27 replies to this topic

[stevew]

Has anyone tried Falken ZE512, ineed some new tyres for my C70 T5 and can get FalkenZE512 at a really good price.

[JHEIII874T5M]

I had them on my 850 for a few months, the ones up front only lasted about 4 months (5-6k miles) and the rears about 8 (11-12k miles).

[WhiteT5]

I had them on my 850 for a few months, the ones up front only lasted about 4 months (5-6k miles) and the rears about 8 (11-12k miles).

Ditto, I also ran them and they didn't perform that nicely either.

Edited by White850T5, 23 August 2005 - 12:37 PM.

[vstylz]

you may want to look at the Falken FK 451's... i've heard those are really good... not winter rated though so if you want an all season tire its not for you...

[JHEIII874T5M]

you may want to look at the Falken FK 451's... i've heard those are really good... not winter rated though so if you want an all season tire its not for you...

yes, sir, those grip really well and are a solid rain tire as well. If you can find some Azenis sports, those always make for a fun time.

[George @ ViVA]

you may want to look at the Falken FK 451's... i've heard those are really good... not winter rated though so if you want an all season tire its not for you...

Just as an FYI to anyone who is interested in the Falken FK451's...

Do NOT keep these tires mounted on your car during the cold, winter months.
When I ran these tires on my 850 T-5R, I kept them mounted on the car and drove in the winter only when it was not snowing/raining/icing.

The following Spring, 3 of 4 tires suffered rubber breakdown in the tire sidewall. The cracks in the rubber were only visible when the tires were un-mounted.

Summer tires should not be used or mounted at ALL, in the winter.

[vstylz]

Just as an FYI to anyone who is interested in the Falken FK451's...

Do NOT keep these tires mounted on your car during the cold, winter months.
When I ran these tires on my 850 T-5R, I kept them mounted on the car and drove in the winter only when it was not snowing/raining/icing.

The following Spring, 3 of 4 tires suffered rubber breakdown in the tire sidewall. The cracks in the rubber were only visible when the tires were un-mounted.

Summer tires should not be used or mounted at ALL, in the winter.

So George, are you saying that these tires shouldnt be driven in the winter or shouldnt even be mounted on wheels in the winter???

i know 3 people running these tires (one of which who has an S 2000) who drives them in the winter except for when its snowing he gets rides... he hasnt complained about them...

?? If you can give more info itd be great... thanks!

Edited by vstylz, 23 August 2005 - 01:31 PM.

[cRRRRazy]

i've had them on my car for about 9 months now and have been very happy with them. they have become a bit noisy in the past month but nothing more audible than the michelin pilot mxxx3 that were on there before (actually less noise). grip is pretty good imo, they are rated at 30000 (with warranty) and all season. i guess it might depend on the car cause imo all round great tire

[George @ ViVA]

So George, are you saying that these tires shouldnt be driven in the winter or shouldnt even be mounted on wheels in the winter???

?? If you can give more info itd be great... thanks!

Both! I imagine the characteristics of the rubber in the tire were permanently altered from low temps.

I had a customer who had the same tires on his 2000 S40 and suffered a tire failure on the highway going 80+ miles per hour. The tire disintegrated at the sidewall. He was left with a half inch strip of rubber on the wheel. You know how you can see truck tires on the highway? That's what happened to him. I contributed it to a poor tire size selection given the max load weight for the tire. But when I unmounted my 451's, I then saw the cracks in the sidewall. The cracks were not visible when they were mounted.

This is definately something that should be inspected for.

[vstylz]

Just as an FYI to anyone who is interested in the Falken FK451's...

Do NOT keep these tires mounted on your car during the cold, winter months.
When I ran these tires on my 850 T-5R, I kept them mounted on the car and drove in the winter only when it was not snowing/raining/icing.

The following Spring, 3 of 4 tires suffered rubber breakdown in the tire sidewall. The cracks in the rubber were only visible when the tires were un-mounted.

Summer tires should not be used or mounted at ALL, in the winter.

very strange indeed... like i know 3 people with this tire and the one who i am with all the time with the s2000 loves them and drives very hard on them in all seasons except when its snowing...

he'll do it even when its wet etc!

Edited by vstylz, 23 August 2005 - 01:58 PM.

[George @ ViVA]

I was happy with the tires as well, given the price I paid for them.
The cracks in the sidewall were not something I noticed when they were on the car, but only when unmounted. Your friend should unmount the tires and see if they have any cracks.
The tire dealer would not even remount the tires because he saw the cracks. He said the shop does not want to be liable for any injury if they mounted them back on.

[vstylz]

I was happy with the tires as well, given the price I paid for them.
The cracks in the sidewall were not something I noticed when they were on the car, but only when unmounted. Your friend should unmount the tires and see if they have any cracks.
The tire dealer would not even remount the tires because he saw the cracks. He said the shop does not want to be liable for any injury if they mounted them back on.

Hey George so how long would you say these tires are good for if they are rotated normally (and not driven in winter )

[George @ ViVA]

Mine lasted about 17K miles. Otherwise, I'd replace them after 2 years.

[vstylz]

Mine lasted about 17K miles. Otherwise, I'd replace them after 2 years.

hmm

[RAzOR]

Has anyone tried Falken ZE512, ineed some new tyres for my C70 T5 and can get FalkenZE512 at a really good price.

Falkens ride hard and get noisy.

[the underlørd]

Falkens ride hard and get noisy.

just like an old girlfreind of mine.

[kenhoeve]

geevs will not agree but here i go.

Falken ziex 512 are junk. 15,000 mile tires at best. shoulders go bald way prematurely. My experience with 1/2 wear on the tire is that they would hydroplane with extreme prejudice. They start just a little noisy at low speed, but get much noisier with 1/2 wear. I hated these tires.

Oh, they did have good dry grip and a pleasant release in cornering.

[Brewin4u]

I personally chewed through 6 of them within 15K miles - not hard core driving either. They gripped very well but were louder then the tires I have now.

A suggestion - spend an extra $50 (at least) and look at the BF Goodrich selection at Costco.

[javadoc]

Yeah, I'm using up the last of a set of FK 451s, and I figure that I nursed 2 entire summers out of them... maybe 15,000 miles. They were darned fun, but they do ride a bit harsh. Anyone who drives them in the snow is crazy. I tried it in May when we had a freak snowfall of about 1/2" (freakish b/c it was May). I just about got stuck in the pancake flat parking lot at my office, and stopping was a complete white-knuckled event. Dry and wet performance were great though.

I'm searching for something different next time.

[Geevs]

geevs will not agree but here i go.

Falken ziex 512 are junk.  15,000 mile tires at best.  shoulders go bald way prematurely.  My experience with  1/2 wear on the tire is that they would hydroplane with extreme prejudice.  They start just a little noisy at low speed, but get much noisier with 1/2 wear.  I hated these tires.

Oh, they did have good dry grip and a pleasant release in cornering.

LOL, still remember that one, eh?

I guess the 512 is not for everybody and I think it all depends on their expectations. Also I think the good and bad experiences are related to the tire sizes. I have had good experience with the stock 205-50/16. I am now on my second set, the first lasted me 30,000kms which is well below the rated 50,000kms. I agree that treadlife is certainly the weakest point of the tire. However, I have been very pleased with the ride comfort, noise level and grip for an all-season tire. I've had no problems with aqua-planning. But then again, I am using a 205-50/16 if that makes a difference.

I'm having a set of 512s in 215/45-17 installed on my 854R this week. So, Ken I will surely get the chance to try the 17" 512s. I opted for the 512s instead of the 451s cos I wanted a high performance all-season tire rather than a summer tire.