Time for new rubber, Continental or Kumho

[sethro_GT]

Looking at these two tire options as I want a long life tire with cush ride. Going with the stock tire size of 205/50/17 and both are the same price. I'm leaning towards the Kumho's for the moment but thought I'd throw this out there if anyone has experience or opinion of these.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS

Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+LX+Platinum

on a side note, anyone running 215/45/17's? These seem more plentiful and slightly cheaper. But with the larger width I'm thinking I'll take a hit on mpg.

thanks

 

[dan4behr]

Antoine, I got the Kumho Ecsta's last summer. I've been very happy with them. I'd say I've put about 6K miles on them, they just went through their first rotation a week or two ago with my last oil change.

I live in North Carolina, where weather isn't particularly extreme. So, far I'd say the Kumho's are a pretty good combination of excellent handling and reduced tire noise. I've not had any appreciable snow to try them in, but resistance to hydroplaning seems to be good. I do know that the decrease in noise from the well-worn OEM Toyos was huge.

In all, I'd say they're a good choice for an 'all round use' tire for the 5.

Oh, I did stay with the stock 205 size.....

 

[sethro_GT]

Thanks for the reply, I ended up with the Continental's since Big O Tires in town was only $50 over tirerack, $100 over for the kumho's. Decided it was important to support the locals. Out the door price $666.99.

On the side, its interesting that tirerack started listing the weight of the tires when you do a comparison. Theres a good 6 pound range in the 205/50/17's. Touring tires like these are the lightest of the bunch and should help mpg's.

 

[lindsayt]

Since tires are unsprung weight they *do* matter quite a lot more than anything on the other side of the suspension; that said, I'd be surprised if a loss of 24 lbs unsprung made a measurable difference in MPGs. Reducing unsprung weight matters much more on the track, where 24 lbs might translate into .1s faster 1/4 mile, which matters.

If you *do* measure a change though, please report it - I'll consider it next time I buy if it actually makes a difference.

 

[sethro_GT]

I'll probably see better mileage just from the speedo being more accurate. With the 205/60/16 snow tires they are too big and so the car is getting fewer measured miles per tank. I wonder how much the diameter change over the life of the tire affects the mpg. Probably the best way to measure mpg is to use GPS instead of something that is so subjective like the speedometer.

 

[MD5]

I'm on my second set of the Kumho Ecsta Platinums. Go with the 215/50/17s.

They are very good tires.

Check the fitment of that size here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123707931

 

[MD5]

Well, as luck would have it, I got a flat in one of the Kumho's today and ended up ruining the sidewall.

So, I went with the Goodyear Eagle Authority for $130ea from Walmart.
215/50/17

I went ahead and bought two so I could use the other "good" Kumho as a spare. I hate running mismatched tires, so I'll get the other two replaced next month.

 

[sethro_GT]

bummer about the tire, those look pretty nice. I haven't seen much about goodyear so you'll have to let us know how they roll.

I cleaned up the wheels and installed them yesterday. Took it for a drive through town. Nothing special and since my wife drives the car I couldn't tell you if they're quieter. The real test will be on the freeway.

Here's a crappy pick of the tires in the trunk.

 

[rweatherford]

Let us know what you think. We have enjoyed our DWS's. Steering response is not as crisp, but ride was much better and quieter than the Toyo's.

 

[sethro_GT]

Took the car for a 500 mile road trip a few weeks back and wow! Easily half as quiet as the stock toyo's. We could listen to the radio, carry on a normal volume conversation and hear the kids in the back with ease. Road noise is my biggest gripe with this car and just putting these tires took care of most of it. In fact now the wind noise is the problem, especially since I put some bosch wiper blades on. With all the holes they whistle like mad, lame. Good thing I saved the OEM ones and can just buy new refills. Back to the tires... The ride is much improved as well, probably from the lighter side walls. Cruising through our hometowns crappy roads is waaay better than before.

Overall: Love them and plan on buying them for my protege5 when the butter like toyo's on it wear out (came with the car ironically). For $660 installed and a long life tire I'm not looking back.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Sethro - curious on an update on your experience w/ those continental tires.
I, too have a Pro5 ;-) and it needs new shoes... lso turns out my wife's m5 will need them before long as well, i'm leaning towards these. I'm tired of noisy tires.

 

[manny3]

Conti FTW!!!

 

[thaxman]

Well, as luck would have it, I got a flat in one of the Kumho's today and ended up ruining the sidewall.

So, I went with the Goodyear Eagle Authority for $130ea from Walmart.
215/50/17

I went ahead and bought two so I could use the other "good" Kumho as a spare. I hate running mismatched tires, so I'll get the other two replaced next month.

How have those been for you?
I would imagine that the inner tire wear would start showing soon, but since the RSAs are asymmetrical, you can't flip them to put the worn edge on the outside.

 

[red headz]

We are in need of new tires on the Mz5 also. With the RX8 rims, I was looking at Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum in 225/45-18. Right now, we are running a 40 series tire, and I think the 45 series will help with comfort, road noise, and riggin curb rash.

michael.

 

[jimp]

I have had the GY Authority tire on my 05 Mz3 for a yr now, about 12M+ miles, no appreciatable wear noted, handle good in all weather conditions, not as sticky as the true HP tire, but ride very good, quiet on the road, sidewalls do have a tendency to roll when cornering hard or the sidewall is just not as stiff as the HP tires are, but for a Mz5 I think they would be a good choice.