Kumho MX vs. Pirelli PZero Rosso Assemetrico

[Ron17]

So, I've read all the reviews and test results on Tirerack.com; I've spoken with people who've had both these tires; I've done just about all the research I can and now it's time to buy. However, before I take the plunge, I'm wondering if anyone here has first-person experience with these two tires, so that they would be able to compare both against each other.

Right now, Tirerack has them both for the same price ($127/each), so cost is not the object here.

I'm running 17x8 BBS RXs. The Pirellis come in 235/40/17s, but I'd have to go 245/40/17 on the Kumhos, since they don't make 235/40/17s.

My personal basis for comparison is on a few major points (in no order):

1) Dry handling
2) Wet handling (very important to me)
3) Braking
4) Tread life (also very important)

Of less importance, but perhaps a tie-breaker, would be cold response and/or time to warm-up.

Of course, even dry handling is important, but many tires do well in the dry, only to become sketchy in the wet. That is why I emphasize wet-weather handling, because we get a lot of hit here in Atlanta.

Any and all input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[12:03]

Im liking pirelli in this matchup. simply because of the size.

[Silex]

So going witht he 235 profile are you going front and back with that so that you aren't running staggered and can rotate your tires? Might be a good idea just for that since the Kumho's don't come in 235 like you said. Both are excellent tires though and you can't go wrong with either choice.

BTW, can you run 235 all around on stock m3 rims? I believe I have the non ltw contours.

[TRSCCA Greg]

Correct me if I am wrong. My opinion is that if you have directional tires on a car that has negative camber on all 4 wheels, the concept of saying "if you have all 4 tires the same size you can rotate them" is meaningless.

Ideally if you want to rotate the tires you will pull them off the rim and mount them on the other side of the car so as to not compound the inner edge wear on the tires due to negative camber.

As far as wear, I have always been told Pirellis just do not last as long as other tires when the treadwear is the same.

If you go back and do a search on Jim's comments, he stated a while back that the MX is as good as any other max performance for dry grip.

I can't compare the MXs to the Pirellis in the rain as I have not owned the Pirellis (at least not in 10+ years). The MXs are good but the SO3s are IMHO the clear leader in max performance tires in the rain.

Just so you know, I just ordered my third set of MXs (245s all the way around on my new rims) and am getting about 12.5K miles per set with 12 Auto-Xs per year in addition to highway miles.