Hey Guys/Gals. I just purchased a 2000 AP1. When I bought the car it came with the Fuzion ZRi. Stock sizing. The backs were pretty much done. Just installed some Hankook V12 EVO's on the back in the stock size. Well the balance of the car has been thrown off completely and the back feels squirmish in compared to the front. I have read the Hankooks have a soft side wall so maybe thats what I am experiencing? I need some opinions on whether to go to a wider back tire? Replace them with something more performance driven, or rotate the backs to the fronts and purchase a wider rear giving me a 225/50/16 Front and 245/45/16 Rear setup. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance! I am on a bit of a budget so value for the money is a consideration. And I do like to drive on the harder side as well.

 

I think what you are experiencing is the mold release compound not being worn off yet. The feel will firm up once that happens. I find that running a higher pressure in the Hankook helps some with the softer side wall. Like about 35 PSI. I also run a 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear.

The Hankook should actually be quite a bit grippier than the Fuzion.

 

I have about 300-400km on the tires already. They just seem soft compared to the front. I am considering replacing the fronts with the Hankooks to balance out the car. The question rises though should I move the rears (225/50/16) to the front and purchase 245/45/16 for the back? Thanks for the reply SheDrivesIt

 

For stock AP1 rims 225/245 tires are too big. They will bulge and handle poorly.
I would stick with stock size tires, 205/225, and buy a higher quality, stickier tire, with stiffer sidewalls.
Better tires will give you a night and day difference over just up'ing the size of a lower quality tire.
FYI: Long story but I have a 225 hankook v12 on a 6.5in AP1 rim on my rears. It does not inspire confidence in the corners.

 

Yes that is what I thought as well. I am thinking of going to a full set of Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A and just being done with it HAHA! Thanks for your input RandomAP1!

 

Dont get me wrong, bang for you buck v12's are good tires. I daily drive mine and am overall very happy.
Like SheDrivesIt says I too run my tire pressures a little on the high side to firm up the sidewall.
The Hankook RS-3 and the Dunlop Direzza ZII are also very popular tires for our cars in the same price range as the Potenzas.
Ive heard good things about the Continental ExtremeContact DW's too and theyre a lil cheaper.
It might be worth it to get your cars alignment checked too. Just to make sure everything is within spec.
Could even improve handling and extend the life of your tires.
Good luck.

 

You've checked tire pressures, right? Often times tire shops put wayyy too much pressure in the tires. Just a thought since it hasnt been touched on yet.

 

This^. might be too low of a pressure as well. i know i ran more pressure in the v12's than any other tire. it took like 500 miles for them to break in as well. They are kind of a squirmy tire though. I only got 10k miles out of them as well.