AlexCisneros

Ok, many of you know that I am an avid promoter of AutoXing and that I run in a class that MUST use street tires with a minimum of 140 treadwear (and if you didn't know, now you do :p ). In this class, tire choice is VERY important as is size. To be competitive against cars such as the EVO and STI you need to use the rules of the class to your advantage. In an effort to level the playing field AWD cars, such as those, are limited to a 245 maximum width tire while RWD and FWD cars are allowed a 275 maximum width tire. In essence you can make up for the lack of acceleration in cornering.

I have been using the Kumho MX tire in this class rather successfully (and Kumho tires in general for some time). Unfortunately, after one track event and an entire season of autoXing (10+ events on nasty concrete/asphalt parking lots), and my normal "daily abuse" (about 10,000miles of it)... my tires are toast . So it was time to buy a new set for the season opener in my region (Feb 27th) .

The problem was that the size I use (275/40/17) was on a national backorder . The Kumho MX is such a great tire IMO (even for daily driving) that I went on a quest to find them. Only a couple of places in Canada had them and due to the exchange rates would cost me a premium over the regular cost of $308 shipped to Miami.

Did I mention I'm on a budget (and a low one :o )? So I did what any other consumer would do, cry...(you know you would too :p ) Then I called Kumho direct to find a solution to my whoes.

Kumho employees worked dilligently to source and deliver tires to me (they really went above and beyond the call of duty here). My Tires arrived 2/24/05 and are now wrapped neatly around my wheels and sport a slightly revised alignment (those EVOs are going down!).

The next time you guys consider buying tires, give Kumho a shot. They have set the bar on customer service to a whole other level in my book :D

Alex

PS: How do you spell "every day sticky"? four 275 width Kumho MXs, that's how!

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Those are great tires. We did a test a few years back before they were on the market. We tested the Victoracer vs the MX. With a Geez data system we got 1.24 lg on the victo and 1.03 on the MX. They do need to get hot to work well. Funny how at natls, all the STS guys on falkens have lake topeka around them in grid. While the few Kumho cars are doing everything to stay warm.....btw Kumho MX won STS.

cretinx

I really liked the MX when I had them, for the price they're awesome!

However, I prefer the Pilot Sport PS2 over any other tire you can buy. The Kumho's sidewall wasn't very stiff, though it had good grip.

The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is my second favorite. They actually have better grip than the Pilot Sports but aren't as good at turning. This is why I run PS2s up front and F1 GS-D3s in the rear.

Dark8

Hey Alex, are you at stock ride height? I'm about at a 2" drop with my JICs and my 255/40x17 MX's are real tight. Does it look like you could drop a little with the 275s and not rub?

AlexCisneros

yep, still at stock height. It comes close (at the part closest to the door as apposed to the part closest to the bumper) at full lock on a flat surface, but the fact that I used an 8" wide rim in the front with the 42mm offset means I have 8mm more clearance from the strut housing to the inside of the wheel. Given that the car would tend to roll a bit away from this possible contact point... I might be able to lower the car by .5 to 1 inch in the front. (MAYBE )

evilbada1

Koreans make best tires :P

Phlash

I do my first track session with Kumho's in March at Road Atlanta. I can't wait to see what they are like on RA versus the stock RE040's I had the last two times......

grapes

Koreans make best tires, i tend to agree with with that statement with all the good results i've had with Kumho, goig to to try some Proxes 4's. Are Toyo's made it Korea??

AlexCisneros

So I ran today in a field of 4 ... Of course two of the 4 (not me :p ) have been to Topeka a few times and are damn fast. An M3 running 255 Kumho MX and an EVO (one of two) running Toyos (the other ran MX)

it was only by 4/100 of a sec... But it's still first place


The M3 came in 2nd

evilbada1

the toyo's are from japan i believe.

Dark8

Just wait till you get better shocks and springs on the beast! It's good to know we can compete with the M3s and EVOs.

AlexCisneros

Yeah, I still want to get the Tanabe coilovers.

Look at the gap in the front as I go around the second cone in the slalom