Kumho Tire comparisons...

[Psydwaze]

I've just about burned through my rear tires and its time for a new set all the way around. I'm on an extremely limited (read as non-existant) budget. Kumho's sound to be the best daily driver tire for the money. Can anyone give any opinions on the 712's vs. the MX's? The MX's are a bit more but is it a noticable difference for the $200 upgrade.

I've been buying cheapie off brand tires that are difficult to source and have poor traction. Just looking for something better but can't spend $1K.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Well, i have the 712's so i can give you my opinion

First off, excellent rain tire. When i am driving normally, it's a very confidend tire to be on. Of course it is a Mustang so you can still spin tires if you aren't careful.

I drive my car hard. I am more of a handling/braking type person. I'm always turning hard and braking hard and accelerating hard. Very good wear for what i put it through. Actualy very little at all. Also, very quiet tire when you spin tires! As for launching at the track, it's doable but it doesn't offer great off-the-line traction unless you are really paying attention. The hard thing is you need to feel when you are spinning tires because you will never hear it. If you plan on drag racing a lot, not a good tire to have out back. I have done it and pulled 2.1's 2.2's, but don't expect to pull hard off the line. For handling, it's pretty damn good. I've pushed them hard through turns and have yet to hit the limit. They stick very well WHEN WARM. When i say that, i mean after 10 mins of so of driving. WHen the temp is under 10 degrees, they get very hard and you can spin them at 60...but since you are in cali, you don't need to worry about that. They just perform better with a little heat. On a hot summer day, they stick like glue. But For $100 a tire for 235/45/17's, it's an awesome cheapo tire.

 

[bhuff30]

I got the Ecsta 711, which is pretty much the cheapest tire you can buy. It was ~$50 for a 245-50-16.
Like the 712 review above, they get hard in the cold, and don't stick for crap, but are nice in warm weather. They are a summer tire, and they are absolutly horrendous in the snow (because of the tread pattern).
I drive them hard, and I am getting fast wear. I think next time, I will be getting the 712.
Again, like the 712, they don't squeal when slipping, so you need to be able to feel what the car is doing. Rain handling it great.

 

[Psydwaze]

Anyone with an opinion on the MX's?

 

[eric88gt]

I've got the 711's on my car right now and horrendous is an understatement on the snow handling. I had to take my car out for a week or so while putting a tranny in my truck, and it was like the automotive version of bambi on ice. For a day to day tire, they're not bad, but neither the 711's or the 712's will be good for drag strip use.

 

[shinysideup]

big raves for the kumho!

kumho's are definetely the choice of tire for sport driving. six months ago i purchased kumho ecsta supra 712's for my new cobra r 17's. the size-275/40 ZR 17. what an excellent improvement over stock tires. handling around corners on rails. wet weather sees no hydroplaning in puddles, and braking "lockup" is same as dry road. the soft compound is silent when you do break them loose. if you are like me , high speeds,(like 150+) aren't dangerous, if using proper equiptment like Z-rated tires. best deal on price-jegs. have fun!

 

[gearheadboy]

I had the 712's in a 245/45/18 on my 95 car, with lots of chassis stuff done. They are silent when burning rubber, handle great in the dry and in the rain, wear good. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT HOOK. If I were to pull out in traffic, get it straight and shift to second, and mash the pedal......just like I was on ice, hold the heck on. Tire fryer from heck!

 

[wrathchild]

I have 245/45/17 712's. They are not a good straight line performer. They have s super stiff sidewall. They handle real well in the turns.