Falken tires???

Leland Pate · 03-26-2002, 03:35 PM

I'm still shopping around for a set or replacement tires for the SC later in the year.
I've stopped by a few tire shops to get quotes and advice.
One shop today was really stressing these Falken ZIEX ZE326 tires.

I was very sceptical since I have never heard of these things before and as usual with things like this.... I'll ask you guys first.

They are pretty well priced... the price I was quoted was $592 installed...
this is for 205-40-17s for the front
and 255-40-17s for the rears...

...and imput?

orbmedia · 03-26-2002, 03:39 PM

Falkens are great tires...

FOR ME TO POOP ON!

Face · 03-26-2002, 03:49 PM

Leland,

I'd agree, I had some on my old RX-7 - pretty cheap tires. Not sure what model they were though so yours may be improved... but I'd shy away from them for my P-car!

Cheers,

davis911s · davis911s's Garage

Leland I saw those tires at a show last summer, they looked nice, but I have no idea what they handle like or how long they would last.

Sorry
Shawn

Reg · 03-26-2002, 04:41 PM

I just got a used set of flaken pure snows for my MR2 for dirt cheap.

The lugs are very aggressive and they bite in snow very well. That said, the sidewalls are terribly spongy and my car sounds like an 18 wheeler on 78 speed once I hit 50 mph on a smooth road. Thank god they are coming off very soon.

I have heard many people talk up the kumho 712's as being a great tire for little $.

stuartj · 03-26-2002, 05:12 PM

Timely question. Fitted yesterday a new set of Falken GBS-RS Tune II to an 87 Carrera. (205/55/16, 225/50/16 Z) This is my second set, having completely destroyed what remained of the rears at an event on Sunday.

I dont know if these variants are available where you are, but I have found them to be very good on the road and on the track. They have worn absolutely evenly, and survived 30,000 kms (20k) miles and more than a dozen full on circuit days, club events etc. They have a very good outer block that holds up to the track very well, without seeming to burr and chew like some tyres I have used. No undue sidewall flex issues, or excessive noise. (All performance tyres are noisy) Plenty of grip, and very communicative.

Having said that, mine is not a big HP car. I am a rap for these tyres, considering the life they have led, they have exceeded my expectations. They are also a very nice colour.

Hope that helps.

stuart 87 Carrera

expatriot98 · 03-26-2002, 05:29 PM

Yo Lee,
Pretty good Falken price for a set of Falken tires.
See ya Falken later,
Mark

Victor · 03-26-2002, 05:52 PM

Leland, I can vouch for what StuartJ says. I am on my 2nd set and am due for new rubber also. They are a good value for money tyre and most people who don't run R rubber use them on the track over here. They wear really well and transition fairly gradually from traction to complete and utter loss of control. Even by 911 standards. BUT MAKE SURE you get the Falken GBS-RS Tune II as he says. From what I saw on the weekend, anything else Falken make is designed for shopping trolleys or Tamiya RC cars.

Cheers, VC '89 3.2

PS: Hi Stuart,

How did you totally destroy a set of tyres at a show 'n shine? Was that out of rage because you only won "Peoples choice" and not outright best presented?

stuartj · 03-26-2002, 06:08 PM

You are right. I should have been with you getting my arse kicked by a gaggle of boggo Subies. You should be ashamed to show your face in 911 company.

PS: Get st*ffed, rude letter follows.

Your dear friend
stuart

Victor · 03-26-2002, 06:20 PM

Stuart,

See you on the road, Toecutter. By the way, Cantalini wants his hand back.

VC '89 3.2

stuartj · 03-26-2002, 06:27 PM

old enough to shave? Or was it hard to tell for the backwards turned baseball caps, homeboy jeans and duff-shi-duff-shi-duff-shi noise?

stuart 73 Monaro
I am the Night Rider, a fuel injected suicide machine, sent down by the hand of God to strike down the unroadworthy.. ah, excuse me.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Ahh, back to the tire issue; (boggo subies?); Leland- I got a similar quote for Dunlops 8000's here in L.A.- check www.tirerack.com for prices, it is a great site w/ comparisons, tests, prices on every good tire sold, etc.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

Falken was the first new set of tires I bought after purchasing my SC in 1984. Ok in the dry, not good in the wet, weak handling. I've used Yokohama A008P's ever since. Perhaps they've improved but I'm not going to be the test case.

LeeH · 03-26-2002, 08:11 PM

I just ordered Kumho 712s today. For 205/55ZR16 and 225/50ZR16 Tirerack price was $342 delivered.

Discount Tire here in AZ matched that plus a bit for $396 installed, including tax.

My S02s are cracked to the point that I'm not completely comfortable driving the car. Sad, as they only have around 10K miles and have tons of tread left.

Jdub · 03-27-2002, 05:25 AM

Orb:

I thought I was gonna die I laughed so hard.

All hail the Comic Dog! How I miss him!

John

rcilurso · rcilurso's Garage

Lee,
I have FK451s on my Targa and on my Camaro. I love them for street driving. Try Vulcan Tire, www.vulcantire.com. Got mine for $74 a pop.

makaio · 03-27-2002, 09:37 PM

Leland,

I have those on my car right now for street driving. They do fine in the rain, but $uck in the snow. They are a very decent tire for the street. I have about 7,000 miles on mine now, and still have plenty of tread left.

I've ran them on the track twice ( my first 2 events). They do alright and are very predictable, but are not grippy enough for serious track driving. And they like to squeal (a lot) when really pushed.

I probably won't buy them again though, since Kumho's are about the same price, and I could have put Toyo TS-1's or Bridgestone So-2's for another $300.