Falken ZE-502 ZIEX Tires

Falken ZE-502 ZIEX Tires 

DESCRIPTION

These ultra performance tires take driving to a whole new level. Extra wide, straight grooves, combined with twin traverse grooves provide excellent wet performance, water disbursement and help prevent hydroplaning. Twin straight rib design enhances handling, while A.P.P.L.E.-designed noise treatment helps filter out road noise. Rim protectors guard against friction on wheels, and a dual tread compound provides split-second response and grip.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 72  
[Jun 24, 2006]
cb
Model Reviewed: Ziex 512

Strength:

Price, performance for general driving applications.

Weakness:

Not a performance tire. Soft sidewall with a lot of flex and poor treadwear.

Well, I have bought the same set of tires (Falken Ziex 512) in the same size (205 50 16) for two different cars... a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3, and a 2002 Toyota Celica GTS. On the Focus, the tires were a great improvement all around over the stock Firestones... better handling in both dry and wet conditions, decent snow performance and a comfortable ride. On the Celica it was different story... definately a step down in performance over the stock Yokohamas... wet weather driving was slightly improved, but on dry pavement the handling was greatly reduced due to the soft tread and very apparent sidewall flex... you had to throw the car into corners and compensate for the flex instead of guiding the car through a turn with a stiffer tire like the Yokohamas... they even felt a bit mushy in straight line driving without providing improved comfort. Treadwear was also non-impressive with 30000 miles on the Focus with unspirited commuting before needing replacement and definate signs of wear, especially on the outer edges with 8000 miles on the Celica. An ok tire depending on it's application, and definately not a performance tire.

Similar Products Used:

Yokohama Advan A680 (Summer Tire)
Firestone Firehawk

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jun 01, 2006]
cdp62
Model Reviewed: Mazda Miata

Strength:

Good Value, otherwise, too early

Weakness:

too early to say

Bought these for my Miata, great price, looks good. I don't race or plan on racing and my car has a soft top, so noise issues are there with any tire. I see some of these foolish reviews where these tires are being compared to tires costing much more, I dont understand what some of these people want. I mean comparing these to Michelin? you've got to be kidding me. I got 4 for the price of one michelin. If you have a porsche and the money to own one, why would you go cheap on tires? you sound, um silly. You have to take in mind the reviewer. I own a low cost auto and wanted 15 inch upgrades to go with my low-costing newly purchased rims. These tires are a perfect fit. Are there better ones I could have bought? certainly. Was spending $600 for a set necessary for me? Not at all. If, I assume, we all know we get what we pay for, then whats up with some of these reviews? Why are you racing around a family sedan (passat) like its a sports car? The tires can only do so much.My car handles nicely with these tires as it will with any new tires. I'll get back in a year and give a complete, fair report, keeping in mind I spent $43 per tire, and chose to do so. I will only rate them against my previous tires (Firehawks) since that is my only gauge,keeping in mind the firehawks were more expensive.

Similar Products Used:

Firestone Firehawks

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 02, 2005]
Crash

I bought a Porsche Boxster with these "Falken" tires on the rear. They really look good when the car is parked. Driving however is another matter. They are very noisy and almost caused my death on a rain slick Interstate highway last week. The rear passenger side broke traction and there was NO regaining control of the vehicle. I lost count of how many times I spun in the grassy median. The tires have good tread and yes, I was driving fast. (It's a Porsche.) I am now in the market for some new VERY stickey tires and you can bet they won't be coming from Japan!

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 11, 2005]
milk00069
Model Reviewed: ZE-512. Falken Tires

Strength:

great looks. the performance is also great during bad weather. I was very confident in the rain and snow.

Weakness:

THEY WEAR OUT TOO FAST!! and are very noisy. I thought I had a problem with my wheel bearings or CV joint, but after my mechanic checked it out it was tire noise. TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 8 MONTHS. Over all the bad out weighs the good. I'll never buy another Falken Tire again!!

I put these tires on my 98 Saab 900SE Turbo. I was immediately impressed they not only looked good but handeled very well for for a tire under $100.00. But after 8 months they are gone. These tires wear out so fast! No on should have to replace tires after 8 month of use. I mean these thing were worn done to the threads. I first stared noticed the tire wear around month 3. This was after two trips from NJ to MD and one to VA. then is Sep and Oct I took trips to NC. by the end of Nov the front tires were almost down to the wear bar and the rear tires were almost smooth on the inside. Now mind you this is after a tire rotation. and a front end alignment.

Similar Products Used:

Hankook Ventus. Sofar so good,

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Oct 30, 2004]
thatman69

Strength:

60/65 series 60,000 miles 35-55 series 30,000 miles all season

Weakness:

apparently does not work well on the vw passat, or rear wheel sports cars. tire is not meant for racing!!!

I think this review section is a joke, I mean, people posting falken 512 reviews in a 502 section? they are a completely different tire, and it seems that from reading them, the people who hate them try to race with them, they are not a race tire, and falken makes tires made specifically for that. I find it hard to believe that people who race are ignorant to that. the other problem seems to be the "cupping" as it was put, and from reading only happens to VW's. it would be grat if maybe you there was a new section for the 512's and certain people should realize that this is an all season tire, not a racing tire. it's not meant for that.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 24, 2004]
JohnSha
Model Reviewed: Falken Ziex 512

Strength:

The tire were initialy quiet. The tires are wearing fast!

Weakness:

Noisy, Fast wearing, tire cupped after 5k miles. Bad traction in snow

These tires are a joke!!! Consumer Reports knows nothing about tires! They have a 320 wear rating? I'll be lucky to get 15,000 out of this set. I am having problems with cupping on the inside edge, now they scream like a stuck pig!! They were bad in snow!! I can not wait to replace these tires!!!! If you want a cheap tire buy Kuhmos or spend a little more and get the extreme contact.

Similar Products Used:

Kuhmo 711 and 712 Conti Extreme Contact Michelin HX MXM

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[May 24, 2004]
johnnyhowell
Model Reviewed: Falken Ziex ZE-512

Strength:

handling, steering response, road feel, seriously improved wet and dry grip. Extremely stable at 90mph+ speeds, and good cornering. Oh yes, COST!

Weakness:

Woosh-Woosh noise below 40mph, turning. Made me think there was something wrong with my barings, CVs or something mechanical, not tires.

I was initially very impressed with these tires on my 98 Passat, replacing OEM stock Michelin MXV4. These Falken 512s were a GREAT IMPROVEMENT. After about 1000 miles however, I thought I had front-end or transmission problems, as there was this terrible WHOO=WHOO sound coming from the front. I took it to a shop and they said no trouble, just tire noise. Noise worsened, so took to a VW dealer in Maine while on the road; they said that car was aligned perfectly per spec, but that the Falken tires were "cupped", and worn on the inside. They rotated Falkens to the back, and two Michelin's to front and all was quiet again (faint noise from back). Saturday, I took the Passat back to tire dealer where they agreed that it was excessive tire noise caused by the Falkens (took them a while to admit it). They will replace the tires for me under warranty, but I'm afraid that this noise will return. I love the feel of the tires but cannot stand the noise. Anyone else have this experience? Email me. JOHN

Similar Products Used:

Michelin MXV4-ECO Plus

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Apr 16, 2004]
Tito L. E. H.B. Ca
Model Reviewed: falken ziex ze 512 for 2000 civic si

Strength:

weight, grip, tread design, and looks even with the rim protector it looks , very satisfied and thats on stock rims 15" pretty good price too remember, this is couthern california, land of greed

Weakness:

your handling response inceases drastically which can take a while of getting used to when you compare it to the michelins, but that's not really a weakness if you think about it.

great tire very impressed actually perform better than my old tires (michelin xgt4)I think the falkens are lighter too. Handles turns great, nice quiet ride. and looks dope as well

Similar Products Used:

michelin xgt4 prefer the falkens, lighter and less expensive

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 12, 2004]
EDWINZ
Model Reviewed: Tire_Falken Ziex ZE502 18"

Strength:

High speed directional stability, good wet and dry grip, average feel (feedback), good ride comfort.

Weakness:

Very loud tred pattern noise on every road surface in all conditions. When driven on loose roading material (road metal, slurry and snow) they float the car into the ditch. Road debris and pebbles accumulate in the tread pattern more than is usual for a low-profile tyre.

The Ziex embodies and exemplifies all that is both good and bad about low profile, silica compound, directional tires.

Similar Products Used:

Michelin MXF Sport. Michelin Pilot Primacy. Pirelli P7. Dunlop SP2000.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jan 12, 2004]
Phillip Billups
Model Reviewed: Acura 3.2 TL

Strength:

Excellent in the wet. Great Bargain. Look Great.

Weakness:

Need diligent rotation.

Excellent tire. The day before I was going to purchase yokahamas for my car I read the latest consumer reports maag and to my surprise the Falkens (Falken 512) were rated number one, and on top of that they were cheaper than every other comprable tire out there. I gave them a try and have not ben disappointed thus far. My car has much more grip over the stock michelins on dry and a marked improvement in the wet and best of all they look really good.

Similar Products Used:

Michelin mxv4

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 72  

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