Possible Pilot Super Sport Contender for $105/each, Kumho PS91 255/35/19

[o1turbo30v]

After looking around for new UHP summers I stumbled across Kumho's new PS91 tire, from what I am reading it sounds amazing, I have always had good luck with Kumho's so I took the plunge and ordered a set, $525 shipped, I will post some pics and a review when I get them installed this weekend. Only 15 left in stock......

http://www.kumho.com.au/blog/products/ecsta-ps91/

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=954272

http://www.tires-easy.com/cgi-bin/rs...n&typ=R-250666

[moyenecorniche]

I'm highly skeptical of that.
To contend with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is not likely. Nor would Kumho contend with Continental Extreme Contact DW.
The reason is simple. In the dry probably Kumho could and should be very close. But in the wet that is when a tire shines ( no puns )
The required tire compounds for extreme wet handling are quite expensive to manufacture. I have run Conti and Michelin and the difference between them and Kumho, Falken, Nitto and the so described High Performance Dry Wet tires is the feedback from the tires.

Michelin and Continental gradually lose traction and they feedback as to when they let go ( grip is totally lost )
The others don't, they just all of a sudden lose grip. $105 tire is not what I would rank at the top of the performance in D/W.

It's probably a decent tire, but the real test is how it performs when pushed to its limits.
Does it feedback or will it just leave you guessing as to when it may just release suddenly..

[o1turbo30v]

I'm highly skeptical of that.
To contend with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is not likely. Nor would Kumho contend with Continental Extreme Contact DW.
The reason is simple. In the dry probably Kumho could and should be very close. But in the wet that is when a tire shines ( no puns )
The required tire compounds for extreme wet handling are quite expensive to manufacture. I have run Conti and Michelin and the difference between them and Kumho, Falken, Nitto and the so described High Performance Dry Wet tires is the feedback from the tires.

Michelin and Continental gradually lose traction and they feedback as to when they let go ( grip is totally lost )
The others don't, they just all of a sudden lose grip. $105 tire is not what I would rank at the top of the performance in D/W.

It's probably a decent tire, but the real test is how it performs when pushed to its limits.
Does it feedback or will it just leave you guessing as to when it may just release suddenly..

Im not trying to sell them to you, i am just bringing what i feel is a great deal to the AZ community,,,,,,,if you read the review on the second link in the OP that guys has them on a M3 and says "
Wet Grip: water dispersion is a substantial improvement on the PSS 9/10" and "They predictable in wet, rainy conditions even when getting enthusiastic with the throttle." Of course that is his opinion but if he is happy with them on a RWD M3, i think they will be amazing on and AWD 2.0T..

Ill let you know, but for $105 I'll keep an open mind I'm willing to give them a try.

[moyenecorniche]

Maybe, we'll have to see, but I'm skeptical of the price for the size.
Understandably I now know that price is Australian dollars.
Denominations are 105 US is about 137 Australian. so that would be less than $90 US dollars per tire ???
That math is weird. But also keep in mind that Australia and New Zealand is Asia. So is South Korea.
When you add in geographic obstacles as well as international trade, custom fee's, shipping etc...etc...
Plus they are not available in North America. You missed the part that the reviewer was in OZ / Kiwi land.
I doubt that even if these tires were available in the states, they would be less than $180 in a 19" size..

So for the AZ community stateside it looks like SOL...

[o1turbo30v]

I doubt that even if these tires were available in the states, they would be less than $180 in a 19" size..

So for the AZ community stateside it looks like SOL...

No, i ordered them from tires-easy in Benecia, CA, delivery is 2-3 days, there is also a few on ebay, $125, ships from usa http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Kumho-PS...e00123&vxp=mtr

[amz]

If they're going to contend with PSS or DW's dry performance then they might be good for AutoX or track use, wonder if they can take the heat of hard driving...


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[moyenecorniche]

That was my rationale on these. Having run Sumitomo, Falken and other similar $150- so called high performance tires, I have found that when driven hard consistently, they do not hold up. They wear out very quickly. Much faster then Continental and Michelin.

But then again, do these meet the load rating for a 3900 LB S4 ?

[amz]

That was my rationale on these. Having run Sumitomo, Falken and other similar $150- so called high performance tires, I have found that when driven hard consistently, they do not hold up. They wear out very quickly. Much faster then Continental and Michelin.

But then again, do these meet the load rating for a 3900 LB S4 ?

4100lbs with my fat ass in the drivers seat. They've apparently held up to someone thrashing them in an M3. I'm interested because it would be nice to get some dedicated track/autox tires that don't pillage the bank. I just ordered a set of PSS, gonna be about $1500CAD. I don't want to be doing that frequently. But $500 a season to run tires for a few autoX and track days...that sounds plenty reasonable.

[moyenecorniche]

4100lbs with my fat ass in the drivers seat. They've apparently held up to someone thrashing them in an M3. I'm interested because it would be nice to get some dedicated track/autox tires that don't pillage the bank. I just ordered a set of PSS, gonna be about $1500CAD. I don't want to be doing that frequently. But $500 a season to run tires for a few autoX and track days...that sounds plenty reasonable.

Cannot fault you on that strategy. Perhaps we'll see you at Lime Rock Park...

On the other hand, I spend $200 on tires for my racing bike..

[o1turbo30v]

On the other hand, I spend $200 on tires for my racing bike..

Well good for you, now pat yourself on the back, stare into the mirror and tell yourself how awesome you are. What is your deal?! Its a cheap tire deal i thought i would share with everyone, just like i did when i found Michelin pilot aplin pa3's on closeout for $145, and like numerous other members have posted their cheap tire finds.....

[Okan509]

I have a set of "budget" cooper zeon's UHP Summers. They are crazy sticky, and by far the best tires I've ever owned.

[jmeenach]

I have a set of "budget" cooper zeon's UHP Summers. They are crazy sticky, and by far the best tires I've ever owned.

I haven't tried the exact tires you are speaking of, but I have gone through several sets of Coopers on various vehicles (from small cars to lifted trucks) and have nothing but good things to say about them.

[eljay]

o1turbo30v, any feedback on these a year later?
These just hit my radar, so trying to get some info and reviews.

[t28sentra]

I have these mounted on my B5 S4 235/40-18 and I'm very impressed. The tires are very sticky and I'd compare them to PSS.

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[eljay]

Thanks for the post. How are they on wet roads and rain?

[o1turbo30v]

9,000 mile update.....Bottom line is, they are awesome. Wet or dry it doesn't matter they perform exactly the same. They are quiet over most surfaces and are wearing well, i would expect to get 20k miles out of them. Turn in is crisp and the tire is very predictable at its limit. Ride comfort is a tad on the harsher side but the tires performance offsets it. Because the tire is so grippy, rough roads can irritate you a little because of the amount of steering input you have to put in, they do wander on rough roads (as does pretty much any uhp summer tire.) Also i would really make this a summer only tire not a 3 season tire, these tend to flat spot overnight when the temps fall below 55F, this will give you a little vibration for a mile or so then as the tire warms up the vibration goes away. I can pretty much guarantee you will not be disappointed with them, especially since most retailers are selling them for under $200/each.

[lowjonathan]

9,000 mile update.....Bottom line is, they are awesome. Wet or dry it doesn't matter they perform exactly the same. They are quiet over most surfaces and are wearing well, i would expect to get 20k miles out of them. Turn in is crisp and the tire is very predictable at its limit. Ride comfort is a tad on the harsher side but the tires performance offsets it. Because the tire is so grippy, rough roads can irritate you a little because of the amount of steering input you have to put in, they do wander on rough roads (as does pretty much any uhp summer tire.) Also i would really make this a summer only tire not a 3 season tire, these tend to flat spot overnight when the temps fall below 55F, this will give you a little vibration for a mile or so then as the tire warms up the vibration goes away. I can pretty much guarantee you will not be disappointed with them, especially since most retailers are selling them for under $200/each.

Hi there
any further updates on this kumho ps91?

thanks

[eljay]

Hi there
any further updates on this kumho ps91?

thanks

I've had these on my E46 for about 1000 miles now, so still too early for me to chime in, but my impressions are exactly are the post above from o1turbo.
I too found it strange that they "flat spot" a bit when sitting for a couple of days. This is even in 70F weather in a garage. But the vibration goes away within a mile or so and then they are fine.
The rest of the points are spot on.

[lowjonathan]

I've had these on my E46 for about 1000 miles now, so still too early for me to chime in, but my impressions are exactly are the post above from o1turbo.
I too found it strange that they "flat spot" a bit when sitting for a couple of days. This is even in 70F weather in a garage. But the vibration goes away within a mile or so and then they are fine.
The rest of the points are spot on.

How does the aquaplaning? Doing good??

Thanks

[eljay]

How does the aquaplaning? Doing good??

Thanks

Haven't hit any large puddles nor did I push them in wet, but in light rain, they were fine. In summary, I don't yet know.

[lowjonathan]

Haven't hit any large puddles nor did I push them in wet, but in light rain, they were fine. In summary, I don't yet know.

I have fixed in the ps91 over the weekend and run 500km on it.

It is very similiar to PSS. the side wall is more stiff and sticky.

usually i pump air 38psi on pss, on ps91 36psi will do the job.

let see if ps91 can have better life than pss 26k km.

[irish07]

I have fixed in the ps91 over the weekend and run 500km on it.

It is very similiar to PSS. the side wall is more stiff and sticky.

usually i pump air 38psi on pss, on ps91 36psi will do the job.

let see if ps91 can have better life than pss 26k km.

Bringing this thread up from the dead...

How did those ps91’s last? Similar thread life to the pss?

[eljay]

Bringing this thread up from the dead...

How did those ps91’s last? Similar thread life to the pss?

I can tell you that they don't last as long as PSS. But they are less expensive.

My recommendation on these tires based on my experience alone is this: these are PSS excellent alternative for high performance cars that live in a garage for winter and get used only in the summer.

My reasons are that they are close in performance and cost/treadwear is close/same to PSS. Meaning, these are cheaper, but don't last as long. So, for me, they are 60% of PSS cost and last only 60% of PSS. So, why not buy PSS and be done and have a "better" tire? Because for garage queens (summer driven only a few thousand miles a year) you will sooner hit the tire age than wear it out. So, in 5 years, I will not have put on 50,000 miles on the car that PSS are rated for. Therefore, FOR ME, these are a better option.

And BTW, the morning cold tire flat spotting mentioned above did go away after a couple of thousand miles.