Kumho Ecsta 4x tires...

[AVIP]

My trans am have kumho and they are the best ive had! I really liked yokohoma tires but these grip a lot better in turns and last a long time

[instarx]

The 60%-80% comparison vs a Michelin is not accurate, you certainly aren't going to run either tire to 0/32!

Good point. Let me recalculate using 2/32 as the end point instead of 0/32 ...

11/32 - 2/32 = 9/32 usable tread on a new tire.
Using an actual tread depth gauge I currently have 7.5 32nds tread on the tires (not 6.5 as I said earlier).
7.5/32 -2/32 = 5.5/32 usable tread on my current tire.

Sorry about underestimating the tread depth earlier. I used a metal ruler to measure the first time and that clearly is not an accurate way to do it. But using 0/32 as my zero point was an off-setting error so my original estimate of tire life was quite close.

Correctly calculated tire life: To get 40,000 miles I would need to get 4440 miles per 32nd. (40,000/9). What I am actually getting turns out to be 2,900 miles per 32nd (10,000/3.5). That's 2/3 of their rated life. Given that data I should end up getting 26,000 miles. Again that is not a problem for me. I admit I have been driving them pretty hard because they make the Volvo so much fun to throw into a corner.

So I think you are right - the tires probably cost about the same to run per mile (or maybe a bit cheaper), but a lot depends on how much adjustment Kumho gives me on the warranty (BTW - I do have tire rotation records - it's a Volvo AWD with a VC after all! ). And tire carcasses are not the big environmental problem they used to be - they are now chopped up into all kinds of useful products.

I did not say it previously because it seemed specific to my situation, but lower mileage tires make sense for me. My last Michelins dry-rotted on the car with plenty of tread on them and the rubber was hard as a rock. I work outside the country a lot so my car isn't driven that much.

I will go back up and append my previous post to correct my measurement errors.

[erikv11]

It's clear the Ecstas are a great overall choice for you (and many others). I know what you mean about the time factor, those Michelins I posted about a year ago still have ... 7/32! That car is only accumulating like 5k/year, and I use snows for a few winter months.

Do people really run tires down to 2/32? Maybe I am giving up on them too soon.

[Klausc]

I hope the tread depth is measured in the groove with the raised bar. You know, the one that is supposed to be at 2/32. 4/32 will not disipate any water or snow, probably great for cornering or drag racing but not safe for a trip.

I love this tire discussion. Especially when I need to replace my 4 US Bald Eagles!!

[precopster]

Kumho make great tires in the mid and upper range market.

I just purchased a set if 4 205/50/16s for my 2000 V70 in a Toyo Teo and are made in Japan. Treadwear rating is 300. I've done around 300kms on them so far and they seem to be very quiet and compliant for a 50 series tire.

I previously ran Dunlop fronts (SP Sport Maxx TTs) which wore out on the edges in under 20,000kms due to excessive toe. The rest of the tread was more than half worn. I spoke to a dealer who mentioned that the Dunlop compounds feel great when new but have accelerated initial wear then suddenly harden at around mid life making them skittish. He was pretty much spot on

Continentals and Kumhos are a brand which, in my experience, don't suffer from this symptom.

[instarx]

Do people really run tires down to 2/32? Maybe I am giving up on them too soon.

I just used 2/32 because you have to use SOME zero point and I picked that because all manufacturers use it as their point of reference for warranties. Most states also define 2/32 as being worn out, and 2/32 is the depth of wear bars. I probably would not let them get to 2/32.

[erikv11]

I see. I'd think about it like this then: if the tire will actually run to 4/32 and is currently at 7.5/32, then right now it is exactly halfway through the tread life. In practice, one will actually get 20,000 miles out of the tires.

I think I will next use one of these shorter-life tires on my low-usage R, just to check out the better performance.

[babelfish]

Erik, you could also spent a bit more and get something that will last and still give good performance. Continental ExtremeContact DWS are fantastic, especially in the wet. Best wet weather tire I've ever had, and my dad agrees (I've got them on my car, he's got them on his '05 S40 T5) -- and we live in the Pacific Northwet (I have my whole life, he has for almost forty years), so we know a thing or two about wet weather driving. They're pretty good in dry conditions, too, though I've had slightly better (from Michelin).