Kumho Ecsta ASX review - 03/12/04 11:18 PM
I got them put on this afternoon. 225/45/17 Kumho Ecsta ASX 420-AA-A from Tire Rack for $90/ea + shipping and road hazard; total ~ $445. They were installed at 69,067 miles on the odometer. In my garage, the odo says 69,087 so after 20 miles on these tires, here is my review.
Aesthetics: They are 20mm (~1") wider than the 205's I took off. They stand a little less than 1" taller, and they fill in the wheel wells like nobody's business. No more 4x4 comments from now on! They are black, and after some Zaino tire treatment, they gleam like the sun. The words "Kumho" and "Ecsta ASX" are raised and completely flat, so they hold a very nice shine, as does the smaller "All Season". The two names are on opposite sides of the tire, with a thin ribbed stripe in between. The tread is an interesting pattern to say the very least. It is divided into three parts (inside, middle, and outside) by two very wide, and very deep grooves. I assume the two grooves are for water channeling. Each of the three tread parts are different and unique.
Comfort: I didn't get to go too fast on the way home, but I did run over 80 a couple times. The tires are quiet and smooth at all speeds so far. The fatter sidewall soaks up cracks in the highway like they are smoothed over asphalt. On rough patches of road, the tires are still loud, but not intrusive at all. As rough as some of our roads are around here, they are quite quiet. On smooth asphalt, they are silent; regardless of speed.
Performance: (DRY) I haven't had a chance to put them through their paces just yet. I am going to head up the mountain to my lady friend's house after dinner, and they will get a full work out on the way. I expect them to out handle my old Ecsta 711's, but I honestly doubt they'll stick like slicks. There are plenty of tight, winding roads in Chattanooga, and these tires will see every last one of them. I am by no means an expert in tire tech and handling, but I do have certain expectations. So far, the tires have performed quite well under the circumstances. Hopefully they will continue to impress me when we are alone on a twisty mountain road tonight.
(WET) It hasn't rained in several days, thank God. My car is too clean for that. There are no puddles to aim for, so hydroplane possiblity is unknown at this time.
Value: As I stated above in the first paragraph, the tires have a tread wear rating of 420. Tire Rack has these tires for $90, and for that price, the nearest competitor is the Continental's for $113, IIRC. For the money, there is no other tire with this tread wear. Kumho lists the tire as thier Ultra High Performance All Season tire. They also list the tire as the all season equivilent of the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712, which (IIRC) is priced $86 each for the same size.
Conclusion: I doubt anyone will read all of that, but at least read this part. These tires are great, and when you consider the price, they are unbeatable. I was very impressed with my older Ecsta 711's and the new ASX is a considerable step above. Go to Tire Rack and get them.
Aesthetics: They are 20mm (~1") wider than the 205's I took off. They stand a little less than 1" taller, and they fill in the wheel wells like nobody's business. No more 4x4 comments from now on! They are black, and after some Zaino tire treatment, they gleam like the sun. The words "Kumho" and "Ecsta ASX" are raised and completely flat, so they hold a very nice shine, as does the smaller "All Season". The two names are on opposite sides of the tire, with a thin ribbed stripe in between. The tread is an interesting pattern to say the very least. It is divided into three parts (inside, middle, and outside) by two very wide, and very deep grooves. I assume the two grooves are for water channeling. Each of the three tread parts are different and unique.
Comfort: I didn't get to go too fast on the way home, but I did run over 80 a couple times. The tires are quiet and smooth at all speeds so far. The fatter sidewall soaks up cracks in the highway like they are smoothed over asphalt. On rough patches of road, the tires are still loud, but not intrusive at all. As rough as some of our roads are around here, they are quite quiet. On smooth asphalt, they are silent; regardless of speed.
Performance: (DRY) I haven't had a chance to put them through their paces just yet. I am going to head up the mountain to my lady friend's house after dinner, and they will get a full work out on the way. I expect them to out handle my old Ecsta 711's, but I honestly doubt they'll stick like slicks. There are plenty of tight, winding roads in Chattanooga, and these tires will see every last one of them. I am by no means an expert in tire tech and handling, but I do have certain expectations. So far, the tires have performed quite well under the circumstances. Hopefully they will continue to impress me when we are alone on a twisty mountain road tonight.
(WET) It hasn't rained in several days, thank God. My car is too clean for that. There are no puddles to aim for, so hydroplane possiblity is unknown at this time.
Value: As I stated above in the first paragraph, the tires have a tread wear rating of 420. Tire Rack has these tires for $90, and for that price, the nearest competitor is the Continental's for $113, IIRC. For the money, there is no other tire with this tread wear. Kumho lists the tire as thier Ultra High Performance All Season tire. They also list the tire as the all season equivilent of the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712, which (IIRC) is priced $86 each for the same size.
Conclusion: I doubt anyone will read all of that, but at least read this part. These tires are great, and when you consider the price, they are unbeatable. I was very impressed with my older Ecsta 711's and the new ASX is a considerable step above. Go to Tire Rack and get them.