Budget tyres - Kumho KU31 or Falken ZE912

[garycat]

Hi,

Anyone got some experience of these tyres? I normally use Goodyear F1 Asym on my Scooby WRX but since I mainly do motorway miles these days I wonder if something cheaper is an option.

Obviously, wet grip is the priority but I'd like them quiet too.

[Defcon5]

I think the 452s are the decent Falken tyres.

[kwakus]

I had the falkens on my alloys and the standard wheels and they handled well, didnt last too long though, think one set was 12,000 and one 10,000 for the front. The Kumhos seem to where better but I dont think it handles as well, only had these on the standard wheels though.

[71notout]

I ran KU31s on my Octavia vRS and never had any issues with them at all.

MUCH quieter than the Eagle F1s they replaced as well!

[Spudler]

Another vote for the Falkens.
Just changed the rears on my wifes E90 and they managed 18k, the fronts easily have a couple of thousand+ left.

[mikey P 500]

I really rate the Kumho KU31s (ran them on my elise, s2000 and Boxster, and work well on all of them) and don’t cost too much. as already mentioned the Falken 452 are the ones to go for but they wear faster and offer similar performance.

[_Batty_]

i have the falkens on my meganesport.
no noticable difference compared to the OEM sportcontact 2's, and out £50 cheaper.
no brainer for me
as a side note, alsoi had the Kumho's on the OH's MG ZR 160, and i really rate those as well. i think i'd go with the best deal

[Dog Star]

The OHs Merc C220CDi coupe things has the 912 Falkens on (well it will when we take the snow tyres back off in March) and they are absolutely fine - very good in the wet, and they're bargain cheap.

[HellDiver]

Consider the Uniroyal Rainsport 2 as well - I just got two for £67 each fitted. I paid £70 each for Hankooks from the same place a year ago.

[spaceship]

Both are supposed to be good.

I've never had the Kumho's but will be trying them out soon on my 9-5 Aero. Heard good things about them.

[jardinec]

Just put KU31's on our accord tourer.

Can only compare them to the pirelli's they replaced, they are grippier, feel more sure-footed and dont seem to tramline in the same way. It was only last week but i am very happy with them (and approx £30 a tyre cheaper)

Edited by jardinec on Sunday 9th January 12:56

[jatinder]

Falkens are very quiet, not so good in the cold. They need some heat into them first.

[ex vtskid]

I had KU31's on my Impreza Turbo 2000, for the price I thought they were very good

[anonymous-user]

I've got the ZE912s on the rear of my car, only a few weeks old but coping well with Scotland's frost and snow so far. I have the Uniroyal Rainsport 2's on the front, rate them very highly in the wet, not a hint of aquaplaning in the heaviest standing water, great in the snow too. Only downside of the ZE912s is very minimal rim protection, Rainsport 2s much better in this respect.

As for wear, both brands too new to tell for me, but they're quiet and decent 'touring' tyres so far.

[Jaguar steve]

I've got ZE912s on my XJ8.

Very quiet on most surfaces and give a good ride too. Wear rates seem a bit high even with mostly gentle driving - doubt I'll get more than 12 - 14k form a set.

Can't say how well they perform en extremis - that's not the sort of thing a Gentleman does...

Would I buy again? Yes at the right price, otherwise considering the short life next time I'll spend more and go back to a premium brand.

[Jez64]

Had a set of Kumho's on my last Golf and they were ok for the money.

Even doing 3 trackdays at Cadwell Park didn't finish them off.

[1A]

The 912 is more of a touring tyre, not really appropriate for a WRX - if you buy Falkens the 452 is a better match for your car.

[garycat]

Looks like the Kumhos have it then. Thanks for all the views guys :-)

[cheadle hulme]

1A said:

The 912 is more of a touring tyre, not really appropriate for a WRX - if you buy Falkens the 452 is a better match for your car.

Definitely this. 912s wear well though.

[Cactussed]

I run the KU31's on the M3 and the 355.

Cracking tyre and decent value.

Happily recommend them.