245/40/r18 on RX8 Wheels

[DaleNixon]

Will the tire size stated in the thread title fit on RX8 wheels on an MS3 with stock suspension with no rubbing issues?

I tried to order 235/40/r18 from discounttiredirect.com, but they do not have the tire I want in that size. They have plenty in 245/40/r18 though.

Thanks!

 

[Nliiitend1]

Without ever having actually tried that size myself, I think I can say you'll probably have a decent chance of rubbing under compression, especially with the car loaded.

That being said, fender rolling may be enough to alleviate it.

I'm running 235/40/18 Kumho XSs (which run a little wide for their size) on RX-8 wheels. I haven't rubbed yet, but haven't had my car fully loaded with the setup yet either. I own a fender roller, so I'm probably gonna roll them just for good measure one of these days.

What tires are you looking to get?

 

[DaleNixon]

Kumho Ecsta SPT. Maybe I'll just try to find the 235 size somewhere else.

 

[Nliiitend1]

Try the TireRack.

If you're willing to spend a bit more there are a lot of better options than the SPT, but for that price point it's hard to beat.

 

[DaleNixon]

What do you recommend? I love Kumhos. Look at tirerack's tests on them. Amazing! Plus I loved them on my Protege5.

Tirerack will cost me over $100 more for the same tire package (damn tax and shipping!).

 

[Element]

I have 245/40/18s on my car and they did rub only under a full load or on very large bumps. I had my fenders rolled profesionally and no more rubbing under load.

 

[DaleNixon]

Fender rolling looks like a major PITA. I think I'll just try to score some 235's. Thanks for the information.

 

[Nliiitend1]

What do you recommend? I love Kumhos. Look at tirerack's tests on them. Amazing! Plus I loved them on my Protege5.

Tirerack will cost me over $100 more for the same tire package (damn tax and shipping!).

TireRack charges you tax??

**EDIT** (They must have a LA distribution center or something...)

When I bought my current tires, DTD was only $10 cheaper for the set to my door (even factoring in shipping) and they were special order (whereas TireRack had them in stock).

I'm really loving the new Kumho XS (though I've only had them for about 1000-1200 miles), though they will definitely wear faster than the SPT. Dry grip is fantastic. I chose them over a set of Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs simply because they were about $25 cheaper per tire and I'm a sucker for trying out the "newest, hottest" street tires out there. These things are supposed to be competing with all the "hot" street-tire class tires in SCCA Solo competition in the upcoming season.

Like I said though, all the tires that I would recommend as performing better than the SPTs are significantly more expensive (though IMO they're worth it).

I still spent less than $700 shipped to my door for 235/40s, which is still a Hell of a lot cheaper than RE050As.

 

[DaleNixon]

I can't compromise wet traction. I think the SPT's are the perfect tire for my needs. And yes, tirerack.com does have an LA distribution center. I might just get DTD to special order the tires for me. I don't exactly NEED them right away anyway.

 

[AutoXRacer]

The XS are really a competition/racing tire (street class). I would not recommend it for daily driving unless you don't mind buying tires a couple of times a year. The SPT are more than adequate for daily driving.

Just my opinion...

 

[Nliiitend1]

The XS are really a competition/racing tire (street class). I would not recommend it for daily driving unless you don't mind buying tires a couple of times a year. The SPT are more than adequate for daily driving.

Just my opinion...

I think I will be able to get at least as many miles out of these XSs than I did out of my RE050As (~10K miles, with a few autocross events and a track day).

Granted, when you use them regularly for autocrossing or open-tracking it will significantly shorten their life, but that's something I can deal with. I don't like compromising much when it comes to tires.

Also, while I haven't yet used these tires in any crazy torrential downpours, I have had a chance to drive on them in the wet and they perform quite admirably. I don't think wet traction problems will be much of an issue.

 

[AutoXRacer]

(omg) 10K miles? (huh)

So far I have 33K miles on the stockers and I still have a few 1K miles to go...and yes that does include lighting up the tires on occasion. Though, my autocross tires lasted only a few thousand miles... (lol2)

 

[Nliiitend1]

Actually, I should have been more specific. I put 10K miles on them, but they probably have another 3K in them before being utterly useless. I have about 1-2/32" of tread left until I hit the wear bars. I keep forgetting that I took them off before they were completely bald...

A couple hundred hard track miles, a few autocrosses, and roughly 5K city miles (I lived in Chicago for the first 6 months of ownership, 4 of which were on the RE050As after switching back from my winter setup) took their toll...

Nevertheless, I don't really expect these Kumhos to wear out any faster than the stock Potenzas, all else being equal.

 

[Rynosilver3]

edit just saw this was way back when sorry...

 

[mattj3636]

you have quoted yourself in your sig?