60's?

AlanJ · 09-22-2006, 03:44 PM

Hello:
Winter is due to arrive here in the North. (Yep, it comes here early.) I have never been impressed with the snow performance of my stock Hankooks, and at 30k the tread is getting pretty low. I am NOT interested in getting any kind of wide performace tires on oversized wheels for my Forenza. I'd just like to get some reasonably priced all-season radials that have decent snow traction.

My speedometer reads high anyway, so switching to P195/60R15 tires will "correct" my speedometer by about 3%. It will also open up a whole bunch of tire possibilities, since it is a much more common size . . . and should be a little cheaper too. The extra 3/8" of ground clearance won't hurt anything around here either.

Has anybody here run this tire size? I'm considering MultiMile Ultrex IV or Kumho Touring Plus 732 tires. I have the MultiMiles on another car, and they do the job nicely . . . decent handling, good traction, but a little noisy on the highway. Anybody know anything about the Kumhos?

dtx · 09-22-2006, 04:28 PM

I got Kumhos stock on my Optra5, and i haven't driven it in snow yet, but in the rain, i have great turning and stopping traction, but terrible acceleration. i spin my tires everytime i go.

dog · 09-25-2006, 05:38 PM

Wynstar Phaser R23. There are 2 different Phasers thr R21 is a warm weather version and the R23 is a mud and snow rated all weather. Fierce tread. I have a set of the Exocet R27s and very happy with them. This comany only makes High Performance all weather tires, and only have 3-4 models. Price is the real deal here. My exocets are 215/40ZR/17s and I paid $75 each. So the Phasers should be a little cheaper.

Heres a site with a good picture. Read up about them, Ive never read any thing bad about them.

API Tire

AlanJ · 09-26-2006, 07:04 PM

Thank you for the suggestion. I could not find API tires locally. I have decided on the Kumho Touring Plus 732 tires. They are supposed to be quiet and offer decent snow traction. I will try the 60 series tire with a little higher pressure to see if I can pick up a little fuel economy. I can get them for about $65 each, installed.

dog · 09-27-2006, 01:22 PM

Nice choice.
To clearify on the Wynstars, they are a small performance oriented company but most tire shops should be able to get them. They are real popular down here in the South East because any comparable tire is than Twice the price, and we get wicked rain.

atdewey · 09-28-2006, 08:42 AM

I sell both the Wynstars and the Kumhos. Both are good all season tires and the prices should be comparable. The 732 should be adequate for most snow and ice conditions. BTW the difference in height between the 55's an 60's is 3/4" not 3/8". Your speedometer will be 4% slow.

AlanJ · 09-29-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atdewey

I sell both the Wynstars and the Kumhos. Both are good all season tires and the prices should be comparable. The 732 should be adequate for most snow and ice conditions. BTW the difference in height between the 55's an 60's is 3/4" not 3/8". Your speedometer will be 4% slow.

Thanks for the information!

But I will differ on how much it will raise the car. The difference between 55s and 60s is about 3/4" in diameter . . . or 3/8" in radius . . . which will raise the car 3/8". My speedometer is already reading at 70 when I'm really going 65, so the slight change in reading will be a good thing.

AlanJ · 09-29-2006, 02:28 PM

I had the Kumho 732 tires installed this morning. My initial impression is very positive. They are quiet and smooth. I'll be putting about 1000 miles on them over the weekend, and will know a little more after that.

I also think the slightly larger diameter tires actually look better. The stock 55's made the wagon look a little like a wiener dog.

AlanJ · 10-03-2006, 09:25 AM

I put about 1000 miles on the car over the weekend, some through torrential rain. The tires were quiet, with decent handling and not a hint of hydroplaning.

The only odd thing I noticed was that three of the tires were branded KUMHO and the fourth MARSHAL. They were otherwise identical. Hmmmmm . . . .

AlanJ · 10-08-2006, 10:59 PM

One final update. I looked at the tires more closely today. Kumho is a Korean company, but the tires had a small print item on the side: Made in China. Now, I know there is a lot of good quality merchandise coming from Communist China, and I have nothing against the Chinese people, but for humanitarian and economic reasons I normally try not do business with that country. I feel duped. I won't buy them again.