I think you made a sensible choice, tyres is a competitive market so price is probably a good indicator.
In fact I’m a bit surprised the difference is as much as 7%. Reverse engineering a competitor’s tyre can’t be that hard so the cost saving probably shows in the results.
Does it matter, well, would you like to stop 2m before the car in front or 2m after?
Sorry Rich, that is wrong, if you think that buying a more expensive tyre is a measure of how well it will preform you would be in for some big shocks.
If Continental is always the best tyre, then surely every manufacturer in the world would fir them as OEM and so on and so fourth.
The issue is with these tests is that they are never the whole story. We know from racing that the Hankook V12 does not give its best performance until it has been through a good three heat cycles, from new they are as slidey as the come. The Kumho used before that had a different heat profile and the Toyo before that different still. Many drivers of MK1 and 2’s know from their own experience that tyres may need to bed in, how many times did we read that people had had T1R’s fitted and found then to be like driving on marbles? Someone would then come on and say, don’t worry, they can take up to 1,000 miles to bead in and everyone when away happy. Again, we know from testing that you can get tyres that have very good wet braking and yet perform as if on ice when it comes to corning in the wet and that is the thing that actually does keep you out of ditches.
I am not defending Kumho, people can buy whatever tyre they like but that these tests do not represent real life. I do not expect these tyre were “run in” before testing, in fact I expect very much that due to the nature of the testing they were pretty much bolted on the car and then straight out to do the wet braking test. In F1 terms, I expect they did not even manage to get the release agent off the tyres before testing.
All new tyres are terrifying for the first mile, when it can be like driving on ice. It takes about 100 miles to get them completely clean of release agent and scuffed up a bit to grip properly.
Hi Nick,
Well that test looks pretty much status quo to me. The Kumhos were up against several big brands and did ok didn’t they.
A shock would really be if they’d come top at their lower price.
No-one will be disappointed by those big brands, we’ve had them all in recent years and they’re almost always good. Consider Dunlop and Goodyear too if they do a suitable type and size.
Pirelli seem to be the only one to have fallen from favour these days. Old designs and rubber perhaps but they’re the only tyres that we personally have ever 1) blown out a sidewall and 2) had a mis-shapen sidewall due to the carcass threads breaking (both different cars and both over 20 years ago) so I don’t consider them now.
Generally I see no point buying unknowns but we’re all different eh. A set of Kumho or Hankooks and save £150 certainly looks good, rising stars maybe, and it will be interesting to see how those companies do.
Its a mine field…would really like a definitive answer tbh.
Hows folks doing with which ever you have chosen upto now??
Cheers
Now that I have run the Hankook tyres in, they are really good. At first I took it easy because they were quite slippery but no matter what I throw at them, they grip. Now that we have had a bit of Autumn to drive in, I can honestly say that every test I have put them to that they have exceeded my expectations. However, I never take the mick and I am a careful driver, so my exposure to my own mistakes is minimal. Yesterday there were branches and entire trees laying all over the roads I drove along and there were a few occasions when I needed to make fast changes. Not once did I skid or slip and we’re talking about wet roads, often on wet leaves and mud and driving at or near the speed limits (mostly a the limits).
I’m driving a standard 2.0 Sport. I have no comparison. My Hankook K110 tyres require extreme steering and braking inputs which are far beyond everyday driving, before losing grip. Incidents where I would require my car to be able to react to these extremes are virtually zero but if I needed my tyres, they would be there. Braking dry and wet is very good. In fact these tyres can easily manage my harshest manoeuvres without complaint. There’s my review.
I realise that this is not a benchmark test and I’m not a test driver on a test track but I am able to push my car to my own limits on all classes of road and on this basis, I can easily recommend Hankook K110 tyres.
Hope this helps.
If we’re back on the original question, the XL-rated Nokian WR A3 are just fine, although it’s been unseasonably warm. MPG is the same as with summer tyres and the ride is slightly improved on rough roads because of the smaller wheels (16" instead of 17"). Grip has been well tested and is good wet or dry.
Thanks for that folks.
I have had a couple of chats with Nick @ motsport and thinking of either the Hankooks as described above or Nankangs of whch Nick finds them a good all rounder.
Should be making a decision this week.
Cheers
I had the Kumhos 88’s on my Mk3 Sport, the tyres were great on the road and track, I gave them a hammering around a wet Silverstone and was amazed at the grip under braking and in cornering.
Just bought a new car with OEM Bridgestones 84’s but would have the Kumhos again at the drop of a hat, I even have a discount voucher from NickD that would make them a better deal, trouble is it will take me a while to wear out the current rubber.
The old car had the Eibachs and the ride was firm but flat, the new car is soft and rolls a bit but I only have 400 miles on it to date, may get it WiM’d at some point to see how it sits.
Good luck with your purchase.
Hi All
Got my first MX5 a while ago and spent time sorting the old girl out ready for the summer 
Robbie Marsh at Maxda in Cambridge made a massive difference with the 4 wheel alignment
Just about to get the wheels refurbed and then tyres so read this with interest.
Anyone tried Nankang NS2’s ? a friend has them on this Honda S2000 and loves them…
Normally id buy Pirelli but as this is a weekend car for me a full set of good unknown brands for £170 or £140 per corner has to be looked at…
How did the Kumho KU39’ go in the end?
any final suggestions?
A year later the KU39’s are perfect for road use, I’ll definitely be buying more unless Nick finds/suggests something else.
Do you really mean NS2’s? You really wouldn’t want to put them on your car.
If you mean NS2R that that is an entirely different tyre, but certainly not one that I would recommend for average household every day driving.
Pirelli is also not a tyre I would fit.
If you want to spend big money, I would go with Dunlop other wise I will fit you a set of KU39 for £264.