Experiences with Hankook & Kumho Tires.

[Hard Idle]

Looking to hear from people who have some direct experience with any of the following tires:

Hankook Optiomo H418 & Optimo H420
Kumho Solus KH16, Solus HP4 or Power Star 785.

Points of interest are stability, cornering grip, wet traction and structural durability. Treadwear is NOT an issue - tires won't be kept much more than 50K kms, if the car lives that long - more concerned with resistance to punctures, cracks, belt-shifting, cupping and other such damages.

The Optimo 418 seems particularly attractive, though the tread figures to be troublesome in snow. The PowerStar is reviewed as poor on snow and fast wearing but is cheap enough to leave money for winter tires.

I'm inclined to trust Hankook more as I have very positive anecdotal reports on the toughness of the MileagePlus . I have driven it a few times and it's OK but as with any S-rated 175, grip is not a strong suit, so that model is not on the table.

 

[Mr. Dajodo]

I'm shopping for tires on my 2002 Accord.

I've done some homework from reading test reports by Consumer Reports Magazine.

My car came equipped with H rated tires so thats the performance rating I'm going to stick with.

They gave very good marks to the Hankook Mileage Plus II H725. That is only an S rated tire mind you so don't be confused about the H before the 725.

Some recommended H speed rated tires in no particular order...

Dunlop SP Sport 5000-Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S-Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread-Kumho Solis KH16 (the Solis KH16 beat out the Hankook Optimo H418 in dry braking,wet braking,handling,and slightly better on tread life. The Optimo H418 beat the KH16 in hydroplaning and ice braking. Snow traction was a tie.

Michelin X Radial DT (at shopping club box stores only) did very well in tests. That is an S rated tire.

Yokohama Avid TZR did very good in the tests although dry and wet cornering were ok at best . I think that was a T rated tire.

If you have it narrowed down to the Kumho KH16 or the Hankook Optimo H418 I think the Kumho is the better tire according to their test data.

Myself I'm leaning towards H rated Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread or the Kumho KH16 ( I'm sure the Kumhos will be cheaper too). The Triple tread seemed to get slightly higher points in alot of tests like dry braking and cornering, wet performance was slightly better also,as was snow traction,ride,rolling resistance and hydroplaning. The KH16 got a slightly higher mark in tread life.

Although I might just pick out a tire from Crappy Tires selection over Costco or a Joe Schmoe's Tire Hut. They offer free flat repairs and rotations. Costco and the little guys might also but I figure this...If I ever need a flat repair or pro rated replacement, you can be sure no matter were you are in the Country a Canadian Tire will be a lot closer to you than a Costco or Joe Schmoe the tire guy will be.

 

[goodtime]

I inherited Hankook & Kumho when I brought the old Maxima. Both had trouble with grip in the rain - can't match same class Goodyear or Pirelli.

It's almost impossible to wear down Kumho as the rubber compound were hard & tire block in square pattern.

Kumho ride harder than Hankook. Kumho handled better than Hankook.
Fuel efficency better for Hankook. In this case, you get what you paid for.

 

[Justanormalguy]

I researched all the tires. I couldn't justify buying Kumhos. Certain Yokohamas and Toyos were nice. Ultimately I bought Michelin Exalto A/S. Nice tires. Should last around 60K.

If you feel a web site can help you make an informed purchase, try www.tirerack.com, www.tiretrend.ca, www.discounttire.com and a whole whack of other sites.

 

[goodtime]

and these are great for the maxima, they corner very well, takes a lot a speed to slide, even then its controlled, great in the wet stuff http://www.goodyeartires.com/eagle/eagleRE_innov.html love em

Had the old Eagle GT on the old VW, excellent handling. Driving was an enjoyment, not a chore. I believe they corrected the fast trendwear issue with few gens of improvement.

 

[Dissey23]

Kumho's

I had Kumo Ecsta Supra's on my last car. Great price. Amazing tires. Stuck to the road like glue and the rain. 1000x better than the stock pieces of shit the car came with (Michelin's).

My advice, get'em. They're a great buy.