Best Tire

[MazdaSpeed732]

Whats up guys, I'm new, just got a 08 MS3, and heard bad things about the bridgestone tires that come with the car. I was wondering if any one had any problems with the tires, and if so, what tires are great for the car.

 

[Sp33dFr33k]

It isn't so much there are problems with the tire, but they are not meant for winter use and have horrible tread life. In warm weather they are decent. I don't see much more life in my stockers and i haven't even hit 8000 miles.

 

[SHaW]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Hankook&model=Ventus+R-S2&partnum=635YR8Z212XL

 

[bacarl]

Don't pay too much attention to what you read on the boards about how "horrible" the Potenzas are. They are actually a very good summer tire, and quite grippy. Mazda chose them for a number of reasons. FWIW, the same tire is original equipment on several other high-performance cars, including the 370Z.

It is absolutely true that they are bad in cold temperatures, and that they wear quickly, but that's true for any summer tire. You can change to a set of good all-seasons to improve wear and cold-weather performance, but you'll sacrifice some grip.

 

[Nliiitend1]

While the RE050A is not a terrible summer tire, it's not that great either, especially considering some of the newer alternatives.

At best, it's a dated summer performance tire that gets the job done with very little treadnoise and good wet-weather capabilities.

My main problem with the RE050A is the cost. There are way better tires out there for way less money.

 

[funksilver07]

Whats up guys, I'm new, just got a 08 MS3, and heard bad things about the bridgestone tires that come with the car. I was wondering if any one had any problems with the tires, and if so, what tires are great for the car.[/QUOTE

What kind of tire do you need? Summer or all Season? People who are seeing OEM tires wear out prematurely probably aren't rotating on regular basis. I got over 22k miles on my OEM Bridgestones (with several autox days in there too) before changing to Dunlop Direzza Z1 sport star spec's. The Dunlop is a great riding very sticky tire, I bumped up to a 225/45 on my stock wheel ... Tirerack has some good info/reviews/tests on all the brands they carry, so you can get some research done before you decide which way to go...

 

[bacarl]

Nliiitend1 is right, it's not the best summer tire. I just don't think there's anything awful about it like you might read. If you're looking for a very sticky tire, there are better options. Although, I've had good luck autocrossing the stock tires all season, the MS3 is a pretty potent contender in stock class.

I got the impression from your post that you're taking the forum's word that the tires are no good, and you want to swap them out based on that feedback. If your tires are still good, I would recommend keeping them. If they need replacing (which didn't occur to me), what kind of driving do you like to do?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Nliiitend1 is right, it's not the best summer tire. I just don't think there's anything awful about it like you might read. If you're looking for a very sticky tire, there are better options. Although, I've had good luck autocrossing the stock tires all season, the MS3 is a pretty potent contender in stock class.


You rode those Potenzas all season or just summer? Didnt you go to a much wider tire at some point?

I loved my stock tires. Got about 15k out of them.

 

[bacarl]

Yeah, I did go much wider. That's kind of why I'm chiming in on this thread, because when I bought my car I figured I knew more than Mazda did so I "upgraded" to a 235/40R18 Falken FK452. Now granted, I've since learned that that tire is truly horrible, so it's not a great example. But that tire on my 18x8's was so much worse than the Potenzas it's not even funny. I had already sold my stock wheels by the time I realized this, so I bought back some stock wheels/tires from a forum member. His tires supposedly had 12k+ on them but they were in great shape, and I've put another ~7k on this summer with a couple autocrosses per month. They don't have much life left in them at this point. I still have my practically brand new OE Potenzas which I'll mount up for next season.

I have some cheap-o craigslist Blizzak Revo1's for winter. 205/60R16 IIRC.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Cool... Glad you got that worked out! I really liked my Potenzas. On Dry my Pradas are pretty awesome but in the wet those RE050A's were great.

 

[CWPspeed3]

my stock tires have about 10k miles on them now and have between 3-4/32nd left. I think they are a great stock tire with not too much road noise. They arent rated for use in temps below 36* but i have a buddy that has them on his G8 and used them all year, with much difficulty i may add, the g8 is tough to push out of a ditch. I wouldnt spend the almost $300 a piece to replace them but have nothing against the tire. I run Pirelli A/S for winter.

 

[bacarl]

... with much difficulty i may add, the g8 is tough to push out of a ditch...

(lol2)

 

[MazdaSpeed732]

Thanks guys, i should of been more specific, in the summer they arent to bad, but im worried in the winter bc it does get below 36 in jersey, any one have any major problems with them in the cold temperatures?

 

[Kain]

That's a rhetorical question. Do NOT drive summer tires in near-freezing conditions, doesn't matter if there's snow/ice or not. The compound and tread pattern used for those tires do not provide optimal grip in cold temps.

 

[CWPspeed3]

Thanks guys, i should of been more specific, in the summer they arent to bad, but im worried in the winter bc it does get below 36 in jersey, any one have any major problems with them in the cold temperatures?

depends on what you think are major problems i guess. i havent personally because I put all seasons on around november or earlier in Michigan. they are a soft compound that will get too hard in the cold temps and become dangerous (in my opinion) to drive through the winter. stopping will be the biggest problem, little less hard to get moving but you will have lots of tire spinning if you choose to leave those on year round. at least thats what i noticed with my buddies g8, rwd probably had a little bit to blame. If you can afford it get a decent set of all seasons, or if you get a lot of snow in your area 16" or 17" with snow tires.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

There is simply no reason to run summer tires in the winter if it EVER gets below 40*. The tires will simply not stop or turn and are extremely unsafe for yourself or others. Regardless on how little you may plan to drive in the winter it simply is not worth the $400 for a decent set of winter or A/S tires.

 

[stx195]

I'd opt for snows

I totally agree with Mazdaspeedster3.

You've got an investment there... why risk it - or others... I have a set of ASA 17" wheels left over from my Subaru with some nice Blizzacks... had the hub bore on the wheels taken out a bit, and I'll run that package on the Speed3 and enjoy them all winter... summer tires are for just that (and well, the spring and the fall ).

 

[08cosmic3]

I have almost 29,000 on my stockers and have new Hankook v12's in the garage waiting to go on at 30,000 miles. I have read that some members only got 10,000 to 15,000 out of their stockers. I guess they drive harder than I do.

 

[hellyeah08]

yeah....I think Re050a are pretty decent summer tires
altho it did get me into trouble when a totally unexpected snow hit earlier this yr

nonetheless, I must say, these tires never failed me in whatever I did with the car
and I had about 13000 miles on them and still running pretty strong , at least another 4000 miles I say

 

[CajunRacer]

No tire expert

I am no tire expert but I have gone through my share.

Dealers and manufacturers will (typically) put the cheapest tire on a car they can get away with and will generally be geared towards the climate and season they are in.

That having been said you can't have your cake and eat it too unless you want to pay.

The softer the tire the better performance and handling but they won't last too long. The tires that came on your car were meant for an aggressive look and they have poor tread pattern meaning the handling isn't surpurb and they won't last long.

Most of the major manufacturers make a performance tire but here's the biggest tip...if they don't have a rating it's because they are for performance and WON'T last.

Get an all weather GT tire and you will get the best of both worlds...but the cost are a little high.

I get my tires through Sam's club (or equivellant)