After trying to mess with 35 offset wheels, I've decided to simply change to other wheels and buy all 4 tires the same so I can rotate them.

This car is going to be used on the street only, but it will be driven aggressively, so street performance is important. Still, my priorities are such:
1. Performance
2. Ride Noise
3. Wear
Although Ride Noise is my second priority, if it is too loud, I don't want that tire regardless of how well it performs.

That said, I am probably gonna get this setup:
Wheels - 18x8 40 Offset - MB Motoring Rev
Tires - 235/40ZR-18 Nitto NT 555 Extreme Perf ($135 ea)

The total for this setup balanced and mounted is $1200 total.

What changes would you make, and why, for around the same price?

Thank you for all your help and suggestions!

 

For street use I would not bother with the Nittos.

 

The problem I have is that in that size, my only choices (from this store where I have credit) are:
Nankang NS II
Kumho Ecsta Supra 712
Continental Extreme Contact
Nitto 555

If I bought the tires elsewhere, which tires would be best for my driving situation at the $150 or less per tire price range?

Thanks!

 

From your listed choices I would go with the Continental.

 

I would go with the kumho's thats what i have on my baby and I love em.

 

For an fd that is too narrow. I don't see a point in getitng larger wheels if they are going to be the same width as stock. All you are going to do is reduce ride quality. For stock suspension or non-coilover upgrades,
I would go with an 18x8.5 front and 18x9.5 rear. Tire sizes something like 255/35 front and 285/30 rear. If you have coilovers with narrower 2.5" diameter springs, you can run 18x10's all round.

 

Also, if you are talking about the ecsta supras, they suck on an fd. If you think they are good, you haven't driven on a better tire. The ecsta mx on the other hand, I am planning to try.

 

gp-d3 or S-03

nittos are crap, good for drifting sorta but in the dry they stuck *** for grip, especially in the rain

 

Yeah, I agree with the width issue. If you're upgrading wheel diameter, the wheel width must also increase. I wouldn't do less than 9 wides all the way around with 18 diameters. Generally speaking the wheel width should ~half of the wheel diameter for maximum performance. Thus 8 x 16, 8.5 x 17, 9 x 18, and so on. Wider is better, within reason. The 8 x 18, 50-mm wheel size is what comes stock on the Rx8. Looks great from the side view, but head on, 3/4, and rear views, the tires look so skinny because they're only 8 wides with 225s. I've test-driven the Rx8, and it handles so beautifully (in some respects--better than my FD shod with 9 x 17, 255/40-17 all around), except the Rx8 lacks ultimate cornering grip. I attribute that lack of G cornering force to the narrow widths, relative to the wheel and overall tire diameter (which is 26 inches, versus the FD's 25 inches, using 225/50-16), and of course to the less-than-optimal Bridgestone RE-040s. Why didn't Mazda put S-02s or S-03s on the Rx8, for God's sake???