Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110- Review

[CledusMS3]

Just had these mounted up on 10/29/09.

They are in 225/45/18
Stock suspension
Miles Driven so far - 200
Initial Impressions-
It's far too early to give a definitive review here. I think it takes atleast 5,000 miles to get a proper opinion of a tire.
What I have noticed so far: Much quieter than my stock Bridgestones. Ride is about the same. Forward bite seems much better. Haven't tested Lateral Grip yet. Haven't tested hard braking yet either. Steering seems heavier. No rubbing so far.

I'll update when I get a little more miles on them.

[CledusMS3]

Update

lateral grip is slightly better than the stock potenzas. The
Hankooks are very forgiving and easy to drive at the limit.
They start to slide a little, but stay very stable and progressive.
The Potenzas would tend to squeal and start skipping. The Hankooks
just start scrubbing. I can get on the power a whole lot earlier now.
These tires forward bite is way better than the stockers ever were. Very
little slip & wheel hop. The load just drags the turbo into action and you're gone.
These tires are super quiet. Can't believe they're performace tires
while cruising down the freeway. Way better than the Potenzas were when
they were new. Loving them. I'm able to cruise without the stereo way
up to drown out the road noise. The diffeeence is really dramatic.
The ride is a bit better as well. The big difference is the concrete to asphault
transitions that are so terrible in "The People's Socialist Republic of California". I've gone over several that would always feels like the suspension was going to get ripped from under the car with the Potenzas. With the Hankooks, they are just a small bump. A lot of that can be attributed to the extra sidwall though.
Really glad I opted for the 45's with California's 3rd world roads.

[BillTheCat]

Very encouraging, and in line with what I have heard from others running these tires on several different vehicles. I am a big fan of my Yokohama S-Drives, for all of the same reasons you mention with the Hankooks, but when it is time for a new set, I will be price checking the Hankooks versus the S-Drives & will switch out in a heartbeat if there is a significant price savings on the Hankooks. (I think it was only $5-8 per tire when I got my S-Drives this Summer, and I had experience with the S-Drives, and almost no reviews of the Hankooks at the time.)

Thanks very much for sharing this info with us.

[08cosmic3]

I have the V12's and like them but the sidewalls do flex more than the stockers when at their limits. All the things said by the OP I agree with.

[CledusMS3]

I have the V12's and like them but the sidewalls do flex more than the stockers when at their limits. All the things said by the OP I agree with.

I have noticed that about the sidewalls. I wasn't sure how much is attributed to the 225/45 size. The better ride & less noise is worth the slight increase in flex to me.

[08cosmic3]

I have noticed that about the sidewalls. I wasn't sure how much is attributed to the 225/45 size. The better ride & less noise is worth the slight increase in flex to me.

I agree. I have stock size.

[zx2man]

thinking of getting these in 235/40/18 on my 18x8 46mm konig runaways :)

[charlessss]

Thanks to BillTheCats recommendation I also bought a set of these tires as well. But in the 225/40/18 size. The noise is much less than the stockers which is a plus. But I think I will buy the 45 size the next time I need to replace them. I have no regrets with the purchase.

[BillTheCat]

Thanks to BillTheCats recommendation I also bought a set of these tires as well. But in the 225/40/18 size. The noise is much less than the stockers which is a plus. But I think I will buy the 45 size the next time I need to replace them. I have no regrets with the purchase.

That was probably more to Cledus' review than my comments. (I'm on S-Drives) But I'll say that with my wheels (18x7.5 +43) on stock suspension & 225/45/18 tires, I did require a mild fender roll to get rid of rubbing on bumps, rough roads, uneven highway joints, etc. Just FYI.

[Hank3]

Looking to maybe purchase these in 225/45/18 also...but for my set of RX-8 rims, which are 18x8. I can't tell from the pics online, but do these tires have the rim guard protection?

Also curious as to how much you paid. I can get them for $554.80 for the set from Discount Tire, and there is a rebate currenty for $50 from Hankook.

[CledusMS3]

They do have rim protection. I already tested that
feature unfortunately, but the rim was untouched.
As for what I paid, I paid $520 at the Tire Rack. They
don't charge my states sales tax. I also got in on the
$50 rebate too.
That rebate expires Nov 30th I believe.

Also, got to test them in therain finally. They did
well. The tires gripped well. I only wish for
a little more forward bite in the rain, but they're
still way better than OEM. I guess I'm wanting
AWD.

[zx2man]

Hey jut to throw it out there fellas..if you have a discount tire where you live go there and then pricematch that with onlinetires.com...I got my hankook ventus v12 evo 235-40-18 for 107.00 per tire..then paid 39.00 for shipping..so ttal price was like 467...anyways discount tires will pricematch that..and you would not pay shipping..you would buy the tires and then set up a appointment and get it all done and prabaly save even more money :)

[Hank3]

Thanks for the info, Cledus - especially about the rim guard. Found another place (onlinetire.com (http://www.onlinetires.com/products/vehicle/tires/hankook/235%252F40-18+hankook+ventus+v12+evo+k110+95y.html)) that has these for $107.27 a tire + shipping. Got my local Discount Tire to pricematch...and I've decided to go with 235/40/18 instead of 225/45/18. Will come out to $500 + tax + mounting and balancing. Subtract that $50 rebate and it'll be sweet!

hahaha - you chimed in right before I did zx2man. How did you get $39 shipping? Must be because you're in WA and I'm in FL because my shipping costs from onlinetires is $68.51.

[zx2man]

possibly...but regardless you made the ultimate smart move..thats what I should have done..but purchased them before I thought of discounttire..I still got a pretty good deal as is..but yeah..thats usually the way to go..search your ass off online..then go down to discount..pricematch it and your set...good stuff Hank...hope you like your tires :)

[Hank3]

Discount matched onlinetires price + what it would've cost to ship to me. So it's not like Discount gave me the $107 price. They tacked on the shipping cost, too. But Discount does have the warranty and that extra added stuff too. Regardless, I hope I'll like the tires, too.

[zx2man]

Mine came in today..if my tuner lugs get in tommorro early enough ill put em on tommorro..or worst comes to worst I already set up a appointment at discount tires for monday..cant wait to get em on. Then down to surgeline tuning next thursday to roll my rear fenders and pick up a cobb rsb :)

[Hank3]

Those look great! Post pics when you get them mounted - if possible take pics of the rim guard on the rims. I'd like to compare them to the RE040s I had on my RX-8s.

[PaPaSpeed]

Looks like you guys got some good prices on your tires.
Here's a site I used last week to get some all seasons BF Goodrich G Force SuperSport A/S. No shipping, no tax, they arrived in 5 days. I was happy with them.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do?

[zx2man]

Those look great! Post pics when you get them mounted - if possible take pics of the rim guard on the rims. I'd like to compare them to the RE040s I had on my RX-8s.

Will do :)

[08cosmic3]

I have over 3000 miles on these tires and I do like them but every time I take my favorite parkway U ramp I can feel the sidewalls flex and it irks me. The tires don't break loose but I wish they were stiffer. Will adding more air pressure help reduce this flex. I run 35 psi and I believe the max is 50 psi. I might try 45 psi.

[zx2man]

feel them flex? by just going up the driveway? dam Cosmic..thats not good..hopefully the tire psi helps..in the little time ive had em..they are doing well...no flexing at all. I need the weather to get better and take some way better pics..but its been dark cloudy rainy..so these shitty cell phone snaps best I can do haha.

[08cosmic3]

Read my post again. I said nothing about a drive way. I did say parkway u ramp which is a sweeping downhill ramp from a Parkway (Intersate style road) on to an Interstate. I can take this ramp at 75 to 80 mph. The stock tires never flexed or I never found their limit. The V12's sidewalls will roll when I take this ramp at 70 + MPH. I don't fell as confident on this ramp with the V12's as I did with the stock tires. The V12's do grip much better in a straight line as in taking off hard and wheel spin at WOT and they are quieter and more comfortable (softer sidewalls).

I quess you can't have it all.

[zx2man]

yeah my bad..I re-read it but was too lazy to go oops..sorry long day for me..I did happen to check my tire psi though..and im @ 40 psi right now. Tires just got installed from discount tire..and I did take my car to my fav. twisty road yesterday in the rain,and I wasnt trying to push the limits..but I was going around some 20 mph corners at 45-50 ish and Tires felt awesome with 0 flex :) so hope this helps.

[liquidflem]

Ordered mine today, should be here Wednesday. Got them in stock size for $520 shipped. Can't wait to try them out - i'll let you guys know what my impressions are. I have only used the stock tires on this car and with 16k miles on the car now, they are almost gone.

[08cosmic3]

Thanks, I'm going to go up to 40 psi and see if that helps. This tire has become in short order the tire everyone is getting. Great vaule for a good tire.

[leadf00t]

Anyone running these in 235/40 with lowering springs ? I have 235's coming, and have a set of MS springs sitting in the garage waiting until summer for install, but I may sell the springs if serious rubbing is going to be an issue.

[liquidflem]

MS has springs? Didn't know that. They have coil overs too?

I love these tires. Much less wheel spin in first gear. Lots of straight line traction. Haven't really pushed them otherwise. I may autox on them in March, but will likely have my set of Direzza star specs by then on my other rims.

[CnoTataymo]

Anyone running these in 235/40 with lowering springs ? I have 235's coming, and have a set of MS springs sitting in the garage waiting until summer for install, but I may sell the springs if serious rubbing is going to be an issue.
I doubt you'll rub. The springs are about 30% stiffer than stock but then again don't really lower the car. If anything, roll your fenders.

[Jasnall]

I have noticed that about the sidewalls. I wasn't sure how much is attributed to the 225/45 size. The better ride & less noise is worth the slight increase in flex to me.

I think the flex is attributed to the size. I'm running s.drives at 225/40/18 on stock rims, I've always noticed a lot of flex in turning and if I park on an incline or tree roots under the road the tire almost looks flat. I run 38-40psi and it helps a little. I think this is because the 225/40 is wider then the stock rim so it compromises the sidewall strength. I was gonna go back to 215/45 so I can have a stiffer sidewall.
Does this make sense?

[stevekt]

I have these tires in stock size. I've been running them for a few weeks. So far they've been great.

[Doc-1]

I run these in stock size. Well not much difference that I can tell. But the car has un-resolved anger issues and these tires did not help. Still have traction issues in 1-2-3 in the dry and in the rain I am to chicken to see how far my traction issues will extend. The tires have less road noise and still goes around a corner very well. As far as what it is at the limit, I think these tire have better manners. Not sure if I will get more than 10K out of them.

[zx2man]

So far so good..they grip alot better than stockers..as for people who have them in stock size...go fatter with wider wheels..this car needs more meat on the road...imho it was retarded for mazda to produce a 280lb tq fwd car and then slap tall skinnys on it.

[Yoo Shin]

So far so good..they grip alot better than stockers..as for people who have them in stock size...go fatter with wider wheels..this car needs more meat on the road...imho it was retarded for mazda to produce a 280lb tq fwd car and then slap tall skinnys on it.

Indeed, but going any wider on a stock wheel isn't really benificial. I would rather keep crispness and response in exchange for a tad more traction with the narrow stock wheels.

[zx2man]

Indeed, but going any wider on a stock wheel isn't really benificial. I would rather keep crispness and response in exchange for a tad more traction with the narrow stock wheels.

Very true Yoo Shin....thats why i said get em on WIDER wheels :) screw the stock wheel all together..in terms of pure looks I like the stock wheel..what I dont like 18x7 52mm offset and 24lb=fail

[Yoo Shin]

Very true Yoo Shin....thats why i said get em on WIDER wheels :) screw the stock wheel all together..in terms of pure looks I like the stock wheel..what I dont like 18x7 52mm offset and 24lb=fail

Word my friend. I just got my 215/45 V12s put on today and got a good 50 miles on them already. I'm impressed so far.

I plan on going 18x8.5 with some 245/40s (yeah I know, I'll get them to fit ;)) In fact I need to go ahead and get Wheeldude my deposit for those Gravels...

[wlaquerre]

well from all the reviews everyone has gave i think I'm gonna pick these up as well in stock size! Still have some time left of this cold weather before i have the chance to put them on and put up a review! Stupid cold New England weather! How ever when i finally get a chance to get her out and stretch her legs with the new tires i will be sure to post a review!