95 C4 993

Im thinking of going from Bridgestone SO3 to Kumho 712's. Cost difference is about $350 for 3 tires. I have a good friend that swears up and down on Kumho's and has been using them for years. Considering I dont drive in the rain or snow or race on a track, Im a 5k a year driver. However, I like to get a little squirly going around corners from time to time and that eats tires quickly.

Just looking for what others are doing.

pchak

Love my Kuhmo's! They provided enough grab for me on the track (in my Boxster-I don't have a roll cage in my 993 cab), and certainly enough on the road, in my daily and "spirited" driving. I have about 5000 miles on my latest set, and they look new. I've got 20K out of these tires regularly. I'm on my third set.

Best tire for the money, IMO.

(no compensated endorsement, etc., unless someone has a phone number to someone I can contact )

nile13

I have own several sets of Kumhos, so my opinions are base on that experience.

The only street tire that Kumho makes and is worth considering is Kumho MX. It is a very good tire for decent money. Every other street tire they currently produce ranges from bad to unadaltarated crap. 712s are in the "bad" category. They do not have the literal grip required, they loose all wet grip after 5-6K miles, they are not the right tire for a 993 by any stretch of imagination.

A new Falken Azenis RT-615 would be a very viable alternative to Kumho MX and is probably going to replace my current MXs.

Hope this helps.

95 C4 993

Thats the key decision if Im losing grip after 5-6k miles, like my SO3's, and the cost of replacing them. Cost isnt the deciding factor but a consideration. I have done my homework on the MX's but not sure if I can get the 17's in the size I need-probably so but need to do a little more homework.

I will take a peak at the Falkens-just put them on my gfriends car and my old college roommate runs them on his Porsche.

thanks,

StatmanDesigns

If you buy Kumho, I would certainly go with the MX over the 712. I currently run MX's on my 993 and have only about 500 miles on them. I do not care how fast you think you are driving on the street, you will never exceed the maximum performance of any decent tires. You will run out of talent, road, and hit many other unexpected circumstances on the street LONG before you will be limited by your ultimate tire grip.

Also, why are you comparing the price difference of 3 tires??? I will assume that is a typo. The MX's for my 993 with 17" stock cup wheels were about $600 delivered, mounted, and balanced. I got them from Tirerack.com

sleddog

I posted a similar question last year. Try this link hopefully it will work, otherwise, search for kumho and sleddog and you should find it in the archives.

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ighlight=kumho

Evan

I am on the 2nd set of 712's. I am battling inside tire wear on all 4 corners now so can't really say as to the normal wear. I burn through these in about 5-6K miles, althogth it's a C4.

Handles OK and again being a C4, rain wasn't an issue.

Probably will not go the 712 route again and will look at the MX. Tirerack did try to talk me out of the 712's.

nile13

I strongly disagree with this. I drive like a grandma on teh street (I burn my adrenaline at an autocorss course every weekend), but I want teh best tires on my car for the conditions. If for nothing else, than because I'm not driving on teh public roads along.

Ultimate grip is not hyst lateral Gs. There's thins thing... braking...

StatmanDesigns

I do not doubt your convictions, I just don't share them. No worries, purchase whatever tires you want. Nevermind, I just rechecked your post and you are running Kuhmo MXs, just like mine. Do you really believe this tire offers the greatest grip for braking?? Or just, the best grip for the dollars?

Edward

I've never used the 712s, but have read poor reports (FWIW) from many others.

As for the MX's, these are an excellent tire in their own right ...not the "absolute" best, but not priced like SO3s, either, as you have found out. The MXs offer excellent grip, feedback, and longevity; these attributes despite their low price are attractive, but the low price is a real bonus. I'm on my second set of rears. And when the whole set needs replacing, I'll likely go with the same.

Edward

993Brendan

I can't say enough good things about the MX. Definitely a great tire for the money. Pretty much the only tire used by the faster cars in the street tire class at our local autocrosses.

95 C4 993

Thanks for the feedback. Its actually 4 tires, not 3-typo.

I have purchased from tirerack a few times but the MX's dont come in this size. Whats the next best route to take? Im not a tire buff.
CURRENT
Fronts 205/50-17
Rears 255/40-17

StatmanDesigns

You should use 225/45 17 on the front. They will fit on the stock wheels with no issues whatsoever and will reduce the understeer, but if you do not track your car, it really won't make much difference. The steering will be SLIGHTLY heavier, although I noticed no real difference when I went with 225 up front.

From the Tire Rack website:
The 225/45 17 Kuhmo MXs are $135 apiece
The 255/40 17 Kuhmo MXs are $144 apiece

nile13

I think that as a street tire MX is one of the better tires on the market today for grip in dry and wet. I think so because I compete with and try enough STS/STX cars on MXs to form that opinion, besides my own MXs.
The fact that it costs are mid-pack is an added incentive for me.

Martin S.

It has been my experience that the Kumho MX tires are noisy...especially compared to my Toyo RA-1 street tires. So much so that I eventually sold of the 18" wheels with the MX tires. They were too noisy for me, and harsh with the 35 series low profile tires....only a opinion folks, and it happens to be mine.

I am back to 17" tires, Cup Wheels, for track and street. I am very pleased with this set up. I suggest whatever tire you are going to, see if you can get a test drive with a local Rennlister who has mounted up the brand you are considering.

And finally, RA-1 tires for the track...very nice, predictible with great wear patterns.