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Old 04-23-2005, 07:37 PM   #1
caterpill
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Exclamation Sumitomo HTR+ 225/50/ZR16 feels very unnatural on Stock WRX Rims

Ugh. I've just bought a set of Sumitomo HTR+ 225/50/ZR16 tires on all four corners, and unfortunately, I feel very saddened and stupid a the fact that I chose this tire.

Initially, I wanted to settle for a cheaper tire that was at least a little better than my stock RE92's that came with the car, and had reasonable treadwear, not the rediculous 160 the Bridgestones had.

I think I made 2 bad decisions that ultimately made my car feel "un-fun" and almost dangerous to drive. First, even after doing research on fitting 225's on stock WRX rims, I ignored the fact that I would induce more sidewall flexing in assumption that the increased grip would more then make up for it. Second, I chose an all-weather tire. A big no-no. I live in hawaii, a state with perfect 80's temperatures, some rain, but no snow or adverse weather conditions, but in hopes of gaining more treadwear of all-weather tires, I think I basically chose a tire that sacrifices quite a bit of performance to be slated as an all-weather tire.

My problem is that after driving around some, these tires feel very floaty and have mad flex. Peak grip has been increased, but it does not make up for the very soft sidewalls at all. On the road, steering inputs have turned to complete mush and are hardly responsive. I find myself awkwardly trying to dodge obstacles like potholes and road hazards simply because the time it takes for my steering inputs to work, the obstacle is under the car already. On the freeway, it creates a dangerous condition because any sudden steering inputs are very delayed, yet create the same initial "kick" that I first put in. If I make a sudden or enthusiastic lane change, the rear end wobbles so much that I feel like i've initiated a "feint" maneuver. I can feel and visually see how much the rear (and probably the front too) wobbles, by slightly but rapidly turning the steering wheel left and right repeatedly on the freeway. I haven't driven in rain yet, but if it feels this bad in the dry, I think it would feel like my car is constantly loosing traction; more or less, I wouldn't know the fine line between the two conditions.

I think the problem is not as bad when using 225 width tires but my combination was just for the worse. At this point, I consider my stock RE92's much better and safe to drive, while being more responsive even if it does not grip as well as the HTR+'s do.

I noticed while changing the tires, that the RE92's sidewalls are physically stiffer. The HTR+ tires have 1 polyester ply sidewalls, while the stock RE92's have 2-ply polyester sidewalls. Oh, i'd like to add that i've tried bumping up the tire pressure to 45 to see what difference it makes, but to no avail.

When the car is sitting on the ground and I push on the tire itself, let it be sidewall or tread, it feels pretty mushy, like the pillsbury doughboy.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am running reasonably stiff suspension that may or not influence my ability to notice this extreme sidewall flex. I have Ground Controls + Koni inserts with 750lb/400lb F/R.

If possible, I would like to research or get insights on a tire that I could possibly buy at tirerack for a reasonable price similar to the pricerange of $115 a tire, yet either meets or exceeds the performance and treadwear of the stock Bridgestone RE92 in the stock size, 205/55/R16. Oh, and of course, this time, no all weather. A summer tire is where it's at, no mistakes this time. I feel pretty idiotic and helpless right now. I'll drive the car more to see if I can live with it, but I doubt it. These tires kind of take away what little confidence I have in controlling my car. I'd just like to get a set of tires that have stiffer sidewalls.

Any reccomendations, insights and comments are greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-23-2005, 08:13 PM   #2
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Have you experimented with tire pressure yet? What pressure are you running?
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Old 04-23-2005, 08:37 PM   #3
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....w 0 w.....
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Old 04-23-2005, 11:13 PM   #4
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Initially, when I first swapped the tires, I tried 35psi, then today I bumped it to 45psi (pretty ridiculous) and it didn't do that much. These tires ARE quiet and comfortable, but I don't really care about both that much. Haha.

Max pressure is 51psi, but 45 should have been enough to do something.

*shrug*

Think twice before ya buy an all-weather tire, lol.
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Old 04-24-2005, 12:08 AM   #5
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you better have a good reason for buying a wrx in hawaii...you have a four season car in a season world!!!

you may be able to solve part of your problem with wider rims. look at 16x7 98-01 RS wheels. that'll give some extra sidewall support.
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Old 04-24-2005, 01:04 AM   #6
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I will only use HTR+ in winter...it actually has good traction in snow.
PRAY FOR SNOW in Hawaii and u can rip some Supra
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Old 04-24-2005, 02:37 AM   #7
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argh, I don't think I can get used it. It's one of those things you can't forget as you drive, lol. I gotta swap em out. : /

I guess no one has any ideas.
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Old 04-24-2005, 03:14 AM   #8
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Take it up to 48 or 50 in front, ~3 less in rear. Hard to believe going from 35 to 45 wasn't a noticeable improvement.
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Old 04-24-2005, 03:19 AM   #9
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Well, going from 35-45psi did make a difference, but it was more of a slight improvement, believe it or not. Moreso slight hardness increase over bumps, but it's this odd feeling that the rear sways too much when i'm making any kind of turn at speed. Not a body roll issue, just the rim moving independently from the tire laterally a little too much. Just for the heck of it, i'll over-inflate it to 50psi to see what it does.
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Old 04-24-2005, 08:25 AM   #10
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ahhhh....if max pressure is 51 ...then 50 won't be overinflated.

If that doesn't do it, maybe you can shoot em full of expanding foam...j/k.
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Old 04-24-2005, 01:34 PM   #11
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I lived in hawaii for 5 years.....and I'd be all over some MX's or the Rs2's or if I had the $$$ RA-1's....and just take it easy in the rain.....or 451's.....
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Old 04-24-2005, 07:54 PM   #12
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...Id get a set of RS wheels and put the 225/50-16's on 'em....
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Old 04-24-2005, 08:18 PM   #13
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Wink

hmm, just thought i'd post some pics of these fatties.





They look good but aren't quite it. hohoho ..

Last edited by caterpill; 06-02-2005 at 09:42 PM.
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Old 04-24-2005, 09:11 PM   #14
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....jezus...what a melon shooter
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Old 04-24-2005, 09:30 PM   #15
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damn, those things are meaty!
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Old 04-25-2005, 12:40 AM   #16
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Haha, yes to both comments. Muffler = HKS Carbon-Ti.
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