Tire help please, just put on BF Goodrich KDW 2's
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Tire help please, just put on BF Goodrich KDW 2's
First post, new owner of used 6 speed. I just installed the BF Goodrich KDW 2 tires on this weekend after reading reviews at the Tire Rack. They sounded like great tires for the money and have a nice treadware rating. Anyway these tires seem to hum like mud tires and I am thing of going back and getting different tires. I have a question for the owners who had Dunlop 8090's on their car. I know the tread is not that exciting but what about road noise? Handling wet and dry? My second choice are Pirelli P Zero Nero's. Any info much appreciated!
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From: PA
Originally Posted by Tony1
First post, new owner of used 6 speed. I just installed the BF Goodrich KDW 2 tires on this weekend after reading reviews at the Tire Rack. They sounded like great tires for the money and have a nice treadware rating. Anyway these tires seem to hum like mud tires and I am thing of going back and getting different tires. I have a question for the owners who had Dunlop 8090's on their car. I know the tread is not that exciting but what about road noise? Handling wet and dry? My second choice are Pirelli P Zero Nero's. Any info much appreciated!
It's possible the hum is from being brand spanking new tires. I've had tires quiet down after the tread was broken in a bit.
On the other hand, the tread pattern on those things is... ummm... unique
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From: Lake Mary, Florida
I had the hum after leaving the tire installer (Costco) and for about 100 miles. After that, the hum entirely disappeared, and began to grip better and become quieter in general. Have about 1400 miles on 'em now, and noise is now a non-issue. These tires need to be broken in. Inflate them to 35-36 pounds.
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From: Jamestown, NC
I just started a new thread today on my new Kumho Ecstas, and have found them to be a very quiet tire over the first 600 miles. Sacrificed a bit in handling, but they have a good look and exceptional road manners.
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From: Milwaukee, WI.
I have the Pzero Neros (not M&S). I really like them. Quite, light and GREAT traction on dry land. Wet, they are ok, although i have never had a performance tire that i would say drove great on wet surfaces. All and all a great tire for summer!!
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From: Greer, SC
Originally Posted by Tony1
They sounded like great tires for the money and have a nice treadware rating. Anyway these tires seem to hum like mud tires and I am thing of going back and getting different tires.
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From: Miami, FL
Here are allof my posts (or complaints you could say) from the older KDW 2 thread since I dontfeel like typing them again and Ill bold the key parts:
By the wayIve had these tires on my car now for over 3000 miles and Im still sticking to everything I posted above.
Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
Well guysI tested out the KDW-2s handling for the past 2 days w/things like 90 degree turns @ 15 - 30 mph and how stable the car felt on twisty roads and ramps w/sharp corners @ 55 - 75 mph.
I dunno if he was as aggressive as I was w/the KDW-2s but unfortunately I noticed they dont handle these conditions as wellas the OEM Bridgestones did.
Ivegot well over 500 miles onthese tires now and Im still sticking w/my original statement. The OEM Bridgestone Potenzas handle better than the KDWs. In fact the other night I thought I was going to slide into another vehicle whiletaking a turn - and there were 3 lanes between us. I justcant seem to pull off the same wicked turns w/these tires thatI could easily execute w/the OEMs. Oh well - I guess thats a sacrifice I unwittingly made when I bought this tire which has longer treadlife than the OEM. On the brightside at least now Im extremely confident w/wet traction - notthat I ever worried too much about wet traction even w/the Potenzas.
Ive gotthe exact same size as OEM - 225/45R18. I didnt try inflating the tire higher though. Ive got mine at 32 --Ill try the 36PSI suggestion starting tomorrow. I hope that helps. As for going faster-- Ive beendriving down the exact same overpasses streets and sharp corners at the same speeds. In fact lately I havent really tried taking turns faster than 55 b/c Im the handling right now is frustrating enough at this speed. As far as the stiffer shoulder - thats definitely something I didnt take into account. How much stiffer is it on the RE040s?
Last week I drovethe tires at 36 PSI. All this did was caused bumps to feel a lot worse when driving over them justlike when the Potenzas were overinflated. It didnt help w/the handling at all. I guess the problemis the Potenzas had a stiffer shoulder - something I completely neglected toexamine when I bought these tires. When I take the same violent turns that I would normally execute w/the Potenzas in these KDW-2s ..the car gets wobbly and starts losing traction - tires screech - and DSC regularly comes on. I havent had any big spills yet but thats probably b/c Im afraid to push it w/these tires.
Oh well -they were cheaper than Potenzas andhave a longer treadlife. I guess thats a good enough justification. Oh andthe tread design is pretty too.
My road noise has not gone down and I agree--it is louder than OEMs. Not that I really carecause Ive always got the radio/cd player on.
I dunno if he was as aggressive as I was w/the KDW-2s but unfortunately I noticed they dont handle these conditions as wellas the OEM Bridgestones did.
Ivegot well over 500 miles onthese tires now and Im still sticking w/my original statement. The OEM Bridgestone Potenzas handle better than the KDWs. In fact the other night I thought I was going to slide into another vehicle whiletaking a turn - and there were 3 lanes between us. I justcant seem to pull off the same wicked turns w/these tires thatI could easily execute w/the OEMs. Oh well - I guess thats a sacrifice I unwittingly made when I bought this tire which has longer treadlife than the OEM. On the brightside at least now Im extremely confident w/wet traction - notthat I ever worried too much about wet traction even w/the Potenzas.
Ive gotthe exact same size as OEM - 225/45R18. I didnt try inflating the tire higher though. Ive got mine at 32 --Ill try the 36PSI suggestion starting tomorrow. I hope that helps. As for going faster-- Ive beendriving down the exact same overpasses streets and sharp corners at the same speeds. In fact lately I havent really tried taking turns faster than 55 b/c Im the handling right now is frustrating enough at this speed. As far as the stiffer shoulder - thats definitely something I didnt take into account. How much stiffer is it on the RE040s?
Last week I drovethe tires at 36 PSI. All this did was caused bumps to feel a lot worse when driving over them justlike when the Potenzas were overinflated. It didnt help w/the handling at all. I guess the problemis the Potenzas had a stiffer shoulder - something I completely neglected toexamine when I bought these tires. When I take the same violent turns that I would normally execute w/the Potenzas in these KDW-2s ..the car gets wobbly and starts losing traction - tires screech - and DSC regularly comes on. I havent had any big spills yet but thats probably b/c Im afraid to push it w/these tires.
Oh well -they were cheaper than Potenzas andhave a longer treadlife. I guess thats a good enough justification. Oh andthe tread design is pretty too.
My road noise has not gone down and I agree--it is louder than OEMs. Not that I really carecause Ive always got the radio/cd player on.
So many roads to ride...
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Thanks for posting all that.....I'm gonna watch out for those weaknesses....but to be honest, I took an onramp the other day that had my g/f hanging onto the door(she's used to my driving 
), then tonight I hit a roundabout pretty hard that winds into in a hard right and it felt pretty good. I'm slowly checking things out since I have 9's in the back and don't wanna over exert the car w/ the new handling characteristics and new rubber. I'd like to keep this thread going.....so if anyone else has positive or negative experiences....let us know.
), then tonight I hit a roundabout pretty hard that winds into in a hard right and it felt pretty good. I'm slowly checking things out since I have 9's in the back and don't wanna over exert the car w/ the new handling characteristics and new rubber. I'd like to keep this thread going.....so if anyone else has positive or negative experiences....let us know.
Bummed, but bring on OU!
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From: Charleston, SC
MIne aren't much louder than the stock Potenza's, but the grip is about 4x as good (10x in the rain). I can handle a little extra noise, for S03 performance, particularly when i save about $4-500 off S03 prices. I do get very noticeable hums at 40 and 80 mph, must be some sort of resonance.
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From: Lake Mary, Florida
Jerky:
Take them back to Costco and ask them to rotate and re-balance the tires. Also let them know that others with the same tires aren't having the same problems. Knowing Costco, they'll make it right and give you a 55 gallon drum of peanut butter for your troubles. :D
Take them back to Costco and ask them to rotate and re-balance the tires. Also let them know that others with the same tires aren't having the same problems. Knowing Costco, they'll make it right and give you a 55 gallon drum of peanut butter for your troubles. :D
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Well, I drove the car yesterday (it's my wife's) and I still think they are a little loud. The part that bothers me is the hum that I have seen described at the tire rack. Discount tires (where I got them) said they would replace them for the full amount paid. Actually it was the dealership that paid for them but the same thing. I am seriously considering going with the Pirelli M&S in the 245/40/18 size. I would have got these in the first place if they had the right size. It sounds like there really isn't too much difference in size aside from width. This will be an even exchange too. I really don't feel like paying out $ for a different tire in the exact size. The price was 183.00 installed per tire and the other tires I have looked at run $220 to $250 per tire installed. If I swap them out this weekend I will let everyone know if there is much difference.
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Less than 500 but if I don't return them soon I won't be able too. I'm hoping they will let me try out the Pirellis to see if I like them. I just don't know if I want to chance them not working out and get stuck with them.
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From: Lake Mary, Florida
If you experience cold weather for extended periods of time, even without snow, you may want to go with a M+S anyway, since summer tires don't grip well in the cold. I'm in Central Florida, so cold isn't an issue.
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I live in Houston so cold isn't an issue either but we do get a fair amount of rain. Well, I got the Pirelli M&S put on yesterday. Before installing them we lined up the 245/40/18's next to the 225/45/81's and they looked the same height but wider. I have to say I am glad I exchanged them. They look much better in my opinion. The wider stance looks great from behind the car! You can still hear the tires, nature of the beast I guess, what can you expect with 18's on a sports car. But the annoying hum my wife didn't like is gone now. They are quieter and they feel like they improved the ride quality too. I took some really hard turns and did notice the side wall seemed softer but that isn't something I do too often. I have to say this size is great especially since it offers more tire choices. I wonder if these tires will quiet down a bit with some miles. Once again I have to say I like these tires alot considering the type of driving we do.
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I just purchased the KDW 2's and they've been great for me. I have no idea what the other people are talking about with the loud humming sound or mud tire sound. Mine sound as quiet as the OEM tires.. or maybe a little louder, but nothing that is annoying. I haven't had a single issue with handling either. They easily handle as well as the OEM tires in my opinion. I've put about 300 miles on them so far and pushed the car as hard as I could and I haven't seen anything different with the handling characteristics of my car. So far i'm very happy with these tires and would recommend them to anyone.
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From: Miami, FL
Ive already had my tires remounted at Costco. Something else mustbe really screwed up w/my car if Im the only person on here w/KDW2s thats having these problems.
Bythe way tonight I was driving through a loopy street and on one portion they actually had the road paved in bricks as a deterent against taking the corners fast -and it worked like a goddamn charm b/c my cars *** was all over the place after that turn. Horrible loss of traction - luckily no one was near my car and DSC coudlnt do jack about this. Its like my wheels just arent firmly planted to the ground or something. I really would like to find out wtf is wrong here.
Bythe way tonight I was driving through a loopy street and on one portion they actually had the road paved in bricks as a deterent against taking the corners fast -and it worked like a goddamn charm b/c my cars *** was all over the place after that turn. Horrible loss of traction - luckily no one was near my car and DSC coudlnt do jack about this. Its like my wheels just arent firmly planted to the ground or something. I really would like to find out wtf is wrong here.