I was looking at the newest Kumho Ecsta-MX and the tread looks like a clone of the Bridgestone S-03.

Even reading the Kumho technical marketing for the MX shows a similar silicon technology.

Anyone know what's up?

If the ECSTA-MX are 90% of the SO-3's and 50-60% cheaper, I just may go with the Kumhos.

Check it out at:
http://www.kumhousa.com/pages/pcr/mx.htm
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/bridgestone/bs_s03.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/kumho/ku_ecsta_mx.jsp

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Wow talk about patent infringement If I wanted to save money I would go with the Kumho's. One of the main reasons they are cheaper is they are trying to corner their share of the market. Once they do those prices will start going up - see Yokohama

I called Tire Rack, and a 225/50ZR16 and a 225/55/ZR16 is between $113-$120/each.
Unfortunately, they aren't in stock.

Now that's value, IF they perform.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

"50-60% cheaper"

I have an online quote of $148 per for the 225/55/16's.

225/55WR16 $148
In Stock

For the $25 a corner I am still going with the Pole Positions.

$.02.

++db

Kumhos have been popping up at the trials and auto-x scene for the last couple of years...people I know (Porsche 916 and Audi S4 drivers) seem to really like them and their price but those cars that are running them are nothing close to the power and weight of a 6-8-cylinder Benz so don't know how they are on our cars....probably good enough though...I'm thinking. Neil's done the homework and besides looks, the construction and materials are almost the same so why not give them a try. Put 'em thru the test, Neil, and let us know.

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

I like my Kuhmos!!! Many miles worth of tread left. They grip great also!
Adam

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Ask Them who owns Khumo. Bridgestone does. A friend of mine owns a American Tire Franchise he told me.

__________________
500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

Guido- good info, but not 100% correct.

Bridgestone bought out Kumho's manufacturing plant in China, but not Korea, nor R&D. So while Kumho might have it's own R&D & manufacturing plants, I'm sure Bridgestone has lots of influence.

Taken from:
http://www.atimes.com/bizasia/BB01Aa01.html
===========
Kumho sells Chinese tire plant to Bridgestone
SEOUL - Kumho Industry said Monday it has sold its tire plant in Tianjin, China, to Bridgestone Tire for $140 million. The company turned over its 94.5-percent stake in Tianjin Kumho Tire, which was set up in May 1997 with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tires. It has another tire plant in Nanjing. The sales proceeds would go to reduce Kumho's debt ratio from 240 percent to 190 percent. Kumho will develop the Nanjing plant to focus on supplying tires to Korean auto plants in China.
===========
Taken from:
http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com/news/corporate/news/acv00_01_06/00131a.html

Here's an excerpt:

Bridgestone Acquires Second Tire Plant in China
Purchase Includes Chinese production and sales subsidiary of Korea's Kumho Tire

Nashville, Tenn. (January 31, 2000) -- Bridgestone Corporation has acquired control of a Chinese manufacturer of radial tires for passenger cars and small commercial vehicles from the Republic of Korea's Kumho Industrial Co., Ltd. Representatives of Bridgestone and Kumho signed the share purchase agreement today in Tokyo, culminating several months of negotiations.

The transaction gives Bridgestone a substantial majority interest in Kumho Virgin Islands Inc., the holding company of Tianjin-based Tianjin Kumho Tire Co., Ltd., effective January 31, 2000. Kumho Virgin Islands owns 94.5% of Tianjin Kumho, and a Chinese company, Tianjin Tyre & Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd., owns the other 5.5%. Bridgestone is paying $75 million for Kumho's equity in Kumho Virgin Islands.

I chose the Kumho Ecsta Supra 215/40-ZR17 tires for my 1986 190E 2.3-16V when I uprated the wheels to the 17" Evo II wheels.

They were significantly cheaper than the equivalent Bridgestones and other premium tires.

So far, I like them: they are quiet, have good grip, and do very well in what passes for rain here in the Central Coast of California. They have an aggressive tread and look good on the car.

They do seem to be a bit lumpy when cold, but they smooth out once warmed up.

I would recommend them based on my experience so far.

Best regards

Tom Elerding

I can't speak for the Kumho's, but only for the S-03's as a benchmark: I mounted 245/45-17's on 8.25x17 EVO II wheels on my 500E. I am always ready to accept a bit of tire shake or shimmy in a plus-sized tire/wheel combo, but those S-03's are the smoothest set of tires I've ever bought. The wheel and tire combination took virtually no weights to balance. Really well-made. I haven't explored the limits of grip with them; in normal aggressive driving I never even hear them complain. If the Kumho's measure up to this benchmark, they are also quite a value!

__________________
Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi