Kumho tires on W140 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

plink49 · #1 11-13-2003, 09:17 PM

I am wondering if anyone has experience with installing Kumho Ecsta HP4 tires on a W140 (235/60HR16). I am hearing these are pretty great tires, but can they can handle the weight of a 500SEL, and if handling and treadwear will suffer? I am also thinking about these for my W202 which perhaps may be a better match?

Luke@tirerack · #2 11-14-2003, 10:03 AM

not a tire I would recommend for a car as nice as yours because of the ride quality your car provides but, for smaller, lighter less quality cars they are a very good value

tire search linky

plink49 · #3 11-19-2003, 10:34 PM

Thanks Luke for your professional opinion, but what do you rate that on? Is the Kumho tire a safe and durable tire on this vehichle? I am not interested in super performance or super ride quality in the small amounts that a tire selection will deliver between brands. Will the tire work on the W140 to a resonable level?

Luke@tirerack · #4 11-20-2003, 11:07 AM

I based my opinion on what I thought of the tire when I was driving it .... as far as being safe and having the proper load capacity they will work but, they will make more noise and worse handling than some of the better tires in that catagory ,,,

and Rabut ....turn off the caps lock !!!!

plink49 · #5 11-29-2003, 09:42 PM

Just as a follow-up to this subject in case any others are considering the move to Kumho's....I had them installed on my '92 500SEL today and so far am extremely impressed. Granted, I have no long-term or varying weather to test them, but the noise is actually better than the Michelin's that were on it, as well as the handling. Time will be the judge though. My 500E is a high mileage (165,000) car that has, in essence, been "put out to pasture". It's one for 2-4k miles a year and no 120mph stints anymore.....so I think these tires will do me good!

KenP · #6 11-30-2003, 07:56 AM

Not sure I understand the bias against Kumho tires... they are inexpensive to be sure, but after having them on my W140 for almost a year (put them on in Feb), a couldn't be more pleased with them.
Car came with Michelins... simply awful. Significant vibration problems at 55 mph. Spent lots of money on balancing the tires several times, having the driveshaft support checked, etc, etc. Turned out two of the Michs were out of round.
Put on a set of Kumho KH11s... wow, what a difference! 15,000 miles later, they're still fine. No noise that I can detect at any speed. Great in the rain. Don't drive the car in the snow, so don't know about that.
By the way, the 235/60-16s are W speed rated... a higher rating then the standard H rated Michs that were on the car.
Only drawback that I have noted is that folks equate "inexpensive" with "cheap". Not true in this case.
Many folks make comments like "beautiful car; shame you put such lousy tires on it."
Bottom line: I'm an engineer by training and profession. Still waiting for someone to show me some factual data that Kumho's don't meet the ratings they carry.
Hope this helps.
KenP

Walter59SL · #7 12-02-2003, 05:51 PM

Many of us are looking for 13 inch tires for our older MBs. There are some real cheap tires out there in the size we need. The are inexpensive too. But, I found:

Kumho makes a Touring A/S in 185/80-13. Discount Tire is a dealer. http://www.kumhousa.com/Products/PtnDetails.asp?mainCatID=1&PTNID=795&refAction=PtnDetail the cost is $56 each.

How do you all think about this tire?????

-Walt 1959 190SL

edge · #8 12-07-2003, 01:56 AM

There's alot of bias in tires in spite of survey extolling the virtues of some cheaper tires lins. I like and have had good experiences with Kuhmos.

Luke@tirerack · #9 12-09-2003, 05:21 PM

I have had good experiences with many Kumho tires just not the ones being discussed in this thread ...... all tire companies make some good tires and some not so good tires ... Kumho is no different

blackmercedes · #10 12-09-2003, 07:14 PM

After having one good set of Michelins in five sets, I doubt I'll ever buy another set.

The OE tires from my C230 were installed on Dad's 190E 2.6. They were good.

The MXV4's on our E300 were out of round and could not be balanced by anyone. Pitched them for RE950's, problems solved.

Pilot Alpins installed on the C230 and Dad's 190E 2.6. The C230's tires were good for one season and then grip just was gone. then the tires went out of round. The Pilot Alpins on the 190E got to the point where the car could not be driven. We spent tons on trying to sort it out and then finally replaced the Michelins with Kumho tires, and presto all the crap was gone. Again, the Pilot Alpins were pretty much traction-less after one season.

Dad's C230 had a new set of MXV4's that went bad and despite attempts to balance/etc. it was in vain. They were bad.

My Dad's memory was too short. He had a new Ford pick-up back in 1973 and he put Michelins on it and had all kinds of problems. He vowed not to buy any more, but that was a looong time ago. Seems Michelin has changed little.

Three different cars, two different cities, many different install shops, four sets bad.

I was once a "tire brand" snob fully thinking you "got what you paid for" when it came to tires. Now I think otherwise. Slighlty less expensive tires (than Michelin) can be had that are superior in every respect. MUCH less expensive tires can be had that are the equal to the Michelins and superior in some areas.

In many ways Michelin reminds of Mercedes-Benz "home office." Arrogant and unconcerned with cutomer satisfaction.

Walter59SL · #11 12-10-2003, 10:24 PM

At this time is seems my 190SL is getting the Kumhos. The old Michelins with about 1000 miles on them have flat spots. New 6.40x13 Michelin Zxs are over $180 each. Ditto the Mercedes Contis in the same size. Both in very limited supply. I can get the Kumhos in 185/80-13 for $56. I may yet go to Sears and find out what their 4 for $99 tires are all about. I will go to Costco tonight and ask them about my ancient size too. I guess the most common smaller size these days are 15 inch. The day will come when I will not even be able to roll on 14s I think too. I love my SL. Oh well.....

walt...