Help me pick tires!

[dmurray14]

Hey guys,

About a year ago I bought a set of Kumho 712s. Pleased with them in the beginning, not so much anymore. Anyway, my "fun foot" has completely annhilated the tread on the rears, while the fronts still have maybe 65% left. However, I no longer have ANY grip in the rear, so I need to do something about it. Does it make sense for me to just buy another set of 712s for the rear only (they're on sale for $89/tire) or should I replace all four since they're not the best tire anyway? Thing is, I hate to waste a good set in the front. What do you guys think? If not the 712s, what should I get?

Thanks..

Dan

[carcrazed4life]

Size? Maybe buying a set of 4, and selling your 2 on ebay isnt a bad idea. Or vice versa, buy 2 rears matching your fronts off ebay if possible, and just live with crap longer.

PS my NSX has Kumho 712s I feel ya pain.

[dmurray14]

Size? Maybe buying a set of 4, and selling your 2 on ebay isnt a bad idea. Or vice versa, buy 2 rears matching your fronts off ebay if possible, and just live with crap longer.

PS my NSX has Kumho 712s I feel ya pain.

Running 235/40/18, but planning on going to 225s next round - these rub every once in a while over big bumps, and the extra 10 might just fix that little clearance. I didn't feel like the 712s were bad when I bought them, but after using them I find their wet traction to be downright scary, and the dry is nothing to rave about either...

Dan

[IanBMW]

I always thought wet traction on the 712's to be acceptable. If you don't mind having mismatched tires try to get a set of some better tires. I personally like Dunlop FM901. Good traction, and decent price for a set of 225's. That's what I had on the Z3.

[black_box]

i drove on the 712's in the dry (on a friends m3/4) back to back with my old bridgestone RE730's. The 712's had noticably less dry traction. I still haven't seen confirmation, but I heard that the fuzion ZRi is basically the RE730 (which bridgestone has replaced with the RE750). might be worth a look if you need a budget tire.

[BMLRacer]

The RE750 is an awesome bargain. It is worlds better than the older RE730.

The Fuzion is not the RE730. It is closer to the Dayton ZR, but is still a specific Fuzion product.

Either the RE750 or the Fuzion ZRi would be a great tire for the value shopper and a significant improvement over the Kumho 712.

[dmurray14]

Thanks guys....I hate to have mismatched tires, I think that's kind of stupid looking. Being as the 712s are on sale for $89 a peice, I might just grab 2 and wear them down, and I'd the second set in the back will be worn near to when the fronts are, then I can re-evaluate. Sound like a good plan?

Dan

[black_box]

you could always sell the fronts. check the price on the ZRi, should be at least close to the 712's if you want to just get a new set. I don't think most people notice the tires anyway, they're all pretty much round, black, and hidden by the fenders. Stickier tires in the rear shouldnt be a problem either.

I don't buy the crappy cereal at the grocery store just because its on sale, and one box only lasts a week. ;)

[Jim@tirerack]

I would go with the matched set and burn them off. The RE750 is a much higher performance tire. They are also one of the longest wearing tires. I have had them on a 3 Series for two years and they still look new.
If I can help let me know. By the way the 712 is being discontinued.

[vjlax18]

I love my new Kumho SPT's. They are a great tire for the price. I don't know how they'll be in 20k miles, but the first 3-4k have been incredible. Great feel, great grip, and great wet traction. (YMMV I'm running 265/35/18 and 295/30/18)


By the way the 712 is being discontinued.
GOOD! I had 275/30/19's in those and they sucked. Jim, I left you a message about wheel locks. :wave

[Jim@tirerack]

I left a msg. sorry about the phone tag.

[dmurray14]

Agh shit. Woke up this morning and found I have a flat in the back. Talk about motivation to get a new set...

Also can't really afford to do all 4 now until I'm making money again in the summer...so I have to throw something else on the back in the mean time. Probably just pick up another set of 712s for now I guess :(

[vjlax18]

Have you looked at the prices for the SPT's?

[dmurray14]

Have you looked at the prices for the SPT's?

No, I haven't...just not sure I want to mix and match at this point. Should only take me another couple of months to wear these down, then I'll probably re-evaluate and get a nice set, maybe switch the wheels too.

Dan

[Jim@tirerack]

If I can help with the tires let me know.