Kumho V70a

I run these on my track prepared E36 328iSE saloon, previously I ran Falkens, Michelins and then I invested in TOYO proxy's...all great tires the latter being incredible. BUT, by chance i ended up with a set of KUMHO V700 V70a Hard compound tires.

First experience of driving with them was on the dampest wettest day ever, satnding water rolling across road, so i was a tad apprehensive about what to expect as KUMHO have always been a ''cheap'' tire in the back of my mind.

Once I broke the initial membrane down and they started to heat up, my loaded with me and 2 passengers. I was starting to accelerate and brake at a reasonable pace, till I realised that I was driving quicker across this particular length of country road in ridiculous conditions on the upper side of three digits. These tires are incredible, the way they push the water to allow traction is incredible. High speed stability (combination of tires and suspension set up) is second to none. At the other side of 140 is equal to that at 50. I can't rate this tire enough...! On a RWD BMW this tire feels so at home.

In the dry...NOTHING COMPARES as a road tire...I'll eat my hat if you can prove a tire equal or better!

Wear isn't too bad on the hard compound, Im sure with a dose of spiritedness and easy motorway driving one can achieve 5000miles easily. I would recommend these tires over Proxys, Yoko's (which I had on my MR2) and the brands above, just for price and performance you'd be insane not to give them a go...I will the moment I can afford 650 for a set.

Bought for the track but will be be used to drive to the track as well ( apart from the ring where i'll swop wheels when i get there) Have done about 60 laps of oulton park in cold and wet conditions and although conditions were far from ideal they were slightly better than street tyres.

However ever once a dry line showed up (75%of track) the difference between the Kumho and a street tyre was like night and day!

This is my first venture into track tyres so cant compare them with other track tyres.

These tyres come in either a hard or medium compound (also soft or super soft for different tyre sizes)and really are excellent track day tyres with massive reserves of grip. Found them best running at 40psi front and 35psi back on track. Lasted a full day on the track and should be good for another 2 sessions, Tried them in the wet on ordinary roads and was amazed by the grip, they have a tread wear rate of 50 for the hard compound, as compared to about 240 for normal tyres. Have run R888 but the kumho are better tyres, especially when really warmed up.

After replacing some R888s with these I can't say I've noticed much of a difference. Both are extremely good tyres, the V70a works great in dry and damp conditions but has some problems with standing water as they all do. I'm using the hard compound on the GT3 and they don't seem to go off as quickly as the R888s did.