Thanks, good to know. I have another question. I need 2 tires for the rears (apparently even though I've been regularly rotating, the rears are done, the fronts are fine). I'd love to be able to buy them online at tirerack.com, but installed at a local discount tire. Do you think I could fit those 2 bad boys in the rear passenger space, or maybe 1 in the front passenger, 1 in the back? Basically, I need a way to get them to the shop using my '8.

 

no problem,

also at tire rack they have a recomended installers area, you can plug in you zip code and have the tires shipped right to the shop..

beers

 

i've fitted a full set of 245/40/18 tires in the car, so 2 tires is piece of cake

gotta love having a '4-door' lol

 

Yeah, I saw that. However Goodyear Auto wants $33.20 per tire to install, which is ridiculous. On the other hand, I don't know if I can trust Tire Kingdom, which only asks $17.50/tire. Do you think, for something as basic as installing a tire, I'll be fine with whatever place installs them, or should I be picky?

beers indeed

 

i would be very picky. make sure whoever has a touchless machine..... that is one of the things that tire rack looks for... that is of course unless you have curbed all of you rims. then you just have to worry about the tpms..

beers

 

My local Discount tire does not have a touchless machine... I won't go back there after the fun with the TPMS sensors leaking and they wanted to leave 3 of them in the rims and put a regular stem in the one that wouldn't seat. I had to pay an extra $30 to get the other TPMS out.

 

I have four Kumho ECSTA SPTs on order from a friend who owns a tire shop. He quoted me $95/tire, which is the same as TireRack.com.

Off with the OEM Bridgestones that are at the wear bars.

I am looking forward to having a tire that has better noise, ride and wear characteristics than the Bridgestones.

I will try PSIs from 34 to 36 to see what I like the best.

 

Installed today. It ended up being $465 for the four tires, mounting, balancing and sales tax. I haven't driven very far with them though, but the seem much quieter and the ride comfort has improved.

Now I get to focus on a new set of noises now that the road and tire roar has been much reduced from my worn out OEM Bridgestones. At least I got about 18K miles out of them.

I'll see how they feel after I get about a couple hundred break-in miles and up the PSI to 34.

 

the spt sidewalls are not that soft.. as you know air pressure is your friend...

but the spts are not track tires...

beers

 

Do you know how long the tread on Kumho SPTs typically last swoope?

 

i have 30 k miles on them... still great tires for the street.. they have gotten loud, but not the tires fault. it was an issue with shocks and springs...

changed stuff.. did not get it an alignment. then i had a bad shock.. did not alignment because of it. the had a family thing had to put 2k miles out of alignment ....

i would say they are good for 50 k miles... for a street tire... great.. also,,, amazing in the rain...

beers

 

Wow okay. My OEM Potenzas were completely bald at 26k, and I've had the SPTs for about 6k miles. Hopefully they'll last long

 

My Bridgestones were at wear bars at 17K. Not sure how much they last after that.

50K for my new Kumhos? Wow thats a long time. Who knows if I'll keep them for that long though.

I initially had 34PSI in them and I felt that it was a bit too soft for me. At the specified 32PSI, you'd probably barely feel a bump!

I went to 36PSI and it definitely firmed things up. Steering got sharper and the impacts were not as muted, but still damped nicely. I drive an RX-8, not a Mazda 6.

 

my closer guess is they would do 60k miles if you do not autox or track...

funny. i find now that 35psi works best...

note. mine have 38 k miles on them, and it is a guess.. the tires were a abused from a spring / shock issue.. long story..

beers

 

I don't autocross, yet. But spirited driving is a daily routine =)

 

I may try 35PSI next just to see if there is any difference. Trying out 34-35-36PSI. Definitely not 34 though. Nice and cushy--just a bit too cushy.

 

I got the Kumho ECSTA ASX version..however, the size was 225/40-18 (roughly $400 total)..on my next set, anybody install 235/40-18 or 245/40-18 on all 4 wheel? Or..do you have to the optional package of 225/45-18 front and 245/40-18 rear?

 

Peg leg RX8? Where's the other stripe of rubber?

 

I was also wondering that when I first saw the pic.

 

I bought the Kumho 245/40R18's and Enkei PKR's. The manager at the place I went to gave me a military discount since we are both former Marines. Rides great.