Help needed with UK tyres
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 339
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From: cambridge UK Cambs
Help needed with UK tyres
Hi
I need a new pair of boots for my 86 vert (255/50/16) And the only ones I can find in the UK are W rated Kumhos.
I think there are some people on the forum who have tried them so can I have some opinions pls.
Also if I fit them where should they go , front or back? The other pair are nearly new Avon zz's.
Thanks for the help
Barry
I need a new pair of boots for my 86 vert (255/50/16) And the only ones I can find in the UK are W rated Kumhos.
I think there are some people on the forum who have tried them so can I have some opinions pls.
Also if I fit them where should they go , front or back? The other pair are nearly new Avon zz's.
Thanks for the help
Barry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 339
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From: cambridge UK Cambs
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Back always even for FWD cars. No experience with Kumhos but someone will chime in. Bon chance.
When you say "Back always", do you mean because there are new, or because they are unknown?
Cheers
Barry
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Nope, it has to do with safe handling. Not the brand, weight, speed rating, construction, etc. New tires always go on the back of a car.
Size of tires is the only odd situation (when the front and back sizes are NOT the same) and one would hope that if you have different tire sizes, front to back, as do some of the later model Corvettes (255-45-17 front, 285-40-17 rear), then you would purchase an entire set of four tires, of the correct size(s) and mount them. That is, if you needed only new front tires. Which is unusual in a Corvette!
Size of tires is the only odd situation (when the front and back sizes are NOT the same) and one would hope that if you have different tire sizes, front to back, as do some of the later model Corvettes (255-45-17 front, 285-40-17 rear), then you would purchase an entire set of four tires, of the correct size(s) and mount them. That is, if you needed only new front tires. Which is unusual in a Corvette!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
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From: Boynton Beach, FL
What year is your Corvette? Wheel size? Which model Kumho's?. Kumho is a very well regarded tire manufacturer here in the U.S. I have a set of Kumho MX's on my 93 Anniversary edition and I like them a lot. Excellent dry weather performance AND they are quiet.
Larry
Larry
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 286
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From: Alpine California
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Back always even for FWD cars. No experience with Kumhos but someone will chime in. Bon chance.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Have you checked other Euro manufacturers like Dunlop? The Dunlop Sport SP8000 is available in 255/50-16 and it's Z-rated.
Also check with Yokohama, Michelin, and Sumitomo. Even Goodyear should be available throughout Europe at least by order.
Can you find tires in that size on the Continent? Maybe a trip to France or Germany might help. Is there a customs/tariff issue if you buy tires there and drive back?
Also check with Yokohama, Michelin, and Sumitomo. Even Goodyear should be available throughout Europe at least by order.
Can you find tires in that size on the Continent? Maybe a trip to France or Germany might help. Is there a customs/tariff issue if you buy tires there and drive back?
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 386
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From: Lancaster Lancashire
Ray,
You are right, I've done a search and the Kumho 712's are the only tyres that are advertised over here at the moment. The cheapest price I found was here:- http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s575p0
at £70 inc vat delivered. That would mean you having to find someone willing to fit and balance them for you, which isn't always that easy I know.
There were several manufacturers selling the 255/50x16's a while back, Yokohama, Michelin, Dunlop and BFG that I remember. But there isn't a big market over here for 'our size' 16" ers, it was a size that sort of didn't catch on over here and with our tyres having to be 'E' marked now, not all manufacturers want to pay for the 'Mark'. There may just be a temporary shortage at the moment. However the Kumho's do seem to have good reports! Although i don't think it is the most attractive tyre on the market, it is certainly cheap to buy. I suppose the other option is to get some from the Tire Rack and get them shipped over here.
Dave
You are right, I've done a search and the Kumho 712's are the only tyres that are advertised over here at the moment. The cheapest price I found was here:- http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s575p0
at £70 inc vat delivered. That would mean you having to find someone willing to fit and balance them for you, which isn't always that easy I know.
There were several manufacturers selling the 255/50x16's a while back, Yokohama, Michelin, Dunlop and BFG that I remember. But there isn't a big market over here for 'our size' 16" ers, it was a size that sort of didn't catch on over here and with our tyres having to be 'E' marked now, not all manufacturers want to pay for the 'Mark'. There may just be a temporary shortage at the moment. However the Kumho's do seem to have good reports! Although i don't think it is the most attractive tyre on the market, it is certainly cheap to buy. I suppose the other option is to get some from the Tire Rack and get them shipped over here.
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Blownfuel1
Can't agree with this one, new tires should always go one the front of the car! I know the tire dealers have changed their tune on this one (after 20 years), but it's a matter money, not safety, (and yeah, I got that straight from a Firestone dealers mouth, wish I'd had a tape recorder on me) that they're hawking that crap! Far less wear and warranty replacements if you put the new tires on the rear. Rear wheel traction means nothing when you can't control where the car is going, not to mention where almost all your braking traction needs to be in a panic stop! I'm sure someone will disagree with me on this one, but I buried a good friends son who slid off the road into a ravine because of this. Witnesses said he wasn't driving particularly fast or eratic, he just couldn't negotiate a hairpin turn on a windy canjon road in the rain. Can't guarantee it wouldn't have happened if the new tires he bought the week before had been on the front, but since the cop's think he hydroplaned entering into the curve, there's a good chance it could have made the difference. No disrespect intended to LT4CompYell, but this is a very dangerous new idea the tire dealers are pushing.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Attleborough Norfolk
tyres in UK
Hi . Im John from Norfolk, UK.
I have been using Khumo's ECSTA 712 Supra,s for about 6 years on my 85 and 94 and for the price cant really fault them. There are better tyres out there but they are mega bucks ( Avon ZZ1..magnificent but could buy another car at the cost!)
Best price i got was £76 eack plus shipping @ £6 per tyre from Holland ( got in 4 days!!)
Email me if you need any more info john@jgeen.entadsl.com
The new Goodyear Eagles have a good reputation but I have no experience of them personally, but someone else may have here.
I have been using Khumo's ECSTA 712 Supra,s for about 6 years on my 85 and 94 and for the price cant really fault them. There are better tyres out there but they are mega bucks ( Avon ZZ1..magnificent but could buy another car at the cost!)
Best price i got was £76 eack plus shipping @ £6 per tyre from Holland ( got in 4 days!!)
Email me if you need any more info john@jgeen.entadsl.com
The new Goodyear Eagles have a good reputation but I have no experience of them personally, but someone else may have here.
