What's a suitable replacement tire?
12-02-2004, 01:27 AM
#26
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Originally Posted by GeorgeH
What made you choose the KDW2s over Bridgestone SO-3s in stock size? Granted the Bridestones are more expensive, but they are considered a max performance tire as opposed to a ultra-high performance tire, and perform more-or-less identically with the GS-D3s (except for wet) according to Tire Rack. $209 per tire is tough to swallow, though.
Another non-stock size tire that should be considered is the Kumho Ecsta MX in 245-40-18. At $131 (TireRack price) they are a bargain, but perform with the best Max performance tires out there, are reasonably light (but I don't know how they compare to the stock tires) and are the correct diameter.
Another non-stock size tire that should be considered is the Kumho Ecsta MX in 245-40-18. At $131 (TireRack price) they are a bargain, but perform with the best Max performance tires out there, are reasonably light (but I don't know how they compare to the stock tires) and are the correct diameter.
We get a bit of rain on occasion down here in Southern California, but that's when you need performance from your tires the most. Especially on the freeways. I'd rather spend another $37 per tire to get significantly better wet performance than be cheap and risk my car and my life when it rains. Because it rains so little down here, when it does rain people don't know what to do with it and drive like it's still dry. This makes it much more dangerous on wet roads here because of the lack of IQ in the driving population. I'll gladly spend $150 if it gives me an edge in staying out of trouble.
12-02-2004, 10:45 AM
#27
Ride Naked!
Originally Posted by Ole Spiff
The KDW2 outperforms the SO-3 as well and is even less expensive than the GS-D3. The Kumho was okay; not bad for the price but on a car like the 8 "not bad" is really not good enough IMO. For another $37 per tire you get a significantly better tire in the KDW2.
12-05-2004, 11:20 AM
#28
My thoughts as well. The MX is a fantastic tire - I've chased fellow Miata drivers around clover-leafs, him on MXs and me on (smaller) Kumho autocross tires, and I can tell you the MXs made no apologies in the grip department. It's regarded as one of the top choices for street tire autocross classes.
Tirerack tested the MXs against the KDs, not the KDWs. Not, they are not as fast as the KDs, but they are close. And, if you want the 225-40s, they are priced at $108 each.
Tirerack tested the MXs against the KDs, not the KDWs. Not, they are not as fast as the KDs, but they are close. And, if you want the 225-40s, they are priced at $108 each.
12-06-2004, 08:23 AM
#29
Stuck in a love triangle
Im sticking w/the RE040. Ill probably have to replace it again at 45000 miles or so but atleast I wonthave to worry about downgrading the cars handling
12-09-2004, 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
Im sticking w/the RE040. Ill probably have to replace it again at 45000 miles or so but atleast I wonthave to worry about downgrading the cars handling
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ce+T%2FA+KDW+2
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Potenza+RE040
As you can see, there's quite a difference between the two. The Goodrich outperforms the stock RE040 in every way, and is $43 cheaper.
12-10-2004, 02:16 AM
#31
Stuck in a love triangle
Wheres isthere any proof thatthe KDW2 has better grip than the RE040? I need tohear from someone who has driven an Rx8 w/both brands. What youre showing me is simplya general online survey --its not a head to head comparison of the two tires. Its veryimportant that I have the same (or better) grip thatI had before b/c handling is one of the onlyreasons why Im keeping this car.
Heres a review Ifound on there from an Rx8 owner -
Bythe way Spiff - the speedometer is alreadyoff by 2mph soI guess w/your tires itll be off alittle more than that
Heres a review Ifound on there from an Rx8 owner -
2004 Mazda RX8 6-speed
Miles driven on tires:
5,000
Location: St. Louis, MO
Driving Condition:
Combined Highway/City
Driving Style: Spirited
I bought my 8 with the stock potenzas re040 IIRC, and when they wore out at about 15k miles, replaced them with the KDWs. The KDWs are great, they grip very slightly less on dry pavement, but should last 3 times as long! I am very happy, 5k miles including several autoxs and they show very litle wear.
Miles driven on tires:
5,000
Location: St. Louis, MO
Driving Condition:
Combined Highway/City
Driving Style: Spirited
I bought my 8 with the stock potenzas re040 IIRC, and when they wore out at about 15k miles, replaced them with the KDWs. The KDWs are great, they grip very slightly less on dry pavement, but should last 3 times as long! I am very happy, 5k miles including several autoxs and they show very litle wear.
Bythe way Spiff - the speedometer is alreadyoff by 2mph soI guess w/your tires itll be off alittle more than that
Last edited by JeRKy 8 Owner; 12-10-2004 at 02:55 AM.
12-10-2004, 06:26 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by Ole Spiff
I've spent hours and hours reading and researching tires and specs. From everything I've been able to learn, the best replacement tire if you want to go with the stock 225x45-18 size is the BF Goodrich KDW2. It got the best ratings for a tire in that size of any I could find. Price should be around $168 each.
I have 24k on my original tires and they have maybe another 6k to 8k miles left on them. I'm going to replace them with a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires in a 225x40-18 size. The Goodyears rate slightly better than the Goodrich tires and especially in the area of noise. Price is about $182 each. The reason for the change in size is these tires weigh 6lbs less than the stock size of 225x45-18. The reduction of 6lbs per wheel of unsprung rotational weight will make a noticable difference in performance. The only downside is my speedo will be slightly optimistic; at an indicated speed of 60mph I'll actually be doing 58mph. I can either have my speedo recalibrated or just live with it; not a problem to me.
The Eagle F1 had the best overall combination of performance in dry and wet, as well as good tire life and relatively low road noise. There were other tires that had better performance in specific areas, but they all tended to have lower tire life and more road noise. Not to mention being more expensive.
So for what it's worth, I'd recommend the Goodrich KDW2 for a stock tire size replacement, and the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 for a non-stock tire size replacement. The only reason I don't recommend the Eagle for a stock size replacement is because they don't have one. They have just about every size except 225x45-18.
I have 24k on my original tires and they have maybe another 6k to 8k miles left on them. I'm going to replace them with a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires in a 225x40-18 size. The Goodyears rate slightly better than the Goodrich tires and especially in the area of noise. Price is about $182 each. The reason for the change in size is these tires weigh 6lbs less than the stock size of 225x45-18. The reduction of 6lbs per wheel of unsprung rotational weight will make a noticable difference in performance. The only downside is my speedo will be slightly optimistic; at an indicated speed of 60mph I'll actually be doing 58mph. I can either have my speedo recalibrated or just live with it; not a problem to me.
The Eagle F1 had the best overall combination of performance in dry and wet, as well as good tire life and relatively low road noise. There were other tires that had better performance in specific areas, but they all tended to have lower tire life and more road noise. Not to mention being more expensive.
So for what it's worth, I'd recommend the Goodrich KDW2 for a stock tire size replacement, and the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 for a non-stock tire size replacement. The only reason I don't recommend the Eagle for a stock size replacement is because they don't have one. They have just about every size except 225x45-18.
12-10-2004, 06:36 PM
#33
Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
Wheres isthere any proof thatthe KDW2 has better grip than the RE040? I need tohear from someone who has driven an Rx8 w/both brands. What youre showing me is simplya general online survey --its not a head to head comparison of the two tires. Its veryimportant that I have the same (or better) grip thatI had before b/c handling is one of the onlyreasons why Im keeping this car.
Without good, reliable data, I think the only way you can be sure about upgrading the car's handling is to go with a max performance tire, like the S03, Pilot Sport, PZero Nero. etc. Unfortunately all these tires are $200+ apiece. This is where the Kumho MX looks so good - it's considered a max performance tire but is price very attractively.
Personally, I'd stay away from the KDWs based on the road noise comments.
12-10-2004, 11:54 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
Wheres isthere any proof thatthe KDW2 has better grip than the RE040? I need tohear from someone who has driven an Rx8 w/both brands. What youre showing me is simplya general online survey --its not a head to head comparison of the two tires. Its veryimportant that I have the same (or better) grip thatI had before b/c handling is one of the onlyreasons why Im keeping this car.
Heres a review Ifound on there from an Rx8 owner -
Bythe way Spiff - the speedometer is alreadyoff by 2mph soI guess w/your tires itll be off alittle more than that
Heres a review Ifound on there from an Rx8 owner -
Bythe way Spiff - the speedometer is alreadyoff by 2mph soI guess w/your tires itll be off alittle more than that
If the RE040 was within a few decimal places of the KDW2, like 9.1 vs 9.0 then you might be able to have some skepticism, but when the KDW2 gets a 9.4 out of 10 in dry traction, and the RE040 gets an 8; 9.1 vs 7.5 in cornering stability; 9.3 vs 7.7 in steering response....then it's no contest. As for noise, the KDW2 is rated at 7 vs 5.6 for the RE040.
You can of course go with any tire you choose; I simply posted the information I'd learned after studying this for awhile in case it might be of some use to anyone reading it. The RE040 is an okay tire, but there are better tires for the money.
12-11-2004, 04:00 PM
#36
Stuck in a love triangle
Originally Posted by Ole Spiff
There is a difference between the KDW, and the KDW2; they are separate tires. The links I gave you are the results of the surveys from people who use the tires. The RE040 survey was the average of 251 responses; the KDW2 the average of 122 responses. That's a pretty good sampling. If you looked at the links, there's no contest in performance ratings. The KDW2 significantly outperforms the RE040 in every category; not by just a little, but by a lot. The KDW2 got 5 superior ratings in performance while the RE040 didn't get a single one. The KDW2 also got significantly higher ratings in ride, noise and wear.
Actually if you read the RE040 survey results individually - majorityof the negative reviews came from 350z owners not Rx8 owners. Ofcourse the tire is goingto feel better/worse on a different car w/different suspension. Notto mention the 350z uses 245/45R18 on the back and225/45/R18 on the front. I still thinkcomparing the results from one survey tothe other is useless - especiallywhen they arent all from the same type of car andarent head to head comparisons.
Last edited by JeRKy 8 Owner; 12-11-2004 at 04:04 PM.
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