[s-cars] Big Tires- Sumitomo HTR-ZII 255/40R17

[TM]

Thanks to Scott Justusson, Bob Rossato, Chris Miller and Igor Kessel,
(and anyone else I forgot) I am now running on Sumitomo HTR-ZII
255/40R17.

I only have a few hundred miles on the tires right now, but they are so
quiet compared to my worn-out AVS Sports that sounded like truck tires.
Now the car seems to ride much smoother and definitely a lot quieter.
Apparently, the sidewalls are not as stiff on these compared to the
Yokohamas.

I have not yet really pushed them hard so I don't know how they handle-
next week I'll autox on them and report back.

I don't know if this is the "wrinkle" that others have mentioned, but my
driver's side rear wheelwell liner hangs a bit low on the outer edge and
it rubs the tire on a heavy load. It's just plastic, so it's not a big
deal,
everything clears just fine otherwise. About 1cm clearance between the
tire
and the steering knuckle in the front, definitely less than that in the
rear
fender clearance, but will not rub even with the suspension fully
compressed.

My car has H&R 29800 springs and Bilstein sport shocks, so unless you
get
springs that lower the car even more, I don't think it would be a
problem.

I would not advise trying any R-compound tires in this size, though- the
225/45R17 Kumho V700 are wider than 235 street tires so it would be
advisable
not to even consider anything wider than a 235 in that and Hoosiers run
even
wider than the Kumhos.

Taka