17" Tires: People's experiences..

[Manaz]

KU36s are almost a semi-slick - they won't last very long on public roads. I'm planning on getting them for my track tyres, and I'm sure I'll be happy with them for that - as you noted, they're probably not the best wet weather tyre.

[gavs]

Well, after a weekend of torrential rain here in Melbournwe (we had our whole november average rainfall in 24hrs!!) the KU36's might not be such a good choice!

I was driving down the Eastern freeway heading into town on Saturday night, doing 70Kph and the damn Golf aquaplanned!!! Lucky I was in the right lane and had the emergency lane to slide into but damn my ring-piece clenched up tighter than a fish's!!! Doesn't help that the crappy tyres on there are practically bald also but I think the KU31's might be the safer option

[gavs]

Ok, wheels have arrived from ECS Tuning which is good along with new tie rod ends and ball joints

Now I don't know if we measure wheels differently here or what but I measured the wheels I got and the are damn 6" wide!!!!!!! Believe me when I say I am a little miffed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooo, what tyres will go on? I will be popping into the tyrepower on the way home to talk to someone there...

On a side note, the wheels are 7" wide from edge to edge...

[gavs]

Ok, so I popped in and "said hello, to my tyrepower pro!" and found out that he actually gets quite a bit of business from work!! Anyway, he quoted me $220 each, fitted and balanced for the KU31s in a 225/45 R17 size and $175 fitted and balanced for the 235/45 R17 which he guaranteed will fit the wheels I have.

So basically what i'm wondering is if anybody knows of a tyre dealer in Melbourne that they deal with / own / work for that could do me a better price for the Kumho KU31 in the 235/45 R17 size....

Cheers,
Gav

[noone]

Ok, not apples for apples, but my 205/40/17's were $110 balanced and fitted in Sydney. This place is cheap, but I'd be thinking $130 is possible...

[gavs]

Ok, not apples for apples, but my 205/40/17's were $110 balanced and fitted in Sydney. This place is cheap, but I'd be thinking $130 is possible...

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, especially with the 235 wide tyre being such a common fitment, so long as I can get it to fit in the arch and clear everything!

[No457 Snowy]

Maybe try giving Tempe tyres in Sydney a call and see if they have anyone they deal with as an agent for them in Melbourne. I did that when I bought KU31's and they put me onto a place in Canberra where I picked up the 225/40 R18 version for $180 each fitted/balanced. Overall, they were about $300 cheaper than Tyrepower.

Cheers,

Snowy

[gavs]

Holy crap Snowy, that's a HUGE saving!!!

I might just do that.....

[Manaz]

So basically what i'm wondering is if anybody knows of a tyre dealer in Melbourne that they deal with / own / work for that could do me a better price for the Kumho KU31 in the 235/45 R17 size....

Last I checked, Option1Garage could get the KU31 for $138 a corner in that size (225/45R17). Add $45 delivery for a set of four. Then you'll need to pay for fitting/balancing.

[gavs]

Last I checked, Option1Garage could get the KU31 for $138 a corner in that size (225/45R17). Add $45 delivery for a set of four. Then you'll need to pay for fitting/balancing.

Yeah, I was going to go through option1 but most places charge around the $15 per wheel to fit and balance.

Have been quoted by Advance Tyres in Burnley Street Richmond $159 per tyre fitted and balanced.....

[Manaz]

Yeah, I was going to go through option1 but most places charge around the $15 per wheel to fit and balance.

Have been quoted by Advance Tyres in Burnley Street Richmond $159 per tyre fitted and balanced.....

Yeah, that's the catch. And that price sounds decent!

[gavs]

Spoke to a mate of mine that works with my former employer, who also happen to be a major seller of Kumho tyres, he will do 235/45 R17 for $160 per tyre, fitted and balanced and they're much closer to home!

[McDub]

Spoke to a mate of mine that works with my former employer, who also happen to be a major seller of Kumho tyres, he will do 235/45 R17 for $160 per tyre, fitted and balanced and they're much closer to home!

oldis thread, but what tyre did you end up getting? (i'm due for some tyres soonish so doing some research...)

[gavs]

I ended going with the Kumho KU31 Ecsta, had them fitted the day before the Maroondah Dam cruise last december and was suitably impressed on that day, they hung on really really well.

After nearly 3 months of driving they are still fantastic, even in the wet if I do an agressive launch, I struggle to spin the wheels. Compared to an equivalent dunlop tyre (in regards to performance, not cost) they have hardly any road noise at all, the dunlops constantly hum, almost like an all-terrain tyre! I would have to agree with the others here that have them, they are an excellent bang-for-your-buck tyre. Which reminds me I should probably rotate them and check the pressures.....

[noone]

Glad to hear they are working for you, I give my tyres a hard time and they always seem to do a reasonable job, or IMO a great job for the $.

Persoanlly, PSI of about 36-38 on the front gives me good bite, a little softer on the rear.