New warm weather tire time soon for 745t. While picking up a new tire for my new work van( Aerostar went to recycler last week with 275,000 miles and was still driveable(somewhat)) I was looking at some Kumho tires on display. At $75.00/ea for 215/60/15 they looked very interesting indeed. I looked in the archives and sure enough the posts seem to be very positive. Anyone wish to chime in with experiences with these tires? Also, while in the local BJ's I spotted a Goodyear T/A for around $60.00 a tire with a H speed rating...I believe the Kumho is a V rating. Any experience with the Goodyear? TIA



Dan

I have Kumho Ecsta HP4's with 42,000 miles and appear they'll be good for another 42,000 on my 87 745T. Never a traction problem but I should have rotated them a little sooner, the rears were wearing faster,uh, maybe I shouldn't try surprising all those folks who obviously think Volvos are portable "road blocks"?

As somebody else mentioned, Kumho (and Hankook) are cheap entry level tires. The Koreans are getting very agressive with their marketing, but a 10 year warranty doesn't make a Hyundai a good car. I personally wouldn't use a Kumho or a GoodYear for a spare.

A lot of guys are giving thumbs up for the Toyo Proxess. I've never had them so cannot comment. I just made a switch from the Michelins MXV4s that I've been driving on, to Firestone Firehawk SH-30 205/60-15 - rated 460-A-A. They abso-friggin-lutely blow the Michelins away in almost every aspect except being slightly noisier. I would go so far to say that they saved my life on the 3rd day - I believe that the Michelins would have stopped me about 30-40 feet further ahead that rainy night - which would have put me UNDER the trailer that pulled across the road in front of me.

The only Kumho I found offered in that size is the Touring, T-speed rated. Unless they recently added the Ecsta (V,Z,and W rated) to that line, but I kinda doubt it, with a 60-profile and all.

Forget Goodyear ... I had a set of Eagle HP's (195/60/15), and they sucked like sh*t! They offered such little traction that I've chirped 'em in 2nd ... and my '91's stock. Rain driving is scary, and more often than not, it'll just spin if I start in 1st. Considering that they rank this as a high-performance tire, I'd hate to wonder what else is in their lineup.

In the interim before picking up my new rims, I took my sister's old BFG Advantage tires, which were very unevenly worn from her car's problems. Nonetheless, at least I didn't have any traction issues. Handling was another issue, but that was prolly more due to the fact that they were 205/70/15. These were just plain all-season tires.

Currently I have Kumho HP4's, 215/60/16. So far so good in the dry, haven't had any rain to try it on in the wet.

-- Kane

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Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup II - ???

go to www.tirerack.com and check the reviews of this tire. It seems if you drive hard, they may not be sticky or quiet enough for you. Bridgestone RE950 looks like an excellent tire for the money; will last long and probably outperform the kuhmo. I don't know from experience, however, but I do research the tire scene when I'm bored. I had cooper cobra gtv's on my old rims and liked them. They are relatively inexpensive.

Check out the tirerack for that size and see whats available. Why 215/60? That seems like an odd size considering stock is 195/60. Why not 215/55 or 50? Those sizes would be closer to stock configuration.

Roguls
New York, USA

I have been out of the tire industry for nearly 15 years now, but we used to sell the kumho brand. At that time they were an economy tire ie, a cheepy. However, there are a few no name brands out there that are good tire buys. I don't know where you are geographically, but I think you'd be really impressed with the Toyo tires, I believe the Proxis line is their performance tire. As with any tire application, you have to ask yourself why you need a performance tire, and is the trade off worth it? Almost always the performance tires on normal cars are like putting in the super at the gas station. A huge waste of money. For my money, I'd stick to a Michelin or a Toyo. I wouldn't throw Goodyears on the burn pile...... To each their own I suppose.

Leonard

I have the T/A's. Good grip, but really the sidewalls are too soft for a "perfomance" tire. Seriously I have no complaints about the price vs. return, but next tire will be a higher speed rating with stiffer side walls.

I know nothing of the Kumho's. Tell me more.
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http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

hi Paul,
There ain't that much more I know about them except that they are Korean made and the local tire guysays they are taking the tire biz by storm. I am 99% sure they have the V speed rating. The tread looks very aggressive and the comments in the archives are all positive,ie. great hold in dry and wet, long tread wear great performance. Some of the comments mentioned having them on 1 car and getting additional sets for another. I especially liked the price I saw. FWIW, the local tire guy says they are making an impact on the Indy circuit. I am leaning towards getting these. As soon as I replace the coolant bypass tube that popped a pinhole at 11:30 pm last night on the hiway. Had a nice ride home on a flatbed with wife and oldest daughter. I don't think any head damage was done as this a.m. it seems to run good except for the trickle of coolant...never a dull moment here. I think I shut down soon enough.
Oh well, the tinkering continues.


Dan