Kumho Ecsta...any good?

[Audiphile]

Looking to get some affordable, decent tire for my summer wheels. These seem like a good compromise between grip and price. Anyone else running them?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+AST&partnum=25HR5EAST&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Im running 7'' wide wheels and they will be mounted on a Audi 90 and BMW e30 if anyone is wondering.

[JTapper]

There pretty good. They make a lot of smoke if you do second gear redline donuts in an e30. They suck in snow.

[JTapper]

I should also mention I run Ecsta SPT's

[Audiphile]

Thats why I have snow tires :) I just need something for summer. Ill probably pick up a set to see if I like them. Less then $300 for new tires seems like a steal.

[JSalzl]

AST's are awful in the snow, I had them on my mkiv and they seemed to be ok in the summer. the side walls were pretty hard if i remember right

[sprstu]

They have a pretty short life. Decent tire, and pretty good in the price category but really only about 35K miles of normal use.

[idealsociety]

i've had them on the festiva before. very sticky, great price but i think i only got about 12k on mine before they were toast (constant burnouts dont help that case).

[VAGatHeart]

I had Ecstas on my MkV. I think they were ASTs. They were decent in the summer when it was dry, but sucked in any sort of inclement weather. I really was not a fan. Glad it was the dealer that put them on and not me, otherwise I would not have been happy spending any sort of money on them. Since they were free, I dealt with them until winter.

[Champ]

There pretty good. They make a lot of smoke if you do second gear redline donuts in an e30. They suck in snow.
They are.

[Gnomey]

The only Ecsta's I've owned are the XS's. They were a wonderfully grippy dry summer tire. Not so good in rain, and avoid snow at all costs.

[1FastB5]

deicent for the money. i put them on my GTO as a short term solution last year until my new wheels arrive in a few weeks. they lasted me a good summer and a half with my heavy foot and power slides.

[JTapper]

They are.


Well I guess there's a first time for everything.

I suppose I can just blame my iPhone, right?

[Crispy222]

Kumho Ecsta SPT or Continental ExtremeContact DW
wear rating: 320 v 340
weight: 22 v 26
Tire Rack rating: 7.3 v 8.1
Korean vs Portugal

I'm still leaning to get another set of Falken FK-452 but with a 200 wear rating, burnouts eat wallet.

advise?

[JUSTION337]

I was thinking of getting the Ecsta LE Sport. 280 tread wear and they have a very similar tread pattern as the Potenza RE-050pp's I had previously which were great in dry and wet. They're only about $115 each for 225/40r18 too.
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/kumho/ku_ecsta_le_spt_ci2_l.jpg
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+LE+Sport&partnum=24YR8ELEXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[Crispy222]

I was thinking of getting the Ecsta LE Sport. 280 tread wear and they have a very similar tread pattern as the Potenza RE-050pp's I had previously which were great in dry and wet. They're only about $115 each for 225/40r18 too.
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/kumho/ku_ecsta_le_spt_ci2_l.jpg
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+LE+Sport&partnum=24YR8ELEXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Looks like they are an entry level summer tire. Different tire compound will have a lot to do with dry and wet traction over the tread pattern. Tread design will effect wet traction and noise for sure.

Kumho Ecsta:
LX Platinum: Grand Touring A/S
AST: High Performance A/S
ASX & 4X: Ultra High Preformance A/S
LE Sport: Max Performance Summer
SPT: Ultra High Performance Summer
XS: Extreme Performance Summer

[Champ]

Well I guess there's a first time for everything.

I suppose I can just blame my iPhone, right?
No, actually.

[JUSTION337]

Looks like they are an entry level summer tire. Different tire compound will have a lot to do with dry and wet traction over the tread pattern. Tread design will effect wet traction and noise for sure.

Kumho Ecsta:
LX Platinum: Grand Touring A/S
AST: High Performance A/S
ASX & 4X: Ultra High Preformance A/S
SPT: Ultra High Performance Summer
LE Sport: Max Performance Summer
XS: Extreme Performance Summer

MP>UHP

I do completely agree with you though that the tread pattern doesn't always have as much to do with wet or dry handling as much as compound in many cases. I did a lot of research on how construction, tread pattern, different compounds, etc affect different performace aspects of a tire and read many, many personal reviews and comparisons before I spent as much as I did on my last set of summer tires.

Other areas of my car are in greater need of funds than the tires at this point, so unfortunately I can't get the same tires I did last time.

[March Hare 8498]

Had a set of Kumho's. Noisiest tires I have ever had in my life. Sounded like I was driving with a set of swampers on my Jetta.

[ScottMan]

I have asx's on my coupe and they're good enough. Not a big fan of the ast though. The spt is a waste of money. What vehicle are u putting them on?

[Audiphile]

I need a set for the Audi 90. If I like them I will get a set for the e30 as well. I just want a decent, CHEAP, summer tire. I plan on fitting snow tire for winters.

[the_bomber]

I don't mint my ast's. had them two seasons on used ones. and they never let me down. are they the "best", no. but for everyday summer use, I like them.

[Audiphile]

Yea im going to order a set when I get paid friday. Overall they look like a competent summer tire, and even if they suck, im only out $300 bucks rather then $600 for a nice set of Pirellis or something similar. Once I get them mounted up I will report back!

[95 golf 4dr]

I've had very good luck with the Kumho's over the years. Ive had them on several mk2, saabs,e30's,mk3 golf. They are a very dependable everyday tire. I'd upgrade to something better for racing/autocross applications. Just my 2 cents!

[Audiphile]

Rick your 2 cents are usually worth other peoples dollars. I appreciate all the feedback from everyone!