Time for new tires...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Time for new tires...
It's just about time for a new set of tires for my '94 coupe. I am looking for less expensive (and better functioning) alternatives to the Goodyear CS-Cs. A local mechanic recommended a tire by a company that I've never heard of before called Kumho and the tire is the ECSTA Supra 712 z-rated tire. They go for about $125 each and he told me that he has several Porsche customers that use them. I checked the available sizes and they have exact replacements for the front (255/45ZR17) but the max rear size is 275/40ZR17 instead of 285s. Does this make much of a difference?
So... who has used them? How is the noise, handling (wet/dry), treadlife, appearance, etc?
Thanks guys!
So... who has used them? How is the noise, handling (wet/dry), treadlife, appearance, etc?
Thanks guys!
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Time for new tires... (mshipon)
Personnally I like the Michelin Pilot, but they are very $$$.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 1
From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Time for new tires... (Mr Mojo)
Lots of members here use the Kumho's and seem to like them... I'm a big fan of the Firestone SZ50 EP's myself, but they certainly arent cheap...
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
Re: Time for new tires... (BBA)
i also have the kuhmo 712 & am very impressed for the price, the two hot cheap tires going right now are this & also yokohama's A520, the A520 will out perform the kuhmo on dry pavent but also won't last as long. the kuhmo is a wonderful rain tire & also the MOST impressive 280 compound tire i've driven. the yokes are a 180 compound which is why they wear faster & they also have a slightly more aggressive contact patch. if you drive the car 5000 miles a year on dry days get the yokes, if you drive daily like i do the kuhmo seemed to be the logical choice, as i've ran A520's before and they are burned up in 12,000 miles. the yoke A520 really is the poor mans BFG G-Force TA KD
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Time for new tires... (mshipon)
I'm looking for new tires as well, the only thing I can afford is the Kuhmo's. I'm not really mad about that because they seem to be good tires. I know a lot of people who use them and love them. I've also seen a lot of people who punish them, several major burnouts and they still look new. I won't be doing any of that so they should last for a while.
I think they are one of the best Bang for the Buck tires out there right now. BTW, they are supposed to be pretty good in the rain as well.
I think they are one of the best Bang for the Buck tires out there right now. BTW, they are supposed to be pretty good in the rain as well.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Kunsan AB
Re: Time for new tires... (mshipon)
I have the Kumho's on mine (275/40ZR17's) and have no complaints. They were only about $113 a piece from http://www.tirerack.com. Check out the website, they give a comparison and buyer feedback of them.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
Re: Time for new tires... (james holley)
the G-Force KD from BFG is in my oppinion the best full tread street tire on the market. the comp ta is another story, in that price class yokohams A520 really runs the show. a couple guys were doing laps at PIR a couple years ago in a griggs mustang. tested the yoke A032R which is a 40 compound compition tire, the BFG TA, the A520 and there was one more tire i can't quite remember. anyway the point of this is the BFG & the tire i can't remember were something like six to ten seconds slower per lap than the A032R but the A520 was just about 2 seconds slower & the testers commented on how stable the tire was at limit & how well it held up to abuse. this would be my personal tire of choice if i didn't drive my darn vette so much. as stated above i use the kuhmos mainly for the miles. the A520 isn't bad however i got 12,000 miles out of the set i used which isn't half bad considering i probably burn out at least 5 times per day & am sideways around the same number :eek:
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Fl USA
Re: Time for new tires... (BUD D'DONATO)
I have a 94 and decided on BF Goodrich KDWS tires. They are all season, but much quieter and have great treadwear numbers. I bought them at Costco, and I'm real happy at this point. Just F.Y.I.
