Another RX-8 tires thread...

[Hank3]

I'm purchasing a set of RX-8 wheels next week. A few questions:

Will the TPMS from the RX-8 wheels work fine with my Speed3 or should I purchase the rims without them for a cheaper price and just use my TPMS?
I was quoted $475 OTD to have tires mounted/balanced on the rims. They're 225/40/18 Yokohama SDrives. Do I need to be looking at the stock size of the RX-8 rims (225/45/18) or should I go with 235/40/18?The price probably will be higher than $475 if I go with a different size since my local Discount Tire is giving me a deal on the 225/40/18 SDrives since the peron who ordered it doesn't want them any more. They want o get rid of them - supposedly.

[RJKSpeed3]

I just bought a set of rx8 rims as well that came off a 04 rx8 and it came with tpms but no tires... And I have the same question... Will the tpms that came off 04 rx8 works with 08 ms3?

If you gonna spend that much, I would go with 235/40/18 because this is the closest to stock diam. And no rubbing issues.

[Nliiitend1]

The TPMS should work just fine, provided that the sensors are still functioning properly.

The ones that came on my RX8 wheels work splendidly.

I have 235/40R18 tires, and wouldn't personally use 225/40R18 because of the minscule sidewall. The 235/40R18 size already cuts it closer than I'd prefer.

The 224/45R18s of course give you more sidewall, but you run a higher chance of rubbing because of the taller overall diameter...

[Hank3]

Have people run into any rubbing issues with 235/40/18s?

[DaleNixon]

235/40/18 seem perfect to me.

The TPMS should work no problem. Mine never even tripped the light. And they were in storage for a few months before I put them on.

Just get ready to start considering springs or coilovers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3204442279_8e7b6b4601.jpg

[Hank3]

Well that's good to know that the TPMS sensors work fine.

[Hank3]

What kind of Kumhos are those, Dale?

[DaleNixon]

Ecsta SPT

[Hank3]

How you like them thus far? They look nice. Were they pricey?

[DaleNixon]

Freaking great tire. They grip well wet and dry and work great in non-freezing temps.

I got them from treadepot.com for I believe around $450 shipped. They had a $50 off coupon code out on the net.

[Hank3]

Thanks for the info!

[///M Compact]

Dale,
Do the MS3 lug nuts work with the RX-8 wheels?

[Nliiitend1]

Dale,
Do the MS3 lug nuts work with the RX-8 wheels?

Yes.

[///M Compact]

Thanks!

[RJKSpeed3]

Yeah i have Kumho SPTs on the front stock wheels and they are awesome!! The gap with 235/40 seems big on the picture and i will hate to lower my car just to get rid of the gap but I also hate to put 215/45 on a 8" width wheel. Dilemma....dilemma..

[Hank3]

What PSI are you guys running on the RX-8 wheels w/non-stock tires? Are you following the stock 34/32 specs?

[Kain]

I run 35-38 for DD.

[DaleNixon]

35 all around.

You will feel the extra sidewall stiffness and notice the extra inch of rubber on the road. It's nice!

[Hank3]

Why less in the front Kain? I figured I would still need to run more in the front due to FWD.

[Kain]

Why less in the front Kain? I figured I would still need to run more in the front due to FWD.

No, 35-38 is not F/R, it's just a range that I keep all the tires inflated at, anywhere between 35-38. I typically keep them all at the same PSI, unless I'm autocrossing.

[Hank3]

Ahhh...OK. Thanks for the clarification.

[leadf00t]

Yeah i have Kumho SPTs on the front stock wheels and they are awesome!! The gap with 235/40 seems big on the picture and i will hate to lower my car just to get rid of the gap but I also hate to put 215/45 on a 8" width wheel. Dilemma....dilemma..

I thought it was ok to run the stock tires on Rx8 rims ? I saw in another thread that somebody was using them. I have my rx8's stacked in the garage, and was planning on using my stock tires since they only have 2600 miles on them.

[leadf00t]

I found the thread http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123732604 It was Kain that has them.

[Hank3]

Little update:

My friend is picking up a set of Shinka RX-8 wheels for me this weekend. They have the stock 225/45/18 tires on them with ~60% tread remaining and TPMS (two are in the wheels and two need to be installed so I'll need to pay for two M&B fees). So I guess I won't be purchasing new tires for the time being. I know 225/45/18 isn't ideal, but for the sake of not spending any additional money I'll have to make due with them for however long it takes to wear them down. $600 for all this isn't bad IMO. Only thing wrong with them is that the wheels have some stained spots on each rim, and the seller has no idea what the stain is nor does he know how to get it off. So I'm hoping I'll be able to find something to get them off or touched up by a local mobile wheel repair place that I use. But no scratches or curb rash supposedly - but I'll find out when my friend meets up with him tonight. Will post pics next week when I put them on if all goes smoothly.

[Kain]

Shinka RX-8 wheels

Pics when you get them mounted. Shinkas would look great on Cosmic Blue.

[Hank3]

You bet, Kain. I was wondering if the Shinkas would look good on Cosmic Blue or not. That hyper silver color definitely looks better on certain car colors. I'm hoping Cosmic Blue is one of them.

[Kain]

Heh, well, if you aren't feeling the color combo, we can swap. :)

[Hank3]

Haha - yeah. What's half-way betwen Tallahassee, FL and Alexandria, VA?

BTW - I just called a few local tire places about getting the TPMS put in on the two wheels. One place said $50 and the other said $83, but the latter included a rebuild kit for the TPMS. He said there are grommets and other materials needed to mount them in properly so no leaks occur. The first place mentioned nothing about that. Any idea about this? I didn't know getting the TPMS put in was anything extra than a regular M&B.

[Kain]

Actually, I have fam in Tennessee, not far from north Florida. And I think this year's epic east coast meet is nearby.

I call BS on the TPMS. They are simply swapped from one wheel to the next. It literally is 5 minutes to swap them once the tires are off.

[Hank3]

Oh cool. I may have to meet some of the folks on here. I thought the TPMS thing sounded a little fishy.

I just got off the phone with the guy selling the rims and he said he's been getting flooded with phone calls about other people wanting to buy them. Glad I got in before the flurry. If this doesn't work out though, I just had a parts depot place about 3 hours away offer his set of RX-8 rims for $300 - one minor curb rash to one wheel. Good to have a backup plan :)

[Hank3]

Here are some pics of the beauties that will get mounted Tuesday. Last pic shows the stain marks that the seller said he couldn't get off - this particular wheel has the worst/most of the stains. I'm hopeful that I'll get them off somehow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wheel.jpg