Since I just got my RX8 last week, I called up to ask my salesman if I could run the Dunlop 8090 tires in North Carolina winter weather. He did not know and aks me to call Mazda USA. so I called Mazda USA. And Mazda USA said maybe I should talk to my Dealer. I went to the Service Manager today and left my RX8 because I had to get the Rotor rust out - cleaned and painted. So, I asked my Service Manager if I needed different tires for winter. And flat out, he said "NO, these tires will work for North Carolina winter". Well, you with Dunlop 8090 .. what do you say? This guy is the top top boss of the service department and has dealt with several RX8.

 

The real question is: In your part of NC, do you get snow or ice? I would not run the Dunlop's in any situation with freezing precipitation (this is my opinion). If you only get one or two snows/freezes a year and can stand to not drive those days, I'd stick with the 8090's. I used to live in MD, and I would get a set of good M+S tires if I lived there...they get more than a few days of snow. It's my understanding that the 8090's are "summer" tires, not M+S, but I couldn't find them on Dunlop's site when I checked back in May. I understand that some of the folks north of the border get a complete set of wheels and snow tires for the winter...and it makes sense given the amount of winter they deal with.

 

On a side note, your dealer cleaned your rotors and painted what? Did you get the new pads via the tsb?

 

Like Atacdad. I just wish to add do not ask a salesperson / service writer anything. Don't trust them to tell you the correct time of day. This site and Google sould be your most trusted place for info :-)

 

Yep, we do get a few days of snow in the Triad area. I don't plan to drive my RX8 in snow, but my concern is not snow but cold weather. Some here said that the summer tires get hard below 50 or 40 degrees. I guess its seldom that NC weather goes below 25 degrees. Anyway, the Dunlops 8080 and 9000 series are rated as 3+ in snow driving out of 5 at 1010tires.com (see attached picture). So, I'm wondering if 8090 is not that different ??

 

There's some rust on the rotors when I bought the car. So today, they will clean the rust and repaint the rotors.

 

I don't think you would want to paint rotors. The hubs rust and that's what gets painted. You can paint the hub and calipers. Any rust on the rotors will come off after some use of the brakes.

 

I live in the Triangle, near RTP NC, and just bought my 8 last month, yes, w/ LOTS of rotor rust. Did you take your car to a dealer around here or the Triad? Just curious. I could probablt take care of this myself but I'd like to have the dealer do it if possible.

Thanks,
RKM

 

Hey RKM ... Yes ... CityMotors Mazda/Jeep. They're in Greensboro (Westover Ave. - Battleground area). They said they will clean it up and repaint it. They gave me a Mazda626 loaner and hope I'll get it later in the afternoon or tomorrow.

 

I'm curious to see what they do. I heard everyone has rust on their discs...I'm not sure what cleaning them will do but prevent the rust until the next rain or wash. I'm not sure they can "paint the rotors" but let me know either way. Thanks

 

I've seen Dunlops mentioned a few times. Are there two OEM tire brands out there? Mine came with Bridgestones. Did they switch from one to the other, or are they both currently OEM suppliers for RX-8's?

 

Hi ,I live in the Triangle area and when it snows, nobody goes anywhere. My town does not even have a snow plow :D I love it I left CT and NH so I would not have to have snow tires or a front wheel drive car. When it snows, just don't drive, if you can, and save yourself the money that you would be on tires.

 

I've heard one owner said the rust came back after 3 months? Anyway, this car was made Dec. 2003 and I got it Sept. 2004. So, it's been sitting on the dealer's backlot for awhile. The car did not come from my dealer .. they had to get this car from another dealer that was in the coastal region (maybe that's why there is rust). Anyway, I got it back this afternoon. The rust is on the inner rim of the disc (the part that does not get touched by the brake pads).

They scraped the rust off and then painted it with chrome silver. It now looks great and shiny. :D

 

Hey Jaguar :D ... yep I experience that here too in the Triad. But the point some people here are saying is that the summer tires will not work even WITHOUT snow, because it will get hard and slip when the temperature goes below 40 or 50. Ahhh ..

 

Yep. They switched some to Dunlop. Dunlop 8090 is OEM.