Sumimoto or Hankook?

[UOFLcards]

Ok. I am looking to purchase some new tires with my 17" wheels. I wanted the BFG G-Force Sport tires but they are on backorder and there is no estimated time available for when they will be available. So, my two options are Sumimoto HTR Z II tires or Hankook Ventus V4 ES H105 tires. Anyone have any experiences with either of these tires?

The Sumimoto HTR Z II get the better rating on tirerack.com and are about $30 cheaper for the set but I have heard some different opinions on them when searching the web. I will be taking my wheels off in the winter so I don't need a winter traction tire.

Any suggestions?

 

[67rstbkt]

I used to have the Sumitomo's on my 94 Camaro and they held up pretty well. Not bad at all for the price, which was around $100 a piece for the rears (313/35/17)

 

[pencero]

I've got to hate on both brands having seen them in action and not been impressed. I have never owned a car with either tire but I've witnessed friends/family that they have weak sidewall strength and develop cracks on the side causing them to need replaced early, but this is a complaint from Chicago/NW Ind. areas and salt/ winter is the factor mostly responsible (also poor road maintenance) I guess if you live down south it's not an issue. Anyway, I have the bfg's on my olds and satisfied w them.

One time I was driving the I-10 near border of Nevada/Cal(not far from mexico either) and I hit a gigantic brick at night - car was '3-wheeling' for a split second and I had to stop & check - felt nervous on way home but everything worked out real good. It's a situation like that which makes you think real hard on tires they can easily be life/death. if I would have crashed right there nobody would have came for at least 15 minutes and maybe up to 25 + who knows if they would stop - and cell phones didn't work right there because of a military base jamming all signal. Something to consider and choose wisely!! Ask if they have Nitto tires I had them on a Cadillac and they held up good to weathering & strong sidewall but giving fair review they did lack traction so dont overpay I got 4 of them for less than $180 on sale was a lucky day thats not everyday!

 

[rngcrshws6]

Check out Kumho tires on tirerack.com. Ive been using them for a while and theyre great tires for the
money. I have them on three cars now my WS6, grand am and my truck, and will be buying another set
for my other truck soon. Just a thought.

 

[UOFLcards]

The Kuhmo Ecsta ASX KU21 are about $68 more than the Hankook and are about $98 more than the Sumimoto for the set. Is it worth the extra price?

 

[CHRIS.O]

I've ran Hankook Ventus tires on my 95 formula. They lasted quite a while and had decent bite, I would still get a little spin but its a street tire, not a drag radial. My main motivation for buying them was they were priced right locally, 275/40/17's arent very cheap and I got each one for 105 dollars with the mounting and balancing included in the price.

 

[RITTER]

I will also put a good work in for the Kumho Ecsta tire. I replaced the BFG T/A on my old '89 Firebird with these and they were great :!: So much better than the T/A :!: The T/A were absolutely horrible if it wasn't 75* or higher ouside and completely dry

 

[rngcrshws6]

You have to check out the ratings for the tires your looking for example below, Treadwear= the higher the number the
longer the tire should last, Traction and Temp "A" is the best B,C,D not as good as A in that order.
Also if your buying tires locally Kumhos might be more expensive. Tire rack they all look close in price and shipping isnt to bad, the set I just bought was $44 for shipping four tires, but the tires were only $73 each.


Kumho Ecsta ASX (Ultra High Performance All-Season $112.00

Size: 245/45R17
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 95WLoad Index 95 = 1521lbs (690kg) per tire
Speed Rating "W" = 168mph (270kph)
UTQG: Treadwear: 420
Traction: AA
Temperature: A
420 A