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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 233
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Ditto. I have a set of KDW's with about 12,000 miles on them. Soooo grippy and it takes a lot of work to make them lose their grip on the road. Also, the seem to be pretty darn good on the tread life to date. I figure they're not quite 50% of the way through their tread life.
They are ridiculously loud, though - especially between about 40 and 55 mph. Almost loud enough to make polite conversation impossible inside the cabin at those speeds.
Would I get them again? I'll probably try some other brand, but all in all I would rate my experience quite satisfactory.
1998 E1 SVT - Toreador Red
Production #4794 of 6535
Build date: 2/25/1998
Mods completed:
- Pre '97 sail panels
Mods planned:
- K & N Air Filter
- Side marker lights
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 559
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After 2 sets of KDW's I just ordered 4 "Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position"
in 205-55-16 size. Has anyone else tried these?
99 SVT Black/Tan #1090/2760
82K Miles.......B&M Edge Shifter
Mobil1 5-30.....Side Markers
Ford Synth MTX # XT-M5-QS
Locking Lugs....Cup Holders
Black Sail Panels...TH Fix
Aluminum Gas Filler Door
BS Potenza S-03's
KVR Cross Drilled Rotors + Pads
Dual Mode Damper - soon
Clarion head unit
Pioneer 2-ways
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2
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My KDW's are almost garbage (about 3/32s left) at 18,5xx. I'm not extremly hard on them except for semi frequent auto-x ing, but the do see a lot of rough asfalt roads.
Undecided on next tire choice, too bad they don't make nitto 555s in 225/50/16. In my opinion these tires have the most bad a## tread pattern I have ever seen.
nicoliiii out
Nick B.
Y2K SVT #1315-toreador/tan (Brandy)
91' SHO+ -white/tan (FOR SALE!)
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,329
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Originally posted by Toadster: agreed - loud tires, sticky though 
got mine for $72/each  215/50 16'sWhere???
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,444
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Posts: 1,444 |
what do u guys mean by tires being loud or noisy. my kdw's have about 22,000 miles (still the originals). the new parada 2's have a 300 treadwear, same as kdw's.
...and yes, I did SEARCH first before asking.
AIM:omegazodiac
95 gl
99 contour svt #1750/2760
built 4/6/99
black/tan
plates, not personalized (###-REV)
amsoil series 2000 oil & filter~amsoil tranny fluid cocktail~tint: 35% windshield/front doors,20% rear window/rear doors~black oval/rear strip~nyceboi rear emblem~aussie grills~hella led sidemarkers~piaa superwhite low's~piaa extreme reverse lights~door dingless (knauberized)~hood liner removed~black '95 sail panels~trunk cargo net~mondeo hood struts~ford racing red 9mm wires~autolite double plat plugs~jensen hu~recontented dash clock(it rocks)~clifford ag4 security
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 335
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My KDW's saw a lot of ice/snow this winter (more then they should have). I also used mine a lot for auto-xing and a track day. Mine only managed to get 16K before hitting the wear bars (2/32's). They seem to wear much slower when they are down to their last 1-3/32's under autox conditions. The last several autox's I was at showed minimal wear on the tires. The only thing that did them in was a very fast banked sweeper on a gokart track.
If it weren't for the road noise issues as they wear I would go back to them. Actually I take that back, if it weren't for my current financial situation I would have gone back to them. They are a VERY VERY good tire. I think these tires have the ability to keep up with the Falken Azenis (as far as SCCA racing goes STS). If you like performance go with these tires!!!
Current Cars:
2000 CSVT #398 / 2150 - TRed
85 CRX si with a suspension harder then Ron Jeremy on Viagra.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 517
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I'm running 215/45/17 G-Force KDW
very sticky tire!!
I likeed the way the stock 215/50 handled so i got the same tire when i went to a 17
they are a bit pricier than other 17's on the market, but i think they are worth it.
The 17" KDW also come with a rubber lip that protects the rim from curbs...i don't remember this in the stock 16's
2000 SVT (silver)
#1529 of 2150
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yeah...its modded
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 52
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OP
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Well, after everyone's comments and some research, I went with the BF-KDW's at 215/45-17. And to be honest, they are infinitely better than those Yoko's I had. I just couldn't force myself to get the Dunlop 9000's; they had good water evacuation, but the dry grip sucks. My bro has them on his ML55 AMG and those honkin' 18's would grip awesome if it weren't for those Dunlop's. So, that left me with the BF's and the Michelin Pilot Sport's. Since I don't have money flowing out my arse, I went with the BF's, despite all the 'THESE TIRES ARE LOUD' warnings. So far, I haven't noticed any sound problems, but then again, I was driving on nearly bald yoko's, so my ear's are no longer reliable. I hope the sound level doesn't increase as they wear persists as y'all have alluded to. BUT, I'm with everyone on one thing for sure: THEY STICK LIKE GLUE. I guess I'll drop a line once I get some miles on 'em. . .
'98 Black SVT #651 of 6535
KKM Intake (Miks Heat Shield in Winters/Drop-in K&N Summers), SHO Y-Pipe, and Bassani Exhaust.
Eibach Pro-Kit, Koni Struts, and Enkei RS5's with BFG-KDWs (215/45-ZR17)
BAER 13" big brake kit+rear baer rotors all zinc washed, cross-drilled and slotted (Greenstuff binding rears)
Kenwood head unit with Infinity reference speakers+1 8" Bazooka Tube fed by two MTX Blue Thunder amps.
Hella Stage II HIDS from hids4less.com.
Recaro Sport Seats trimmed in supple black leather.
And Zymol wax to keep it squeaky clean.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 29
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Showtime: are your 17 kdws on the orig rim? and if so any rubbing issues? I would not consider these a suitable winter tire I'm on Arctic Alpines on 15" rim for snow driving. A Z rated tire is definately 'summer' Straight line driving ok but scary on tires--went through snow and slush two Aprils in a row in sudden snow. Anyone else using KDWS model vs KDW? Looking like I'll be sticking with this brand
CaseyK
'99SVT Tropic Green #401
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 517
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Originally posted by caseyk: Showtime: are your 17 kdws on the orig rim? and if so any rubbing issues?
I would not consider these a suitable winter tire I'm on Arctic Alpines on 15" rim for snow driving. A Z rated tire is definately 'summer' Straight line driving ok but scary on tires--went through snow and slush two Aprils in a row in sudden snow.
Anyone else using KDWS model vs KDW?
Looking like I'll be sticking with this brand I'm running 215/45/17 BFG KDW on 17x7 Tenzo-R's I have H&R's and get an ocassional rub in the front with bad bump/dips but beside that everyhting is fine. I've never used the KDWS supposidly they are quieter (but i don't mind the KDW noise) and a bit better in the snow but the handling is noticably not as good. I don't drive much in the snow so i have no real need for the KDWS and my original stock 16's are sitting in my basement, one is used for my spare, and the others are waiting for new tires to be used for autoX. I'm possible interested in selling my stock SVT wheels, if i get a good offer.
2000 SVT (silver)
#1529 of 2150
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yeah...its modded
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