Kumho I'Zen Wis K19 Winter Tires?

[el_rodento]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any experience with the Kumho I'Zen Wis K19 Winter Tires? I'm trying to decide between these and the Goodyear Nordic tires. There's a $100 difference (for four tires) between them, and the Kumho's are rated one star better by the APA but I haven't been able to find any reviews of that tire. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[sas]

I have found in net -
“The current Canadian Tire Nordic tires use the same tread pattern as a european Goodyear Ultragrip 500”.
If so, then Goodyear must be bit better.
Both of them have modest characteristics.

[S.F.W.]

Up until this season, I have run the Kumho Kw17 winter tire. It's a similar tire to the Kw19, but better in snow, and not as good on ice. While the tires were fine for three, last year, I had one fail on me, and another was about to, when I switched over to summer tires.
Overall, I would not recommend them again.

[RedRaptor]

What do you mean they failed on you? Did you pick up a nail? Have to be more specific than that. I've run the KW17s for three seasons and they were great. I have the Vikings now but thats because I sold my KW17s.

[S.F.W.]

What do you mean they failed on you? Did you pick up a nail? Have to be more specific than that. I've run the KW17s for three seasons and they were great. I have the Vikings now but thats because I sold my KW17s.

No nail, no object in tire, side wall of tire blew out. Both CAA, and tire shop agreed, it was an early failure of the tire. I had been rotating tires once in season, and then before putting them on for the season. As well, the tire shop that removed my winters said it looked as though the opposite corner was about to go as well.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

No nail, no object in tire, side wall of tire blew out. Both CAA, and tire shop agreed, it was an early failure of the tire. I had been rotating tires once in season, and then before putting them on for the season. As well, the tire shop that removed my winters said it looked as though the opposite corner was about to go as well.

you're lowered on ProKits aren't you? Camber links to fix the camber? was the tire on the rear? Was your car properly aligned? was there wear due to improper alignment? were your tire pressures checked often to ensure that they didn't fall too low?

maybe you hit a pothole that cause internal damage to the sidewall unbeknownst to you. maybe it was run for an extended period with low pressure that caused heat damage to the inside.

there are way too many factors to state that the KW17 is a bad tire. I had them for over 30,000kms over the 3 years that i had it (with 90% 407 driving) and they were great...RR even used them after me with no issues. i believe wtom still has them on his car.

i would've bought another set of KW17s for winter if they didn't jack up the price in 06.

[S.F.W.]

I am lowered on prokits, but do have a camber kit, and alignment. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, for me, I would not purchase them again.

[justblaze]

I've had the K19's on my speed3 for one season so far and they have been awesome. They are great on packed snow and glazed over roads. The K19 also has spots for studs. lol. I give these tires A++.

[RedRaptor]

there are way too many factors to state that the KW17 is a bad tire. I had them for over 30,000kms over the 3 years that i had it (with 90% 407 driving) and they were great...RR even used them after me with no issues.


True dat. I was running your old KW17s on steelies for the whole summer. The tires never failed but the stem value leaked so I had to get it rebalanced. Great tire over all.

But I can understand some people having a bad experience with any product. I wouldn't call it bad tire tho.