[PiLL]

Looking at these and the Kumho Ecsta HP4 716. I have a '03 Passat GLX 4MO Variant and live in PA. Need a good all season tire for the family car.

 

[mikeg1961]

I just got a set and have put about 5,000 miles on them so far. Much better than the Kumho Supras (712's) I replaced. The Kumhos were gone in about 25,000 miles.

Mike

 

[cdev]

I've also got about 5k on mine and they're a HUGE improvement over the stock Contis... These are so sure in pouring rain it's like a different car! Only downside I've noticed is a hit in MPGs...

 

[PiLL]

Still on the fence......

Still can't decide on the Kumho Ecsta 716 or the BFG Traction T/A. The Kumhos are a great buy at only around $65/tire. Just wonder if the saying "you get what you pay for" applies to the Kumhos. The BFGs look like the tread pattern would work well for the PA winters, but might be louder on the highway. Can someone guide me in the right direction? Just need a good reliable tire for the family car. Would like to get them before our road trip (vacation) next month. Thanks for your help.

 

[NotAPreppie]

The Kumho Ecsta HP4 716 is all about comfort and ride noise. They have unusually good traction for a tire of it's price, but that doesn't mean that they'll hold a candle Falken Ziex ZE-512s or Bridgestone Turanzas.

I have a set of those Kumhos 190/60/15 on my wife's car and they're pretty good. I'm not entirely sure that they warrant all of the rave reviews that they get on Tire Rack (remember, these reviewers just got rid of balding or poor quality OEM tires). But all in all, assuming they get decent tread life (only had them a year), I'd buy them for her Saturn again in a heartbeat. Sorry that I can't comment about treadlife.

Remember that the Supra 712s are considered UHPS (ultra high perf summer, read: soft and sticky compound) while the Ecsta HP4 716s are GTAS (Grand Touring All Season, read: harder compound but softer sidewall for better comfort).

I can't comment on the BFG Traction T/A.