Kumho Ecsta SPT's (245/40/18) Installed
04-05-2006, 01:21 AM
#26
Originally Posted by breezy_rx8
Kumho Ecsta SPTs 225/40/18
The tires already have about 300 miles. Hasn't got any better. While it is true, any tire brand can produce out of round tires, based on this experience I don't think I would risk next time going with these tires. Of course, previously I've always owned lifted trucks with big knobby tires so I could care less about a rough ride that goes with the territory. But the 8 has been the smoothest thing on earth I've ever driven and its a shame to now suffer from vibration. Hopefully the problem goes away with the replacements...
The tires already have about 300 miles. Hasn't got any better. While it is true, any tire brand can produce out of round tires, based on this experience I don't think I would risk next time going with these tires. Of course, previously I've always owned lifted trucks with big knobby tires so I could care less about a rough ride that goes with the territory. But the 8 has been the smoothest thing on earth I've ever driven and its a shame to now suffer from vibration. Hopefully the problem goes away with the replacements...
not a tire issue an installment issue.
beers
04-05-2006, 01:23 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by tiggerlee
I'm planning my first Zaino application this weekend. 
Sweet looking tires Tiggerlee! How do you think those would fare in SoCal weather?
04-05-2006, 03:55 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
Did someone say Zaino?
Sweet looking tires Tiggerlee! How do you think those would fare in SoCal weather?
Sweet looking tires Tiggerlee! How do you think those would fare in SoCal weather?
Well swoope has the same tires. He's says their great on wet roads. He's got over 13000 miles on them. We haven't had any rain here for over a month so I have yet to test them out on wet roads.
yeah I think this weekend's gonna be a Zaino weekend for me.
04-05-2006, 04:14 PM
#29
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Actually quite the opposite where I live in SoCal. Very little rain during the year.
Oh, you're gonna love the zaino! The first time is a pain in the *** because you'll need to strip off all the old wax and clay bar but the results are worth it. PM me if you have any questions. Jedi = Zaino Master.
Oh, you're gonna love the zaino! The first time is a pain in the *** because you'll need to strip off all the old wax and clay bar but the results are worth it. PM me if you have any questions. Jedi = Zaino Master.
04-05-2006, 04:28 PM
#30
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Anybody comment on how tire size will affect performance on both dry/wet and snow condition? Will 245/40 perform better in all conditions vs. 225/45 (stock) all-season tires? I'm thinking of the Avons...
04-07-2006, 05:05 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by swoope
did they put the tpms back in and have the equipment to balance for it correctly???
not a tire issue an installment issue.
beers
not a tire issue an installment issue.
beers
So, now have two new tires and supposedly all my rims are perfect. They did not spin all the rims on the machine, only the one they claimed was bent. The other rims they spun around by hand and told me they were good. I don't know how I could have bent rims anyways since I've never hit anything and always avoid potholes. Also, the Bridgestones were perfect and I never had any vibration issues with them from day 1 until the day they were replaced.
So I'm starting to think these guys are incompetent when it comes to mounting and balancing tires. They are a wheel shop, not a tire shop (Wheel Techniques). This is where I got my wheels polished. I took it there since they do have the equipment to handle 18" wheels and wont scratch them up. And in the past when the polished my wheels, I never had any vibrations with the Bridgestones.
So either the Kumhos tires are lop sided peices of crap in general or perhaps Wheel Techniques balancing machine is out of whack. Next, I'm going to rotate the front tires to the back and back to front. If the steering wheel stops vibrating, then its obviously a tire or rim problem on one of the two tires now in the back. If it still vibrates, then I'm back at square one (Kumhos are crap tires or incompetent shop guy). I'm starting to lean toward incompetent shop since what are the chances I could wind up with that many out of round tires. Especially after Tire Rack just shipped in a new pair.
Wow, this is one gigantic hassle. The shop says let the tires "wear in" which I find to be BS. The tires should be perfectly round when they come and the Bridgestones never vibrated when they were new. It's just a run-around in my opinion. While I can see it being possible that a high spot would eventually wear faster than the rest of the tire and thus even out over time, that is only hiding the problem.
By the way, I've been charged twice for mount and balance and for one "bad" rim. This is the last time I buy cheap tires.
Question: The red paint dots on the tires, do those represent a high spot or low spot? These guys said low spot..
04-07-2006, 07:00 PM
#32
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Sorry to thread jack, but since you guys are talking about Ecsta SPT's, I'd figure I would just add to here instead of starting another thread. Anyways, I've just purchased 4 tires (225/45/18) with a tire retailer that distributes Kumho tires (Only 1 of 3 Kumho distributers in my province and closest to where I live). The price including installation comes out to around $1100 USD.
I hate to nit pick, but isn't that way off from the price you guys are paying for? I haven't tried Tire Rack yet, so should I shop around and see if I can get it for a better price? Seems steep compared to what I've been hearing.
I hate to nit pick, but isn't that way off from the price you guys are paying for? I haven't tried Tire Rack yet, so should I shop around and see if I can get it for a better price? Seems steep compared to what I've been hearing.
04-07-2006, 07:11 PM
#33
Rally Car Racer
Originally Posted by moRotorMotor
The price including installation comes out to around $1100 USD.
Standard shipping to you will probably be about $125 USD and you will have to pay whatever taxes and duties to UPS upon delivery.
Add on about $20 to $40 to mount each one and you'll probably still end up several hundred cheaper.
Last edited by The Mighty Red; 04-07-2006 at 07:13 PM.
04-07-2006, 07:21 PM
#34
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WOW! Yeah that seems pricey. I paid 545.00 for the (245/40/18 ) shipped from Tire Rack and another 154.00 for local install.
Last edited by tiggerlee; 04-07-2006 at 07:24 PM.
04-08-2006, 02:19 AM
#36
Originally Posted by breezy_rx8
OK. Now, Tire Rack sent in two brand new tires. They replaced both front tires. While doing so, the shop told me I had a bent rim and that was the cause of vibration. So they machined out the rim to make it true.
So, now have two new tires and supposedly all my rims are perfect. They did not spin all the rims on the machine, only the one they claimed was bent. The other rims they spun around by hand and told me they were good. I don't know how I could have bent rims anyways since I've never hit anything and always avoid potholes. Also, the Bridgestones were perfect and I never had any vibration issues with them from day 1 until the day they were replaced.
So I'm starting to think these guys are incompetent when it comes to mounting and balancing tires. They are a wheel shop, not a tire shop (Wheel Techniques). This is where I got my wheels polished. I took it there since they do have the equipment to handle 18" wheels and wont scratch them up. And in the past when the polished my wheels, I never had any vibrations with the Bridgestones.
So either the Kumhos tires are lop sided peices of crap in general or perhaps Wheel Techniques balancing machine is out of whack. Next, I'm going to rotate the front tires to the back and back to front. If the steering wheel stops vibrating, then its obviously a tire or rim problem on one of the two tires now in the back. If it still vibrates, then I'm back at square one (Kumhos are crap tires or incompetent shop guy). I'm starting to lean toward incompetent shop since what are the chances I could wind up with that many out of round tires. Especially after Tire Rack just shipped in a new pair.
Wow, this is one gigantic hassle. The shop says let the tires "wear in" which I find to be BS. The tires should be perfectly round when they come and the Bridgestones never vibrated when they were new. It's just a run-around in my opinion. While I can see it being possible that a high spot would eventually wear faster than the rest of the tire and thus even out over time, that is only hiding the problem.
By the way, I've been charged twice for mount and balance and for one "bad" rim. This is the last time I buy cheap tires.
Question: The red paint dots on the tires, do those represent a high spot or low spot? These guys said low spot..
So, now have two new tires and supposedly all my rims are perfect. They did not spin all the rims on the machine, only the one they claimed was bent. The other rims they spun around by hand and told me they were good. I don't know how I could have bent rims anyways since I've never hit anything and always avoid potholes. Also, the Bridgestones were perfect and I never had any vibration issues with them from day 1 until the day they were replaced.
So I'm starting to think these guys are incompetent when it comes to mounting and balancing tires. They are a wheel shop, not a tire shop (Wheel Techniques). This is where I got my wheels polished. I took it there since they do have the equipment to handle 18" wheels and wont scratch them up. And in the past when the polished my wheels, I never had any vibrations with the Bridgestones.
So either the Kumhos tires are lop sided peices of crap in general or perhaps Wheel Techniques balancing machine is out of whack. Next, I'm going to rotate the front tires to the back and back to front. If the steering wheel stops vibrating, then its obviously a tire or rim problem on one of the two tires now in the back. If it still vibrates, then I'm back at square one (Kumhos are crap tires or incompetent shop guy). I'm starting to lean toward incompetent shop since what are the chances I could wind up with that many out of round tires. Especially after Tire Rack just shipped in a new pair.
Wow, this is one gigantic hassle. The shop says let the tires "wear in" which I find to be BS. The tires should be perfectly round when they come and the Bridgestones never vibrated when they were new. It's just a run-around in my opinion. While I can see it being possible that a high spot would eventually wear faster than the rest of the tire and thus even out over time, that is only hiding the problem.
By the way, I've been charged twice for mount and balance and for one "bad" rim. This is the last time I buy cheap tires.
Question: The red paint dots on the tires, do those represent a high spot or low spot? These guys said low spot..
you are getting ganked by your wheel shop... go to tire rack and go to the installers section. put in your zip code and read the reviews.
you could have had your tire shipped right to the installer.
they machined a wheel to make it straight???? BS!!!!
beers
04-10-2006, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by tiggerlee
WOW! Yeah that seems pricey. I paid 545.00 for the (245/40/18 ) shipped from Tire Rack and another 154.00 for local install.
04-10-2006, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by swoope
looks very good,
btw get the air press up to 34or 35 psi.
btw get the air press up to 34or 35 psi.
Why do you recommend increasing by 2 or 3 psi on the 245/40s?
I just got mine, have been cruising at 85-90 (at 32 psi). But I haven't tried any performance driving yet.
04-10-2006, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by breezy_rx8
Shop told me "get what you pay for" and I'm starting to wonder if this is true. The ride was perfectly smooth with the Bridgestones and the wear was OK. I got the Kumhos out of cheapness, hopefully it works out but so far I think that was a bad decision.
Lesson learned, would never buy Kumhos again.
Lesson learned, would never buy Kumhos again.
See...another believer.....Khumos are crap tires, like i told somebody else,you couldn't give Khumo tires to me for free. There cheap and there overall performance is pretty low.
Pay the extra dime , and get the peace of mind......
Last edited by DailyDriver2k5; 04-10-2006 at 01:04 PM.
04-10-2006, 01:20 PM
#44
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^I strongly disagree with your assessment as would some other folks here . I haven't second guessed my decision to buy these tires. Besides, did you bother reading his follow-up posts?
04-10-2006, 01:40 PM
#45
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Originally Posted by moRotorMotor
Sorry to thread jack, but since you guys are talking about Ecsta SPT's, I'd figure I would just add to here instead of starting another thread. Anyways, I've just purchased 4 tires (225/45/18) with a tire retailer that distributes Kumho tires (Only 1 of 3 Kumho distributers in my province and closest to where I live). The price including installation comes out to around $1100 USD.
I hate to nit pick, but isn't that way off from the price you guys are paying for? I haven't tried Tire Rack yet, so should I shop around and see if I can get it for a better price? Seems steep compared to what I've been hearing.
I hate to nit pick, but isn't that way off from the price you guys are paying for? I haven't tried Tire Rack yet, so should I shop around and see if I can get it for a better price? Seems steep compared to what I've been hearing.
If you order from Tirerack, you stand a chance of paying UPS as much in brokerage fees as the tires cost you, wiping out any savings. I have heard some rumours that they do offer a non-UPS option now.
Your other choice, is the Canadian equivalent, www.tiretrends.com
Similar concept to tire-rack, but Canadian so no duty/customs etc.
I was going to order from them (was actually looking at these very tires, or the Falken Azenis) but I got lucky and a guy I know who works at the Michelin plant had another "employee set" for this year, so I got Pilot Sport PS2s in 245/40/18 for $1000CDN flat, delivered to my door.
04-10-2006, 03:52 PM
#46
Originally Posted by RotrDoc
Why do you recommend increasing by 2 or 3 psi on the 245/40s?
I just got mine, have been cruising at 85-90 (at 32 psi). But I haven't tried any performance driving yet.
I just got mine, have been cruising at 85-90 (at 32 psi). But I haven't tried any performance driving yet.
beers
04-10-2006, 04:54 PM
#48
i dont know that i am qualifyed to answer that. have not done any track days yet. that is my project for the summer...
i dont see why not. but the mx and the others will allow you to go faster if you have the ability. i know my first few times i will be on the stock size spt.
beers
i dont see why not. but the mx and the others will allow you to go faster if you have the ability. i know my first few times i will be on the stock size spt.
beers
04-11-2006, 01:58 PM
#49
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Originally Posted by Redshift
Again, not trying to thread jack: moRotor, this has been a sticky point for a lot of us.. tires seem to sell for about twice as much in Canada as they do in the US.
If you order from Tirerack, you stand a chance of paying UPS as much in brokerage fees as the tires cost you, wiping out any savings. I have heard some rumours that they do offer a non-UPS option now.
Your other choice, is the Canadian equivalent, www.tiretrends.com
Similar concept to tire-rack, but Canadian so no duty/customs etc.
I was going to order from them (was actually looking at these very tires, or the Falken Azenis) but I got lucky and a guy I know who works at the Michelin plant had another "employee set" for this year, so I got Pilot Sport PS2s in 245/40/18 for $1000CDN flat, delivered to my door.
If you order from Tirerack, you stand a chance of paying UPS as much in brokerage fees as the tires cost you, wiping out any savings. I have heard some rumours that they do offer a non-UPS option now.
Your other choice, is the Canadian equivalent, www.tiretrends.com
Similar concept to tire-rack, but Canadian so no duty/customs etc.
I was going to order from them (was actually looking at these very tires, or the Falken Azenis) but I got lucky and a guy I know who works at the Michelin plant had another "employee set" for this year, so I got Pilot Sport PS2s in 245/40/18 for $1000CDN flat, delivered to my door.
04-12-2006, 01:24 AM
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Got my new Ecsta SPTs mounted today. I went down one notch in the profile, from stock 224-45-18 to 225-40-18 (maybe a little improvement in steering response, handling), but I kept everything else the same. This was partly to save money, but more so I could have a pretty direct compasrison vs. the OEM Bridgestone 040. The Kumhos went out for a night ride this evening on a Central CA, uncrowded highway and took some straights and turns, both, as high as low 100s. Car felt very tight and stable (good things) but not as sticky-melty-luscious new warm rubber, etc. as I thought they might. Otherwise, I am quite satisfied initially. The tire did not seem noisy, but then, I never thought the much reviled 040 was very noisy, either. The tire does feel a little "hard" and told me about each pothole in around-town driving, but I assume there is some break-in time required before the tires fully show what they can do. Still, quite a nice ride at speed for $85 per tire!
Jeffrey
Jeffrey