Thoughts on Kumho sports tyres

Ltighytighty on 28/07/2018 - 09:30

Hi Everyone,

I have a 10 year old E class which came with cheap Chinese tyres which are quite loud and doesn't let me appreciate the drive of the car.

I dont want to break the bank and buy Michelin's as I drive around 5000 kms per year and its just not value for money.

One of the Bob Jane guys recommended the Kumho flagship sports tyre the KU 39 and said it was a quiet ride and reasonably priced. Fortunately I dont need to buy run flats either!

My tyre size is 245, 40, R18 which is a fairly big tyre and on tyre sales I can get a Ku 39 for 167 bucks. I reckon I can wait until they are on special and grab a good deal. I assume they would have buy 3 for 4 deals on for this tyre as well.

Do you guys have any views on this tyre or KU 39 to be specific or any other recommendations around that price range.

Thanking you in advance.

Automotive

Comments

  • adr8 on 28/07/2018 - 09:48
    +1

    I have KU39 in 275/30/20 on the rear of my car and find them pretty good, not much difference to the Bridgestone RE050 they replaced.

    Was going to get Fallen FK452 or FK453 but chose the KU39 as they scored higher in a few tyre reviews I had read, also finished 3rd place in a Wheels tyre test.

    Also, a few members of the HSV forum recommended KU39 over the Falken's, but the majority recommend Michelin Pilot Sport.

    • tighytighty on 28/07/2018 - 09:55

      Thanks and yes the unanimous verdict seems to be the Michelin Pilot sports!

      Would mind telling me roughly how much did it set you back by?

      • adr8 on 28/07/2018 - 10:01

        It was a couple of years ago, IFIRC 275/30/20 were selling for about $300 each but ended up buying them online from International Tyre Trader for $220 and got a friend to fit them. I checked the date stamp and they were only 10 months old, so fresh stock also 😀

  • TheProcess on 28/07/2018 - 10:57

    Hey mate, you can try get a costco membership for $60 a year, then just get Michelin Tyres there. They are roughly around 40% cheaper than retail. I've got PS3 last year. PS4 are the newer ones at the moment.

  • 2jzzzz on 28/07/2018 - 11:28

    Not up with it these days, but the KU26 were great and a mate had the semi slicks and loved them.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2018 - 11:37

    A 2008 E class has cheap Chinese tyres on it? An really, you don't want sports tyres on an e class.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2018 - 16:30

      On a 10 year old e class more expensive tyres is just over capitalising

      • tighytighty on 28/07/2018 - 18:18

        Correct! Also previous owner had put the cheap chinese knock off's on the car. I ve been waiting for 6 years for the damn thing to wear as I couldnt bring myself to getting new tyres when these were perfectly fine.

        The tread is still fine but the tyres are cracking. Finally!

  • dcep on 28/07/2018 - 11:42

    sports & cheap & quiet , don't come together

    kumho has good budget performance tyres but noisy after half tread

  • Phyph on 28/07/2018 - 12:26

    Have had Kumho KU39s on Mazda3 SP23 and found them better than the OEM Bridgestones. I used the following as a guide http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/

    Nb: this is a UK site and thus not entirely suitable for all Australians.

    • tighytighty on 28/07/2018 - 18:19

      Thanks.. I had a look at that site as well. Do you find the Kumhos tyres reasonably quiet?

  • TheBilly on 28/07/2018 - 16:05

    Federal RSR

  • SBOB on 28/07/2018 - 16:42

    have these on the front of a Mazda 6 wagon
    No issues.
    No issues compared to the more expensive Bridgestone Turanza Serenity I had on previously

    • tighytighty on 28/07/2018 - 18:19

      Hi.. Could you comment on the noise level?

  • Rabsta on 28/07/2018 - 17:15

    I just got the KU39's for my A4 (255/35/19) and they are just brilliant. Fantastic tyres and would buy them again. I couldn't justify the premium tyres either, as i had Conti SP3's. Tyresale had a bargain at the time, so picked them up for (on sale) for around 180ish each, fitted.

    hope this helps.

    • tighytighty on 28/07/2018 - 18:21

      Thanks for the response. How is the noise level on the highway compared to the contis?

  • Speckled Jim on 29/07/2018 - 07:56

    I have KU31s on a small FF car. My favourites for cheap performance tyres ($99 F/B Kmart auto).

  • ol mate on 29/07/2018 - 09:35

    I thought the KU39 had been discontinued and replaced with the HS51 (I think).

    Edit: apparently not in the OP's size.

    Can't say I've used the KU39, but they had rave reviews from a mate (who's had anything from a MX5 to EP3R to 86 and A45). I'm using the HS51 at the moment, and definitely better than the Conti CS3 they replaced.

    That size will be fairly cheap - common sized for large vehicles.

    Remember that KTAS will price beat by $5/tyre on ones they stock as well.

  • farknos on 29/07/2018 - 09:54

    they are great great bang for buck, they wear quicker than your chinese cheapie but they grip in wet and dry, no road noise.

  • tighytighty on 30/07/2018 - 07:56

    Thanks everyone for your input. Love the forum! Think I will go with the Kumhos.

  • redvaldez on 30/07/2018 - 08:36

    I have heard good things about the KU39s and had considered putting them on another car but at the time it was only marginally more to fit a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 3s (they've since been replaced with the PS4).

    I've never seen Kumho offer a 4 for the price of 3. Frankly $167 is a good price for them and I'd just bite the bullet and fit them.

  • ttenroca on 30/07/2018 - 11:44

    I have had the KU36 before and they are a very good tyre for the price. I now have Federal RS-RR which are an absolute performance tyre bargain. Noisey though, but my car is much louder than the tyres.

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