I have 96 gxe 5sp with Borbet H 16" looking for new tires soon. I have Potenza 730s (225/55/16) - they are not quite as good as the so1 Pole positions on dry, and signif worse on wet. Will the Kuhmo 712s that everyone seems to have be better than what I have for wet/dry or autocross? Should I blow the money for the SO3 Pole positions?

 

I have the kumos and I love them

 

i've have kumho's, and they are good for dry weather, and seem to be ok for wet weather also (but I haven't tried them in the rain too much, and never in the snow). Many people on this board say that they really suck for rain/snow conditions..

 

I have 235 45 zr 17 kumho 712s and they're ok for the price.
They have reasonable cornering limits and predictable breakaway.
But damn, they howl! Anyone else notice this? I like performance tires
that are quiet when i push them hard and these definitely aren't...
for this reason i'll probably spend a little more next time and
get some S-03s

 

My car came with the Goodyear Eagle RSAs.
Those sucked. OK dry useless wet.
I could never get a good start in the rain,
always spun em.
I rode those too long.
Should be called "Lameyears".

Recently switched to Kumho 712s. [hunnert bucks a pop @ tirerack]
These are so much better in the dry.
great in the wet - no spin off the line.
Haven't really pushed it too far cornering, but they feel pretty grippy.
I think they would probably suck in the snow.

The goodyears were on 16" rims.
Kumhos are on 17" [Kosei K1s],
so this could be a factor.

Ok - so great tire for every day.For autoX I'd say even better.
AutoX isn't really friendly to tires so why blow yer dough on expensive ones?
Get the Kuhmos and you can autoX more often.