Dry grip and value are the clearest strengths of the Kumho Ecsta KU31 in generally positive owner feedback. Wet grip also attracts substantially more praise than criticism, though some drivers find it less reassuring in rain. Tread life and noise are usually viewed favorably, with later-use accounts including good mileage, but both also draw a sizeable minority of complaints. A smaller group reports increasing noise as the tread wears, sometimes alongside uneven wear. Most returning owners remain positive, while two are less satisfied in later accounts, so there is no uniform ageing pattern. Several replacement-mileage accounts support useful life without establishing one dependable lifespan.
What owners mention most counted across 141 reviews
Had these by coincidence as my friend who owns a tire shop was left with them after someone had ordered them and not turned up. Got them at a really cheap price as the original customer had lost his deposit. Having owned this car for about 4 years I've always had contis m3 and to me there's not much in it. I have noticed that their not as good in the wet but I tend to drive carefully when it's raining as these cars are very tail happy. I have also changed the sizes so I'm running 275/35/19 rear and 245/35/19 front. The dry grip on these is phenomenal and I don't worry as much with regards to tire wear as these are less than half the price of the contis.
Stopping distance is on par and the wear rate is good too. I've done 5k miles and they still have 6mm on the rear whereas the contis would be roughly at 4mm at this stage.
I would recommend these to m3 owners as they are readily available and I like em so much Im going to install them on my evo fq320 when the current falken fk452's wear out.
Well done kumho! I can actually use the car for its purpose without worrying too much on tire prices.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
Fantastic all-round summer tire. Simple as that, the quality and durability to easily rival the 'best' tires on the market.
Currently fitted on the front my '97 Mercedes C180, outstanding grip on wet roads, even better on dry roads.
Only done 1000kms' on them but already they are worthy of a review, there has been not too much wear considering they are of such a soft compound but suit a heavier car such as my Mercedes perfectly, smooth and quiet on the freeway and grippy and responsive on the quiet backroads where you can really test them out.
Certainly won't be buying Continental or Pirelli again, there is no need, these Kumhos' do a much better a job at half the price.
Hello all, here is my second review of tires for my Premacy...
My last tires were Manufactured by Toyo (used 2010 - 2011), my last set and my soon to be new full set are fantastic Kumho KU31's.
Firstly a quick checklist:
Value for money - Check
Widely available - Check
Rubber compound not too soft - Check
Decent wear rate - Check
Good grip in the wet - Check
Not made by a cheapo, dodgy Chinese budget tire manufacturer - Check
Are they going to keep your family safe - Check
Can they be bought for less than £270 for a set of 4 - Check (Actually got it down to £235 including fitting, disposal etc at Pellon Lane Auto Center Halifax, thanks chaps)
Will I be putting them on the Caterham R500 - CHECK!!!!!
These tires are excellent - do not buy anything else, hopefully the star score will say it all!! If anything the wear rate is only average but considering the way they perform elsewhere an average rating for them would just not be fair. P.S. They are also now fitted to the Zafira 07, 1.9 Diesel, Design.
Fitted these to my Civic VTi all round when the Proxes wore out and were unavailable great as a driving tire with good feedback and control in both wet and dry, but and it's a big but. They wear very unevenly on the rear (of both this Civic and my Mitsubishi Grandis that was also fitted with them) with the inside feathering and causing excessive noise (droning like a shot wheel bearing) after about 7k, with baldness on the inside edge after 20k and the rest of the tire being 3-4mm, one also deformed on the Civic as well. So it's a big must try harder for these.
Outstanding tire.
I truly believe it outperformed the Bridgestone and
Michelin faithfully used to buy.
Also at £ 71 supplied and fitted less than half what
Previously used to pay.
Much better wear just replaced my front two after 27000 miles!
2mm wear left. Rear still have 4mm
Don't get robbed at big national order them through small independent tire fitters
I'm not a fan of budget tires but these definitely buck the trend. I wouldn't rate them as budget now I've had them for 15,000 miles. On the front of a quite heavy car they still have 3.5mm left without sacrificing grip and feedback. They are going on the rear next week...to make way for a new pair on the front. Brilliant value for money.
There were fitted new when I brought my Audi A6 Allroad from a dealer. I had not heard of the brand before then. I changed the tryes early at 18000 miles and they were still not down to the tread wear marks. I put on a set of Pirelli Allroad tires which were specially designed for the car. These lasted around 16000 miles and were replaced with another set which lasted about the same. I replaced them with a set of Kumho KU31's and after about 20000 miles I sold the car and the tread was still not down to the tread wear marks.
My new car now needs some new tires and the Kumho's are now on order.
I consider these tires as one of the best budget range tires, it handle wet and dry road condition without sweat. had it on for 10,000km. still early to say anything about its wear rate. I can say it is definitely better than Falken range.
I've only had these tires for about a thousand miles but already they are proving to be better than the Michelin Primacy that were on the car from new. Very impressed so far especially in the wet and also in icy conditions.
I did my research with these tires as finances are tight these days and for the price I don't thnk I could have done any better, saying that though there's no real need to spend the earth on premium brands anymore if these continme to perform the way they have.
