the championship. Recognized by Japanese professionals and selected as the official tire to Australia 2007 X Challenge competition powered by Lotus.
Features
1. Lateral grooves substantially exterminate stiffness on shoulder blocks to upgrade traction and riding comfort.
2. Tread patterns on shoulder block provide lateral driving stability while cornering.
3. Uni-directional V-shaped main groove design enhances both sport look and water distribution.
4. Wide angle grooves improve consistency on tread blocks thereby permitting more serious grip.
5. The modern, feather-like tread pattern incorporates stylish image and outstanding responsiveness.
6. Embossed letters on the sidewall featured with unique and personal characteristics.

 

I've heard really bad things about the Federal tires. Chinese brand right? Anyone else had any experience with them?

 

The Michelin PS2's are an excellent tire, albeit a bit pricey. They were on my short list but I ultimately went with Toyo Proxes T1R's and am very pleased I did.

The only downside is that TireRack doesn't carry Toyo's, but my local Town Fair Tire did a good job of reasonable cost for the tires with mounting/balancing.

Get an alignment when you get new sneakers btw.

 

I have used them for 2,5 years. 225/45-18" and now 225/40-18". Best roadtires I have tested overall.

I have found that 2,4-2,5 bars pressure works best for me with my chassie. but dont just take this advice, test for your self.

Pricey? yes. worth the money? absolutely!

Currently I am running my Toyo R888 at road (because Im lazy switching after track) and they are alot worse for road use. getting aquaplaning (is this the right word??) at only 60km/h isnt funny with cold R Tires.