Kumho Ecstas KU31's on a B6 S4 ----- Not good.

[T89 Callan]

Just a quick word of warning/advice/rambling for the B6 S4 and thus probably B7 and B8 owners as well. As per the title don't get Kumho Ecsta KU31's for your car.

I got a set in Jan' and have been regretting it ever since, today having a proper blast in the dry (for about the first time) highlighted how unsuited these tyres are to the car.

Essentially the crux of the problem is that the sidewalls are way way too soft for this size and weight of car, the upside of this is that they are far far quiter than the FK452's and P-Zeros (unbelievably quiet) but the downside is that the car never really feels settled in the corner, turn in (especially at the back) is severely affected.

I paid an extra £13 over FK452's and now wish that I hadn't, if you like pushing your car hard then these aren't good tyres, clearly they are aimed at much lighter cars.

This is not a rant just becuase I don't like them, just pointing out that they are really not aimed at this type of car.

PS Anybody want to by a set of 235/40/18 KU31's? Only 2 months old

[kilarney]

Thanks i will take your advice as i was indeed thinking of these for my b6

[T89 Callan]

kilarney said:

Thanks i will take your advice as i was indeed thinking of these for my b6

If you only do motorway driving then they are good because they are amazingly quiet, but they just don't feel safe or predictable in the corners.

Having had 3 different sets of tyres on mine now I definately believe that Falken FK452's offer a superb mix of low cost, low road noise, grip and lifespan.

[Cupramax]

I would second this although I didn't put them on mine to find out , I had a hire car, infact the combination of Kumho Ecsta ditch finders attached to a Chrysler Sebring was most definitely the single most hideous automotive experience I've ever had.

[Patrick Bateman]

I'm thinking about these for my 320td, the majority of reviews seem to say they're an excellent compromise between price/performance.

Saying that a 3 series compact seems to be about 300kg lighter.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 21st March 20:48

[T89 Callan]

Patrick Bateman said:

I'm thinking about these for my 320td, the majority of reviews seem to say they're an excellent compromise between price/performance.

Saying that a 3 series compact seems to be about 300kg lighter.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 21st March 20:48

Hey Paul! DIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Anyway they probably are excellent on lighter cars, the braking and acceleration grip it good but the sidewalls just aren't still enough for this application.

[Patrick Bateman]

T89 Callan said:

Patrick Bateman said:

I'm thinking about these for my 320td, the majority of reviews seem to say they're an excellent compromise between price/performance.

Saying that a 3 series compact seems to be about 300kg lighter.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 21st March 20:48

Hey Paul! DIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Anyway they probably are excellent on lighter cars, the braking and acceleration grip it good but the sidewalls just aren't still enough for this application.

Well I can't do any worse than the Ceat Tornados (oh dear) that are currently on the thing so for £225 delivered I reckon it's worth a bash.

[gizlaroc]

I have had KU31s on my old M3 on 18's and they were great.

[T89 Callan]

gizlaroc said:

I have had KU31s on my old M3 on 18's and they were great.

And that is relevant because.....?

[Patrick Bateman]

T89 Callan said:

gizlaroc said:

I have had KU31s on my old M3 on 18's and they were great.

And that is relevant because.....?

Well it gives me faith as it's not far off the weight of my car.

[istoo]

Cant speak for heavier cars but I have a complete set od 225 17 40s on my 90 quattro 20v and I find them pretty good if anything a bit snappy when they let go if really pushed.

P Zero's have been my favoured choice when i had my B6 quattro, not cheap though.

[pauls-f]

I have them on my RS2 and find them great. However I did put on the 94Y XLs for the stiffer sidewall.

[gizlaroc]

T89 Callan said:

gizlaroc said:

I have had KU31s on my old M3 on 18's and they were great.

And that is relevant because.....?

Because he was worring about putting them on his E46 BMW.

The S4 is such an overweight beasty that I would always make sure it was riding on Extra Load tyres no matter what brand.
I had PS2's on mine which are my favourite tyres and it struggled like mad, then put some continental sport contact 2's on it that I had taken off our 535d sport touring as I hated them so much, and the S4 was great on them.

That's why I never get why people go and buy Assymetrical F1s for their M3 after they have neen tested and reviewed well on an R32??
Just because they work well on one car doesn't mean they will on another.

[gizlaroc]

Patrick Bateman said:

I'm thinking about these for my 320td, the majority of reviews seem to say they're an excellent compromise between price/performance.

Saying that a 3 series compact seems to be about 300kg lighter.

To be fair mate, you could probably paint some tyres on your rims with Hammerite and it would handle better than the S4!!


Just a joke, just a joke!!!

[gizlaroc]

T89 Callan said:

PS Anybody want to by a set of 235/40/18 KU31's? Only 2 months old

On a more serious note, how much collected??

[T89 Callan]

gizlaroc said:

T89 Callan said:

gizlaroc said:

I have had KU31s on my old M3 on 18's and they were great.

And that is relevant because.....?

Because he was worring about putting them on his E46 BMW.

The S4 is such an overweight beasty that I would always make sure it was riding on Extra Load tyres no matter what brand.

Uuuuuuhhh duuuuuhhhhh I dit nod know dat? did me do a bad?

I not a retard, they are extra load.

[fatboy b]

T89 Callan said:

Just a quick word of warning/advice/rambling for the B6 S4 and thus probably B7 and B8 owners as well. As per the title don't get Kumho Ecsta KU31's for your car.

I got a set in Jan' and have been regretting it ever since, today having a proper blast in the dry (for about the first time) highlighted how unsuited these tyres are to the car.

Essentially the crux of the problem is that the sidewalls are way way too soft for this size and weight of car, the upside of this is that they are far far quiter than the FK452's and P-Zeros (unbelievably quiet) but the downside is that the car never really feels settled in the corner, turn in (especially at the back) is severely affected.

I paid an extra £13 over FK452's and now wish that I hadn't, if you like pushing your car hard then these aren't good tyres, clearly they are aimed at much lighter cars.

This is not a rant just becuase I don't like them, just pointing out that they are really not aimed at this type of car.

PS Anybody want to by a set of 235/40/18 KU31's? Only 2 months old

I've got the XLs on the front of my A4 at the moment. My only gripe is that they're wearing pretty fast.

Edited by fatboy b on Wednesday 24th March 10:04

[Kylie]

T89 Callan said:

PS Anybody want to by a set of 235/40/18 KU31's? Only 2 months old

Hi there, interesting feedback. Hehe wrong size by a long shot but if they were 295/35/18's well then yes.... And yes id never fit them to my A4 Avant, actually more so because of large block tread pattern and figured no good for loads of rain and has a higher wear rate being softer compound. I fitted them to my 1300kg Sport 350 you can just see them in my profile pic and they are better than the original equipment (Pirelli) for my application anyway. The rubber compound is softer than std rubber so no wonder you people are finding them a handful in the heavy Avants.

Anyway def more suited for lighter weight sports cars.