I have read a ton of tire threads but am not much closer to a decision.

My RX came with Kumho SPT's (225/45/17, IIRC). They have exceptional cornering and grip, are great at high speeds, and feel pretty nice. My only complaints are the noise and the fact that they wear out pretty quickly.

Whatever I get, I do not want a softer sidewall but want something a little quieter. Cornering and road feel are the most important aspects to me.

Some of the ones I am considering are:
- BFG g-Force Sport
- BFG KDW2
- General Exclaim UHP
Toyo T1R

... or Sticking with the Kumhos.


Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

 

dunlop direzza star spec. i've heard good things, and if you get 245s you'll get even more grip, albeit with slightly decreased gas mileage.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=245

 

I looked at reviews for the Star Specs and they have a low mileage rating. Granted, the Kumhos are rated higher yet don't last all that long....

 

Toyo Proxes T1R

 

Yep, forgot to add the Toyo T1R's too the list.


Has anyone had the Kumho SPT's then switched to any of the ones listed? I'm curious to know what the biggest differences were.

 

I'm loving my Nitto NT555's

 

I need new tires as well.. The stockies are crap.. Can't wait to change them. I might go with the T1R's. Heard they're pretty good.

 

Falken 452s are good

 

I have these and I like them:

Yokohama YK520
High-performance, all-season handling. V-speed rating.
225/45R-18 95V XL B

 

Aside from their superb handling in wet and dry conditions, and relatively low noise, I enjoy viewing the unique tread pattern of the T1R every time I walk up to my '8.

 

Nitto NT-05 245/40/18

 

I just got a great deal on some Nitto INVOs...$646 for a set of 275/35/18s.

 

It depends on your true driving style... I got the general UHPs on sale from tire rack. Never hydroplaned, great wet traction and much much quieter than my OEM bridgestones.
Until that point I was very pleased.

I then took them autocrossing. Lets just say that they sucked. Big Time. If you autocross or track your car with street tires, stay away.

They have lasted a very long time with good tread wear. I got them for cheap, so you're good there...

Honestly, it just depends on what you're looking for.

 

I haven't driven the car with anything but the Kumho SPT's that came with it.

The only other comparison I can make are with the Kumho ASX's and Bridgestone Potenza Pole Positions on my Acura TL. Those two tires are night and day in regards to noise and handling.

I really like the Kumhos on mt RX except for the noise. They are great at high speeds and I have no complaints with the grip.

 

Are you sure you don't have 225/45/18? That is the stock tire size for the manual transmission and sport AT models.

C&D and a Autobild (long-time German auto pub) really liked the Hankook Ventus V12 EVO K110. They are around $130 on TireRack right now and Hankook has $50 rebate on 4 tires. The tire seems to have great dry/wet results and good ride/noise characteristics. Treadware is 280.

I'd also look at the Bridgestone RE760s. C&D put them 4th. Hankooks were 2nd. Good dry, but less impressive wet, but sounds like better than Hankooks for ride/noise. They are around $150/tire.

Also take a look at the General Exclaim UHPs. They seem to get good reviews from users and are inexpensive, but not autox tires like others mentioned.

Check out TireRack.com. The survey results are interesting.

 

I would recommend the General Exclaim UHP's to any RX8 owner who wants some added performance on the street. Excellent dry grip, wet grip, tread wear is fantastic.

Best street tire IMO.

However, they are not known for being great on the track. So unless you regularly see the track with your RX8 and want to use your daily tires i would stray away from these.

Seeing as how they are so cheap, you can easily afford another set of tires for auto-X/track.

I bought my 245/40/18's on tire rack for $133/piece + shipping.

 

You know the 245/40-18 Nitto NT-05s I got were only $164 each ...$656 total. For almost chump change over so-so tires why wouldn't anyone get the best? dunno...seems kinda nuts to go cheap to save a few $s.

 

Falken 452. 245/40 for $129 each.

 

I'm really starting to lean towards the NT05s. How is the road noise with them?

 

If one doesn't live in an area that doesn't get a lot of snow, then don't even consider all-season. Summer tires do better in the wet anyways.

C&D wasn't too impressed with Nitta INVO and BF KDW2s were in the middle. Definitely look at the Hankooks.

 

very minimal...it's truly a pleasure driving with them, they're so much quieter than anything I've had before (OEM Bridgestones [terrible noisy at the end], Falkens RT-615s [pretty good], NT-01s [nice r-comp noise], Goodyr GS-D3 [worse than your worst nightmare]. comfy, quiet, grippy

 

I currently have the Kumho SPT's and I'm very impressed with them. A lot better grip then the other tires that I've had. I would buy them again if I were you

 

I have SPTs and I think they are a good all-around tire. However, I think they could have better dry performance.

Right now Pep Boys is having buy 3 get 1 tire free. The Hankooks are $139 there from a post on a Mazda6 forum.

I would get the General Exclaim UHPs before getting another set of SPTs.

 

I run the Sumitomo HTR ZIII XL 245/40 18 on all four corners of my car. Check the test results on Tire Rack etc. They are more sticky than the Kumho SPTs. I ran Kumho SPTs on my car after the OEMs wore out but the sidewalls were too soft on the Kumho SPT for me to go back to that tire.

I am now on my second set of the Sumis. At 120 each for the Sumis there is simply no better tire for the money.

BTW: My performance secret: The XL tires are designed for extra load. This actually results in stiffer sidewalls and provides the responsive cornering experience I crave. They are suprisingly smooth and quiet too. Because nobody wants XL tires they are actually cheaper. On tire rack the 225/45 (non-XL) are actually more money than the 245/40 XL.

If it rains often or snows where you live then you probably dont want the Sumis since they are an extreme performance Summer tire. I live in CA so they are perfect here.

And yes the 245's fit comfortably in the front despite what the manual says.

Cuzzin

 

I have Michilin Pilot Sport PS2 right now, but I'm swapping out with Nitto NT-05 on my next set. 245/40/18 on stock rims or 8.5 inch rims