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08cosmic3

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2008 Mazdaspeed 3
I'm looking for a set of 225/45-18 summer tires. I want to keep the price under $150 each.

The Hankook VENTUS V12 EVO K110 are $124 each at Tires-Easy.com.

The Hankook Ventus S1 evo's are $105 each at TireRack.

The Sumitomo HTR Z III are $136 each at Tire Rack.

General Exclaim UHP are $110 with $50 rebate on four tires at Tire Rack.

Falken FK-452 are $117 at Tires-Easy.com.

Nitto NT555 EXTREME are $121 Each at Tires-Easy.com.

These are a few that I'm considering and if you have these tires please chime in. If you have others that I should consider please advise.
 
I've had the Falken 452's for about 9k miles now ( 225/45-18 ). They just barely rubbed when they were newer, but only over bumps with someone riding in back. They do not grip quite as good as the stock tires, so they'll squeel easier on acceleration and around turns, but they perform fine for daily driver use. They also feel a little different tracking around turns than stock tires, but nothing bad, just different. I liked the price and so far they look like they will last about 20% longer treadwear. I don't think I'll buy them next time around, but not sure.
 
I too, have the Falken 452's and I will have totally disagree with AGspeed3 about their performance verses the stock tires. These tires stick much better than stock, no doubt in my mind at all. I can mash it in 2nd and these tire pretty much stick it to the road. They even do good holding it down when I mash it in 1st as well.
 
I too, have the Falken 452's and I will have totally disagree with AGspeed3 about their performance verses the stock tires. These tires stick much better than stock, no doubt in my mind at all. I can mash it in 2nd and these tire pretty much stick it to the road. They even do good holding it down when I mash it in 1st as well.

I've had my 452's on for about 2000 km's, and I'm down with this comment. Very happy with them so far, would easily recommend them.
 
got my last too Nittos 225/40/18 (which i would suggest this size not 45) 230 shipped. Discount tire direct. i have an opinion two. these are track tires for the street. am on a second set. and i am nearly fearless now. you might want tire that last longer though
 
I too, have the Falken 452's and I will have totally disagree with AGspeed3 about their performance verses the stock tires. These tires stick much better than stock, no doubt in my mind at all. I can mash it in 2nd and these tire pretty much stick it to the road. They even do good holding it down when I mash it in 1st as well.

I'm glad you like them, but they broke loose in first and second on my way home from work today after time to warm up. I autoX'ed the stockers last year and I would have been off in the weeds if I had these these Falkens on. I'm not saying they're bad - I've had Yoko's that were much worse, but they are not a "high performance tire" - just a good daily driver summer tire.
 
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I'm glad you like them, but they broke loose in first and second on my way home from work today after time to warm up. I autoX'ed the stockers last year and I would have been off in the weeds if I had these these Falkens on. I'm not saying they're bad - I've had Yoko's that were much worse, but they are not a "high performance tire" - just a good daily driver summer tire.

I personally like my 452's and they suit my needs (good performance, good tread life), but you are correct. They are listed as a "high performance summer tire", but they cannot compete with the best ones out there. They are more of a "high performance summer tire" on a budget. They just will not grip as well as the tires that cost twice as much. If you NEED the grip and performance, you're going to have to dish out the coin.
 
I have the Hankook VENTUS V12 EVO K110 and they are awesome. I found them to be great for Auto-X and they really shine in handling on wet pavement.
 
Pirelli P-Zero Nero?
If you look at the overall ratings for Max Performance Summers it is the highest rated in that is 225/45/18 in that price range.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=14

Or if you're willing to splurge just a bit, Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=1



All of that size at tirerack.com:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compa...&width=225/&ratio=45&diameter=18&startIndex=0
 
got my last too Nittos 225/40/18 (which i would suggest this size not 45) 230 shipped. Discount tire direct. i have an opinion two. these are track tires for the street. am on a second set. and i am nearly fearless now. you might want tire that last longer though

I have stock rims. Will going 225/40/18 be ok?
 
I am sorry, i did not realize that you were running the stock wheel. wastegate is correct about the opinions and that also, it has been done on the stock wheel. I think i will leave this to the experts or folks who have more experience. I bought a wider wheel 18/8 to fit more tire right off. I do hope its safe to run that on the stock wheels because i think they look good on this car. Good luck
 
Has anyone tried out the new Bridgestone RE11? I was thinking about trying them out ina 225/40r18 once my stockies wear out.
 
Nitto NT555 Extream. Love em so far. Still learning there cornering limits. But Can't complain so far. feel about the same as the Stock Potenza's even though they are a lil Wider. Would Love to try some Advans
 
really good tires in general

Nitto NT555 Extream. Love em so far. Still learning there cornering limits. But Can't complain so far. feel about the same as the Stock Potenza's even though they are a lil Wider. Would Love to try some Advans
Put a just a rear sway bar on there and you will get oversteer. yes thats right. then you will find the limits of your tires. Be sure to WARM these tires up, they like that. but be prepared... when they finally start to break away ( progressively ) you will be going so godamn fast it could get ugly. I would like to try the nto5s but not availble in my size yet
 
I just put a set of Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 star spec's 225/45/18 on my MS3. These are very good tires. Very happy with the results. They grip like crazy, $177.@ tirerack. Personally I wouldn't go 225/40 on a 7" rim. Some will disagree and say they've done it with no issues, but it's not recommended by any professional who deals with wheels/tires. Eventually I will swap out my suspension parts and go with a wider wheel so there will be more choices to go with... for now the 225/45's are doing the job.
 
Hi Moultese,

I'm looking at the V12 Evo myself and i'm wondering about the treadlife? For how long have you been using those? Any complaints? I'm looking for a tire that will last at least 2 summers (about 20 K). I'll be using those on Highway and city... no drag or races, but I love to take ramps at higher speeds...

What are your impressions?

Thanks
 
Hi Moultese,

I'm looking at the V12 Evo myself and i'm wondering about the treadlife? For how long have you been using those? Any complaints? I'm looking for a tire that will last at least 2 summers (about 20 K). I'll be using those on Highway and city... no drag or races, but I love to take ramps at higher speeds...

What are your impressions?

Thanks

So far the treadlife is looking really good. I put these on in December I believe of 08 and there is still PLENTY of tread left. It wouldn't surprise me if you could get 2 summers out of them. I've used these tires for 1 autox event as well.

I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but I purchased these tires as a winter tire set. I know they aren't winter tires, but I wanted something all season to last me through the mild winter we have here in KY. Well the tire shop that I got them from said they were High Performance All Season, but then I look online and people call them summer tires. So I don't exactly know, but they did pretty well in the snow, a lot better than the stock Potenzas. They handle REALLY well in the rain. Overall I'm very impressed with these tires and would definitely purchase them again.
 

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