Kumho Ecsta AST 245 50 16
Anyone running Kumho Ecsta AST or Sumitomo HTR+? How do they handle in the rain, ride/handle, and wear? Tire Rack has a great price on them. Its either these or a set of BFG Tracion T/A's. I can the TA for 350 a set.

Thanks,
TJ

 

I'm runnin the Kuhmo ecsta 712's which were the prequil to the ast's...i can drive it and not die in the rain, but there's definitely thing's id rather be doing than that. I prefer not to drive them in the rain ... they like to hydroplane -- then again i'm runnin 275 35 18's out back. haven't put enough miles on yet to comment on wear, but no issues so far. tire rack rules - great service and quick shipping .. as far as that choice good pick. As far as dry handling ...they grip very very well. I'm really happy w/the kuhmo's thus far.

 

What size are you looking for? I wouldn't recommend any of the tires you listed. (I work at the local Discount Tire.) If you let me know what size you're looking for, I can recommend something for you. What are you looking to spend?

 

I have those kumho's and they're pretty darn good for the price. I've had the whole set for about a year now and have done a couple peel outs, but they still have great tread so I'd say they don't wear down easily. Also, I slipped in the rain once but i kinda floored it a bit, I've been in the rain multiple times and they handle great, so theres my 2 cents hope it helps. I recommend the Kumhos

 

I know they're brutally expensive. But the GS-D3's are AMAZING in the rain.

 

as long as you don't do 5 minute brake stands everyday kumhos will last forever with a little preventative maintenance.

 

No complaints about the AST's. I've had them over a year and for the money I'm happy with them.

 

A better choice would be the Sumitomo HTR-Z II tires. They offer better traction in the dry & wet and handle well. the tire you mentioned is a all-season tire. Check this one out on the tirerack site. Better choice then the other three in my opinion, Sorry, they are not available in your 245/50/16 size. I did have the 17" ones

 

245 50 16 is the size.

thanks

 

.
Amazing, rain, dry, corners, straight, stopping, going..

Everywhere but snow.

 

Don't know how much they cost these days but I put BFG KDWS (Ultra High Performance All-Seasons) on my Z28 and I've been very pleased with them. They have all the highest ratings you can get and they seem to perform very well too. Due to the fact that I totaled my RS in the rain, I try extremely hard to avoid all rain in my Z28 so I cannot comment on KDWS's rain performance but supposedly its pretty good.

BTW, I got them from Discount Tire Direct for approximately $410 shipped about 2 years ago.