Kumho Ecsta KU31 Reviews - Page 8

Given 80% while driving a Volvo V50 estate (215/45 R18 W) on mostly country roads for 2,000 average miles
Excellent handling in both the wet and dry and are very quite. Can't comment on the wear and have been using them for about 2000 miles, im expecting to get around 15000 miles. Replaced Pirelli P Zero Rosso's (lasting around 18000 miles) with these at half the price and im very impressed. I would buy them again.
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on March 28, 2011
Given 86% while driving a Mercedes Benz SLK 350 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 25,000 spirited miles
Buy agiain? I just did! I've tried many different brands on my Merc SLK and have just fitted another set of Ecsta KU31's as I have been that impressed with them. I drive over 25000 miles a year, with a mix of London town, ordinary roads and motorways. The grip is impressive and the car stops quicker in the wet and dry than with other brands including the big names (Pirelli, Michelin). The Kumhos are quieter and better in the wet as well as being at least as long lasting as Mich Pilots. Excellent performance overall and certainly nothing touches them at this price. Typical mileage 45-50000 on the front and 25000 on the rear!! Impressive!
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on March 2, 2011
Given 86% while driving a Ford Cougar (225/50 R16 W) on a combination of roads for 3,000 spirited miles
A massively under rated tyre in my humble opinion!

I've used many tyres over the years from Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Goodyear, Toyo, Falken etc. and these are amongst the very best. I find that they're let down slightly by lack of progressiveness but this is likely due to the fact that they have a very soft sidewall in comparison with others.

Wear is slightly higher than some harder tyres I've used but that's to be expected from a soft compound. Even so, I've done around 3000 miles on these at the moment and the word "Ecsta" is just starting to fade off the centre of the tread, so I'm probably looking at 14-15k on this set.

The grip in both dry and wet conditions is surprisingly good given the budget price of this tyre (I only paid £58 per corner!). The tyres only lose grip in wet conditions when pulling out of a side street in a hurry. Otherwise, they're really well planted and won't ever catch you out. A very predictable, safe tyre in my view.

I should probably mention just how quiet and comfortable these tyres are too. The car more or less glides on the motorway with much less noise than I was expecting and certainly less noise than the Bridgestone's they replace. Bumps also appear to be soaked up slightly better than the Bridgestone's, again most likely due to the soft nature of the tyre/sidewall.

All in all, I wouldn't look at any other tyres in this price range and slightly above. I believe that KU31's can hold their own against the best in terms of grip in all conditions. However, if you want a really hard wearing tyre or progressiveness, then I'd recommend forking out for Michelin PS3's or similar.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on February 19, 2011
What to know the BEST All Season Tyres for 2024? Click to find out!
Given 69% while driving a Alfa Romeo 156 JTD (215/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 15,000 spirited miles
Was disappointed with wear rate,(down to 1mm @ 15K), however I have since had Fulda's that lasted half that! so I may go back to these again better ride than the fulda's and grip in the dry/ wet, poor in the snow but they are summer tyres after all
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on February 19, 2011
Given 95% while driving a Nissan Skyline R34 (215/55 R16 W) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
Yep I just came back from wet spirited driving on the very little backroads and have to write only praise about Kumho KU31. I m driving Skyline R34 and was trying hard to get tail happy but wasnt easy at all since grip is fenomenal! The faster you the better progress; in city driving I noticed some tramlining but nothing bad really. Motorway -also great road feedback and not noisy. I just had them for 2000km but I m convinced they are worth evey 90eur spent per wheel and will buy another set already for next year because availibility is not good at dealers.
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on February 5, 2011
Given 90% while driving a Ford Focus ST (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 14,000 spirited miles
what more can i say apart from praise for these tyres.

outstanding wet grip, outstanding dry grip and regardless of the wear they still perform at the same level.

driving mostly a combination of both motorway and town driving in a 280bhp focus ST, I was extreemely impressed with the tyres. the original continental contact sport 3 tyres wore out in 6000 miles, and i would say were as good as the KU31 in every respect.

I woudl definately buy again if only I could find a stockist as I am finding very difficult to find these tyres.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on January 31, 2011
Given 99% while driving a MG ZT T (190) (225/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Amazing tyres. They replaced Bridgestone RE040s on the front and it has transformed the handling of the car. The Bridgestones had a number of nasty habits including being noisy, tramlining and having terrible grip until they warmed up (which took a while).

The Kuhmos by comparison have shown just how bad the Bridgestone tyres were. Tyre noise is considerably better, no tramlining and cold grip is now much improved.

It would be unfair to say they are good for the price....these are good tyres for any price! Highly recommended.
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on January 26, 2011
Given 53% while driving a Lotus Elan M100 (250/50 R15 V) on a combination of roads for 12,000 average miles
When I first bought these tyres I was particularly impressed with the grip in the wet and the dry. Although over time the overall grip has deteriorated quite allot, also the braking distance is now very bad basically feels like a badly worn tyre when its still legal!

Cheap tyre with good preliminary grip and progressive feel for a "mid range" boot but the wear on them is just unacceptable especially in these bad times.

I am going for a full set of Uniroyal Rainsport 2 next as they have glowing reviews!
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on January 19, 2011
Given 79% while driving a Volkswagen Phaeton V10 TDi (235/50 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 21,000 spirited miles
First pair of KU31s lasted 5K miles on fronts and then 16K miles on backs. Second pair last 16K miles on the fronts.
This is a car with 1.5 tonnes on front axle and 1 tonne on rear. Eventually the insides of the front tyres wore out due to mass, negative camber and driving style.
I've got 4 new KU31s on the car now and will rotate in 8K miles.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on January 10, 2011
Given 94% while driving a MG ZR (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 3,000 average miles
Looked high and low for what tyre i should get, i had avon zz3 before and they were much less then impressive from the go and i paid £73 each ! when i got these they were £58 each and they are much much better.
Dry grip i think could be a bit better but they are very good.
Wet grip is unbelievable so good i never expected as much from them.
Road feedback is good all the snow and ice we have been having (dec 2010) you can always tell when they are not happy and about to lose grip, same on wet and dry roads.
Noise and comfort after they had "bedded" in after approx 100 miles they were bril, i would say noise has gone down by a third or so and comfort is a little better.
To early to say about wear only done 3k - 4k miles but they dont look as if they have gone down alot, compound seems soft when you touch/rub it.

Will definitely buy them again, best tyre i have ever had.
Helpful 7 - tyre reviewed on December 6, 2010
Given 89% while driving a Renault Laguna 1.9 dCI (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 30 average miles
Had these fitted to my laguna what a difference!!
for the price they are exceptional better than other top brands i've had in the past.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on November 22, 2010
Given 73% while driving a SEAT Leon FR tdi (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 3,000 spirited miles
Cracking tyre for the price. Had 4 fitted due to reviews on here and previous experience with a cheaper kumho tyre with was good for the money.

Tyres were very reasonable at ?65 per corner fitted. Only driven for a few thousand mile but couldn't fault them. Yes they are not awesome in either dry or wet but they are good. Fitted to a powerful deisel and have new seen TC light flash. They do let go when pushed hard, especially in the wet... but what tyre doesn't? Found the side walls quite soft which you feel on a tight steering lock but they soon get used to it and don't notice. A real plus is tyre noise. Tyre noise is very low, especially on motorways. I could't really comment on wear. I don't think they will last 18+k on a powerful car but for the price, 10+k i'd be happy with. The rears will last 18K easy.

I have sold the wheels now and now have 225-40-18s with Toyo T1Rs and in my opinion, they do not feel any better... maybe a little in the dry. I'll soon be replacing these with the well rated Rainsport 2's based on reviews.

All in all, good tyre for the price. Doubt you will be disappointed.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on November 7, 2010