Opinions on Kumho tyres please

[DannyScene]

Hi Guys,

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum

I recently bought my first car, a Gen 7 Celica. I think the front tyres will need changing in a months time so I'm trying to get an idea of cost so I can budget for them next month. The rear ones are absolutely fine, I know its not good to run different tyres front and back but I can't afford all 4 and I want to ensure the front ones aren't illegal or dangerous.

I've seen some Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39 for £83.99 per tyre but I have to admit I know literally nothing about tyres, what are the good brands vs the poorer ones etc so has anyone got any info on tyres they could share or opinions on the ones I've named above?

Thanks in advance for any replies

[lbc]

A good place to start. Lots of reviews. http://www.tyretest.com/

[Patch888]

I think kuhmo's are fitted to a lot of German saloon cars from factory. I replaced some bridgestones on my civic type r with some kuhmo's and they have so far been brilliant in wet and dry.

[HumbleJim]

I've been on Kuhmos for a yr now. Seem okay would buy again.

[Geekman]

I had them a couple of years ago: really good tyres, probably the best of the mid-range ones I've tried.

[DannyScene]

Cheers guys, read some reviews and they seem pretty good

I'm leaning towards getting these at the moment

[gizlaroc]

I bought a set of 18" alloys for my M3 which came on KU31's, I had already ordered a set of Pilot Sports, but drove round on them for 2 weeks and found them pretty good, after putting the Pilot Sports on (my faves) I realised that the Kumhos were actually really good.

I would have them again, and far better than the Falken FK452s everyone raves about.

[dave_s13]

They'll be fine.

The only problem is if you drive beyond the limits of grip and the mismatched front/rear tyres have more stick on the fronts it can get a bit twitchy. Especially in the wet.

My Leon has got conti sports on the front and a lesser but still decent pair on the rear. The esp can get a bit frisky if you really go for it, which is extremely rare on our roads.

[DannyScene]

dave_s13 said:

They'll be fine.

The only problem is if you drive beyond the limits of grip and the mismatched front/rear tyres have more stick on the fronts it can get a bit twitchy. Especially in the wet.

My Leon has got conti sports on the front and a lesser but still decent pair on the rear. The esp can get a bit frisky if you really go for it, which is extremely rare on our roads.

That did worry me but I never drive beyond my limit really

I don't know if I've convinced myself its happening because of the tyres being lowish but I think the front wheels are washing out more than when I first bought the car now

[VR6T Gar]

I ran KU39's on my old Corrado and for a mid range tyre they were very good.
They have soft sidewalls so give a comfortable ride with the flip side of this being they are a bit vague.
They do take a few hundred miles to wear in though, being a bit poor until they have.
I can't imagine Uniroyal rainsport 2/3 will be much more expensive and would also consider those.

[ED209]

Had these tyres on my vx220 they were fine.

[dave_s13]

DannyScene said:

dave_s13 said:

They'll be fine.

The only problem is if you drive beyond the limits of grip and the mismatched front/rear tyres have more stick on the fronts it can get a bit twitchy. Especially in the wet.

My Leon has got conti sports on the front and a lesser but still decent pair on the rear. The esp can get a bit frisky if you really go for it, which is extremely rare on our roads.

That did worry me but I never drive beyond my limit really

I don't know if I've convinced myself its happening because of the tyres being lowish but I think the front wheels are washing out more than when I first bought the car now

Don't worry about t it. I had a late model gen 7 celica vvtli for a good while and they tend to understeer when pushed very hard. They will lift off oversteer if you act like a complete Ham fisted loon though.

[Oilchange]

Sounds like any tyre to me...

[Tuvra]

Put them on a MKII Focus RS. They were better than the tyres that came on it new (conti's I think).

[pringle1988]

A mate of mine always buys them for his car, im always very surprised at the level of grip offered in the wet on his old Astra and his current 320D. About to put some on mine this weekend as the dealer fitted some horrible things when I bought it last year.

[Kolbenkopp]

Had a set of the 31s on my Lupo GTI. Recommended.

[Miglia 888]

Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39 tested by EVO magazine:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2012-EVO-Summ...

[Kentish]

Pretty good IME but also take a look at Nexen.

[Kentish]

Pretty good IME but also take a look at Nexen.

[xiodene]

Have had a set of ku39 on the rear of my vx220 for almost a year now. They have been great, much better than the potenza that came off (admittedly they were worn out)