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CR's Top-Rated Falken Ziex ZE 512 tires for the Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Arroyo, Aug 15, 2005.

  1. Arroyo

    Arroyo Member

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    There's been a lot of discussion about the Michelin HydroEdge and GoodYear Assurance Comfortred and TripleTred tires for the second-generation Prius.

    A low-cost alternative that should be considered is the Falken Ziex ZE 512. It's the top-rated tire in Consumer Report's November 2003 test of performance all-season tires (top-rated status reaffirmed in October 2004 report).

    There are two big reasons to consider it, and a bunch of little reasons. First, the little reasons: According to CR, it excels in comfort, quietness, handling, dry braking, wet braking, hydroplaning, and ice braking.

    Now, the big reasons: It's a low rolling resistance tire, and you can get them at Discount Tire Direct for $47-48 each (depending on whether you choose the standard 185/65R-15 or 195/60R-15 - the latter being cheaper by $1).

    Right now, shipping is free, and you'll pay no tax if your state is outside the four DTD warehouses. Other than a $12 charge for a set of four valve stems, there are no other charges.

    After the tires arrive in a few days, all you have to do is go to your local Discount Tires or America's Tire store, and they'll balance and install the tires for $10 per tire. I went this route (I opted for the standard 185/65R-15 size), and I was amazed that they didn't try to charge me for disposal of the old tires or separately for the balancing.

    As for the performance of the tires, they live up to their Consumer Reports rating status. The tires out-perform the OEM GoodYear Integrities in handling and braking by a country mile. Ride and noise are also significantly improved. In the critical area of gas mileage, I detect no difference between the Integrities and the Falkens.

    The one unknown factor with this low-cost tire is in the area of wear. CR didn't test for it, but Discount Tire indicates its wear rating is 420.

    All-in-all, a very good tire for the price.
     
  2. onerpm

    onerpm New Member

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    good Falken deal!
     
  3. Arroyo

    Arroyo Member

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    FYI - The Sunday paper contained a brochure from Sears indicating a tire sale. Evidently, Falken Ziex XE-512V tires are now on sale.
     
  4. jimofdg

    jimofdg New Member

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    This is good information, all in one place not requiring CR/CU membership. Thanks.

    Now I'll ask the obvious question, so we can set the comments about wear in the proper perspective later: what tire pressure are you using, front and rear? Was your mileage affected? Okay, that's two questions.

    Thanks again.
     
  5. Arroyo

    Arroyo Member

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    The America's Tire Co. store I went to put 32 psi in the tires all around. I just went back for a 5,000 inspection yesterday evening, and they upped it to 35. I'll report on any mileage differences.
     
  6. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

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    It's the top-rated tire in Consumer Report's November 2003 test of performance all-season tires (top-rated status reaffirmed in October 2004 report).


    The November 2005 issue of Consumer Reports evaluates all season tires. Falkein Ziex is not rated.

    CraigCSJ 04 Driftwood #9BC
     
  7. Arroyo

    Arroyo Member

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    FYI - The November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports is out, and the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred has dropped to 12th place among H-rated tires. It was the top-rated tire in the November 2005 report.

    Curiously, the Falken Ziex ZE 512 is rated again - and it's No. 3 overall(!), after the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 and Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. The Falkens remain much cheaper than all other other top-rated tires, however.
     
  8. prberg

    prberg Member

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    Are you sure these tires are LRR? Their website doesn't list that as one of the features. I have read that some people have taken a MPG hit with these tires. Think they will be as good or better than the stock Goodyears for mileage? Do you think they will last as long (or longer) under normal driving conditions?

    thanks so much. So many choices.. hard to find the right tire.

    -Peter B
     
  9. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arroyo @ Nov 8 2005, 07:07 AM) [snapback]152444[/snapback]</div>
    I, personally, have found that ~35psi gives a decent ride, but I can feel the side walls squishing down on harder turns. The tires are rated for 51psi and that's what i have them at now. I am quite satisfied with the comfort and handling now at that pressure.
     
  10. Arroyo

    Arroyo Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prberg @ Oct 16 2006, 07:51 PM) [snapback]333808[/snapback]</div>
    Back in 2004, Consumer Reports rated the Falkens as low rolling resistance. For the 2006 report, however, it's just rated average for rolling resistence. I don't know if this means the state-of-the-art in rolling resistence has gotten better in two years, or if perhaps the size variation between the tested tires made a difference.

    As for wear, the Falkens are not as good as the TripleTreds. They should be as good as the Integritys that came on the car. Discount Tire Direct still sells the Falkens for around $50, and shipping is still free, BTW.
     
  11. H2OSkier

    H2OSkier Member

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    I put the Falkens on my 95 Honda Civic. I have about 20k miles on the tires and they have about 65% of the tread left. Overall they aren't bad tires. The only complaint I have is they are a bit noisey on the freeway.

    Ken
     
  12. theorist

    theorist Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arroyo @ Oct 15 2006, 01:43 AM) [snapback]332933[/snapback]</div>
    You mean the best all-season passenger tires (November 2005) might only match a mediocre all-season performance tire? :D

    I always thought of the Triple Tred (H rated) and Hydroedge (good handling) as all-season performance tires aside from their extremely long treadwear, which I doubt any performance tire can touch.

    We were delighted with the 45,000 miles (4/32" remaining) on our Falken ZE-512's on our 2001 Civic.

    The Nov 2006 CR tire test makes me want to know more about the LRR, long wearing, top ranked Dunlop SP Sport 5000 (symmetric) (in a size 205/60VR15 or 195/65VR15). I really wish they tested the new Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus which is available in our OEM size, less expensive, and more well rounded according to the Dunlop site. Has anyone used a Dunlop SP Sport on their Prius?
     
  13. lawrencw1

    lawrencw1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jimofdg @ Oct 25 2005, 09:32 AM) [snapback]145275[/snapback]</div>
     
  14. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    Is the Falken Ziex ZE-912, now on sale at sears ($69.99) the same tire? upgraded? all previous statements do not apply? do you think I would trust anything a sears tire salesman tells me?
     
  15. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    From checking the Falken site, these are not the same tires at all. The 912 is an assymetric tire design, among other differences.

    Anybody have any experience with these?
     
  16. bobdavisnpf

    bobdavisnpf Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prberg @ Oct 16 2006, 07:51 PM) [snapback]333808[/snapback]</div>
    No, perusing CR's testing I'd describe the Falken's LRR as "not even close". :p For Nov '06 LRR ratings, the Ziex's 195/65R15 is in the middle of the pack; the Ziex's 205/55R16 is in the bottom third.

    CR's ratings seem to skew heavily toward dry braking and wet braking. Handling shows some noticeable skew. All other categories, inluding rolling resistance, are pretty much all over the map. I think if what you really care about is stopping power, the CR rankings are relevant, but for any other considerations you'll need to use their info as just one part of your research, and draw your own conclusions. For me personally, braking performance has not been even close to a problem, so any tire that isn't bottom-ranked for stopping will do just fine. My personal priorities, in order, are: noise, rolling resistance, ride, and handling.

    I highly recommend getting the CR online subscription. It's only $6 for a month of access. Wouldn't you rather pay them the $6 than go without the info, or get it through someone else's filter? B) (I promise, anything I say is always seen through my filters.) B)
     
  17. sparkymarvin

    sparkymarvin Member

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    Thanks for the post. :)

    So the treadwear rating for the Falken Ziex ZE512 is 420. I am looking for a 185-65-15 tire with an even lower rating. Does anyone have suggestions? Getting specs on treadwear can be difficult. Any help would be appreciated.

    ~Andrew
     
  18. bobdavisnpf

    bobdavisnpf Member

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    Getting treadwear specs is easy. Try www.tirerack.com you'll see they include the UTQG on every tire they carry, as do most places.

    They also have an excellent description of how the UTQG test is constructed, and how the result is applied by the tire maker to produce an estimated-treadwear rating.

    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tec...e.jsp?techid=48

    Treadwear rating just tells you how much wear your tire would get in its first 7200 miles, if you got a wheel alignment every 800 miles.

    LRR is pretty much the same deal. It only tells you the relative rolling resistance when comparing your tire against others all running at max + 3 psi pressure, in a straight line, on a 5-foot-diameter drum covered with 80-grit sandpaper, at 40 mph with no stops, starts, or temperature variations.

    If you're running Falkens at 35 psi for example, you are 31% underinflated; any Integrity, TripleTred or ComforTred at 35 psi is 20% underinflated. Which one really gives you better LRR? My guess is the 31% underinflated tire would come in last every time.
     
  19. DHonzik

    DHonzik Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Jul 8 2007, 03:11 PM) [snapback]475152[/snapback]</div>
    Yes, they are the upgraded replacement to the 512
     
  20. GoldenPrius

    GoldenPrius Junior Member

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    Well we are now in 2008 and Obama won... and I have had my Falken Ziex ZE-512 tires on my care for about six months. I am very happy with them. They are quiet, handle well on hard corners and they don't wander all over the road like the original tires. Discount tire did not offer the $10 per tire installation after buying them online but the 2008 price was $205 including tax and shiping. So I was happy. The installation was $125 including disposal etc. I had to have it done at Evans Tire in San Diego for convenience sake but Discount Tire said they would be about the same. No recycling fee. All in all for $335 it was a good deal and the tires are great.
    Best of luck to all. I DO recommend buying the tires online but have the tires shipped to the palce where they will be installed... that's easier for the ladies and certainly for the disabled. It is really no trouble either way. Bill Z. San Diego Californa
     
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