JLUDE

Ok so here's the deal.

I have Hankook R-S2's on my AP1's stock 16" wheels.

The size I currently have is:

Front: 205/55/16
Rear: 245/45/16

This setup has been great but my rear tires are about shot at 12K miles, front still has 60-70% of tread left.

What I'd like to do is replace just the rears.

Now I know that this could cause the car to want to understeer more than before by adding brand new rear tires but here's the other thing:

Tire rack is currently running certain R-S2's on closeout! I can get 225/50/16's for the rear for $68 each!

I have looked up the tire spec's v. the 245/45's I had before and the 225's are about 0.75" narrower in sectional width but still 0.75" wider than my current front tires with 60% tread left. My hope is that the slightly narrower rear tire width will help to compensate for the fact that my front tires have 60-70% tread left and still provide the neutral handling feel.

Would you buy the 225's in my shoes since they are currently so cheap? I'll probably only use them about 10K miles before replacing all 4 tires. The car is driven moderately spirited on familiar backroads 99% of the time.

I have heard of people running the Kuhmo MX's in 225/50/16 with 205's on the front on the stock AP1 rear wheels with no adverse handling issues.

Opinions?

olapua

Nabu

Lets assume you had all 4 tires changed at the same time (most likely really )

Your rear one were toast whereas you front one are, as you say, at their 60%-70%.

Given that tempo you should soon have the same % life span on all 4 tires. My guess (as good as anyone else's guess really) is that it shouldnt be a problem, just changing the rear ones. At least thats what i do on my car with no problems at all regarding understeer.

If considerable understeer occurs then you can always adjust your driving style (wont be permanent anyways) and counter it. Its not like the S2000 aint got the power to create power-oversteer whenever the driver feels like it (at least not at the roads we got here).

As for the 225. If you dont mind the extra $$ then go for the 245

JLUDE

Thanks for your input fellas. I'm going to go with the 225's. I would prefer the 245's but considering the 225's are currently 1/2 the cost of the 245's it's well worth the slight trade off (0.7") in rear tire width.

JDMQuip

The 225/50/16 are being discounted through tire rack as well right now.

JLUDE

That's where I just bought them from.

I paid $68 per tire. When I bought my 245's 2 years back I paid around $120 per tire for the same tire!

Siepel

225/50R16 is the 'original' fitted size anyway, albeit that those tires (Potenza S-02) were closer to other brands' 245/45R16 dimension-wise. (Which is probably why that size was fitted to your car). So you're only going back to the true and original size (on paper anyway). I'd do the same thing; good choice!

paul__chen

hey did any of you guys get your tires yet?! i've been reading on the stickies and it seems 225 should work despite 245 hankooks being closer to stock s02 size. any feedback?!

i was originally on 245's for the hankooks but thinking about going to 225's this time around for the rears. i'm on stock 16" rims

wills2k106

I ran the 225/50 front and 245/45 rear Hankook for the three years I had my S. The rears wore out twice as fast, along the lines of the OP's scenario, and I would just replace them as needed. Never had any issues. Just make sure you are careful with the new rears until the release compound has worn off. The fronts will be ready to go and the rears will be a little slick for the first few miles.

JLUDE

I haven't installed my 225/50's yet but I put them up next to my rear tires and they look to be 1/2 inch narrower. Once I break them in I suspect they will still grip much better than nearly bald 245's!