Kumho Tyres 850R ...not so good...warning!

**bonnietiler** · Tuesday 19th July 2016, 22:47

I fitted a set of recommended Kumho tyres to the 850 R exactly 12 months ago, MOT time cometh so I removed the wheels to clean everything and the back of the Volans etc etc... to my surprise and the tyres have needed pumping up regularly..like every 10 days or so to maintain pressures. They have all got cracks on the inside, nothing shows on the outside at all but the inside is nasty.. So I returned them.. Oh the pain!..Well you have to buy 4 new tyres and we send these back to the distributor and he makes allowance for the tread used and issues a credit for the remainder...Hmmmm...
It seems that Kumho had a recall for exactly this problem back in 2012..so its back...I've gone for UniRoyals this time.
He did try to convince me that because they had been losing pressure I'd done the damage myself by so doing and the damage was caused by the tyre rubbing against the rim...I sort of pointed out that perhaps the cracking would have appeared on both front and back if that was the case.. he grudgingly agreed..So the moral is IF you have Kumho's have a looksee on the inside walls

**Rogerb** · Tuesday 19th July 2016, 23:08

Unless you are really stuck for cash , cheep tyres are more trouble than they are worth.
Even on shopping cars. They may be legal, but even basic cars doing 60 mph on a wet road stop faster in a shorter distance on good tyres. Maybe the difference between a crash and a "that was close" if someone one does something stupid in front of you.
Yes I know we should leave large gaps between cars.
More so on a car like the 850R , the difference is huge.
So please get good tyres , unless you realy can't afford it.
Roger.

**kyboy** · Tuesday 19th July 2016, 23:31

Which uniroyals ya got? I've always had rainsports but the new rainsport 3s have lasted less than 6 months a mate of mines had the same problem brilliant grip but v-soft specially on a tyre eater like the 850!!!

**M-R-P** · Tuesday 19th July 2016, 23:51

The cheapest option I would use is Avon zv5. They grip well in wet and dry conditions, last for ages and are quiet.

However, since the car went over 300bhp, I've opted for Michelin primacy 3 on the front to cope with the extra oomph.

**Nealevo** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 08:15

ive just fitted some Uniroyals rainsport 3 to my Honda s2000, they are superb in all conditions, when i brought the car it had some Chinese crap on and it was.......... fun in the wet but dangerous if the wife was driving, the unis have stopped all the drama.

**bonnietiler** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 11:30

Kumho weren't the cheapest option at £75 each...

I'd have liked Pirellis but they are nearer £150 each.

I've gone for Uniroyal Rainsport 3...Lets hope they last better than yours They are the same cost as the Kumho

**hillmangt** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 13:41

Kumho tyres are not regarded as a cheap brand and can be found on various new cars including BMWs.
I have used them on various cars without problems.
Its always a good idea to find a reputable independent tyre dealer who has a wide experience of the tyres he sells and the vehicles they suit best. He has a lot to lose if he gives you duff info or sells you poor tyres for your requirements unlike the large chains whose staff in general have a high turnover and couldn't care less and who are always over priced. Budget tyres should be avoided.

**jamesy12345** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 13:57

For choosing tyres I try to stick to the MSA listings as there is a lot of choice about now, Kumho are on the list, surprising to hear about cracking as above I didn't think of them as a budget brand (after a bit of initial scepticism)

https://www.msauk.org/assets/2016tyrelists1abc.pdf

The country where I'm working atm has just banned use of tyres older than 4 years by DOT number

**Blackdog** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 19:10

Personally I cannot fault the Rainsport 3's. Running full sets on both the Mrs ph1 V70 and my ph3 V70.

TFM has driven both and he had no complaints.

**martin_r_smith** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 21:08

Originally Posted by Blackdog

Personally I cannot fault the Rainsport 3's. Running full sets on both the Mrs ph1 V70 and my ph3 V70.

TFM has driven both and he had no complaints.

I used to completely disagree, however, after fitting them on both axles I am fully converted! The rainsport 3's are superb wet or dry and very well priced.

**LiamT4** · Wednesday 20th July 2016, 23:31

Originally Posted by M-R-P

The cheapest option I would use is Avon zv5. They grip well in wet and dry conditions, last for ages and are quiet.

However, since the car went over 300bhp, I've opted for Michelin primacy 3 on the front to cope with the extra oomph.

I love the ZV5, just such a good all round tire considering how ridiculously cheap they are. The perfect tire for normal cars (under 250bhp).
I see the ZV7 is out know as well.

**M-R-P** · Thursday 21st July 2016, 08:17

Originally Posted by LiamT4

I love the ZV5, just such a good all round tire considering how ridiculously cheap they are. The perfect tire for normal cars (under 250bhp).
I see the ZV7 is out know as well.

I nearly got the 7 (it's the replacement for the outgoing 5) but the primacy 3 was on offer and at 189 a pair fitted and balanced, they were a no-brainer. Very pleased.

**LiamT4** · Thursday 21st July 2016, 16:24

The ZV7 are £62 each for my car.
It's actually quite funny because tyres for the mrs s40 are actually more expensive than for my s60.
I think it's because they're a less common size, mine are 225/45 17 and hers are 205/50 17.