I'm driving 25k per year and the last set of Kumho Ecstas only lasted 8k on my E36. Since 80% of it is 80mph cruise-controled driving I don't need the tires to be very sticky. They just need to be quiet, relatively inexpensive and able to deal with the occasional downpour of SoCal.
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March 11, 2009 9:12 p.m. RussellH Reader
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March 11, 2009 9:18 p.m. audifan New Reader
which kumho ecstas they have a few different varieties and only 8k out those I would have your car checked over by a competent alignment shop. I got 8k out of a set of Yoko a032r's essentially an r compund tire on my A4 avant. that was w three auto crosses as well so if you are just cruising @ 80 then something is wacked out w your alignment or the car in general Good luck
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March 11, 2009 9:27 p.m. RussellH Reader
OK I guess I should clarify that I had about 4k aggressively driven street miles on them before I started commuting far so I suppose they last about 12-13k. I wouldn't have noticed they were worn out until one day in a downpour the car was hydroplanning all over the place. I slowed down to 50mph and other cars were blowing by me at 70mph, I knew something was wrong. I got home and noticed there was no tread left on the rear tires, they were essentially slick. The front tires still have about 4k miles left on them but this is very typical of the bimmers, they eat rear tires like candy. I think the tires I have are Ecsta MX.
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March 11, 2009 10:00 p.m. neckromacr New Reader
On the cheaper higher performing side- General Exclaim UHP, people are supposedly getting 60K miles out of these and $81 a pop ain't too hard on the allet.
Pricer, longer lasting lower performance- Goodyear Triple Treads. Warrantied to 80K, but you probbly will only use a fraction of its awsome all weather capabilities, and about $126 a pop.
I've had good selling experince/customer feed back on both of these. Although there are a lot of option out there.
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March 11, 2009 10:42 p.m. RussellH Reader
Thanks. I see that General Exclaim UHP has UTQG rating of 380AA. If that's the case the sumitomo HTRs and Kumho ASX should last long as their rating is 400AA Tire Rack search results
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March 11, 2009 10:53 p.m. P71 Dork
I like Toyo Proxes TPT's for 4-season daily-driver work. Decent grip, excellent in the wet, good in the snow, affordable, and LONG lasting.
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March 12, 2009 8:10 a.m. njansenv Reader
Try running less toe at the rear than the factory recommendation....
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March 12, 2009 8:17 a.m. Bobzilla Reader
The new Kumho Ecsta Platinum LX seems to be a winner right now. treadwear of 600, quiet and smooth and provides great all weather grip. They seem to last about as long as the Michelins on the 04-08 TL's which will eat a set of tires fast.
Also, rotate, rotate, rotate.
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March 12, 2009 10:23 a.m. RussellH Reader
That Ecsta Platinum does look like a good choice...except it's not available in my size :(
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March 12, 2009 10:33 a.m. Gearhead_42 Dork
I ran that size ASX on my S14 with no complaints and very long life... ditto on the alignment check however, excessive toe will kill ya'.
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March 12, 2009 10:35 a.m. Keith SuperDork
8K on the MX? That's about what I'd expect, especially on a heavier car like the BMW.
ASX is a good tire, I've been impressed with it.
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March 12, 2009 3:56 p.m. RussellH Reader
ASX it is. I placed the order at 10am from tirerack and just got a shipping confirmation already! Yeah I need to get the alignment looked at. I notice the rear has too much bump steer...I go over a manhole cover and the whole rear wants to step out.
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March 12, 2009 4:01 p.m. Bobzilla Reader
It's trying to tell you to quit running over manhole covers!
