Kumho Tires?

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
03/25/2015 at 13:16 • Filed to: None

So I have procured wheels for the fiat, and will obviously need tires...

I can get a set of Nitto's, my preferred brand, but, I found a killer deal on some Kumho Ecsta AST. While all the ratings look good, I know nothing of these tires.

So, any good or no go?

DISCUSSION (19)

PanchoVilleneuve ST > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:24

Kumho tires in general are really nice. Grassroots Motorsports Magazine has been honking about them for years.

deekster_caddy > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:25

It's been my experience that Kumhos are cheap and just okay as tires go. If you are on a really really tight budget they will do the job. But if you can save up to afford better you will really appreciate it.

Of course that said I have no experience at all with this particular tire.

bob and john > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:25

noooo no no no.

we have a set of kuhmos on our lexus. while they are quiet, and seem to last, grip is average at best.

but the WORST part is the feel of them. I dont know how to really describe this..but they feel numb. and at low speeds, they dont center...they just stay in the turning direction they are. and we KNOW its the tires, as the Michilens we have as winters dont do that at all.

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:25

I had Ecstas on my 20V Audi 90Q and they didn't wear too well, but they were grippy and ok in a little bit of weather

William Byrd > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:26

Quite good. And I'm speaking of older iterations. I had a 2003 Mustang GT that I autocrossed and daily drove that had an older version of the Ecsta. I won Street Touring X that season and they got me to work and back successfully. Much cheaper than the alternatives at the time, assume they still are?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:32

I don't have a problem with Kumho tires for larger cars, but for my Fiat, I prefer Pirelli. They seem to have a better ride on that little beast.

desertdog5051 > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:34

On my HD they seem to ride nice, good grip in turns, quiet. I would buy another set.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 13:42

It really depends on the tire and what you are looking for. The AST's pictured are cheap but they are complete crap. NO wet grip AT ALL. The old ASX all seasons were fine daily driver tires, but as for me personally, I run Dunlop Direzza DZ102 most of the time, with a set of steelies and snow tires for 3 months in the winter.

and 100 more > William Byrd
03/25/2015 at 14:18

Same here. I had Ecstas on my Accord years ago that were phenomenal, for a cheap tire. Fast forward a few years, and the one I had on my Patriot were horrible, especially in the wet.

Rico > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 14:22

I run Kumho Ecsta 4Xs on my C, never let me down. Great in the wet, snow and dry. I've driven over NYC's craziest roads as well as took it up in the twisties upstate and no issues thus far.

CAR_IS_MI > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
03/25/2015 at 14:41

probably should have further clarified. I live in the desert, no snow, no rain. There is the off chance that the car may get caught in the rain once, like ever. Mostly street cruising, maybe an auto x day here or there but just for shits and giggles, not out to break any records.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 14:44

I definitely vote for the DZ series by Dunlop. Comparatively priced and way better in every way.

CAR_IS_MI > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
03/25/2015 at 14:44

I literally hate everything Pirelli. Absolutely the worst tires I have ever owned. The first set I bought dry rotted after 18 months on a car that was daily driven. The second set, one of their performance spec tires that they claimed was a soft grip tire, was so hard that I could kick the back end loose at 80mph in 4th gear.

CAR_IS_MI > William Byrd
03/25/2015 at 14:50

I can get these for about $100 cheaper than the Nitto Neogen's I was looking at. I have a lot of faith in Nitto tires ass I have used their NT05's, NT01's, and 555's on a few vehicles, as well as their truck tires on my trucks. I've also used and hated Pirellis, and used and loved my BFG's but no experience with Kuhmo other than throwing a cheap set of all-seasons on my sisters Civic back in the day.

The $100 isn't really a huge deal, but if I can save the $100 and get a decent tire, that $100 that can go to something else I will inevitably end up getting for this car.

William Byrd > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 14:55

That's not a ton of savings over 4 tires I suppose. But correct about being able to reinvest it somewhere else. Well, I enjoyed my Kumho's, good luck either way.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 15:00

I've never had any problems like that with mine. Maybe I'm just lucky. Either way though, I just heard that they were sold to a Chinese company, so I think it may be time for me to find a new brand.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > CAR_IS_MI
03/25/2015 at 23:00

I got some Toyos for my Z, Versado Noir, I like them. Totally changed my car.

pip bip - choose Corrour > CAR_IS_MI
03/26/2015 at 03:43

i use to run Kumho tyres on my car , they'd only last 12 months before they were worn out.

i was only getting 60,000km out of them.

mr2gud2u > CAR_IS_MI
03/26/2015 at 11:20

Use to run Estas on my old b-body SS they where ok. Some one else mention something about not centering. I have to agree I did notice that. Dry grip is ok, and they lasted me about 15k. Which was average for that car. The wet grip was pretty questionable, and the grip on cold days was pretty bad. Compared to other tires I had on that car. I am thinking about putting them on my wagon in a month. I'm a little short on cash.