rx8 18" tyre choices

[Luke and Debs]

hi all

getting a set of rx8 18" alloys for my bongo.

been reading posts as to what tyre to go for.

seems quite mix. so far seems to range from 245/40, 245/45, 235/50 235/45 225/50 225/55 225/45

have ruled out 225/40 as hard to get load rating

dont want a tyre that rubs the arches or needs to mod to fit bongo arches so if anybody know which do would be good.

also range of tyres so would like some recomendations. see alot of people fit 225/50/18 accelera
but have found some cheap makes but dont know quallity. bad reveview from sports cars but bongo is not a sorts car.
makes are auto grip, full run, enduro, sailum. any advise on these would be good. also any advise on pros and cons on different tyre sizes.

also found some good part worn continental sport 235/45/18 98y on ebay so look quite good

what do people think

cheers luke

[bongodonkey]

Hi Luke,

I run ACCELERA 225 45 R18 XL (98/99) rated.

Awesome at £92 a corner off blackcircles.com

Admittedly not the cheapest, but lots of value for price.

As for fit on full lock the wheels will rub on the plastic skirt on the top of the arches,but no damage to either.

Best bet is to lurk on eBay and get 2 matching pairs, new or part worn......all of my tyres have years left in them, but when it comes to renewal time that is what I'm going to do.

Master plan is to find another RX8 18in alloy and have a full size spare!

Cheers now Oz

[M 80NGO]

I have just bought these for L'oreal and they look and feel great speedo is 2mph fast ie when it reads 60 i'm doing 58, only downside is if your Bongo is constant 4wd then you'll also need a 205 70 15 spare tyre to make the rolling radius the same I got them delivered to my local garage who charged me £40 to fit em all up and a 205 70 15 fitted to my spare at the local partworn tyre centre

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235-45-18-NAN ... 3cc6586c88

[Luke and Debs]

question is the rubbing caused by the increase width of the tyre as i first thought it would be the fitting of a larger tyre but when calculating the tyre size found my current alloys already have big tyres fitted. 195/80/15 which make it quite large

amlooking at fitting 235/45 or 235/50 if i fitted a 245 would this cause more rubbing

cheers guys

[M 80NGO]

question is the rubbing caused by the increase width of the tyre as i first thought it would be the fitting of a larger tyre but when calculating the tyre size found my current alloys already have big tyres fitted. 195/80/15 which make it quite large

amlooking at fitting 235/45 or 235/50 if i fitted a 245 would this cause more rubbing

cheers guys

no rubbing with my 235/18's and there was no rubbing when l'oreal was wearing her 245 40 18's either. What you need to remember is that your rolling radius is still the same you just have more wheel and less tyre.

If you go for the 225 / 45's then your standard 215/65 15 spare tyre is just .25 of a cm smaller also the wider the tyre the more drag and the more fuel is used

[Luke and Debs]

that makes sense

dont have a spare to worry about as lpg tank is there. also only 2wd so no problems with that either

luke

[orielvilla]

Hi,
I've just got hold of some 18" RX8 wheels with 225/45 tyres.

Will I need to any spacers and/or longer studs to fit them?

I currently have original 15" alloys.

[francophile1947]

Hi,
I've just got hold of some 18" RX8 wheels with 225/45 tyres.

Will I need to any spacers and/or longer studs to fit them?

I currently have original 15" alloys.

No different studs/bolts or spacers, but check the tyre loadings - most 225/45x18 are either 91 or 95, which is too low for a Bongo.

[orielvilla]

Thank you for your advice.

I'm yet to collect the wheels so don't know what the load rating is. My Bongo has been converted into a camper van which only seats 4 people. Taking into account the weight of the conversion minus the removed seats and reduction from max 8 passengers to 4, I wonder if I could get away with a reduced load rating?

I really don't want to buy new tyres!

[francophile1947]

I wonder if I could get away with a reduced load rating?

Best check with your insurance company to see what they say about it. If you get a blow-out, on under load tyres, will they pay out for any damage caused?

[cheffy34]

I've got 225/45s 95xl on the front and 245/45s 101xl on the rear on mine ( 2 WHEEL DRIVE ) gives a more tarty stance when lowered ride is fine no scrubbing at all

I paid £45 a piece fronts and £75 a piece for the rears fitted at my local not great brands but budgets brand new call me an anorak but cool looking tread aswell

According to the panel in my door shut it says 98 load rate on rear, so i took the safe bet and put 95 extra loads on the front and 101xl on the rear, fine on a 2 wheel drive, i am yet to find a xtra load above 95 on a 225/45/18 and to be honest a bit woosy looking when on the rears for me a big v6 rear wheel drive is begging for a bigger tyre on the rear call me sad but it does look better always had since i first put my wheels on, they used to be chrome but are now cool satin black till my wife curbed the front nearside all the way round the rim

I may just polish the other three to save me repainting it

Dar

[Luke and Debs]

satin black is what i am going for on my new rx8

think i am going for 235/50/18

as same rolling size as current and can get good load rating

has to be satin

luke