clubted

My recently acquired and terrific 89 Carrera needs new rubber. After extensive reading, especially on TireRack.com, I've narrowed the choice to the Dunlop 8000s or Kumho Ecstas. Obviously I've chosed ride quality and lower noise in favor of outright performance such as the Bridgestones, etc. I don't race, don't drive in weather, live in SoCal, won't drive more than 5k per year.
The Kumhos get better survey results, but oddly not from the 911 users. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

MelissaM

Hi, I used to use the SP8000's on my 16" rims, and thought they were fine. I do normal street driving, as well as a few autocrosses. I also did a Tracquest event on the SP8000's, and they were fine.

I haven't tried the Kumho's, but I've heard good things about them. There was a thread on the Wheels/Tires section, but I think it got lost when the disk crash happened.

I just happen to have a set of 16" SP8000's -- 205/55/16 and 245/45/16 in my garage. I replaced my 16" rims with 17". The rear tires had about 500 miles on them, and the fronts have about 5000 miles on them. If you're interested, I can give you a pretty good deal on 'em.

Let's talk! ;-)

-- Melissa

pd'83SC

Club,
..I have a set of the Kumhos 712's on my 928, sort of a "test set" to see if I'll like them on the 911. So far (5000 miles), they have not disappointed. Quiet, sticky, very predictable on the limit, quite stable in the wet, and cost-effective as well. Mileage and wear characteristics are yet to come, but so far, so good.
PD

Will

Be sure you won't be trying track events, because the Kumho street tires (as opposed to their nice R-compound track tires) have a problem with chunking off bits of rubber when driven hard. Tire Rack will tell you this, and I've seen it happen with a friend's Audi TT.

Will

Billy B

Regarding the Kumhos at a DE event:

My buddy has a set on his 993. This car is lowered, has a sport suspension and has a new set of the 712s. I drove his car in a few run groups (the wide oval at Pocono as well as the infields), and found the tires handled pretty well. We drove the snot out of it, and they didn't get that torn up either... Besides, they are cheap! But Will is right: a set of DOT R tires is best for the track!

Steve, 914 guy

I have Kumho 712's on my street car, and v700's on my race car, and I am not disappointed. You can get better tires, but not for this kind of money. We have recommended them to many customers, with only one complaint, but he says "I don't know why I don't like them, I just don't." I think he'd be alot happier if he had spent way too much money.

jlkline

I'm running a set on the rear of my '74 911. I like'm a lot, especially for the $$. Plenty sticky, and seem to wear better than more expensive tires I've had back there.

I've never cared for the Dunlops. I think the sidewalls don't provide enough strength for precise cornering, and they wear out quickly.

James Achard

clubted, I would steer away from Dunlops. I have had bad experience with them on cars as well as motorcycles( trust me when I say warped casings on a front wheel of a bike going 90mph are not fun). Just my opinion, but there are many mid grade tires out ther that are great. I run Kumho V700's on my track wheels and love them, and the price is right. For a regular street tire I would look at Michelin. They may cost a bit more but they have really good quality control and in the street compounds seem to lastfairly well.

Good luck, James Achard

steve911

I'll chime in on the Kumhos as well. I put a set on in August and have been extremely pleased. They handle well and can't be beat for the price.

J-RAD

What Steve911 said!

t.p.

get Yoko AVR Intermediates . . . supercheap and great track/street compromise.

Thom Fitzpatrick

Here's my question: how is it that Kumho can offer their tires so much cheaper than the other brands? They're obviously of good quality, so is it that the other makers have been bending us over a chair all these years?

Buffalo

My 82 911 sc will soon be in need of rear tires. Currently have Michelin Sport XGT P225/50. The front have quite a bit of wear left. Any ramifications to running a different brand on the back until the front wear down??

clubted

Thanks for all the advice, wasn't expecting the volume, wow.

Tim.

Love the Kumhos out here in the mountains of Colorado. Quiet for the cabriolet and tight grip for the curves. Highly recommend!!!