Falken ZE512

I used to have the recommended Michelins until they no longer produced they tire model i wanted

I was recommended these Falkens (ZE514) and with a heavy heart fitted them

The heavy heart soon went when I realised just how much better these tires were in every dept compared to Michelin

There is a little more road noise but none that you would notice much if at all in the average modern car now

What surprised me though is how these tires transformed the car...The handling is far better and i am a spirited to average in driving style and also at times tow a heavy trailer

Coming off the M53 by me are two very bad long sweeping 'S' shaped bends ...Inspired by the grip and handling, I tried these corners faster each time I used them in the dry and the confidence these tires give are incredable .... Let's just say at 70mph the car is very grippy and stable ... Each time now that i approach these bends I look forward to keeping the speed up and passing the bigger more expensive cars that should really out perform me with ease on the bends ..You can see them trying and backing odd ...and of course knowing your car makes a difference ...

In the wet, these tires have astonished me. Yes of course in the wet most tires will require longer stopping distances etc... But in the wet with these Falkens is very impressive. But, I have to say when they do finally let loose, you get a little notice it is going to happen so be ready

For general every day driving to spirited driving, these tires are fab, but they are not racing tires by any means.. Push them and the tire wear is noticeable but the grip is so worth it. You would have to pay a lot more more for this grip in other brands!!

Being that I notice most things, I have noticed a little more in road noise but not that most people I think would notice and the comfort level is no better or worse than other tires I've had

I do about 15,000 miles or more a year and usually end up putting a new set of tires on each MOT time (just about now)... Remember that I drive more spirited than the average driver (though I do not mistreat my car) and so I cna't say exactly how long these tires should last ...I get over 15,000 miles a set with spirited driving and they are still all above the legal limit of 1.6mm ..I just change all four every year as they are near due and have worked hard

Cost of new tires too are amazing at £208 off Ebay for four delivered ....ATS want £74 each = £296 plus fitting !!!!!

I've had two full sets of these tires now and highly recommend them to anyone

Just for a change I am looking at the dearer Goodyear Grip ones just to see the difference between these and Falken ...My money is that I''ll regret this as I know how good Falkens are

I've finally replaced these Falkens after more than 30,000 km. over some 16 months of driving on the roads of Malaysia which are either dry and hot or wet. Often, one would have both road conditions in a single day.

One thing I like about these tires is that they are quiet enough and comfortable. I'm therefore surprised that some writers here had mentioned them to be "noisy". Maybe it's because my car's insulation is better, which means that it would be the same with any tire(?) Performance-wise, they did their job although to be fair I didn't really push them too hard. That's because I don't expect them to be high performance tires, which they aren't. I would rate these as "budget tires with mid-range performance".

One thing though - I should have replaced them sooner i.e. immediately upon reaching the thread-wear indicator inside the grooves. After that, performance was significantly lower and I somehow didn't feel too confident with the sharp corners and when driving on wet roads.

Overall I'm pleased enough with these. So, when replacing these worn tures, I decided to stick with the devil I know in Falken, but went for the better (and more expensive) ZE 912.