Kumho Ecsta XS (KU36) review.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:09 pm

wun911 wrote:eh they resist nails and screws???

I'm guessing Tien's had them repaired after each.

tuned_to_fly · Postby **tuned_to_fly** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:53 pm

Just a heads up that Kumho Australia are sick of companies such as http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=500265 & http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=483520 importing Kumho tyres from overseas and selling them off at very low prices whilst still offering a 'warranty' etc. They will now beat the prices advertised in the links if you get your dealer to call them and explain the situation. We just landed some KU31 18's for $20 below the listed price above including fitting.

gussy · Postby **gussy** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:40 pm

tuned_to_fly wrote:Just a heads up that Kumho Australia are sick of companies such as http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=500265 & http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=483520 importing Kumho tyres from overseas and selling them off at very low prices whilst still offering a 'warranty' etc. They will now beat the prices advertised in the links if you get your dealer to call them and explain the situation. We just landed some KU31 18's for $20 below the listed price above including fitting.

So you're suggesting that Option 1 Garage are importing sub standard tyres or something?

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:35 am

i thought option1 was the official AU distributor? no idea where i read that though...

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:26 am

So how do these(KU36) and the KU31 compare to say the PP2's for performance?

Cheers
Dale

tuned_to_fly · Postby **tuned_to_fly** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:24 am

Locutus wrote:i thought option1 was the official AU distributor? no idea where i read that though...

According to the Kumho rep I spoke to they have no dealings with these companies. He may be wrong however I'm happy to believe what he says especially considering the fact he was quite determined to match/beat their price - if they were an official dealer I'm not sure he'd be doing that.

I'm not saying Option1 are selling inferior products (I was going to buy from them before I found this even cheaper option), just advising forum members of where a cheaper price can be found.

Edit: No mention of Option1 in the dealer listing on the Kumho Australia site.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:17 pm

Old Dude wrote:So how do these(KU36) and the KU31 compare to say the PP2's for performance?

i had a chat with stu @ spinning wheel about this during the last club alignment day after he noticed feathering on my KU36s from my, umm, spirited street driving.

he suggested switching to PP2s as they will wear much better and provide more grip on the street, as the KU36 will never reach its proper operating temperature on the road. KU36 will provide more grip on the track once warmed up, and are probably best bang for buck for the occasional track day. serious track warriors should probably look elsewhere as they are still a budget tyre that work on the street, so will always be behind proper semis.

but with PP2/3s costing 50-100% more than a set of KU36, i don't care about tyre wear. more wear means higher tyre rotation and always having fresh rubber on the ground.

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:26 pm

Thanks Locutus
I have PP2 on my NB that grip well, but I am going to need to replace the wifes A drives soon and was thinking of these as a replacement.
Cheers
Dale

DaveWA · Postby **DaveWA** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:02 pm

I bought some Kuhmo KU31's after having
dríven with Pirelli Dragons(I believe this is italian for snail sh*t)
there is a marked improvement in dry and wet weather
the Pirelli Snail shits would let go if there was a rain cloud on the Horizon.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:22 am

tuned_to_fly wrote:Just a heads up that Kumho Australia are sick of companies such as http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=500265 & http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=483520 importing Kumho tyres from overseas and selling them off at very low prices whilst still offering a 'warranty' etc. They will now beat the prices advertised in the links if you get your dealer to call them and explain the situation. We just landed some KU31 18's for $20 below the listed price above including fitting.

Really? I thought Paul from O1G as besties with Kumho QLD State Manager?

tuned_to_fly · Postby **tuned_to_fly** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 12:41 pm

project.r.racing wrote:
tuned_to_fly wrote:Just a heads up that Kumho Australia are sick of companies such as http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=500265 & http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/ind ... pic=483520 importing Kumho tyres from overseas and selling them off at very low prices whilst still offering a 'warranty' etc. They will now beat the prices advertised in the links if you get your dealer to call them and explain the situation. We just landed some KU31 18's for $20 below the listed price above including fitting.
Really? I thought Paul from O1G as besties with Kumho QLD State Manager?

Once again - Just stating what I was told from a Kumho Aust rep. I notice Option1 say they are an authorised reseller on their ads so who knows. Either way - It's a little strange that a Kumho rep would make up stories and undercut their prices...

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:22 pm

Old Dude wrote:So how do these(KU36) and the KU31 compare to say the PP2's for performance?

Cheers
Dale

Having been through two sets of PP2's, and presently on my third, and having recently fitted KU36's for primarily track use, I consider that the PP2's are a much better road tyre than the KU36. The KU36 probably has more grip on a dry track, but it's been a couple of years since I've used PP2's on the track to be able to compare PP2's and KU36's for the track. I am pleased and quite impressed with the KU36's for track days, but I would not buy KU36's for regular road use.

TieNN89 · Postby **TieNN89** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:05 pm

tuned_to_fly wrote:Once again - Just stating what I was told from a Kumho Aust rep. I notice Option1 say they are an authorised reseller on their ads so who knows. Either way - It's a little strange that a Kumho rep would make up stories and undercut their prices...

That is strange because Option 1 Garage doesn't exactly stock the tyres they sell

They order in the tyres

7Hazi · Postby **7Hazi** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:07 am

I got my KU36's through option 1. I think they had them in stock when I bought them. I think the KU36's are really good. In the dry they are as expected (excellent). I was really surprised how well they perform in the wet as well. Unlike my old tyres (Falken Ziex), the KU36's actually keep traction in the wet :lol:

.

TieNN89 · Postby **TieNN89** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:32 pm

I'm told if they order it in before 9.30am it would be there in the arvo

Anyway I reckon the KU36 are pretty well priced but I don't think I will be getting them when I get my tyres next

I'm going to go get the KU31s for longer life etc and it is half the price