They're 17x7.5 but I have no idea what the offset is. How do you measure that exactly?

 

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know - I live in Winnipeg Canada ... and we already have snow!

The factory tires (potenza's) are absolutely awful in the snow ... I plan on driving my RX8 throughout the winter, and have already order 18" Bridgestone Blizzak's ... they should arrive next Friday ...

I will update on how snow driving goes once I install them ...

 

I also got the Dunlop M3 Wintersport runflats -- mine are mounted on Sport Edition Fox 2's -- all from Tirerack. Weather looks good for at least the next 10 days so I may make it to Thanksgiving without switching over.

 

I'm considering the same set-up, except with the Kazera KZ-Vs.

Since these are directional tires, how does one know which direction they are suppose to go? (sorry for the novice tire question)

 

Well...

theres a directional arrow pointing forward,

you could always look at the tread to see which way "points" forward,

or

the tirerack makes sure that they mount the tires the right way so the logo on the wheels point forward


the choice is yours my friend :p

 

My winter wheel/tire package is on its way from the Tire Rack. I was originally going to go with the Dunlop M3's ,but was told they were all out and they wouldn't be getting any more in. I went with the 17x7 Kazera KZ-R's with Pirelli 225/50HR-17 Winter 210 SnowSport tires. They should be here next week and I'll try to weigh them up before I install them.

17x7 Kazera KZ-R Silver


Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport's

 

I was told that the M3 runflats are in stock (I ordered these) but that the non-runflat M3's were out of stock and unavailable.

 

pullinteef, any update on the sensors? Has the dash light come on, any audible "beeping"?

 

I just put on the same wheels that canzoomer has here (Core Racing 216 7" 38mm offset):

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?postid=137697

I think they look pretty good, and there is a center cap so you can put some crappy lug-nuts under it. They were CHEAP! ~$150 CAD.

I went with a 225-50-17 Toyo Garit HT tire. They are GREAT!

 

I thought the offset on the OEM wheels are 50mm. Do the 7'' wide wheels fit better w/38mm offset?

 

Jimsabo. I really want to know how the 8 handles in the snow. It will be my every day car during the winter, and I live in wisconsin, so its a valid concern. Please update us asap. Its one of my buying points, and Id hate to be mean to such a beautiful car.

 

There's several threads where this has already been discussed - here's one: First test of RX-8 in snow - it's great! from two weeks ago.

(by the way - it's great! )

Regards,
Gordon

 

It is 50mm OEM. I asked about the 38mm here:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&pagenumber=12

The 8 drives great in the snow with good tires

 

I understand now.
thanks

 

Yeah, the light finally came on and continues flashing. I think it comes on after about 15 minutes now, not sure why it didn't at first but now it's happened a few times. It's really not all that annoying, but some people have said a little piece of black tape covers it pretty cleanly. I only heard the beep the first time the light came on with the stock 18" wheels/tires after a temp drop caused some low tire pressure. No beeping since.

 

A couple of things...

I am putting Dunlop M92 225/40/18 snow's on my Rex. These will work with the sensors, and I found them brand new from a Florida dealer for $380.00/set of 4 (eBay!) I have confirmed with both the dealer and my local tire shop that these tires will work just dandy. This same local shop has already put snows on other RX8's for the dealer where I purchased my car. Seems the Mazda dealer does not yet have the equipment to do the tire changes for our rims in their shop.

Next, those of you who are thinking about replacing the wheels with a different size should be aware that as of November 1st there is a Federal Regulation concerning the tire pressure sensors. It states that if you have them you are not allowed to remove them... Not to say that it can't be done, however, there MAY be some insurance issues if the tires fail and the car suffers any damage where the sensors would have made a difference.

If you folks have heard anything on this I would like to hear more. Thanks.

 

a) The Fed's can kiss my a$$
b) There is no cop on the face of the earth that will ever know which cars come equipped with tire pressure sensors and which don't to enforce this rule
c) If you have a sudden blowout, a TPS isn't going to do squat since the tire will be gone and you'll be in a ditch before the light flicks on.


the sensors either have to get cheaper or the light to really really annoy me badly before I'll put them on my snowtire rims.

 

An insurance inspector who is familiar with this car will notice that the original wheels have been replaced and will certainly be able to tell if the tire pressure sensors are there or not.

What will this mean? We will have to wait until there is a first occurrence but make no mistake the regulation went into effect on 11/01/03... kissed a$$ or not!

 

Has anyone considered what other existing Mazda products or other vehicles would have the same bolt pattern and a satisfactory offset / clearance? I'm thinking that the Mazda 6, Protege, and for God's sake even the Probe GT wheels may work on this car for the winter if you're looking to just get a junk set and throw some winter tires on them. I'm not convinced I want to spend $140 (at the low end of the scale) a wheel for some wheels that I

A) don't really like and am just buying for the sake of winter wheels and
B) won't be using for more than 4 months...

It would definately turn out to be much more cost effective to pick up a set of used / turned in wheels that are already in existance for like $25 a wheel and save yourself hundreds...

Just a thought I was kicking around... Unfortunately I don't have the time / resources to research what makes / models will fit.

Myah

 

A bunch of us have looked - the big problem is the size of the front brakes. Here in Canada, no one could find a 16" wheel that would fit (all Canadian RX-8s have the Sport suspension and the large brakes), and even some 17s don't fit. Rumour has it that there are some 16s that might fit, but we didn't have time to wait to check those out! (Our first snow was 3 weeks ago...).

Regards,
Gordon

 

You have just summed up the situation we are all in...

1) We NEED snow tires if you live where snow and ice happen.

2) They cost a small fortune and,

3) There are not many options to choose from.

Add to this the issue with the tire pressure sensors and the cost of a viable solution. I still say you should all check out the Dunlop 225/40/18's available from a Florida dealer on eBay for only $380.00 for a set of four that will fit on your existing wheels. Mine are in transit for delivery on Friday. I personally have no other relationship with this company. If interested take a look at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2444028561

while they are still available.

That's my 2 cents and research done...

 

That is a good price. Just remember the 225/40/18's are nearly 1/2" shorter in the sidewall, and nearly an inch shorter in diameter than the stock tires, so there will be speedo error, a greater risk of pothole damage, and the extra wheelwell space will look like a&&.

 

These tires are now on my car and there is no discernable difference as far as looks are concerned between the 225/45/18's and the, now, 225/40/18 Dunlop M2 snow tires. Yes, the wheels will spin 829 times per mile rather than the 800 times for the 225/45/18's. For the 3-4 months that these tires will be on my car I can live with that. I am not convinced there is a pothole deterence difference between the 45's and the 40's, but I'll let you know at the end of the season.

Bottom line for me....... The 225/40/18's are brand new, work, and at $380.00 for the set of 4 represent a bargain over the $1500.00+ Blizzaks offerred by the dealer. Maybe the fit isn't perfect, but the only ones who will notice are those reading this forum who happen to spot me on the street of central Massachusetts. And even then I don't think you could tell! I personally feel much better about the impending snow in this region which, last year, began on Thanksgiving day and did not melt until sometime the following April.

I now have brand new snow tires from a reliable tire manufacturer at a reasonable price that allow me to continue using the existing RX8 wheels and tire pressure sensors.

 

the winter tires for that price..... anyone that is thinking about not getting it is crazy. 400 bucks for 1000 worth, you can just get the tires and sell it again. I bet you would make money just liek that =)

 

I just installed my sn0wtires last week... the M3's rock on dry pavement so far


I weighed the stock tire/wheel on the same bathroom scale - they came up as being 48lbs

... no wonder my car feels a bit more spunky :p