Today I bought set of Kumho Ecsta SPT 225/45R18 ($511+Tax)
10-07-2006, 02:21 AM
#26
Originally Posted by zojas
I only noticed the stock ones being noisy when it was time for them to be replaced.
the spt are probably a more cushy ride, but not a quantum leap or anything. a quick jerk of the steering wheel told me the side walls on the spts are definitely softer.
the spt are probably a more cushy ride, but not a quantum leap or anything. a quick jerk of the steering wheel told me the side walls on the spts are definitely softer.
what air pressue are you running????
beers
10-07-2006, 09:32 AM
#29
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sharward--
did you put in for the rebate as well? if not, here's $40 for you.
http://www.kumhousa.com/Promo/Xpress...%20yourself%22
did you put in for the rebate as well? if not, here's $40 for you.
http://www.kumhousa.com/Promo/Xpress...%20yourself%22
10-08-2006, 12:32 AM
#30
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Originally Posted by CTrx8
sharward--
did you put in for the rebate as well? if not, here's $40 for you.
http://www.kumhousa.com/Promo/Xpress...%20yourself%22
did you put in for the rebate as well? if not, here's $40 for you.
http://www.kumhousa.com/Promo/Xpress...%20yourself%22
I might be taking advantage of this offer. Thanks!
10-09-2006, 12:57 PM
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Sharward, you must be an accountant, cause I was thinking the same thing about that sales/use tax issue. Anyway, I have the Kumho's on my car and I love them. They handle great on dry road and in the rain. Ive had them for about 15,000 miles and they stilll have most of the tread.
10-11-2006, 08:42 PM
#32
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Great replies, guys. Thanks!
Indeed I did -- I just mailed in my completed rebate form today. 
I actually saw a link to the rebate form a week ago in another thread, but thanks just the same!
Well, I've got a couple of tankfulls on 'em now (>500 miles) and they seem to be performing better and better. It's also starting to sprinkle some rain around here, so I'll soon have some wet traction experience to support.
I have the same observations as others here about them not being as sticky as the OEM Bridgestones when they were new, and the sidewalls being less stiff. To be fair, though, I was prepared for a slight downtick in performance when I bought them, and at this point I would say they are "meeting my expectations," which were fairly high to begin with based on all that I read about the tires, here and elsewhere.
Interesting tidbit: I noticed that a coworker has the exact same tires that I do on his 5 series BMW (Dinan), right down to the rim size, width, and profile! I caught him in the parking lot yesterday morning ("Hey! How do you like your Kumhos?"). He too read the reviews at TireRack.com before he purchased and he's very pleased with them. He has about 9 months on them (forgot to ask how many miles). We were both amazed at the value that these tires offer. We both thought: What the heck? If they suck, at least we didn't spend much money! Well, they don't suck.
Obviously there are many satisfied customers with these things.
No, not an accountant. I'm a Web software developer for a large not-for-profit chain of hospitals and medical foundations. I'm just one of those odd individuals who doesn't want to cheat the government out of paying taxes due, yet I want my taxes due to be as low as possible. 
I'll post back after I get more miles on 'em!
Originally Posted by CTrx8
did you put in for the rebate as well?
I actually saw a link to the rebate form a week ago in another thread, but thanks just the same!Well, I've got a couple of tankfulls on 'em now (>500 miles) and they seem to be performing better and better. It's also starting to sprinkle some rain around here, so I'll soon have some wet traction experience to support.
I have the same observations as others here about them not being as sticky as the OEM Bridgestones when they were new, and the sidewalls being less stiff. To be fair, though, I was prepared for a slight downtick in performance when I bought them, and at this point I would say they are "meeting my expectations," which were fairly high to begin with based on all that I read about the tires, here and elsewhere.
Interesting tidbit: I noticed that a coworker has the exact same tires that I do on his 5 series BMW (Dinan), right down to the rim size, width, and profile! I caught him in the parking lot yesterday morning ("Hey! How do you like your Kumhos?"). He too read the reviews at TireRack.com before he purchased and he's very pleased with them. He has about 9 months on them (forgot to ask how many miles). We were both amazed at the value that these tires offer. We both thought: What the heck? If they suck, at least we didn't spend much money! Well, they don't suck.
Obviously there are many satisfied customers with these things.
Originally Posted by G Rover
Sharward, you must be an accountant, cause I was thinking the same thing about that sales/use tax issue.
I'll post back after I get more miles on 'em!
10-17-2006, 11:11 AM
#34
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Thanks for updating your purchase review and the other thumbs up on the Kumhos.
These are my next tires. I think I'll make it through the winter and change into these. My first winter with an RX-8 and on low tread Bridgestone OEM's. I'll have to be careful.
Since nobody mentioned it....Kumho--did they realize their tire brand would translate very poorly to English? I always try to pronounce it "Koom-Hoe" to make it less hilarious.
These are my next tires. I think I'll make it through the winter and change into these. My first winter with an RX-8 and on low tread Bridgestone OEM's. I'll have to be careful.
Since nobody mentioned it....Kumho--did they realize their tire brand would translate very poorly to English? I always try to pronounce it "Koom-Hoe" to make it less hilarious.
10-17-2006, 11:37 AM
#35
Originally Posted by CarAndDriver
Thanks for updating your purchase review and the other thumbs up on the Kumhos.
These are my next tires. I think I'll make it through the winter and change into these. My first winter with an RX-8 and on low tread Bridgestone OEM's. I'll have to be careful.
Since nobody mentioned it....Kumho--did they realize their tire brand would translate very poorly to English? I always try to pronounce it "Koom-Hoe" to make it less hilarious.
These are my next tires. I think I'll make it through the winter and change into these. My first winter with an RX-8 and on low tread Bridgestone OEM's. I'll have to be careful.
Since nobody mentioned it....Kumho--did they realize their tire brand would translate very poorly to English? I always try to pronounce it "Koom-Hoe" to make it less hilarious.
and it's pronounced "Ku-moe", perv
10-17-2006, 12:23 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by Mr986
Just had a set (225/45/18) put on our '04' MT and have to say, THANK GOD those bridgestone OEMs are gone. It had gotten to the point after 20K miles, that you could not have a conversation in the car at highway speeds. My wife that the tires had some broken belts but when I looked they were smooth.
Anyway, the SPT's are a heck of a deal and just put in for a $40 rebate. Good dry traction, quiet and a comfortable ride. Wet performance is terrific. We had a drive home of about 60 miles in a heavy downpore and the car never darted or gave an indication that it wasn't hooked up. They seem to have very similar wet weather capabilities to the Michelin PS2 that we have on our Boxster. I can't say enough good things about these tires--way to go Kumho!
Anyway, the SPT's are a heck of a deal and just put in for a $40 rebate. Good dry traction, quiet and a comfortable ride. Wet performance is terrific. We had a drive home of about 60 miles in a heavy downpore and the car never darted or gave an indication that it wasn't hooked up. They seem to have very similar wet weather capabilities to the Michelin PS2 that we have on our Boxster. I can't say enough good things about these tires--way to go Kumho!
What kind of road noise do the stock potenzas. mine are getting low and they make a noise that sounds like the steel inside is rubbing through. Now they were low and i just raised the tire pressure up 10 lbs...i hadnt checked in a while so hopefully this will help with the sound and performance too. I too am considering the khumo SPT.
10-17-2006, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
you're in northern CA, i don't see why stock bridgestones would give you any trouble
10-17-2006, 03:34 PM
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Noise from stock potenza
originally posted by lesper4
"What kind of road noise do the stock potenzas. mine are getting low and they make a noise that sounds like the steel inside is rubbing through. Now they were low and i just raised the tire pressure up 10 lbs...i hadnt checked in a while so hopefully this will help with the sound and performance too. I too am considering the khumo SPT."
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The best way I can describe it is kind of a low frequency "whoop" noise that was very pronounced at speeds as low as 20mph. At 65 it sounded like you were inside of a clothes dryer but with a lower frequency noise but loud. Sort like when Curly of the stooges did a whoop, whoop, whoop,
With the SPT's, I can hear the exhaust note, some road noise and a little wind noise and that's it. The difference is night and day and the wet traction is great.
"What kind of road noise do the stock potenzas. mine are getting low and they make a noise that sounds like the steel inside is rubbing through. Now they were low and i just raised the tire pressure up 10 lbs...i hadnt checked in a while so hopefully this will help with the sound and performance too. I too am considering the khumo SPT."
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The best way I can describe it is kind of a low frequency "whoop" noise that was very pronounced at speeds as low as 20mph. At 65 it sounded like you were inside of a clothes dryer but with a lower frequency noise but loud. Sort like when Curly of the stooges did a whoop, whoop, whoop,
With the SPT's, I can hear the exhaust note, some road noise and a little wind noise and that's it. The difference is night and day and the wet traction is great.
10-18-2006, 03:28 PM
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I've got 23k on my SPTs and they're noisy as hell. They grip wet roads like Gorilla Glue, though. I understand the Kumho MXs are a better handling tire, so that's what I'm thinking of getting next spring.
10-18-2006, 03:35 PM
#43
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Originally Posted by CarAndDriver
The whole thread makes me want to dump my OEMs.
10-18-2006, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by DrDiaboloco
This thread makes me wonder what percentage of cars were delivered new with Dunlops (like mine was) as opposed to the much-maligned Bridgestones...?
Well some say "Koom-hoe" or "Koo-moe", but don't "Kum-hoe" unless you want to get some laughs or weird looks.
10-18-2006, 03:45 PM
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MadRonin: Be warry of the MX's
we had a set on a '99' Boxster and while they weren't bad tires--good dry grip, OK, wet grip, steering response on the same par as the SPT--they got noisey after 7K with the rears. Thought we had a bad wheel bearing but it was just the tires. Supposedly a very good AX tire if shaved; I don't think I get them for the track--on a hot day the tread was starting to liquify.
10-18-2006, 03:48 PM
#46
Originally Posted by DrDiaboloco
This thread makes me wonder what percentage of cars were delivered new with Dunlops (like mine was) as opposed to the much-maligned Bridgestones...?
10-18-2006, 03:48 PM
#47
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Originally Posted by CarAndDriver
I thought it was only the AT models that came with Dunlops. Maybe they changed the tires in 2006 6M models?
Maybe this is like what Porsche does, there are two or more OEM tires and what you get on your car depends upon what the JIT inventory guys happened to roll off the truck that morning?
10-23-2006, 12:52 AM
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Wow, lots of activity here!
Just a quick update... I picked up a ginormous screw in my left front tire last week! I was hearing a "tick tick tick" which got faster as I got faster, and sure enough, the darned thing was in there good.
I wasn't losing air pressure, though -- at least not noticably.
I took it into an America's Tire Co. location near my house on Saturday and they were able to do the repair quickly without any trouble. I'm glad I'm covered by the prorated road hazard warranty!
I still haven't driven on any wet roads, but I imagine that will change fairly soon. As promised, I'll keep y'all posted with my perspective on them when that happens.
Awww, crap... 
That's pretty much were I was on the Potenzas when they started sounding like Mr986's Curly impression. ;-) I was hoping I could squeeze 30K out of these babies before having to replace them. I know I'll certainly do a much better job of rotating them (in part because free rotations are also included in my warranty ).
Just a quick update... I picked up a ginormous screw in my left front tire last week!
I was hearing a "tick tick tick" which got faster as I got faster, and sure enough, the darned thing was in there good.I wasn't losing air pressure, though -- at least not noticably.
I took it into an America's Tire Co. location near my house on Saturday and they were able to do the repair quickly without any trouble. I'm glad I'm covered by the prorated road hazard warranty!
I still haven't driven on any wet roads, but I imagine that will change fairly soon. As promised, I'll keep y'all posted with my perspective on them when that happens.
Originally Posted by MadRonin
I've got 23k on my SPTs and they're noisy as hell.
That's pretty much were I was on the Potenzas when they started sounding like Mr986's Curly impression. ;-) I was hoping I could squeeze 30K out of these babies before having to replace them. I know I'll certainly do a much better job of rotating them (in part because free rotations are also included in my warranty ).
10-23-2006, 02:31 AM
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Originally Posted by sharward
Awww, crap... That's pretty much were I was on the Potenzas when they started sounding like Mr986's Curly impression. ;-) I was hoping I could squeeze 30K out of these babies before having to replace them. I know I'll certainly do a much better job of rotating them (in part because free rotations are also included in my warranty ).
That's pretty much were I was on the Potenzas when they started sounding like Mr986's Curly impression. ;-) I was hoping I could squeeze 30K out of these babies before having to replace them. I know I'll certainly do a much better job of rotating them (in part because free rotations are also included in my warranty ).
10-28-2006, 01:51 AM
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I went looking online and found someone who is selling the Kumhos for $101 a tire with free ground shipping. Cheaper than tirerack.com by about $4/tire. I emailed to see if they would beat/match tirerack.com's price.