kesslti

Ok - I have spent many many hours searching for questions on tires for my RX-8. I will apologize in advance for the post from someone who says this has been covered a hundred times - but I have been unable to find a comprehensive discussion covering all tire options from winter to all season to stock rims to new rims.

I was wondering if I put all of the questions in a single thread - maybe this could be used by a lot of other folks (who I am sure are in the same boat)

Stock Tires

Winter Performance? I understand that it is aweful. Sounds like they are good for 8 months of the year in St. Louis where I am at... and thats it.

Winter Tires

Sounds like a lot of options - It seems a lot of people are happy with the Blizzak LM-22 tires.

What about the rims? Can you put winter tires on stock rims? Is there enough clearance? I have talked to local dealers - who say no problem - but everyone in this forum says - 17inch rims?

All Season Tires

Sounds like the best of all worlds? Right?

I was recommedned by a local dealer the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season - what are the pros / cons to all season tires (outside of the obvious across the board general purpose nature of the tire) - does anyone have them? How do they perform? Seems like one of the risks with tires is road noise...

As to rims - can you put these on stock rims? should you get 17 inch due to clearance like the winter tires?


Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

thanks,

BlueFrenzy

Are you kidding about not enough comprehensive discussions about winter tires??? Sorry to make fun but in 5 minutes, I found tons of RELEVANT discussions. Go to the TIRES section or any regional forum where there's snow! I'll make it even easier ... go to the Canada forum (the land of snow). We've had discussion after discussion about winter tires. Here's a couple to get you started.

https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum-35/winter-tires-calgary-42095/
https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum-35/best-wheels-215-55-17-winter-tires-43034/
https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum-35/winter-wheel-tire-package-2004-a-38895/

There have also been threads on what rims fit for winter tires. In fact, there was a forum member that compiled a list of rims and tires with pics; people then started to post their winter tires to help others (heck it's even called a LIBRARY OF WINTER WHEELS & TIRE ... what you were looking for)
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=winter+rims

The ones I've listed for you are from the past 2-3 months, there are TONS more!!

To answer your questions:

STOCK TIRES are summer only!! You will crash and probably die if you drive with them in the winter.

WINTER TIRES - most people have Toyo Garit HT, Blizzak LM22, Hankook W300, Pirelli or Dunlop M3. All have pretty good results in the snow. Aim for thinner tires 215's but 225 is ok.

ALL SEASONS - there are a couple of folk here with them. The arguement against them is that they are a compromise (jack of all trades), so they are ok in the winter and ok in the summer. You drive an 8, not a Honda Civic, so wouldn't you want the best performance out of your car?

RIMS - people have placed winter tires on the stock 18s. Only thing is that you have to spend money on swapping them out and possibly risk damaging your rims then
- most people go with 17 rims because they are cheaper, lighter and more readily available than 18's. Also you get more snow clearance (more rubber) with 17's
- make sure the rims you get FIT! 5 bolts, 114.5 mm, stock offset 50mm (but 45, 42 and even 40mm works). I don't know much about the TPMS because we don't have to worry about that in Canada.

Good luck.

Domer

Blue Frenzy summed it up nicely. All I can add is to beware of the 17" rim. Not all 17" rims will clear the brake caliper so get them fitted locally or order from a place like Tire Rack that knows which ones are compatible.

van

iTrader: (2)

Thinking of getting Michelin X-Ice 215/45 R18 Winters. But I am wondering if these are too narrow for the stock 18x8 rims and if they will stretch?