KH17 vs DNA dB vs AR10 vs K415

[Elfenstar]

This is a rant as much as it is a request for advice (Furry your advice holds more weight than others in this area)

 

I'm up for new tyres. The OEM A349's are loud (what else can i expect for something with such low wear rates).

Size wise its 175/65R14, however I'm also looking at 185/60R14 and 195/60R14 as alternatives. This means I have a huge variety of tyres from Yoko A300's to Coopers, to event ST115's and PP2's and still have the rolling diameter with around a 1% variation from stock.

 

I've shortlisted four tyres with importance biased towards noise, then wet grip.

Yokohama DNA dB ES501,

Bridgestone AR10,

Kumho KH17

Hankook K415

 

DNA dB> Reputedly the most quiet tyre around. I had no issues with wet grip on the older Aspec dB's so I doubt the improved wet performance of the DNA's would make it worse. Besides if its like every other yoko tyre i've used, it needs to be inflated a little more than usual for optimum performance.

 

Bridgestone AR10> I googled for reviews on it, and came across this forum in India in which people were saying the AR10's were quiet. Even more so than the ER60's they replaced (which were also quiet). Considering the sizes they looked at were similar to mine, and the rough roads they had, I am quite inclined to believe that it should be reasonably quiet on our highways and the NSH. Complaints about their threadwear from another google search result also lead me to believe that they would be both relatively grippy and quiet.

 

Kumho KH17> This is a tyre I really really want to try. In my OEM 175/65R14 size, it ranked the best in one russian test, and it was highly recommended by ADAC.de. I have the Hankook K415's, and I absolutely love them, but the KH17's are supposed to better them in all areas except for threadwear. Mind you, its predecessor the KH15's were even more quiet than the K415's

 

Hankook K415> I changed the P4's on the Punto to these, and noise levels on the TPE went down from matching the Demio (on these damnable A349's) to almost silent. So I am very inclined to get them too. However I would like to try the KH17's as there isnt much on them (though the

 

Price wise the difference is marginal for the dB's AR10's and K415's however i would like to know if there are any comparable noise reviews comparing the three, as well as grip reviews comparing the AR10's and K415's. As for the KH17's, I would really like to try them, BUT Binter does not carry it in my size here, and I need to go to MY to get them. Mind you for an award winning tyre, they only bring it in in ONE size..... Does anyone know where I can get them? Price wise, the former 3 are about the same with the most exp costing $9 more only. The KH17's on the other hand end up costing about SGD$20 less each (based on tyrepac's malaysian portal rates), which would make them really worth getting if i'm passing by a kumho store on my upcoming Melaka trip.

 

Any suggestions??? I would love to hear more about the AR10's as well as reviews on the KH17's from the Forte/Koup drivers.

Edited December 29, 2009 by Elfenstar

[Astrochucky]

Hi bro,

 

Care to share which tyre u eventually chose, where u got them (PM me if inconvenient) and your evalution of its performance?

 

I am also scouting for fresh tyres for my wife PUG 206, in either 175/65/14 (stock) or 185/60/14.

My priority is grip, particularly wet grip.

 

Unfortunately, there are hardly any performance tyre for the size i am looking for.

Closest thing is the Michelin PP2 which Michelin Singapore website listed 185/60/14 as an available size. However, none of the tyre shop (PH, SB, EW, SE) I called up carry this size. Does anyone has any idea where I may find them?

 

Otherwise, i think i have to choose between those tyres u listed + Michelin XM1.

Currently, i am more inclined towards AR-10 as it is a newer model than XM1 and DNA dB, while i know nuts about korean tyres.

XM1 long lasting characteristic makes me feel that it has poor grip as i cant comprehend how it is possible to have long lasting grippy tyres. But wife may like the idea of french branded shoes for french car...

DNA dB is made in japan but the thread design seems to be solely focused on making it quiet while opinions are still divided on its wet grip.

 

GR90 is probably much more expensive and not value-for-money since it is a new model and South East say must indent.

[Beregond]

plenty of other choice around. goodyear ls2000(japan) , nexen ( korean ) , toyo teo plus , ( japan) , kenda ( china)

 

etc etc

[Fcw75]

Hi bro, I have used Yoko DNA dB ES 501 and BS AR-10 before on the same vehicle. I have to say they are actually pretty similar in terms of grip but Yoko is just slightly quieter than BS, less road noise. I have also use Aspec dB before and I have no issue with it's grip though. Don't know why a lot of people like to put down the tyre.

 

Sorry I can't comment on the other 2 since I never use them before.

 

Another option for you is Michelin XM1 but it's always more expensive than ES501 and AR10, should be $5 more per tyre.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Fcw75

[Furrynadz]

i use b4 185/60/14 for company van

85$ for bs ar10

90 for xm1

 

i fitted the bs

good wear rate and acceptable dry/wet/corner/brake/handling

better than the aspecs for sure

 

 

fren fitted the xm1

test test..no diff

 

[Elfenstar]

Hi bro,

 

Care to share which tyre u eventually chose, where u got them (PM me if inconvenient) and your evalution of its performance?

 

I am also scouting for fresh tyres for my wife PUG 206, in either 175/65/14 (stock) or 185/60/14.

My priority is grip, particularly wet grip.

 

Unfortunately, there are hardly any performance tyre for the size i am looking for.

Closest thing is the Michelin PP2 which Michelin Singapore website listed 185/60/14 as an available size. However, none of the tyre shop (PH, SB, EW, SE) I called up carry this size. Does anyone has any idea where I may find them?

 

Otherwise, i think i have to choose between those tyres u listed + Michelin XM1.

Currently, i am more inclined towards AR-10 as it is a newer model than XM1 and DNA dB, while i know nuts about korean tyres.

XM1 long lasting characteristic makes me feel that it has poor grip as i cant comprehend how it is possible to have long lasting grippy tyres. But wife may like the idea of french branded shoes for french car...

DNA dB is made in japan but the thread design seems to be solely focused on making it quiet while opinions are still divided on its wet grip.

 

GR90 is probably much more expensive and not value-for-money since it is a new model and South East say must indent.

 

Bro since you're looking at grip forget my list. You can get Eagle F1's, ST115's or C Drives (well good grip but soft handling) in 185/60R14

 

[Eugn86]

I've used ST115 before, high wear rate ~20,000km botak... (195/55/R15) and very noisy, but lovely steering feel. But after that i changed to Toyo R1R, i fell in love with it... keke, very very sticky but even noisier... lol...

 

Anyway, AR10 is a decently good choice. I recommended it to my friend who's driving an Altis. 185/70 R14, can get it at $80 (after bargaining) at Soh Tyre. Soh Tyre has just brought in some fresh stocks of AR10. So far he is rather pleased, as it's much quieter than the stock Bridgestones.

 

I wouldn't recommend Yokohamas, seeing how much they have a reputation for having poor braking performance in the wet even in tire tests.

[Astrochucky]

i used thai eagle f1 in 195/55/15 in my previous car before.

the main complaints are the wheels/steering tend to wobble over uneven roadsurface (prob due to the V thread design) and very slippery in carpark. But it cuts water very well

 

ST115 and C Drive sounds like good suggestion, but they have been around for quite a while already.

i try to ask around if there are stocks for them.

Thanks a lot.

 

btw, do you mind revealing what u changed to and your impression of the tyre?

i would have some reference if my hunt for C drive and ST115 turns futile.

[Elfenstar]

i used thai eagle f1 in 195/55/15 in my previous car before.

the main complaints are the wheels/steering tend to wobble over uneven roadsurface (prob due to the V thread design) and very slippery in carpark. But it cuts water very well

 

ST115 and C Drive sounds like good suggestion, but they have been around for quite a while already.

i try to ask around if there are stocks for them.

Thanks a lot.

 

btw, do you mind revealing what u changed to and your impression of the tyre?

i would have some reference if my hunt for C drive and ST115 turns futile.

 

I havent. I'm set on the KH17's, but they're only available in 185/60R14 in Malaysia, and i havent had time to go up.....

 

Well I have used C Drives before (185/60R14 too). If not for my new aversion to road noise, I would get them again in a heartbeat.

[Lucaswh]

hi..have stock KH17s on my koup..not sure if it's an accurate FR cos mine is 215/45/r17..

 

decent thread wear of 400, i would say good and acceptable for me, comfort levels and noise levels even on highway speeds. Grip is decent and more than sufficient for street driving..but the occasional enthusiastic run results in wheel spin and screeching on first gear.

 

in fact, it serves me well so far, giving me acceptable grip on street and gd comfort as well. Always tempted to change to higher performance tire but afraid i would regret cos of tire noise.

[Furrynadz]

anything above 320 wear rate wont equate to good grip

unless u intend do 50kmh all the way

 

[Beregond]

anything above 320 wear rate wont equate to good grip

unless u intend do 50kmh all the way

 

lol there are some truth in it . i haven seen any high performance tyre with treadwear more then 300, mostly 180-250++

[Elfenstar]

hi..have stock KH17s on my koup..not sure if it's an accurate FR cos mine is 215/45/r17..

 

decent thread wear of 400, i would say good and acceptable for me, comfort levels and noise levels even on highway speeds. Grip is decent and more than sufficient for street driving..but the occasional enthusiastic run results in wheel spin and screeching on first gear.

 

in fact, it serves me well so far, giving me acceptable grip on street and gd comfort as well. Always tempted to change to higher performance tire but afraid i would regret cos of tire noise.

 

Thats what I heard too, and why I want to try it on in a smaller size. Its supposed to be one of the best for the 60/65 profile tyres.

 

[Elfenstar]

anything above 320 wear rate wont equate to good grip

unless u intend do 50kmh all the way

 

Well the ratings arent standardised across different makes, so can give and take a little. I find korean tyre brands wear a lot quicker than other makes with similar wear ratings. Confirm the punto's K415s will need to be changed at the end of two years

[Lucaswh]

Well the ratings arent standardised across different makes, so can give and take a little. I find korean tyre brands wear a lot quicker than other makes with similar wear ratings. Confirm the punto's K415s will need to be changed at the end of two years

 

haha good! that gives me an excuse to change to those Bridgestones.

[Facadegeniality]

im thinking of getting the k415 for my getz....what shld be the price range for 165/65 r14?? actually i heard they only have 175 onwards.

[Transfoamer]

dna db

made in japan

improved version of the aspect db, best seller

 

 

[Aoslab]

I need to change my tires. Shortlisted a few. Pls help give your opinions:

 

Yoko ES 501

Toyo Teo Plus

Mich XM1

Bridgestone AR 10

 

Thanks in advance.