Kumho vs. Yoko

Savage · 01-21-2003, 01:28 PM

I am in the market for tires and have narrowed it down to Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 or Yokohama AVS ES100. Does anybody have experience with either or both? I have read the Tirerack reviews but not much 911 stuff. I auto-x 2-3 times a year but generally these are going to be street tires. They are going on 7+8's on my 83SC. Any advice is welcomed.

david c. · 01-21-2003, 01:34 PM

Grassroots motorsports did a comparison for autocrossers recently. They broke it down between R compound tires and commonly used street tires. The R compound winner was the Hoosier (big surprise).

In the street tire comparison, they iincluded the Ecsta. Their winner was the Falken Azenis. My brother runs the Ecstas on his car and I have autocrossed it. I personally didn't like them all that much, but they are certainly cheap enough. The Yoko's weren't out with the new model at the time of the Grassroots test. The Falken seems to be the best choice for a driver/autocrosser in the lower price range. They are supposed to be a bit noisy. Tirerack doesn't carry them, but several other online sources including Discount Tire Direct do.

Depending on how many miles you put on your 911 and in what kind of weather, I would consider the Yoko A032r. I know several people who use this model for the street. But, they are on cars that probably see less than 2000 miles a year. They aren't cheap, but they have a great reputation.

FWIW, Yoko is supposed to be coming out with a new autocross compound tire this year. Tirerack doesn't have any details as of yesterday when I last checked with them.

Good luck!

Jeff · 01-21-2003, 01:36 PM

Scott, You may also want to look at Toyo Proxes T-S1. They are about the same price as the Kumho or Yoko but are a better performer. I don't think Tire Rack sells them. Maybe some one else on the board can help. I can get them through a local guy and I can see if he can ship them to you if you are interested. His prices are about what tire rack's on the Yokos. I'm running Yoko A520 now but will switch to the Toyos next.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

if you do a search you'll find a few threads with quite a few comments from owners of each. I have 8K on a set of the Kumhos and haven't had any problems. I don't autox though...

Joe911 · 01-21-2003, 01:54 PM

I have the Kumhos and like them just fine (only about 2K miles so far). Also autocrossed several times and only have OLD Dunlaps to compare with ...... MUCH better, needless to say. As someone earlier said - the price is right.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

How about the new Kuhmo Estacia MX? From the reviews I have read they are better than the 712 and the AVS ES100.

bill3667 · 01-21-2003, 02:07 PM

I only have about 1K on my Yoko AVS ES100's (inc. 1 autoX) but their performance has been everything I could ask for. No problems in rain (haven't tried the snow though) and even though I have a cab. I haven't heard any noise I could atribute to tires. Depending on the mileage I get out of them I would buy them again.

Bill W.

bento · bento's Garage

i have some kumho ecsta mxs in 225 front and 255 rear for my 88 carrera on order. i should have them on the car before the auto-x this weekend w/ the SCCA in oakland. i will report back to base when i have some seat time with them. from what i have read though, they should be as good as the outgoing s-02s for a lot less coin.

db

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

How about between the Ecsta 512 and the Yoko AVS Sport? Import Grrl is looking for new tires for her RSX (205/55-16)

KTL · 01-22-2003, 06:47 AM

Just to make things more confusing, you might want to check out the Sumitomo HTRZ. Not the HTRZ II, which is not available in the necessary 16 in. sizes for your 7's and 8's.

Looks like a good tire for the price and the TireRack reviews are really good for these tires. Most everybody says they're an oustanding tire for the price. Only drawback could be the treadwear. But that's to be expected from a tire with a 160 UTQG rating. The HTRZ appears to be very similar to the recently discontinued Yokohama AVS Intermediate.

The Kumho 712's are reviewed there too. Good marks for that tire as well.

I think the reviews are pretty funny to read. Some people are straightforward and give you their honest, useful, every-day-kinda-guy opinion. Then there's the occasional schleprock who apparently doesn't like that the tires spin too much when he dumps the clutch at 4 grand on his Mustang! Hmmmmmmm...... sorry to hear that.

Lucky · 01-22-2003, 07:00 AM

I have Kuhmo 712s on my car w/ about 5kmi and 2 DEs on the tires now. They are good solid tires, very quiet too. A great compromise tire that performs well on the street (in wet or dry) but can stand up to DEs and AutoX. If you are looking to optimize DE or AutoX performance, then you may want to look elsewhere.

You give up some ultimate dry grip versus the max-performance category tire, but if you are on a budget these are a great deal.

-- John

Dantilla · 01-22-2003, 07:17 AM

I currently have the YOKO AVS ES100s on my NARP 944. Great tire. I've had them on the street, track, and autocross. Wet and dry. Great tire.

Bones · Bones's Garage

I have Kumho ecstas on mine too 215/40x17/f and 225/40x17/r........they've been the best tyres I've had so far really grippy on hot days and re-grip when they let go!!! not great in the wet though

Savage · 01-22-2003, 08:09 AM

Thank you all for the collective wisdom. I have had good luck with Yokohamas in the past and am leaning that way again. Thanks again.

David · David's Garage

The reviews at Tirerack.com lean towards the Yokos.

chuckr · 01-23-2003, 05:32 AM

I just put the ES100's on 83SC and so far they are really a fantastic tire for the money !

Savage · 01-23-2003, 08:00 AM

Looks like yoko's. Tirerack has them in stock I will report back as well after the first auto-x. Got some time to wait, down to 0 last night and spring seems a long way off. thanks again.

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

For a mere pittance more, $150-200, you can get Bridgestone Potenza S-03's--the Real Deal. Then you can stop worrying about the rest.

carmad · 01-24-2003, 08:56 AM

I have the 225/45 and 275/40 Kumho's on my turbo and have been pleased with their street performance in the wet and dry.
Only done one DE event they performed OK, but took a while to warm up. For the price I think they are a good value.
Plan to fit Yoko 032 for DE.

jfstoj · 01-24-2003, 09:37 AM

I have to add that I have the Sumitomo HTRZ's on my M3, and I don't think I've ever disliked a tire more. And the darn things just won't wear out. They're the greasiest tire I've ever bought. Avoid at (almost) any cost. Of course, this is only my opinion.