Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice? - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

DAC21 · 06-28-2004, 07:56 PM

I have the local Discount Tire willing to match my best internet price of $81 each, not inc. tax / mounting, for 50/17/215 tires. Of course with shipping the best internet price I found was $93, but Discount is still giving me the $81 price. I only drive 10K a year, so I should get about three years out of these tires. Is there a better choice for a tire up to $90 ea.?

Stretch · 06-28-2004, 08:00 PM

You live in California. Get summer tires.

Here is my review if the 512's:
http://forum.mazda6tech.com/viewtopic.php?t=156

and more importantly, my commentary on all-season versus performance tires:
http://forum.mazda6tech.com/viewtopic.php?t=634

No matter what you read, there is no such thing as a high-performance all-season.

blaeznazn24 · 06-29-2004, 12:32 AM

I had em on my volks. 225/40/18. They were alright, good, but not the best.

Kristoff · 06-29-2004, 01:41 AM

BFG Traction T/A if you want all season.
They rock.

ashutoshsm · 06-29-2004, 11:59 AM

I back the screw-All-Seasons and get-Summer-Performance-Tires suggestion :)

In the $100ish range, you could get basic Yokohama AVS-ES100. Get a bit more spendy and splurge on the Kumho MX (wow!), or Toyo T1-S, or Bridgestone PP S-03 or Goodyear F1 GS-D3 or similar. They should still last you around 2 years with your low mileage, and will be much safer (not to mention WAY more fun) in summer as well as the rain!

toolman02 · 06-29-2004, 02:03 PM

I'd say it depends on how aggressively you drive. If you don't go all out or ever autocross, the 512s make a pretty good tire at a great price. However, if you ever want to autocross, get a summer tire like stretch said. I autocrossed on the 512s for the first time this weekend, and at this point I kinda wish I had a summer tire instead.

I've driven in the rain ONCE since I bought my 6, over a year ago. Buying an all season tire was kinda pointless. As soon as I destroy the 512s autocrossing on them, I'm going with Kumho MX.

DAC21 · 06-29-2004, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toolman02

* * * * * * I'd say it depends on how aggressively you drive. If you don't go all out or ever autocross, the 512s make a pretty good tire at a great price. However, if you ever want to autocross, get a summer tire like stretch said. I autocrossed on the 512s for the first time this weekend, and at this point I kinda wish I had a summer tire instead.

I've driven in the rain ONCE since I bought my 6, over a year ago. Buying an all season tire was kinda pointless. As soon as I destroy the 512s autocrossing on them, I'm going with Kumho MX.

I don't AutoX. Since I currently have the 16" OEM tire, the 17/50/215 Falken should be a significant improvement. I think the price + 30 K mileage (or there about) is what sells it for me over Summer tires.

Thanks for the help

Stretch · 06-29-2004, 08:24 PM

I made the exact same change... OEM 16's to 512's. The improvement is defiantely there, but it's marginal compared to the jump to summer tires. You can get summer tires for about the same price, so theres really no reason not to. Summer tires just mean the tread is not mud and snow rated (do you care?) and the rubber is designed for warmer climates (this is important since asphalt gets hot in the sun, and the rubber gets even hotter from the friction!).

The Kuhmo 712's are really inexpensive, though I'd still spend the extra $50-$80 and get the Kuhmo MX's.

06-28-2004, 07:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
DAC21 Track Racer Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice? I have the local Discount Tire willing to match my best internet price of $81 each, not inc. tax / mounting, for 50/17/215 tires. Of course with shipping the best internet price I found was $93, but Discount is still giving me the $81 price. I only drive 10K a year, so I should get about three years out of these tires. Is there a better choice for a tire up to $90 ea.?

06-28-2004, 08:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stretch Mazda Guru Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 5,758 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Reading Topic: Falken ZIEW 512, a good choice? You live in California. Get summer tires. Here is my review if the 512's: http://forum.mazda6tech.com/viewtopic.php?t=156 and more importantly, my commentary on all-season versus performance tires: http://forum.mazda6tech.com/viewtopic.php?t=634 No matter what you read, there is no such thing as a high-performance all-season. __________________ Understand suspensions? Please take the required measurements for my suspension calculator and share them on this site.

06-29-2004, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
blaeznazn24 Mazda Guru Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Socal Posts: 2,294 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Reading Topic: Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice? I had em on my volks. 225/40/18. They were alright, good, but not the best. __________________ CarDomain // UPDATED 5-15-07

06-29-2004, 01:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kristoff Track Racer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 652 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Reading Topic: Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice? BFG Traction T/A if you want all season. They rock.

06-29-2004, 11:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
ashutoshsm Mazda Guru Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NoVA Posts: 2,251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Replying to Topic 'Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice?' I back the screw-All-Seasons and get-Summer-Performance-Tires suggestion :) In the $100ish range, you could get basic Yokohama AVS-ES100. Get a bit more spendy and splurge on the Kumho MX (wow!), or Toyo T1-S, or Bridgestone PP S-03 or Goodyear F1 GS-D3 or similar. They should still last you around 2 years with your low mileage, and will be much safer (not to mention WAY more fun) in summer as well as the rain! __________________ -ashu Mazda6Tech.com CarDomain Wheels, tires, fluids and roof-mounted bike/ski rack. That's enough mods for me! .

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06-29-2004, 02:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
toolman02 Track Racer Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Replying to Topic 'Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice?' I'd say it depends on how aggressively you drive. If you don't go all out or ever autocross, the 512s make a pretty good tire at a great price. However, if you ever want to autocross, get a summer tire like stretch said. I autocrossed on the 512s for the first time this weekend, and at this point I kinda wish I had a summer tire instead. I've driven in the rain ONCE since I bought my 6, over a year ago. Buying an all season tire was kinda pointless. As soon as I destroy the 512s autocrossing on them, I'm going with Kumho MX.

06-29-2004, 08:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Stretch Mazda Guru Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 5,758 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Reading Topic: Falken ZIEX 512, a good choice? I made the exact same change... OEM 16's to 512's. The improvement is defiantely there, but it's marginal compared to the jump to summer tires. You can get summer tires for about the same price, so theres really no reason not to. Summer tires just mean the tread is not mud and snow rated (do you care?) and the rubber is designed for warmer climates (this is important since asphalt gets hot in the sun, and the rubber gets even hotter from the friction!). The Kuhmo 712's are really inexpensive, though I'd still spend the extra $50-$80 and get the Kuhmo MX's. __________________ Understand suspensions? Please take the required measurements for my suspension calculator and share them on this site.