Hi Folks, My local good-guy dealer recommended the Kumho KH16 as a replacement for my Firestones in the 215/50R17. He said he has sold a lot of these and folks really like them. Any first hand experiences from y'all? I also notice Kumho makes it in a 225/50R17, which would only throw off the speedo by around one percent. May be worth a look. I had asked him about a smoother and quieter tire, and that was his advice. He cannot get the Falken ZE329 or the Yokohama Avid TRZ, but said if I bought either on the internet he'd install them for me. Thanks in advance. God Bless, Marc

 

Don't worry about the difference in height. Think about this; the average tire has around 12/32" tread depth. That's on one side. Add the top and bottom together and you have got 24/32" tread. That's going on an inch of tread difference between new and being worn out. If that was a problem we would all be told that when the tires are half worn out they need to be changed. We are not told that so that is not an issue. One inch does not make any difference. At least with tires, that is.

 

Your text hurts my eyes.

 

Would this Help ?????

Oh Yeah,

Stepping up to the 225 x 50 x 17 is a Great Mod or Upgrade! Helps fill the Wheel Well and improves ride with the slight increase in sidewall !

 

Hey, even MY eyes can read that. :-) Thanks for the note on the 225's. My buddy had suggested those for similar reasons. God Bless, Marc

 

Marc,

Are these the tread designs for the three tires you are referring to ?

 

I had Kumho tires on my last car. Loved them...

 

The Yokohama Avids are one of the best tires I have ever owned. I put them on my Catera. For a passenger car tire, they have excellent handling and are excellent in rain. Long life also. My dad has the car now, and the Yokos have about 25k on them, they look like new. I've owned Kumhos (not these) in the past, on the Catera in fact. They were OK, but they wore out fast. Unless I find something better for less money, I'll replace the Firestones with Yokos next when they need it next year.

 

I have these Kumho's on my 2006(215/50R17) for the last year(10,000 miles)and the ride is smooth and quiet. And they still look good as new.

 

If cost is an issue the Kumho's and Falken's are the cost beaters, otherwise I say Go with Yokahamas. I had Yoko's on my Firebird. On my 2LT, I have the Falkens, fairly quiet, never had em out in the rain. but they have a soft compound, so wear can be an issue. The installers recommend a shorter than normal rotation intervals of 3.5k mi, (just rotated at 4k mi) not an issue for me since I get free rotation.