Specifically, the Kumho Ecsta?

Time for tires and I am thinking to get these for the fronts and rears (stock sizes).


The stock tires are 245/40/18 fronts and 265/35/18 rears...correct?


Any other tires you guys recommend and enjoyed?

 

I have used them and like them. They also make some GREAT race tires. One thing to watch out for, as certain modles require re-balancing. I don't know why, but it was NOT the Ecsta.

Also take a look at Nitto's

 

I just got a set of Kumho PA31 on our Miata - LOVE EM!

and it's only because the Michelin PSS doesn't come in 195/50-15

 

Thanks guys .

How's the tread wear on the Ecstas?


For me, tread wear is the most important aspect as I don't do hard launches, drag race...mostly just freeway cruising with occasional spirted runs a few times a week.

 

Ecstas aren't bad. Decent in wet. Rather noisy on concrete roads. Wear is pretty good if you don't spin them.

Dunlop Direzza z1 star specs were better in all areas except maybe treadlife but I drove them harder so not fair comparison.

 

Good thread.

I need tires as well!

Dry grip (spring/summer right around the corner) and tread wear are my main two factors when purchasing tires.

I am thinking Invos as I've heard they have great grip and their tread wear is excellent/long lasting/even.

 

What size did you get for the rears? 275/35/18?

Any rubbing or sidewall issues? I am on stock tires/ride height..

 

One more note: Back in the 90's, Kumho hired two of BFG's top engineers, so think of Kuhmo's as cheaper priced BFG's.

 

Michelin Pilot Super Sports hands down!!!

Been thinking about getting new wheels and have been basing my decision on available sizing for the PSS.

 

I currently am running Khumo ecsta LE sport tires in stock size. I am now 8K into them and it is almost time for a new set. The rears measure @ 3mm, and the fronts @ 5mm. I am not impressed at all with them. For the wear life I would expect a lot better traction.

 

Stock size Ecstas with the M (extra load rating for mercedes) at 6K I had to swap my fronts inside to outside because they cupped/scalloped so badly on the inside, the rears were at the wear bars @ 9K on the inside.
By the time I was at 7k they were LOUD and all four done at 10K.
It is the excessive toe and camber that wear tires out on these cars.
Thanks to the Kumho's $500 for all 4 back in 2006, I can now afford the Pilot Super Sports.

 

just got a set of continetal extreme contact dw, they have great reviews and look decent tire rack has 75 bucks mail in rebate for them

 

Recently purchased a fresh set of these as well. Very good tire.

 

Kumhos are a cheap discount tire. I had a set on my M3 years ago, when I was looking for a cheap set. They are loud, especially when they start to wear. They didn't hook up good around corners either.

 

Prices have gone down on tires in the last 6 moths a fairly good amount. Discount tire on Ebay has usually something like a 100 off per two tires. make two separate purchases to get that. There is a thread covering it, but was still offered a few days ago.

Has anyone ever heard a complaint about Michelin's. I never have. There are reasons. No they are not perfect and can have issues. My issue is that they are always so darn expensive compared to Continental's or other top brands. With prices as low as they are now, its very much within reach. My top suggestion would be the AS3's. More of an all season version of the PSS. I do drive in the winter and when its cold so that would play a factor of getting just a summer performance tire for me.

I have run the Conti DWS on my E350 and liked them for the most part. Great traction, and good tire wear. Common problem would be they are known for being slightly out of round when cold. For instance you haven't driven for 13 hours, its 40 degrees and you drive 4 miles at 35mph then jump on the interstate. At 70, you will feel a slight vibration till the tire warms up then its smooth. It was enough to bother me at times. Left the car for a month this winter in 20 degree weather, never moved it, then drove out of the neighborhood and up to 40 mph. At first I thought I had a flat. Nope just the cold tire.

Got the e63 with a new set of Hankook's. vents 12 eve's. few thousand miles in and they are super quiet, I like the side walls, they sit more flush and are stiffer than Conti. However, with these, members have said they will noise greatly here in about 4k miles. Good tread life but we will see. They are fairly cheap too. Will go with M AS3 for the next go around. 50 more per tire its worth it.

 

Get what you pay for. If you can, buy Michelins.

 

I prefer Nitto. NT05 in rear and Invo up front.

 

Wise man

Except I went with 555's up front. Couldn't be happier

 

Thank you! I had the 555's on my E500. Love me some Nitto's!

 

One question, I know you guys have tweaked your 55's to say the least, and hookup is a problem, sorta as it is on all the cars but especially on yours. Tires will make a huge diff in how it hooks up, but..... the tradeoff from normal driving can be a lot also. Noise, wearing lifetime etc... Are your choices for the Nitto's based on your express needs or would a little old lady in a E63 be best served by those also. This might help the OP, and some of us others also.

 

I choose the NT05's SOLELY for GRIP I know they will NOT last as long as the 555's but I didn't care.

Both the 555 and NT05 are quite, and since the rears go FASTER then the fronts, that is why I have split patterns. Smoked the original 555's off.

I haven't had the NT05's at the strip yet, but with the 555's I can cut 1.9 all day long, 0-60', and the NT05 IS stickier, if that's a word

 

I run the Kuhmos right now for my stock rims, not back for the price, but they don't really stick , when am hitting a exit ramp at about 50mph, traction nanny comes on , never happened when I had the contis DFW

 

This was the exact reason why I asked my questions. A tire like that might not be appropriate for the OP. However I am not sure the OP has responded to any of the posts either since we have loaded the information up. Thanks for clarifying that.

Quiet Daily Driver, non-smoking tire issuehttps://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif = what tire

Conti's, Michelin's- more expensive but should last a good amount of time, quiet, and no issues. Other good ones too (toyo, kumho, nitto, BFG, Dunlop, etc..) but the main ones might be a good choice in this case.

 

I am NO Michelin fan at all. Many reasons, but I have posted them hundreds of times. To be fair, I only had the PS2's. But there are MANY tires better than them and they are alot cheaper.

And yes, it all depends on what you are buying the tire for, grip, noise, longevity.

My PS2's only were quite

 

I am thinking Nitto Invos for front and rear .... 245/275.

Anybody run this setup? Thoughts on dry grip (summer is coming up) and tread wear...