Kumho Ecsta XS (KU36) review.

[Steampunk]

Now that I have covered well over 1,500km on the road, and almost 200kms on the track, I now have a qualified opinion about them.

In short, well worth the money; about $170 for 205/50 R15 and only $15-$20 more for each size up.

On the road:
- quiet running, great dry-weather grip, very good wet-grip.
- compound may be too soft for some who uses their car as a daily-driver, thus will not get good mileage
- stable pressure retention, I never had to pump them up between initally installing them and first track day (4 months, 600kms)
- relatively soft side walls

On the track:
- at Queensland Raceway, I feld VERY comfortable with them. They had amazing grip, not a single squeal on any of the corners. I've done about 600km on the road prior to this track day
- the only time they slipped was at the last turn, which is a fairly open hair-pin (Clubman configuration at QR), but a simple quick counter-steer flick of the steering and she's back in line and you can immediately plant the accelerator expecting full grip
- Average ambient air temp that day was, I think, 25-27deg Celcius.

* at Lakeside yesterday, these really shine. They became "communicative", in other words, there was a fair bit of squealing whenever you take the wrong line and tried too hard to tighten the corner.
* once again, very confidence inspiring in that you can hear them, and feel them slide well before trouble happens, and it gives you plenty of time to back off the throttle or counter-steer.
* I had a couple of moments when I either braked(?) too hard or had a tyre, or two, off the tarmac, resulting in a bit of squirming, but the tyres held the car in-line.
* stable pressure retention, and very noticeable difference going up/down 2psi.
* average ambient air temp... not sure, what was it? high 20's?
* started with 37psi warm (after driving 40km to the track), got to 42psi, stable, hot.

Unless something better comes up within a similar price range, I shall definitely be getting these again.

[project.r.racing]

interesting, i find then to have a little road noise (as in louder than regular tyres) and poor wet grip. i have had mine for over 6 months/1500km and used them on a skidpan also.

i was running 205/50R15s yesterday also. 32/32 went to 38/36 on the front and 30/30 went to 34/34 on the rear after my 1st 6 laps. (fwd car.)

after 2nd 6 laps, pressures went to 40/38 and 36/36. and all dropped 4 psi while cooling down waiting for next runs.

i love the light squeal these give off as they let you know where the limit is.

[Charlie Brown]

I spoke to a friend who is a manager of a national tyre retail group about the KU36 and he told me the NSW Police (Highway Patrol) had trialled this tyre over a period of time and went back to using the KU31 because it performed better over the range of driving conditions that they encountered. I've never dríven on either of the tyres, so can't comment.

[project.r.racing]

for a road car, the KU31s are much suited to everyday conditions yes, i'd agree with that. i use KU31s for my street tyres (18in) and KU36s for my track tyres (15in). nothing wrong with the KU36s, just gotta be more carefull in the wet. and the KU31s will last 3-4 times longer.

[SPy vs. SPy]

http://www.option1garage.com.au/NewTyres.htm

that's some good prices

[broady]

And in Sydney:

http://www.fsport.com.au/fsport_siteroot/home.html

[Steampunk]

http://www.option1garage.com.au/NewTyres.htm

that's some good prices

Tell me something I DON'T know
Still wondering why 16's are the cheapest.

After the motorkhana last weekend, the love story continues. Great for a bit of very controllabe dry-track dorifto, and saying they are "secure" in the wet is a gross understatement.

One part of the motorkhana was a wet donut-shaped track and I was going at least 50km/h slightly sideways, and when the rear let go, releasing the accelerator, no brakes, made the car simply kick straight back in line. Very slight fishtailing.

I am DEFINITELY getting these again.

[wun911]

I want to wrap my eneki RPF1 in these but they dont make them in 215 40 R 17.....

[Randy]

I've got them on my NC and basically only use them as track tyres and think they are fantastic. Lots of grip and very progressive once they lose grip. I know quite a few people who race in Victoria that have started to use them.

Wun i have 215/40/17's. Just go see the boys at Tyrepower in Reservoir.

Cheers,

R

[wun911]

Oh cool will do, was looking at their website and they didnt list them (maybe it has yet to be updated).

[manga_blue]

As Randy said, the general picture emerging from the Victorian sprint days is that they're only about a second slower than true R-specs (R888s, D03s, V70As, etc). Randy is nudging the magic 2 minute mark on them at Phillip Island, which was absolutely unthinkable for street tyres until now.

Pretty good for the money and the fact that they're livable on the street as well.

[TieNN89]

My d/s rear tyre has had 2 nails and 1 screw in it (yes just that only tyre) and is still going strong

[wun911]

eh they resist nails and screws???

[Regie]

any updates? im considering getting a set next week

[Steampunk]

luv 'em
nuff said