Which tires to buy?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 175
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From: Pasadena, CA
Which tires to buy? I'm down to these two tires, Kumho 712 and BF Goodrich KDWS. Any info on either tire would help out. Oh yeah here are the sizes. 275/40/17 at the front, 285/40/17 at the rear. I have oem ZR1's so i think 9.5 in wide.
Re: Which tires to buy? I'd do 275/40ZR17 on all four.
The BFG KDW is a great tire, big, aggressive, and nice ride. Although I see you want KDWS - my I ask why?
The Kumhos, some like em some don't. Another option on the Kumho is the Ecsta MX, very similar to the KDW.
The BFG KDW is a great tire, big, aggressive, and nice ride. Although I see you want KDWS - my I ask why?
The Kumhos, some like em some don't. Another option on the Kumho is the Ecsta MX, very similar to the KDW.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 175
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From: Pasadena, CA
Re: Which tires to buy? Yeah I know the KDWS's have a very different tread but unless i can Get a better price on the KDW's, KDWS's are in my price range. For some reason I want wider rubber @ the rear.?.? 
I my just go with 275 all around, And buy some slicks for the track.
I my just go with 275 all around, And buy some slicks for the track. I just got nails in my 712s and one was unreparable. I wasn't really sad to tell you the truth. Got 18months use out of them and I was getting close to getting another tire anyway. They don't corner well nor are they good at getting off the line. Right now I got some snow tires and will probably never buy Kuhmos again unless I get them close to free. In the spring I might try the KDWs or something in that price range.
I just got some new 275... Kumhos, and I am really pleased with them. They grip extremely well, and for $250 shipped to Hawaii 2nd day, you cant complain. No other tire comes close to the performance vs. price. But of course I wont even consider spinning the rears with street tires on, it becomes more of a crowd pleasure than an ET chaser...get some Nitto DR, or Streets for track and buy some Kumhos, spend as much if you went with the KDWs that way!
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I'd vote for the KDW.
My KDW's seem to hook as well as my Nittos did on the street.
As far as the KDWS I would skip that and spend the extra cash for the KDW.
My KDW's seem to hook as well as my Nittos did on the street.
As far as the KDWS I would skip that and spend the extra cash for the KDW.
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TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: North Las Vegas
Hi there karkrazie626, I just got the Kuhmo Ecsta MXs 285/40/17s on all four corners and they are awesome. The BFG KDWS are good if you want a snow tire that have a tread wear of 400. The Kuhmo MXs has a tread wear of 220. The lower the number, the softer, the better on traction. I got mine from Discount tire for 698.00 out the door. I will buy the road hazard warrenty on Monday. They said I have 30 days from purchasing these to make up my mind. It'll be about 60.00 for the warrenty. And to let you know, with the stock SS rims(9inch), my tires are now 11inches wide. Alot of traction and they look goood. With the road hazard warranty, anything that is wrong with the tire like a nail in the tire, out of round, tread separation, they'll replace the tire for free. Go to Kuhmos site on line and they'll tell you all the specs for the tire on what rim you're using. Take Care, Kevin from Las Vegas.
If you want the longer lasting street tire I also vote for the KDW's.
Night & day compaired to F-1's ( not hard)
I've squeeked a 1.9 60' out of 'em w/a M-6.
Go on tire rack & do a comparo.....>>>>>
Night & day compaired to F-1's ( not hard)
I've squeeked a 1.9 60' out of 'em w/a M-6.
Go on tire rack & do a comparo.....>>>>>
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
ChioceCam00...
You said you just put 285s all around. Is there any scrubbing up front when turning the wheel all the way during tight manuvers? Any scrubbing period?
I ask because I was considering getting the 285 KDWs all-around but was afriad that the fronts would scrub as the 275s seem so close as it is when the wheel is fully turned.
Please advise. Thanks!
PS. Also, you don't happen to have any good pics of these tires mounted on your wheels/car do you?
You said you just put 285s all around. Is there any scrubbing up front when turning the wheel all the way during tight manuvers? Any scrubbing period?
I ask because I was considering getting the 285 KDWs all-around but was afriad that the fronts would scrub as the 275s seem so close as it is when the wheel is fully turned.
Please advise. Thanks!
PS. Also, you don't happen to have any good pics of these tires mounted on your wheels/car do you?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: North Las Vegas
Hi there wrencher, I had the BFG KDWs before the Kuhmo Ecsta MXs. They are very good tires but here in Las Vegas with hardly any rain, the roads are very slick with a build up oil, dust and everything else, the MXs is better. The BFG KDWs is a harder compound that will last longer, but the MXs is a softer compound with better traction. Discount Tire here in Las Vegas has the best prices, 160 per tire out the door. If you never seen the Kuhmo Ecsta MXs, they are a good looking tire for the price, and with alot of traction. I would like to go with the BFG KDs, but my bank account doesn't allow it. I'm saving for a house right now and hopefully, next year, I'll invest. Take care, Kevin from Las Vegas 
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: North Las Vegas
Hi there RPM WS6, I had Discount Tire fit a BFG KDWS 285/40/17 on my stock SS 9inch rim up front, and they said no problem. I trust DT and ordered the Kuhmo Ecsta MX 285/40/17s. What a good looking tire for the price and performance. Hope this helps, Kevin from Las Vegas
Originally Posted by ChoiceCam00
Hi there wrencher, I had the BFG KDWs before the Kuhmo Ecsta MXs. They are very good tires but here in Las Vegas with hardly any rain, the roads are very slick with a build up oil, dust and everything else, the MXs is better. The BFG KDWs is a harder compound that will last longer, but the MXs is a softer compound with better traction. Discount Tire here in Las Vegas has the best prices, 160 per tire out the door. If you never seen the Kuhmo Ecsta MXs, they are a good looking tire for the price, and with alot of traction. I would like to go with the BFG KDs, but my bank account doesn't allow it. I'm saving for a house right now and hopefully, next year, I'll invest. Take care, Kevin from Las Vegas
I like the stickier tire also just didn't want them to wear out in 15K.
I almost to the point of getting another set of rims for so super sticky tire+ a pair for slicks!
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 486
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From: North Las Vegas
Hi there wrencher, it all depends on how you drive. If you smoke your tires at every light, then your tires will last 15k or less. But, once in awile is fine for 15k+. I only had mine for just under a month. If you spend alot of time at the track, then get those slicks. Hope this helps. Kevin
