TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

performance-wise, KDW2's kick butt especially in the wet, noise is their low point, definitely for only the serious performance enthusiast

you gotta pay to play, if you want to feel the road it wants to feel you back

JeRKy 8 Owner

TeamRx8 actuallyI bought the KDW2s not only for the price but b/c theyre supposed to have a longer treadlife than the RE040s (they have a higher rating at least).

mitchfried

Tony1: Do you have any negative comments about going from 225/45/18 to 245/40/18, or is it all good?

Jerky: Sounds like you're beating the crap out of your car by driving hard over bricks and your previous statements about violent turns on your old RE040's. Maybe you should let Mazda take a look at your suspension. Could be something unrelated to your tires.

CarAndDriver

Costco has the KDW-2 for $179 a tire installed with lifetime balance/rotation/flat repair and a limited hazard warranty.

Any updates from owners who have had these BF Goodrich tires? How is the noise compared to the OEM Bridgestones?

I'm also considering the Avon Tech M550 A/S for the car. I know that these are all-season with less ultimate grip but they ride great, are very quiet and have great tread life. Plus they are very reasonable. $136/tire from tirerack.com

Ole Spiff

I've had KDW2's on my car for months now and I have no complaints at all. The car feels more responsive with them than the original tires; better feedback through the steering. Wet performance? They brake like they're on dry pavement...amazing wet tire. My original tires were very noisy when I replaced them so the Goodrich tires sounded much quieter when I got them installed. I have aftermarket rims so I don't know if that has anything to do with noise or performance, but I like these tires a lot.

knuclehead

KDW 2's are a directional tire, so make sure they are turning the correct direction, like others I have never heard complaints like you describe, I have tried a lot of other tires and aside from the Azenis RT 615, its the only tire I will ever put on my car, and i've run these on 3 different cars so far.

loco4rx8

I have almost 7000 miles on my KDW 2's and I love them so far. No noticeable road noise, as compared with the OEM Potenza's. Dry traction is great. Rain traction is excellent. When other people are hydroplaning, I'm diggin' on through those puddles. And the tires look really cool, too.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

Falken Azenis RT-615 245/40/18

$153 per tire

can't beat the performance for the money

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

^now look at my avatar in awe lol

knuclehead

Yea, that RT 615 is an awsome tire... until it looks like rain, then your in for some fun.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

actually no, it does pretty darn well in the rain.

remember back in June, it rained like the monsoon in the DC area for a whole week, the tires did just fine, heck, I'd even say it did better than the stock Dunlops I had on the car!

don't be fooled by the big tread blocks, they do a pretty job of siphoning away water in wet conditions.

obviously you should never even TRY to drive in icy/snowy conditions on these tires lol

CarAndDriver

-deleted-

Falken RT-615s do come in stock size.

lourx8

In my experience, the have done quite well in the rain and I have 275s in the back.

Why not consider a 245/40/18 tire size? It looks and handles better.

CarAndDriver

I just looked at Falken site. The RT-615's come in 225/45/18.