Kumho Ecsta LE Sport Reviews - Page 2

Given 87% while driving a SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TFSI (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 2,500 spirited miles
These tyres were on the back of my Seat Leon FR TFSI when I bought it and after 2500 mainly wet miles they are very good. Dry grip and wet grip is excellent with plenty of feedback. When pushed hard they start to drift slightly but it is progressive with plenty of feel as to what the tyre is doing. In fairness I've not pushed them too far in the wet as the Kumho Ecsta XTs on the front offer very little grip, but they feel fine especially in comparison.
Road noise is acceptable, they drive well and don't tend to follow changes in road surface and the only real criticism would be their tendency to squirm under heavy braking.
Tyres had about 6mm tread when I got the car and they only seem to have used about 1mm in 2500 miles, will probably put them on the front when the front XTs wear out and buy a new set for the rear.
Helpful 33 - tyre reviewed on May 3, 2016
Given 84% while driving a Vauxhall (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 20,000 average miles
Moved on to these from coati-sport with limited knowledge of tyres..... or embarrassingly enough how they affected performance. I still swung the car round corners and round-a-bouts and didn't feel any different. They are down to the limit now; and although i don't drive the car as much, under braking tends to squirm a bit. Can't say it's the tyres fault, more mine for letting them get so low. All in all wouldn't slander but after reading this website clearly don't score to high..... Not sure why though
Helpful 33 - tyre reviewed on April 1, 2016
Given 79% while driving a Audi A6 Avant 2.0TDI (225/50 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 50,000 average miles
Bought these to replace the Conti Sport Contacts which were OEM fitments and the only real differences for "normal" driving are that the Kuhmo's are cheaper and last longer so overall much better value
Helpful 88 - tyre reviewed on December 18, 2015
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Given 29% while driving a BMW 530i (235/40 R18 W) on mostly town for 32,000 average miles
I know I didn't look from the beginning for an expensive set but it was terrifying from the beginning (2011) to drive on this awful set. I'm from Israel, so the weather is pretty much OK.. but the set became dry very quickly, I was keen to tyre pressure R-36PSI, F-33PSI but nothing helped..
Yesterday night driving at 160kph, the rear tyre completely torn, the only thing that kept me and my family alive is the rigid balanced body of the car car itself. Sorry but never again Kumho.
Helpful 26 - tyre reviewed on October 4, 2015
Given 82% while driving a Alfa Romeo (235/45 R18 W) on mostly motorways for 22 easy going miles
Firstly, I drive an Alfa Romeo 159 Estate, a lump of a car weighing in at 1,800kg with a full tank of fuel, and these cars are famed for munching through tyres, regardless of the wheel option.

I fitted these tyres soon after buying the car in March 2014, because they were reasonably priced from a fairly unkown website - and they HAD to be better than the 3 Nankangs and a Sunny when I bought the car, right?

When new, the tyres were VERY grippy, ranging from dry, to soaking wet, and even that rubbish greasy stuff in between. I managed a full snowy (ish) winter in them without getting stuck once. Very impressed indeed!

I had swapped them over front-to-rear at about 10,000 to keep their tread wear roughly even. A cursory glance at the tyres revealed they had about 5mm left all round. chuffed!

After the first year drove past, these tyres had about 15,000 miles on them, and were starting to show their age. They started tramlining VERY slightly (only noticeable when the road surface was at its worst) and the noise was slowly getting worse.

Finally, this week, after 18 months and 22,500 miles I threw in the towel, my MoT was due and with slightly less than 2.5mm on each corner, I didn't fancy a full set of advisories so I changed them out for a different tyre.

Honestly, it was the final few months of wear that convinced me to go elsewhere, the 'white-noise' on rough surfaces annoyed me (I drive mostly dual carriageways) and the tramlining gets worse with the tread wear.

Their price at the tyre size I have (235/45 18) makes them a very attractive mid-range alternative to the 'big name' brands - and if my new set of GoodYear Eagle asymmetrics don't stand up, I will definitely be going back to them.

In summary of an essay-style review, A very good mid-range tyre let down only by the degredation in the final stages of tread wear. wholeheartly recommend for a relaxed, steady, high-mileage driving style.
Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on September 19, 2015
Given 96% while driving a Volkswagen Golf R 270 BHP (235/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 25 average miles
Have these on the rear of my golf r lasted 25,000 miles and still legal but might be needing changed soon.for the price u pay for these tyres is a no brainier .£90 supplied and fitted for a 19inch tyre is great value.
Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on September 11, 2015
Given 44% while driving a Volkswagen Golf Mk6 1.4 TSI 160 (225/45 R17) on mostly motorways for 8,000 spirited miles
Performance was pretty good for the money (in both dry & wet), but it didn't last very long. 2 of them bubbled up for no reason, both within the first 5 months. I had to change them so obviously I can't recommend them.
Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on July 27, 2015
Given 51% while driving a Audi S4 (255/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Seemed reasonably ok when they were new, but the drop off in performance has been quite dramatic, even though the wear rate is very good, had the car checked over twice thinking there was something wrong, but was suspecting the tyres at fault, they became terrible for tramlining / steering corrections in a straight line, squirming under hard acceleration and twitching under braking.
Tried them in the boxing day snow and ice and they were excellent, although the Quattro i'm sure helped.I would be of the opinion overall they are not suitable for an S4. Have now replaced with continental conti sport 5P and the above issues have gone.
Helpful 27 - tyre reviewed on February 19, 2015
Given 77% while driving a Volkswagen Passat 2.0 140 TDI Sport Estate (235/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 12,000 average miles
Have had Kumhos on cars previously and loved them for the handling and long lasting wear, but have not been impressed with them on the Passat.
The wheels spin very easily in the dry and feedback hasn't been great nor has the wear, only 12000 miles of normal driving on all road types.
All that said, they have never let me down and certainly not the worst tyres I've had.
Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on January 16, 2015
Given 89% while driving a Honda CIVIC 1.6 VTEC (205/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 12,000 spirited miles
These Kumhos are honestly the best tyres I've had fitted to any car and would recommend to anyone
they outperform for their price by miles
I always feel confident going into corners at speed and navigating roundabouts. The limit is only found when you are being very silly.
I was Soo happy I fitted the equivalent to my wife's car as she carries my daughter round all day.
The performance is liinked to the compound these tyres are soft so will likely need replacing after 18months to a year but the price is low enought to stomach
Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on December 31, 2014
Given 63% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TDi 170 S Line (235/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 12,000 average miles
Cant Fault the Ecsta Le Sport for wet / dry grip however have to say I have been less than impressed with the rate at which they have worn. I replaced all four tyres tyres previously fitted in Nov 2013, the rears still have more than half the original grip left but having covered no more than 12K the fronts are already completely gone - Would not buy these again, especially not for the front tyres on an Audi.
Helpful 18 - tyre reviewed on December 4, 2014
Given 76% while driving a SEAT Altea (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 5,000 spirited miles
Fitted these on my remapped Special Edition TD (175BHP), excellent in the dry, wet grip is petty good too, good turn in. Road noise is acceptable (bit noisy on certain surfaces). The rears are holding up real good but the fronts are down to 3mm.
These tyres inspire a confidant driving experience.
Helpful 18 - tyre reviewed on October 24, 2014