Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum

[asiancivicmaniac]

The front 2 Falken Ziex 912s on my car look like they will hit the wear bars in a few thousand miles (~2x k miles total) and I'm looking for something that will last a while and is still reasonably priced. This pretty much knocks out legacy brands. Probably won't touch another Falken again. Cheap to buy but they disappear quicker than Houdini.

I came across the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum and they look promising. People are reporting close to or more than the rated mileage. Anyone have experience with them? Tirerack

I can be an aggressive driver, but I'm usually pretty tame so I think a normal all-season is sufficient. No snow here so snow traction doesn't matter. More concerned about wet traction.

 

[Spazdog]

They are rated well on most sites by the majority of drivers. But that 60,000 mi warranty has me a bit concerned.

I could only get 20,000 miles out of my Potenzas, 25,000 out of the Exclaims, and I'm estimating that I'll get 35,000 out of my Goodyear/Kelly Fierce. Maybe 40K. I'm wondering how well the Kumho LX Platinums are going to stick on those rare occasions that I stuff it into a corner.

I fully intend on trying the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinums. But I think I'm going to make it through the summer on my current tires.

 

[wallyuwl]

We have these on our Vibe. Based on how much they've worn so far, they will probably go past the 60k mile rating. Almost all hwy miles. Just gotta keep them rotated and balanced. They've gotten a bit louder over time, but not bad. I'd recommend them, especially if you can get a deal on them (here there is a regional tire shop that has them buy three get one free right now, or did a few weeks ago anyway).

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

How is the wet traction?

I'd be happy if I can get 50k on them as long as they don't degrade in performance significantly.

 

[charbaby]

asiancivicmaniac,
I have seen these tires and have researched them as well because I was considering them. I like the way they look(beefy) for their size and the reviews seem quite good overall. Although they are becoming a dated tire by todays standards(they've been around awhile now) but, still perform quite well. I beleive they are a "Touring" or "Grand Touring" tire, designed for vehicle such as your Max and vehicles of that particular catigory or higher($35,000 cars). Of course they can be used on anything of lesser price/quality vehicles too.

If they're a good price and they have the look that fit your Max, get'em. But, do some more comparing with other tires in their catigory on the tire rack site, you may find something better for your needs. The Ecsta Plat's are a good choice though and a really good lookin' tire.

Also, from all that I have read and researched, these Ecsta Platinum's are a very Michelin(like) Kumho.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
How is the wet traction?

I'd be happy if I can get 50k on them as long as they don't degrade in performance significantly.


Wet traction is good. Not superior, but good. Much better than the Goodrich's we had before, and the Coopers before then.

It is a good value tire that is sort of a "jack of all trades, master of none" tire. Good wear rating. Good wet and dry traction. Good on noise. Good on performance. Looks good. But not superior in any one area. In other words, they would work perfectly for 90% of drivers with compact to mid-size cars.

 

[PandaBear]

I have them installed on the front of my IS250 about 500 miles ago, so far they ride fine (not luxurious but decent), but they are not super sticky tire that will give you ultimate handling.

One thing I like about them is they have free replacement for 1st 3 years for manufacturing defect and 6 year / 60k warranty, as well as 2 year road side assistance. I think they would be durable if they have such a warranty.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I have them installed on the front of my IS250 about 500 miles ago, so far they ride fine (not luxurious but decent), but they are not super sticky tire that will give you ultimate handling.

One thing I like about them is they have free replacement for 1st 3 years for manufacturing defect and 6 year / 60k warranty, as well as 2 year road side assistance. I think they would be durable if they have such a warranty.


They're starting to sound like the perfect tire for me

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I have them installed on the front of my IS250 about 500 miles ago, so far they ride fine (not luxurious but decent), but they are not super sticky tire that will give you ultimate handling.

One thing I like about them is they have free replacement for 1st 3 years for manufacturing defect and 6 year / 60k warranty, as well as 2 year road side assistance. I think they would be durable if they have such a warranty.


They're starting to sound like the perfect tire for me


They may be the tire for you. Perfect for FL.

 

[Button]

I had some on my '06 Subaru & they wouldn't stayed balance & had poor performance in the rain. I returned them for Bridgestone Potenza w/ Serenity.

 

[The Critic]

Those tires did not test well with TireRack. I would try a set of Avid Envigors for the same price.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Those tires did not test well with TireRack. I would try a set of Avid Envigors for the same price.


They're directional, which I'm trying to avoid.

And I'm not sure how scientific Tirerack tests are. It seems to all be rated by a person on a scale. No indication of special standardized equipment used, how many trials were performed, etc.

I think the user ratings are more true since some of them have driven over 60,000 miles on them. Their were a few who put them on 350Zs and complained, but it was the wrong type of tire for their car.

The other one I have in mind is the General Altimax RT. But it's T rated and the tread looks really busy to me.

 

[charbaby]

Have you tried the TireRacks' tire finder guide?
This where you answer several questions about your driving style/climate/criteria and wheather or not you'll be using other tires as well or seasonaly.

Then the system spits out whatever and all tires that match your criteria in all speed ratings. It's kind'a like "Match.com"

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Those tires did not test well with TireRack. I would try a set of Avid Envigors for the same price.


LX Platinum is $119, Envigors is $134, a $15 difference per tire.

Both are best sellers for this car.

Would buy again: 8.0 vs 7.6
Hydroplaning resistance: 8.3 vs 8.7
Wet traction: 8.3 vs 8.8
Cornering stability: 8.4 vs 8.7
Dry traction: 8.8 vs 9.1
Steering response: 8.5 vs 8.8
Light snow traction 7.1 vs 6.4
Deep snow traction 6.0 vs 5.6
Ice traction: 6.2 vs 5.7
Ride comfort: 8.7 vs 8.7
Noise comfort: 8.6 vs 8.5
Trendwear: 8.6 vs 8.7

So Lx Platinum is slightly better in snow and ice traction and slightly worse in dry traction, about the same in noise comfort and trendwear.

LX Platinum is non directional, and slightly cheaper, and have better warranty. How is it "not test well" and why is your recommendation?

 

[HTSS_TR]

I think what Critic tried to convey is the test report from Tirerack, not consumer surveys.

Also, Envigors is high performance all-season and LX Platinum is grand touring all-season, consumer surveys can't be compared across 2 different categories.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I think what Critic tried to convey is the test report from Tirerack, not consumer surveys.

Also, Envigors is high performance all-season and LX Platinum is grand touring all-season, consumer surveys can't be compared across 2 different categories.


Ah.. make sense.

 

[kkreit01]

There's nothing on TR to distinguish what category the tire is in when consumers complete a survey. The tire is either good in snow/dry/noise/etc, or it isn't. When Joe Schmoe provides his opinion, it doesn't say, "only rate snow traction based on how you think High Performance All Season tires should perform in the snow" -- for example. True that they rate them by "type" (categoty), but one can easily cross-compare snow traction between the different categories.

This would only apply for TR's actual tests. They wouldn't test a Grand Touring tire against a HPAS.

I'm kind of liking the Kumhos for my needs as well. I wish they were slightly better for winter traction. It's the only high-mileage tire available in my size. Anything will be a huge improvement over RSAs.