Falken tires: to buy or not to buy?

[Jay 535i]

Sorry for the double post, but I need as much advice as I can get by tomorrow.

If you have any thoughts or experiences with Falken tires (particularly the ZE-512) please post here:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthr...9732#post89732

[Hector]

with about 8K miles on them and have been pretty happy--good dry grip, decent wet traction, relatively low noise (noise is not much of an issue for me,) nice tread patternand. Also, here are other yakchips about this tire I posted...

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthr...+ZIEX+512+tire

Recently, Falken introduced the new ZE-329 in the states. Here are some quotes from a tire expert or someone who is probably connected to Falken tire marketing. I've noticed this tire has a similar tread pattern than Sumitomo's HTR+. Go figure, Falken is owned by Sumitomo anyhow...

***That being said, the ZE-329 has turned up better stats over the ZE-512. The ZE-512 began its legacy as a "long-lasting" "high performance" all season tyre. In actuality, it is quite a nice tyre but it should not be marketed as long-lasting - it is not.

The ZE-329 has a superior silica-based tread compound that allows for longer life without sacrificing traction in weather and extends the "sweetness" of the rubber as the tyre ages maintaining traction levels.

The ZE-329 also has other subtle difference such as Falken's pattented rotation-divots (holes in the tread - can be seen in the picture above) which allow you to see when the tyre should be rotated as well as be able to see how the inside/outside wear is comparing.

The ZE-329 is also a non-directional tyre which makes it a more practical tyre. The ZE-512 can not be cross-rotated so you can not even out the wear by switching sides as you rotate.

If given the choice, the ZE-329 is the superior of the two tyres. It's too bad you will likely NOT be able to get them at MOST Falken dealers in North America.***

Sorry for the double post, but I need as much advice as I can get by tomorrow.

If you have any thoughts or experiences with Falken tires (particularly the ZE-512) please post here:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthr...9732#post89732

[joe maniqz]

Sorry for the double post, but I need as much advice as I can get by tomorrow.

If you have any thoughts or experiences with Falken tires (particularly the ZE-512) please post here:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthr...9732#post89732

Jay...i have the Falken ziex 225/50/16...i have no problem with...have it for the last 6k...it still runs good...need to rotate it soon but it still doesn't show any irregular wear.

[632 Regal]

i had mine for almost 15k, i would definetly buy them again!

[baileydog]

I bough a set of the Falken 512's last year from www.tiretrends.com, after a couple of days I realized I had a real problem with flatspotting (the temp was around 32F) and I thought they were fairly noisy. I called Tiretrends and got my money credited to a set of Yokohama AVSdb S2...they were $40 bucks more per tire, but I think they are great. No more flatspotting, went up a speed rating, and they are so quiiiiieeeeetttt.

Cheers,

[Jay 535i]

Wow, terrific posts. Thanks everyone.

Regal, are you saying the tires only lasted 15k miles?

Bailydog, yeah, I've been checking out that Yoke and it looks awesome, but I think they're quite a bit more money. I could stretch to them, but I don't know if it's worth it. Your complaint sounds uncommon.

[632 Regal]

the flatspotting is normal for the first few months you have them from the fresh rubber compound (newer silicon or something bases polymer) that goes away as I was concerned also. Other than that the tires didnt require much weight to balance them at all and have held the balance since I have owned them. I would still recommend them time after time.

[Jay 535i]

the flatspotting is normal for the first few months you have them from the fresh rubber compound (newer silicon or something bases polymer) that goes away as I was concerned also. Other than that the tires didnt require much weight to balance them at all and have held the balance since I have owned them. I would still recommend them time after time.

Flatspotting sounds really odd to me unless you're driving like a dufus (I'm not suggesting anything, Regal ).

What causes it? How many miles does it take to sort itself out?

[brodee]

I have the 512's on my sedan and they are working great for me. I run the Falken Azenis sports on my e30 and love them so I thought I'd try Falkens on the sedan. I'd buy them again.

[liquidtiger720]

I have the Falken st115's. They seem fine and ride pretty soft/quiet. I am getting a small sign of feathering on the outer edge- I need an alignment STAT!