Tire Questions: Kuhmo Ecsta ASX vs Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus

[djdube525]

Hi all... several questions here...

Currently have Michelin Pilot Sport on an 05 CiC which I've not been pleased with (very noisy and rears have worn very fast).

The fronts look to have very significant life left on them and tread wear looks even. Any issues with replacing just the rears? Would mixing maker/model of tires between front and back be an issue? Anything I should look out for?

As for tires... I've narrowed my search down to the Kuhmo Ecsta ASX (a favorite of the shop which installs my tires... he personally autocrosses his 3 series on them - so don't think he's saying that for a quick sale) and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. The later has really good reviews on tire rack, but based on limited reported miles (couple orders of magnitude less than the Kuhmos).

Kuhmos are appealing due to the price...

Thoughts?

Dave

Edit: Added pics of tires (front unfortunately is a bit blurry)

[Reekinghavoc702]

alright make it simple and fast, kuhmo's are going to be cheaper the pilots. kuhmos are made a little more stiffer then michelin so they will last alot longer. im a tire tech at discount tires, if you have anymore question just ask.

devin

[Brian McKinney]

dont forget the new Falken ze912's I have been hearing very good reviews on these in other non-BMW forums and tire retailers

[woody underwood]

I have one Kumho 255/35/18 (500 miles on it) for sale if interested. Bought in an emergency to get me home from Kentucky to KC. Will sell cheap.

[Fast Bob]

It`s usually not a good idea to mix tread types if you have an 'agressive" driving style....the grip characteristics can differ greatly, especially in the wet....

[Steven Reese]

Its my first post, and this one is applied to me. I bought my 2001 330 cic with 57,0000 miles on it in April 2006 , and when I got it, it had two different tires, 2 Michelin Pilot Sports, in back , and two Kumhos on the front. They finally wore out, and so I called tire rack.com and ordered a set of 4 Goodyear F1 all season tires. They were highly reccomended, by Tire Rack, and so I ordered them, and had them shipped to a local installer who did a good job of everything. I recently took the car to a local independent shop to get some items fixed, and when he had it on the lift the back tires were showing the steel belts. At 92,0000 miles, it needed a lot of stuff- Inpection II, water pump, and all that goes with it, spark plugs, and on and on, but the thing that aggrivated me most were those Goodyear tires, that only had 17.000 miles on them. The front tires had more life on them, but I decided to replace them all-- I called Tire Rack, to get a price of a new set of tires, and for the price of two new Goodyears I could get a set of 4 Kumho tires. I called my local Mercedes Benz dealer, (non BMW) as I wanted to get a 4 wheel alignment, and they had the same tires for less money, after I paid for shipping and handling, plus the price to mount and balance and do a 4 wheel alighment on the car & tires. Everything was done in house, and I even got a new Mercedes E320 Bluetech Diesel to drive for day. I picked the BMW up, and they even washed it. I now have over 1000 miles on the Kumho Ecsta ASX tires, and they are great--no problems and they ride nice, and handle well in rain. I do not drive agressively, nor do I race the car, but these Goodyears just plain wore out in ONLY 17,000 miles. I think the Kumho tires are great. No excuses here.

[Fast Bob]

Just about all tires are great when they`re new....it`s usually when they`re about halfway worn down that their *true* value becomes apparent....

[jcourcoul]

Just about all tires are great when they`re new....it`s usually when they`re about halfway worn down that their *true* value becomes apparent....

Not to nitpick, but El Cheapo regular tires will be the same till they're gone. High performance tires will be kinda not-good when new till you've taken out the finish and have the real rubber on the road, then they'll be excellent till they're down to the nubbin... :thumbup:

[djdube525]

I have one Kumho 255/35/18 (500 miles on it) for sale if interested. Bought in an emergency to get me home from Kentucky to KC. Will sell cheap.

Sorry... I have 17s

[djdube525]

It`s usually not a good idea to mix tread types if you have an 'agressive" driving style....the grip characteristics can differ greatly, especially in the wet....

It's actually my wifes car who is not an overly aggressive driver... the car is a daily driver...

[z06bigbird]

Goodyear F1 All Seasons have no mileage warr, as you know. They do, however, show a 420 treadwear rating on sidewall. Mine wore out in 10,000 miles. I align my cars regularly, and the tires worn very very evenly.

One other guy bragged that he had 17k miles left on F1 All Seasons, and plenty of rubber left. Maybe you and I bought some from a bad batch. I purchased mine in Dec 07. I really expected 35k miles since Goodyear's tires with warrs generally show 40k to 80k.

Maybe I should just go back to driving my 91 Cutlass. 14" tires for $40, made by General or BF Goodrich. 50k miles actual. etc. etc. Life was simple then. LOL

[officerH]

I have the 17" staggered fit sports package with the kumho asx's. With only 12000 miles on them, the rear are worn out and the front are mostly worn. Had car aligned for the new tires right before installation. I am not happy with the short life, but on the other hand, the price is reasonable and they had good grip for normal to spirited driving. Will be trying a different tire to try to get some life from them.

[CMendez]

if they are 17" wheels, I'd recommend the yokohama yk 520s. I put a set on my fiance's jetta and they are great. Quiet but still with good grip. And they have a wear rating of something like 620!

[Dave 330i]

You probably know by now that I'm on my 3rd set of Kumho's. If that's not a statement of satisfaction, I don't know what will. Ask yourself what you want the tires to do... wear, all season or just summer tires, performace, longivity, and quietness? You shouldn't compare the Michelins with the Kumhos. They are designed for different purposes.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370377