New Tyres

Hornet · **Reply #30: May 22, 2013, 23:55:49**

Kumho Tyres offered me their KH18 Solus, 195.65.15s at $98 each drive away. Claimed they are good for 80,00k and far quiter than the Kumho Solus KH15 that came fitted to the vehicle. Disapointed that I will be lucky to get 40,000k out of Solus KH15 and I am therefore hesitant of fitting Kumho again. I am not a leadfoot. What is the opinion of members about the KH18. I am leaning towards the Continental or Bridgestone as they appear to be safe, quite and long wearing tyres. I am not too concerned about the price

Surferdude · **Reply #31: May 23, 2013, 03:41:43**

Quote from: Hornet on May 22, 2013, 23:55:49

Kumho Tyres offered me their KH18 Solus, 195.65.15s at $98 each drive away. Claimed they are good for 80,00k and far quiter than the Kumho Solus KH15 that came fitted to the vehicle. Disapointed that I will be lucky to get 40,000k out of Solus KH15 and I am therefore hesitant of fitting Kumho again. I am not a leadfoot. What is the opinion of members about the KH18. I am leaning towards the Continental or Bridgestone as they appear to be safe, quite and long wearing tyres. I am not too concerned about the price

Depending on the pattern, Bridgestones aren't necessarily quiet.
I'd go for the Contis, personally. I think they are going to give you the best wet grip and quietness. I can't speak about the wear.
The KH18 is definitely a better tyre than the KH15 but 80,000 is a lot to claim for any tyre on a front wheel drive car.

rustynutz · **Reply #32: May 23, 2013, 04:35:39**

Seems as good a time as any to give a bit of an update on the Conti tyres I fitted a few months back.

While I've only put around 4000k's on them so far I must admit I have no complaints, they seem to grip well wet or dry.

I was coming back from a trip to Melbourne the other night and I just couldn't help but notice how relaxing it was, just cruising at the speed limit with the "cruise" set and the stereo softly playing. It then dawned on me that one of the reasons it was so relaxing was due to the lack of road noise.

While it's hard to really tell without a noise meter, seat of the pants testing definitely tells me these tyres are quieter than the original Hankooks....

My verdict....

Eureka · **Reply #33: May 23, 2013, 05:11:06**

I got 84,993 klms out of my original Kumho Solus KH15 195/65 R15 tyres.

If I was buying tyres right now I would probably go for the Bob Jane T Marts 4 for 3 offer on Bridgestones and get the Bridgestone Ecopia (a fuel saver tyre). That deal is to 31 May.

$139 per tyre x 3 = $417 for 4 tyres. (plus alignment ... )

Hornet · **Reply #34: May 23, 2013, 06:34:01**

I got 84,993 klms out of my original Kumho Solus KH15 195/65 R15 tyres

Thanks Eureka. I cannot understand why you would recommend a brand other than kumho Solus when you accomplished 85,000klms on the originals. If I had similar performance I would have knocked the kumho Dealer down to get another set of Solus at the price offered, but I had doubts about the claim. Was it because of noise, safety or some other reason. As Pauline once said "Would you please explain?"

Doggie 1 · **Reply #35: May 23, 2013, 07:44:45**

I got 68,000 kms out of my original set of Kumhos, more from the second.

Rusty, is "seat of pants" the best way to monitor noise?

rustynutz · **Reply #36: May 23, 2013, 08:46:27**

Just Rick · **Reply #37: May 23, 2013, 12:07:31**

I've had Hankook,kumho and two cheaper brand on ours,got a crap run out of them all,best was justa tad under 40,000,but I have just put two Mayruns on the front of Bruce,probably geta crap run out of them too,but they are the quietest tryes I've had on either of the cars so far,I was surprised how much quieter they have been so far,only done 800k'S on them since monday

The Gonz · **Reply #38: May 23, 2013, 12:15:52**

Quote from: Nice Bloke (Really) on May 23, 2013, 12:07:31

I've had Hankook,kumho and two cheaper brand on ours,got a crap run out of them all,best was justa tad under 40,000,but I have just put two Mayruns on the front of Bruce,probably geta crap run out of them too,but they are the quietest tryes I've had on either of the cars so far,I was surprised how much quieter they have been so far,only done 800k'S on them since monday

Thanks, Rick, a good set of names to put to memory. I wonder whether I'll be able to judge tyre noise progressively. Maybe from here on in, every set will be quieter.

Doggie 1 · **Reply #39: May 23, 2013, 12:16:50**

CAN YOU SPEAK UP A BIT PLEASE?

Just Rick · **Reply #40: May 23, 2013, 12:20:06**

Quote from: Gonz on May 23, 2013, 12:15:52

Quote from: Nice Bloke (Really) on May 23, 2013, 12:07:31
I've had Hankook,kumho and two cheaper brand on ours,got a crap run out of them all,best was justa tad under 40,000,but I have just put two Mayruns on the front of Bruce,probably geta crap run out of them too,but they are the quietest tryes I've had on either of the cars so far,I was surprised how much quieter they have been so far,only done 800k'S on them since monday
Thanks, Rick, a good set of names to put to memory. I wonder whether I'll be able to judge tyre noise progressively. Maybe from here on in, every set will be quieter.

Probably that is my problem Gonz,I've just got a bit deafer the last eight months,I have been riding like a dog in the truck with me head hanging out the window.

Eureka · **Reply #41: May 24, 2013, 03:56:37**

Hornet - I recently bought Continentals to replace the original Kumhos, partly to see if the car's 'ride' would be any better than with the Kumho tyres. If the Bridgestone deal had been available at the time I would have bought their Ecopia tyres - primarily to see if I could get better fuel economy than Kumho tyres. Tyre longevity is not my only concern, although the distance I got from the original tyres was very welcome.

bryand · **Reply #42: July 13, 2013, 15:31:00**

Having read through the tyre noise threads on here, I noted the comment in Sound Deadener Showdown that "if tyres are the only noise you are concerned about, new tyres might be the best option".
So out went a set of perfectly healthy Hankook Optima 415s (the OEM fit on my 2011 i30) in favour of Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance on my 16" alloys.
I don't have a professional sound level meter, but I used an app on my phone to get before/after results, using a part of the A46 where the surface changes from concrete to tarmac, and driving at 60 mph.

Tyre	Concrete	Coarse tarmac	Smooth tarmac
Hankook	86 - 88 dB	87 - 88 dB	82 - 84 dB
Goodyear	85 - 87 dB	87 - 88 dB	79 - 81 dB

.. so I did measure a reduction in noise levels to back up my subjective impression and what the numbers don't show is the change in the quality of the sound - a deeper rumble from the Goodyears, which I find less annoying.

So despite the cost (£73 a corner) I'm satisfied that my i30 is now a nicer place to be and has low-noise, fuel-efficient tyres. Recommended.

eye30 · **Reply #43: July 13, 2013, 15:49:54**

Be interesting to hear you views say after a week or so after you have had varying surface types and of course the all to familiar british rain.

Dazzler · **Reply #44: July 13, 2013, 22:55:02**

Thanks Bryan

plus hopefully in a month or so you might be able to give some feedback about any fuel economy improvements.

bryand · **Reply #45: July 25, 2013, 13:04:22**

After a couple of weeks with the Goodyears I am very pleased with their quietness - coarse surfaces no longer stop conversations and I have to watch my speed because there are no sound cues.

Fuel economy gains are difficult to demonstrate, but it's looking like they are worth 2-4 MPG more than the Hankooks (so they'll never pay for themselves on fuel savings alone, but that wasn't the point).

The plot below shows speed against Economy for the same locations on the same road, driven under the same conditions (but at different times and similar speeds). Not conclusive, but it shows the trend:

Dazzler · **Reply #46: July 25, 2013, 13:52:57**

Still, a sizeable saving over time ... thanks for that!

Doggie 1 · **Reply #47: July 26, 2013, 08:33:41**

Thanks for that.

Very interested in the noise reduction.

ausi30 · **Reply #48: July 31, 2013, 04:46:12**

I agree that durability and tyre noise are something to consider(I got rid of a set of maxxis on a mazda because of drumming) when buying new tyres, but to me a tyre that turns and goes where it is pointed in all conditions and brakes harder and in a shorter distance wins for me anytime.
I know though that not everyone can afford a premium tyre, but for me, (as I am not the main driver), the extra expense is warranted.
Sorry for the looong opening sentence..

Surferdude · **Reply #49: July 31, 2013, 04:57:10**

Quote from: ausi30 on July 31, 2013, 04:46:12

I agree that durability and tyre noise are something to consider(I got rid of a set of maxxis on a mazda because of drumming) when buying new tyres, but to me a tyre that turns and goes where it is pointed in all conditions and brakes harder and in a shorter distance wins for me anytime.
I know though that not everyone can afford a premium tyre, but for me, (as I am not the main driver), the extra expense is warranted.
Sorry for the looong opening sentence..

I commend you on your attitude, ausi30.
Far too often over my many years in the tyre and auto service industry the request I heard was, "I just want something cheap. My wife only uses the car for short shopping trips and to take the kids to school".

Paolo5 · **Reply #50: July 31, 2013, 04:59:19**

"and to take the kids to school".

I have actually heard a guy say that....

Surferdude · **Reply #51: July 31, 2013, 05:03:33**

Quote from: Paolo5 on July 31, 2013, 04:59:19

"and to take the kids to school".

I have actually heard a guy say that....

You'd better believe it.
I doubt there would have been a week in the 30+ years I spent in the industry when I DIDN'T hear it.
It takes all your tact to not tell them what you think of them.
I had a service manager working for me years ago (probably 83/84 whose response to that was, "Do you hate your wife and kids?".
I had to ban him from saying it eventually.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #52: July 31, 2013, 06:17:04**

You could take it that way, but what they really mean is it only does low speed trips. Which is equally as wrong.

A crash at any speed can cause injury to occupants and the likelihood that in the tyres lifetime of say 2 years, I'll bet the car gets used for towing the trailer / boat etc with the family on board, which is when you really need excellent tyres.

The Gonz · **Reply #53: July 31, 2013, 08:05:16**

Could we start a chart / poll / scoreboard / buyer's guide to capture the top rated tyre replacement solutions for our beloved i30s? I find this thread very informative but the guts of the value is in getting a list of best tyres / deals / votes from users for users.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #54: July 31, 2013, 08:14:27**

Gee, that's a bit like asking who makes the best car. There are many variables and availability options due to the international nature of our members, having said that, it's a good idea. Maybe we should award scores in specific areas like they do on Top Gear

The Gonz · **Reply #55: July 31, 2013, 08:24:00**

Hey, let's take the idea further and become our own ANCAP / Wheels / Top Gear.
We can get our forum into the headlines by making public statements like we do with Engineers Australia (and for those in the know, I'm now President of the Old Crows as well - no, nothing to do with football

)
Perhaps we can create our own endorsement logo and have products such as air fresherners, polishes and - God forbid, TYRES! - carry the i30 Owners Club tick of approval!

Surferdude · **Reply #56: July 31, 2013, 08:32:30**

Quote from: Gonz on July 31, 2013, 08:24:00

Hey, let's take the idea further and become our own ANCAP / Wheels / Top Gear.
We can get our forum into the headlines by making public statements like we do with Engineers Australia (and for those in the know, I'm now President of the Old Crows as well - no, nothing to do with football )
Perhaps we can create our own endorsement logo and have products such as air fresherners, polishes and - God forbid, TYRES! - carry the i30 Owners Club tick of approval!

Good luck with getting agreement within the membership.

The Gonz · **Reply #57: July 31, 2013, 11:17:57**

That's not a showstopper - we don't need to agree, just build a list of favourites and where one gets more than one vote it gets a higher place on the list. I'm sure the forum poll function could achieve this.

Dazzler · **Reply #58: July 31, 2013, 11:27:16**

There is definitely some merit in the poll idea Gonz .. We will have to have a think about the best way to do it though

Just Rick · **Reply #59: July 31, 2013, 13:25:04**

My vote goes to any tyre,that stays on a rim and I get more than 35,000k's and doesn't go down,funny thing Years ago,talking 72,bought a full set of Mitchies,cost me an arm and a leg,got them one my FE ute did 28,000 miles,when I trade up to a HR ute they were still in that good a condition,I swapped them onto the HR,did at least another 20,000 miles and even when I got rid of that ute,they were still passable as roadworthy.

So having that in my memory banks what they were like a couple of years ago I bought another set,well lets just say were the biggest disappointment I had had at that time for a long time,they were shagged within 25000 k's,they were noisy,only positive they were good to ride on,expensive is not always the best,I feel like some, not all,of the better know brands are riding on their names these days