Ok heres the situation. I have 18x8.5" rims on the front with sumitomo htr z II 225/40/18 tires on them and they are good for now. On the back i currently have 18x9.5" rims with crappy nexen 7000 245/40/18 on them.

I want to get new rear tires as the nexens are all season m+s and i want summer traction. i have separate winter tires so im looking for good summer tires.

if I'm keeping the simitomo htr z II's in the front, should i buy those for the back to match? or should i get a different summer tire (please recommend)?
I like to drive hard and i will hopefully have a turbo soon so im looking for a little more grip. i also would prefer something that doesnt wear as fast from burnouts lol.

but most of all, the reason im thinking of sticking with the sumitomos for the back is that with the current setup, in the rain, the front usually loses grip before the back, sometimes even if im trying to get the back end out. it seems like the nexens are better in the rain and that feels kinda squirmy when the front slides out.

so what would you recommend? sumitomos htr II's in the back or a different set of summer tires in the back?>

also, with my current setup of nexen 7000 245/40r18's in the back, on big bumps, my tires rub. with the new tires should i go with a smaller sidewall than the front's? like say a 245/35/r18? im not sure if its because of the size or shape of the tire. i dont think my fronts rub at all. btw, they rub because my tires/ rims are .5" wider than the fenders all the way around. (stupid previous owner!!!)


please recommend me something!

thanks to all who contribute

 

That's what I'd do - same tire front and back. Might not be the best tire, but at least the handling is predictable with the same tread and compound on all 4 corners. When all 4 are worn, then evaluate new tire options.

 

I'd rather improve rear grip, even if front grip is lacking (going the other way is not recommended, though!). I'd stick with the same performance category for the rears, but get a better tire.

For size, 245/40-18 is definitely way too tall. 245/35-18 would be much better, but there's limited selection in that size. Alternate sizes: 235/40-18 (narrower and shorter than what you have now, definitely less rub) or 255/35-18 (wider and shorter, might be better for rub, might be worse).

In your shoes, I'd probably get Bridgestone RE760's (higher-rated tire in the same Ultra High Perf category as HTR Z II) in 245/35-18.
Actually, in your shoes I might consider losing the wrong-offset 18" wheels altogether and getting a set of 17's with more appropriate offsets!

 

If you roll the fenders then the offset will fit and look allot better since the rim sticks out that far. if you do that, then Id run 255/35/18s. I dont know about your offset, but at +52 they dont rub, but sounds like your offst is much smaller... Either way, get nitto invos. I love em!

 

I agree the 245/40R18 is too tall on the car and can throw off the anti lock brakes. With the 9.5 wheels I would look at the 255/35R18 and run more negative camber if needed. They have the Sumitomo HTRZ III in that size.
If I can help with the tires let me know.

 

would a 265/35/18 fit? thats the only size close that sumitomo makes for the htr z II tire.

if not, im just going to have to go with a different summer tire.

what do you guys recommend? I'm really just looking for something with a compound at least as hard as the htr z II's.

i saw something that looked like the II's. i think they were michellin pilot AS's... not sure about them though, but the tread pattern looked close.


opinions on hard compund tires for 255/35/18's please

 

My recommendation is four posts up ^^^^

UHP Summer tires in 245/35-18

UHP Summer tires in 255/35-18

Wouldn't recommend trying slightly shorter but much wider 265/35's if you're rubbing with 245/40's, but here they are:
UHP Summer tires in 265/35-18