Anybody used Kumho tires before? Any other tire recommendations?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 24
From: Hudson Valley, NY
2005 E55 Black, 2007 GL450 Carneol Red
I put Kumho Ecsta Asx (KU21) (that I bought in 2007, data codes 2006) on my '99 C43 (225/45ZR17 and 255/40ZR17). Price was great, and I liked them until they wore, because they got VERY noisy toward their end of life. Maybe they're better now? (I'm putting Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 on my E55 soon. I've posted related comparisons on these and Continental DWS a few times over in https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...tion-19-a.html )
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 9
From: NY
Sold - 05' E55
A lot of feedback about the Kumho's. I had them once,
They are cheap tires -
Didn't last long, and a noisy tire, not much grip either.
Like the saying goes - You get what you pay for.....
They are cheap tires -
Didn't last long, and a noisy tire, not much grip either.
Like the saying goes - You get what you pay for.....
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
05 e55, 02 corvette
i have RS3's on my track/ hpde car - c5 corvette. they are very sticky when they heat up and seem to be lasting very well for track use. i can assume they would last even longer on the street with no heat cycling/ sliding the car around
when it is cold out and they are cold, they are HORRIBLE and scary. they are scary to the point that just easing out the clutch from a stop will start them spinning, they really need heat in them. i hate my out-lap during the colder temperatures, its like a rain lap.
in the rain, i think they are fine and i have never had a problem.
when it is cold out and they are cold, they are HORRIBLE and scary. they are scary to the point that just easing out the clutch from a stop will start them spinning, they really need heat in them. i hate my out-lap during the colder temperatures, its like a rain lap.
in the rain, i think they are fine and i have never had a problem.
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 3
From: NJ
E55
Hankook RS3s are great but defn need time to be warmed. Just saw from tirerack the "version 2" they now stock (tireracks own nomenclature) use an improved compound that warms to temp more quickly and improved wet grip. No personal experience
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 3
From: NJ
E55
but as I am only on public roads the OE Michelin pilots give more usable grip
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: NE Florida
2004 E55
I run the Invos on all 4 corners and love them. They don't particularly hook that well for me, but I'm over 500 at the wheels and REALLY need to get my adjustable lower arms installed. With my crazy camber from being lowered, I'm pretty sure only about 60% of the rear tire is actually contacting the pavement 
My car is star slammed and based on my latest burn out 60% is frankly too optimistic. I'll try to snap a picture before the rain washes it away, but the dark parts were maybe 40%.
Completely off topic - anyone in Jax that can raise my car up 10-12mm, PM me please?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Greater Washington
SL 500
Had Kumhos AST 4s on my R129 when purchased. Seller slapped on 4 cheap tires. His specs? Must be black and round. Only H speed rated to 130 mph. Very noisy, rough riding with ave. traction.They are cheap , about $99 ea.
Replaced mine with 245/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s , Y rated High Performance all season. Much quiter,good grip.Could be tad softer on the ride side. Would consider a Grand Touring tire next time, still sorting out the suspension.
Replaced mine with 245/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s , Y rated High Performance all season. Much quiter,good grip.Could be tad softer on the ride side. Would consider a Grand Touring tire next time, still sorting out the suspension.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: JHB, South Africa
03 E55 AMG
I can't stand Kumho tyres, but having said that my wife sold her Hyundai with the original Kumho tyres that managed 83 000km! I was recommended Falken tyres as a cheaper alternative and I am enjoying them. I hit a pothole and cracked a front rim with zero damage to the front tyre.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Toyo C1S are the quietest tyres I have ever come across the previous owner put had them on. Now have faken fk452 and its no comparison. The falkens are probably a sportier tyre but not even close to the NVH.
For those of you doing lots of open road these toyos really are worth it even if they might wear a bit quicker. You can seriously like drop a pin in the car at 80+mph.
Even worn out they are quiet.
For those of you doing lots of open road these toyos really are worth it even if they might wear a bit quicker. You can seriously like drop a pin in the car at 80+mph.
Even worn out they are quiet.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Greater Washington
SL 500
Had Kuhmos, found them noisy, not best grip. Best reason to buy Kumho? CHEAP Dont get cheap tires, purchased Michelin A/S 3s , Quiet, great grip ,good ride. Whats most important to you? Of course running 90 mph around a 45 mph ramp is fun. When the novelty wears off, get a tire u can still have a conversation over with the top down, and does not ride like solid rubber on a steel wheel.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
a car
Had to post after seeing all the Kuhmo hate. I had a set of AST's they ran smooth and great to 40k at which time I replaced them with some Dunlops that cost twice as much. What noisy vibrating crap those Dunlops were. No amount of balancing or alignment could fix them. Couldn't wait for them to wear out so I could get some nice cheap Kumhos back on there. True story.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: JHB, South Africa
03 E55 AMG
Got Falkens on the rear now as well - FK 453 XL's. Love them, ultra quiet, smooth as anything and very, very grippy. Will see how long they last. Kuumho's are great for doing burnouts with!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,066
Likes: 37
From: Folsom, CA
2005 E55 AMG
i got a set of Kumho PA31 tires on the Miata, friggin awesome all-season tires..
too bad they're not big enough for the rears...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....del=Ecsta+PA31
too bad they're not big enough for the rears...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....del=Ecsta+PA31
