Kumh Ecsta ASX vs BFG G-Force Sport?

White95Max · 12-30-06, 04:27

I'm due for new tires (My Fuzion ZRi set is dead after about 4K) so I'm looking at the BF-Goodrich G-Force Sports and Kumho Ecsta ASX in 205/50/15. The Fuzions performed very well, but the treadwear was horrendous. I kept them inflated to 36PSI always.
The BFG is an ultra high-performance summer-only tire, while the ASX is an ultra-high-performance all-season. The reviews for both on TireRack are outstanding. Any opinions one way or the other?

BFGoodrich g-Force Sport
Kumho ECSTA ASX

truzoom · 12-30-06, 04:39

Hey Max

Have a good holiday?

Cheers,

tz

White95Max · 12-30-06, 04:43

Well, yes, but the best things came from myself.

The leather massage chair, the hiking shoes, and the solar-powered atomic watch.

Next on the list...new tires. I'm ready to put the summer wheels on again. Many of the lakes here are showing open water! Weird...

lee · 12-30-06, 05:29

I like the g-Force Sport better as it has a better turn-in (if sharp handling matters to you.

Although living in FLorida I can't speak to WI weather, I'd suggest keeping in mind the difference between summer only, and all season, is the amount of void on the tread - and does not have a direct correlation with winter driving ability. That does not mean the Kumho isn't a true All-Season, just a caution - call Tire Rack & ask them.

White95Max · 12-30-06, 09:05

Yes, sharp handling means a lot to me. Have you tried both sets or are you basing your comment on the reviews?

I have a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3s for winter. I will not run the new tires in snow. But I have been known to swap wheels for a week during a nice stretch of weather. I can swap my wheels in 25 minutes, so it's no big deal to me.

I'm considering the ASX because summer tread compounds get stiff in the cold. I have had two sets of summer-only tires now, and both get pretty stiff and noisy if you run them in the cold. I'm also thinking ahead, about selling the car in ~18 months when I intend to move to the West Coast. With a quieter ride, more potential buyers will be interested.

Brad B. · 01-01-07, 04:40

I've had both. The G-Sports are a decent summer tire. Not the best I've had but pretty good. They are much more responsive, have better turn-in and less flex than the Kumho all seasons. Yes, the G-sports are a little stiffer in the cold as you would expect.

I currently run Dunlop Wintersports in the winter, even when the streets dry out. But will switch to summer tires in March or so. I think this is the best scenario. If I wanted to spend the money and time to have a third set of tires and wheels then an all season is ok but seems a waste of money to me. And I definitely don't want to run them the other 8-9 months of the year.

White95Max · 01-01-07, 06:28

Well I ordered 4 of the ASXs. $259 shipped. I hope the difference in handling isn't too much different than the summer tires, but we'll see. I generally don't like all-season tires, so I hope I don't regret the purchase.
I also hope the sidewall flex and turn-in response can be offset a bit by heightened tire pressure.

Kanchou · 01-03-07, 02:10

you will be hard pressed to notice unless you can feel sidewall flex when driving. Traction is simply excellent, especially for as quiet a tire it is.

I love my ASX on my WRX.

2StepsAhead · 01-03-07, 03:04

I drove my buddies Evo with bfg g-forces on there and didn't care for them, felt squishy compared to my Yokohama Advans....next summer tire I buy is going to be the Falken rt615's, for the price you can't beat them.