Zetec

Ok...

I after I bought a set of 16" Rims with Kumhos 712 I started to hear some noises... I mean.... I can now "hear" the tires over the road...

Are the Kumhos considered noisy tires or I need to balance something ???

I had before stock 15" with Dunlop A2 60 (or something like that).


thanks in advance.

Identity_X

yes, they are noisy, but it shouldn't be as bad as you described it........I have them, and I don't even notice it anymore, but there are some people that complain.........
even if they are noisy as you say, I still think they are worth having....

MikeD

I agree that they are noisey. I got used to tthe noise over time tho. I just put my stock tires back on and wow they are soo much quieter. Make sure you get a good alignment and rotate regularly. If you let them wear funny they will get louder. I flat-spotted my 712's which gives me a reason to buy something quiter. They are good tires tho dont get me wrong.


Jeremy

Bruce95fmla

they are not that noisy , cause when I neutral up my car , and let the car cost with the windows up , you really don't hear much , ... my tires are really worn now though and need to be replaced, I will most likely just be putting back on the factory 13's for now though
Bruce

ashutoshsm

That's the reason (and slightly better All Season performance) that I went with Falken's instead, although they both cost the same for the size I needed (195/50-15). I know I gave up some dry/summer performance by not picking the Kumhos, but I hope its worth it! Have been very impressed with the dry handling and wet handling of my Falkens so far!

Over in reviews on miata.net as well as another place (carreview or audioreview, or perhaps it was at epinions.com) I read reports from people who absolutely love the performance of these tires, and their value, but hated the noise as they got older, and were less than satisfied with wet weather handling in very heavy rain.

I was amazed at how my Falkens performed in the heavy Isildore-related rainstorms we recently had in Virginia, and thy've only barely been scrubbed in (over 1000 miles). Consider these as well! (Falken ZIEX ZE 512, which replace the older, less-impressive 502's)

Zetec

Thanks for all the inputs guys... really..


I was not sure if something was wrong with my new set of rims or what... but that now clarifies a lot....


I like the kumhos also..... they handle nice on dry road.... and I was already informed by Bruce that they suck on snow..... I kind of slipped twice under rain also... so I guess i'll be putting my stock 15"s back in the winter....


like someone said... u can't beat the price !!

Regarding the Falkens... I heard about them... I even had a chance to get them instead of the Kumhos.. but I didn't find enough info on them.... So i chose the 712

ashutoshsm

So you will find the difference and the contrast between the Dunlop and the Kumhos all the more obvious!

The A2's are more for quiet highway cruising and long life. Harder rubber and different compounds lead to much less sporty handling, but they probably lasted a really long time.

Also, assuming you shifted to larger rims, the amount of rubber between your wheel and the road is reduced (lower profile tires), which also transmits extra noise back to the cabin.

Zetec

you are twice as right Ashu...


My A2s still look like new... even though i put on them already 20K miles.... U couldn't believe if u saw them.... And yes.... I never "heard" the "road" before....


And regarding the sidewalls.... i guess u r right again.... And I was indeed afraid to get 17" because of that..... I didn't want a "ruff ride" .. u know.... then I went from 15" to 16"....

(I can't imagine what kind of noises i would hear had i got the 17"s )

ashutoshsm

I upgraded my super long life Michelin XH4 All Seasons (22K miles out of a scary 65K mile treadwear warranty, still look frikkin' brand new, hydroplane a lot, pretty quiet, squirmy sidewalls, squeak like ***** when cornering hard!) in size 175/70-13 on my stock wheels. I went with 15's because I didn't feel the need to go any larger. Everyone's preferences vary! I couldn't see myself being comfortable with 17 inches, or even 16, given the number of long trips I take (not alone, usually with friends or family) eace:

Of course, I'm keeping the 13 inch wheels and tires to slap back on the car, should I decide to sell it a few months/years from now!

DaleK

I have 712s also on my VW. I have 15" rims and just replaced the tires. I have been very happy with the Kumhos so far (better cornering grip than the Dunlops on the P5 as far as I can tell, both sets are 195/50s), and I find them to be very quiet for a performance tire, and smooth riding. No complaints for the price. And yes, they suck in snow, as they should - they are totally a summer compoud that gets really hard as soon as the temperature drops, and they have no sipes for ice traction.

I can't comment on how they are when they are worn though - less than 10000 kms in the two summers I have used them....