Official tire review thread
September-10th-2007 | 10:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 837
From: Rockland, Maryville
Official tire review thread
Post up your tire evaluation here to help new tire buyers! Tire:
Size:
Vehicle:
Dry performance:
Wet performance:
Snow/ice performance:
Noise:
Harshness:
Longevity:
Aesthetics:
Value:
Other comments:
Overall rating:
Last edited by JoshP5; September-11th-2007 at 08:35 AM. Reason: Added overall rating--thanks, KrayzieFox!
September-10th-2007 | 10:33 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 837
From: Rockland, Maryville
Ok, I'll start (although my tires were recently discontinued)
Tire: Falken Ziex 512
Size: 205/50-16
Vehicle: Protege5
Dry performance: Decent for an all season tire
Wet performance: Excellent
Snow/ice performance: Works pretty well in light snow, haven't had ice experience, and don't want to.
Noise: Pretty quiet, although I heard from others they may get louder as they wear.
Harshness: Low, but I have pretty meaty 50-series sidewalls
Longevity: 10K miles so far, I can see them going 30K.
Aesthetics: On my 7" rims they looked stretched, plus the rim protection ridge exacurbates it. Probably looks good on stock 6" rims.
Value: Pretty good at $58 each.
Other comments: Rim protection ridge, while ugly, has saved my rims from merciless curbs a hundred times.
Overall rating: 7/10
Tire: Falken Ziex 512
Size: 205/50-16
Vehicle: Protege5
Dry performance: Decent for an all season tire
Wet performance: Excellent
Snow/ice performance: Works pretty well in light snow, haven't had ice experience, and don't want to.
Noise: Pretty quiet, although I heard from others they may get louder as they wear.
Harshness: Low, but I have pretty meaty 50-series sidewalls
Longevity: 10K miles so far, I can see them going 30K.
Aesthetics: On my 7" rims they looked stretched, plus the rim protection ridge exacurbates it. Probably looks good on stock 6" rims.
Value: Pretty good at $58 each.
Other comments: Rim protection ridge, while ugly, has saved my rims from merciless curbs a hundred times.
Overall rating: 7/10
Last edited by JoshP5; September-11th-2007 at 08:36 AM.
September-10th-2007 | 10:49 PM
#3
Spam Czar!!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,315
From: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Tire: Cooper Zeon 2XS
Size: 205/40/R17
Vehicle: 2003 Protege5 on 17x7 Rims
Dry performance: Excellent traction, but a little too loud on the highway. Very comparable to the Falken Ziex 512
Wet performance: Excellent!
Snow/ice performance: No idea, but I would never attempt it. I would guess it's horrible!!
Noise: As with the Falken Ziex, they're relatively quiet but certainly do get louder as they wear
Harshness: Medium. But then again, they're only 205/40
Longevity: Medium. Change every 20K miles in front, 25K in rear with VERY spirited driving. Offramps are taken at 60mph on a daily basis
Aesthetics: I dunno .. I like'em. Others may not.
Value: Excellent at $200 for all four (friend works at a retailer .. discount FTW!!)
Other comments: Overall a very good all season tire but I wouldn't use them in the snow. I wouldn't mind a little longer life or more comfort, but overall an excellent tire for the money.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Size: 205/40/R17
Vehicle: 2003 Protege5 on 17x7 Rims
Dry performance: Excellent traction, but a little too loud on the highway. Very comparable to the Falken Ziex 512
Wet performance: Excellent!
Snow/ice performance: No idea, but I would never attempt it. I would guess it's horrible!!
Noise: As with the Falken Ziex, they're relatively quiet but certainly do get louder as they wear
Harshness: Medium. But then again, they're only 205/40
Longevity: Medium. Change every 20K miles in front, 25K in rear with VERY spirited driving. Offramps are taken at 60mph on a daily basis
Aesthetics: I dunno .. I like'em. Others may not.
Value: Excellent at $200 for all four (friend works at a retailer .. discount FTW!!)
Other comments: Overall a very good all season tire but I wouldn't use them in the snow. I wouldn't mind a little longer life or more comfort, but overall an excellent tire for the money.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Last edited by KrayzieFox; September-10th-2007 at 10:59 PM.
September-10th-2007 | 10:58 PM
#4
Spam Czar!!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,315
From: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Tire: Hankook IceBear W300
Size: 195/50/R16
Vehicle: 2003 Protege5 OEM Rims
Dry performance: Decent, wouldn't recommend since these are winter tires.
Wet performance: Excellent!!
Snow/ice performance: Fan-freakin-tastic!! I could not believe the difference in traction compared to the stock Dunlops. These tires make driving in the snow 3x easier and safer. Excellent traction when taking off (Dunlops would spin forever) and keeps you safe in the corners and on the highway. Very impressive winter tire.
Noise: Very low in snow, quite noisy on dry.
Harshness: None. Very smooth ride.
Longevity: Dunno, only had them one winter but they're still at about 85% so I would say they're very long lasting tires. If used only in winter they should last at least 3 years or so.
Aesthetics: It's a winter tire, it doesn't matter. They're covered in snow and much half the time
Value: VERY GOOD!! At $56 a tire from www.tires-easy.com I couldn't pass up on the deal.
Other comments: I don't know if it was just the fact that these were an upgrade from the stock Dunlops that made them seem so awesome, but they definitely make winter driving a much better experience.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Size: 195/50/R16
Vehicle: 2003 Protege5 OEM Rims
Dry performance: Decent, wouldn't recommend since these are winter tires.
Wet performance: Excellent!!
Snow/ice performance: Fan-freakin-tastic!! I could not believe the difference in traction compared to the stock Dunlops. These tires make driving in the snow 3x easier and safer. Excellent traction when taking off (Dunlops would spin forever) and keeps you safe in the corners and on the highway. Very impressive winter tire.
Noise: Very low in snow, quite noisy on dry.
Harshness: None. Very smooth ride.
Longevity: Dunno, only had them one winter but they're still at about 85% so I would say they're very long lasting tires. If used only in winter they should last at least 3 years or so.
Aesthetics: It's a winter tire, it doesn't matter. They're covered in snow and much half the time
Value: VERY GOOD!! At $56 a tire from www.tires-easy.com I couldn't pass up on the deal.
Other comments: I don't know if it was just the fact that these were an upgrade from the stock Dunlops that made them seem so awesome, but they definitely make winter driving a much better experience.
Overall Rating: 9/10
September-11th-2007 | 03:23 AM
#5
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
From: San Jose, CA
Tire: Falken FK452
Size: 205/50/ZR17
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda 3s 5-door, OEM rims
Dry performance: Grippy, gradually break away when pushed to the limit and recover well. They stick pretty well when launching and in corners. The only major slippage is when you floor it around a corner in first gear, but that's inevitable without a limited-slip differential.
Wet performance: Much better than stock Goodyears, excellent when braking and you don't loose it too badly when high in the revs in first.
Snow/ice performance: No idea!
Noise: A low quiet murmor. When loosing traction, they don't give off a high pitch squeal. It is more of a rubbing sound with a mid-range pitch.
Harshness: Stiffer and more responsive than stock Goodyears
Longevity: Wear seems even and about average
Aesthetics: This is a personal opinion, no? I like the way they look. Sport/luxury without looking like Ferrari tires. Just look at the photos online.
Value: They were $120/ea. at America's Tires, I think they are $100 online.
Other comments: I like these tires and I would buy them again. The sidewalls are stiff and the tires don't roll over when cornering hard. Steering response is even better than with the OEM Goodyears. My only complaint is that they catch the grooves on concrete freeways with grooves to improve traction in the rain. My friend with Pirelli's on a BMW says it happens to him on the same freeway.
Size: 205/50/ZR17
Vehicle: 2004 Mazda 3s 5-door, OEM rims
Dry performance: Grippy, gradually break away when pushed to the limit and recover well. They stick pretty well when launching and in corners. The only major slippage is when you floor it around a corner in first gear, but that's inevitable without a limited-slip differential.
Wet performance: Much better than stock Goodyears, excellent when braking and you don't loose it too badly when high in the revs in first.
Snow/ice performance: No idea!
Noise: A low quiet murmor. When loosing traction, they don't give off a high pitch squeal. It is more of a rubbing sound with a mid-range pitch.
Harshness: Stiffer and more responsive than stock Goodyears
Longevity: Wear seems even and about average
Aesthetics: This is a personal opinion, no? I like the way they look. Sport/luxury without looking like Ferrari tires. Just look at the photos online.
Value: They were $120/ea. at America's Tires, I think they are $100 online.
Other comments: I like these tires and I would buy them again. The sidewalls are stiff and the tires don't roll over when cornering hard. Steering response is even better than with the OEM Goodyears. My only complaint is that they catch the grooves on concrete freeways with grooves to improve traction in the rain. My friend with Pirelli's on a BMW says it happens to him on the same freeway.
September-11th-2007 | 07:13 PM
#6
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 378
From: Birmingham, AL
Tire: B.F. Goodrich G-Force Sport
Size: 205/45ZR16
Vehicle: Protege 5
Dry performance: Excellent
Wet performance: good
Snow/ice performance: It don't snow here
Noise: little to no noise
Harshness: little to no
Longevity: pretty good
Aesthetics: damn purty
Value: very good
Other comments: Sexy time!!!!
Overall rating: 9
Size: 205/45ZR16
Vehicle: Protege 5
Dry performance: Excellent
Wet performance: good
Snow/ice performance: It don't snow here
Noise: little to no noise
Harshness: little to no
Longevity: pretty good
Aesthetics: damn purty
Value: very good
Other comments: Sexy time!!!!
Overall rating: 9
September-11th-2007 | 07:42 PM
#7
BJ Slut
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 899
From: MD
Tire: Kumho Ecsta Spt
Size: 215/45/17 xl
Vehicle: Protege 5
Dry performance: fantastic. 9/10
Wet performance: scary amazing. 12/10. i can take twisties in torrential rain at less than 5% slower than dry
Snow/ice performance: red screen of death warning about not driving in cold/snow. pfft.
Noise: quiet, like a lincoln
Harshness: its really not bad considering how freaking amazing of a tire it is
Longevity: seems good so far. on for over 2k miles with no noticeable wear
Aesthetics: sweet. it says ecsta down the center tread block. how freaking cool is that
Value: 86 dollars a tire for this well balanced of performance? its a steal
Other comments: probably the best tire i have EVER had
Overall rating: 9.5/10
Size: 215/45/17 xl
Vehicle: Protege 5
Dry performance: fantastic. 9/10
Wet performance: scary amazing. 12/10. i can take twisties in torrential rain at less than 5% slower than dry
Snow/ice performance: red screen of death warning about not driving in cold/snow. pfft.
Noise: quiet, like a lincoln
Harshness: its really not bad considering how freaking amazing of a tire it is
Longevity: seems good so far. on for over 2k miles with no noticeable wear
Aesthetics: sweet. it says ecsta down the center tread block. how freaking cool is that
Value: 86 dollars a tire for this well balanced of performance? its a steal
Other comments: probably the best tire i have EVER had
Overall rating: 9.5/10
September-11th-2007 | 07:56 PM
#8
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,517
From: Rochester, New York
Tire: Bridgestone Potenza RE750
Size: 205/40-17 (rubber bands)
Vehicle: Protege5 (lowered enough that rubber bands look ok)
Dry performance: They're pretty good. Not on par with the likes of Kumho Ecsta MX but really not too bad.
Wet performance: Much better than the Kumho Ecsta MX. No hydroplaning
Snow/ice performance: ha! don't try it.
Noise: Silent. NOT the tire for you if you want a tire that talks to you when it is sliding. They make no noise during burnouts, absolutely no noise when the tail end begins rotating (yay no front sway bar)
Harshness: Very harsh, but that's what you get in this tire size. Worse than my old tires but they were 215/40
Longevity: Great treadwear for a tire with this level of performance. I've had them on for at least 20,000 miles (two short summers) and they still have some tread left. They had a LOT left before I turboed the car, but well when the car torques the tires a lot (and spins them --no lsd still ugh) it happens.
Aesthetics: Don't get these if you have a 7 inch or wider wheel in any size 215 or narrower. The rim guard makes it look downright silly.
Value: Not on par with the likes of Kumho, Hankook, Falken, etc. $156 per tire in 215/40-17 (no longer offered in 205/40).
Other comments: the rim guard makes them look way too stretched
Overall rating: 7/10
Size: 205/40-17 (rubber bands)
Vehicle: Protege5 (lowered enough that rubber bands look ok)
Dry performance: They're pretty good. Not on par with the likes of Kumho Ecsta MX but really not too bad.
Wet performance: Much better than the Kumho Ecsta MX. No hydroplaning
Snow/ice performance: ha! don't try it.
Noise: Silent. NOT the tire for you if you want a tire that talks to you when it is sliding. They make no noise during burnouts, absolutely no noise when the tail end begins rotating (yay no front sway bar)
Harshness: Very harsh, but that's what you get in this tire size. Worse than my old tires but they were 215/40
Longevity: Great treadwear for a tire with this level of performance. I've had them on for at least 20,000 miles (two short summers) and they still have some tread left. They had a LOT left before I turboed the car, but well when the car torques the tires a lot (and spins them --no lsd still ugh) it happens.
Aesthetics: Don't get these if you have a 7 inch or wider wheel in any size 215 or narrower. The rim guard makes it look downright silly.
Value: Not on par with the likes of Kumho, Hankook, Falken, etc. $156 per tire in 215/40-17 (no longer offered in 205/40).
Other comments: the rim guard makes them look way too stretched
Overall rating: 7/10
September-11th-2007 | 10:12 PM
#10
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 510
Tire: B.F. Goodrich G-Force Sport
Size: 205/45ZR16
Vehicle: Protege 5
Dry performance: Excellent
Wet performance: good
Snow/ice performance: It don't snow here
Noise: little to no noise
Harshness: little to no
Longevity: pretty good
Aesthetics: damn purty
Value: very good
Other comments: Sexy time!!!!
Overall rating: 9
Size: 205/45ZR16
Vehicle: Protege 5
Dry performance: Excellent
Wet performance: good
Snow/ice performance: It don't snow here
Noise: little to no noise
Harshness: little to no
Longevity: pretty good
Aesthetics: damn purty
Value: very good
Other comments: Sexy time!!!!
Overall rating: 9
September-12th-2007 | 05:24 AM
#11
Clean-Up Crew
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,360
From: Pleasure Point, Ca.
www.tirerack.com has a pretty good comparison chart thing.
Here's my own personal experience:
Kumho 712: A definate step up fron the stock P5 Dunlops, but not really a great tire. They seem to do everything competently, but nothing that impressed me too much. They lasted a good 20,000 miles of my hard driving, and they never got loud at all. Also, they really let you know when they're about to let go. SQUEEEALLL!
Falken Azenis: The grip is unreal, among the best I've ever tried in a dry weather tire, and they aren't too shabby in the rain, either. They did get a little greasy at the track, though, and they were bald after about 8k miles of "spirited" driving. For all-out grip, these are the tire.
Toyo T1-S: I replaced the Azenis with these tires(on the Miata). They have great grip and they also make it very clear when they're about to slip. The sidewall isn't as stiff as the Azenis, so you have to plan ahead a little bit, but the grip is damn near where the Falkens are and for 54 bucks a tire(onlinetires.com), they can't be beat. These are the tire of choice for the Miata.net crew. NO greasing up and they will last much longer than the Azenis.
Yoko Parada SpecII: Again, great grip. Not quite as sticky as the Falkens, but they lasted twice as long and they really came into their own at the track. They got pretty loud toward the end, so I was rotating them about once every two weeks. I finally just bought new tires because the road noise was bugging so much. They still had about 5% tread left when I put the new tires on.
BF Goodrich KDW: My new tires on the P5. So far they grip like a 13 year old with a Hustler! In the rain I find myself with a lot more confidence than the Yoko's. I honestly think that the Yoko's may have had a little better dry grip, but the road noise and price of the Paradas made me pick these tires...plus winter's here and the Paradas were a little sketchy in the rain. I love the tread pattern on these tires and they have nice, deep treads, so I think they'll last as long as the Yokos without a problem.
Here's my own personal experience:
Kumho 712: A definate step up fron the stock P5 Dunlops, but not really a great tire. They seem to do everything competently, but nothing that impressed me too much. They lasted a good 20,000 miles of my hard driving, and they never got loud at all. Also, they really let you know when they're about to let go. SQUEEEALLL!
Falken Azenis: The grip is unreal, among the best I've ever tried in a dry weather tire, and they aren't too shabby in the rain, either. They did get a little greasy at the track, though, and they were bald after about 8k miles of "spirited" driving. For all-out grip, these are the tire.
Toyo T1-S: I replaced the Azenis with these tires(on the Miata). They have great grip and they also make it very clear when they're about to slip. The sidewall isn't as stiff as the Azenis, so you have to plan ahead a little bit, but the grip is damn near where the Falkens are and for 54 bucks a tire(onlinetires.com), they can't be beat. These are the tire of choice for the Miata.net crew. NO greasing up and they will last much longer than the Azenis.
Yoko Parada SpecII: Again, great grip. Not quite as sticky as the Falkens, but they lasted twice as long and they really came into their own at the track. They got pretty loud toward the end, so I was rotating them about once every two weeks. I finally just bought new tires because the road noise was bugging so much. They still had about 5% tread left when I put the new tires on.
BF Goodrich KDW: My new tires on the P5. So far they grip like a 13 year old with a Hustler! In the rain I find myself with a lot more confidence than the Yoko's. I honestly think that the Yoko's may have had a little better dry grip, but the road noise and price of the Paradas made me pick these tires...plus winter's here and the Paradas were a little sketchy in the rain. I love the tread pattern on these tires and they have nice, deep treads, so I think they'll last as long as the Yokos without a problem.
September-12th-2007 | 04:21 PM
#12
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,517
From: Rochester, New York
I'm very angry with Bridgestone right now. The WS-50 AND REVO-1 are being discontinued and replaced with the WS-60.
The WS-60 --isn't available for 16" wheels in any width narrower than 205. I absolutely refuse to get tires for ice and deep snow that are wider than stock. :'(
I might have to get steelies (thus rendering my stock wheels useless) and rock the ugly steelie look for the winter.
I need decent snow tire reviews like ASAP
edit: found this: http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/tires/tires.htm
The WS-60 --isn't available for 16" wheels in any width narrower than 205. I absolutely refuse to get tires for ice and deep snow that are wider than stock. :'(
I might have to get steelies (thus rendering my stock wheels useless) and rock the ugly steelie look for the winter.
I need decent snow tire reviews like ASAP
edit: found this: http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/tires/tires.htm
Last edited by _Kansei_; September-12th-2007 at 04:24 PM.
September-12th-2007 | 05:04 PM
#14
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,517
From: Rochester, New York
I've driven on ice bear w300s before.. it isn't up to par with what I need for winter.
I need something as good or better than the Blizzak WS-50. I'm looking at Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi now.. I can get a set of 4 for $608, and they'll last me like 5-7 winters at least.. problem is, I won't have the car for that long so it isn't necessary.
I can still just get the WS-50, and know that they'll only last two winters but it'll only cost me $450 for the set of 4. Tirerack.com still has them, but they are being discontinued (so who knows if they'll have them in a few weeks when I'm planning on making the purchase).
The W300 is a good tire for what it was designed to be.. a 'high performance' snow tires. I hate how misleading that is. high performance snow tires are the snow tires that perform the worst in the snow. They're fine for really light snow but more than that and you're stuck. My school doesn't close for snow (literally) so I need to be able to get to campus in any weather conditions.
I need something as good or better than the Blizzak WS-50. I'm looking at Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi now.. I can get a set of 4 for $608, and they'll last me like 5-7 winters at least.. problem is, I won't have the car for that long so it isn't necessary.
I can still just get the WS-50, and know that they'll only last two winters but it'll only cost me $450 for the set of 4. Tirerack.com still has them, but they are being discontinued (so who knows if they'll have them in a few weeks when I'm planning on making the purchase).
The W300 is a good tire for what it was designed to be.. a 'high performance' snow tires. I hate how misleading that is. high performance snow tires are the snow tires that perform the worst in the snow. They're fine for really light snow but more than that and you're stuck. My school doesn't close for snow (literally) so I need to be able to get to campus in any weather conditions.
Last edited by _Kansei_; September-12th-2007 at 05:12 PM.
September-12th-2007 | 05:44 PM
#15
Spam Czar!!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,315
From: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Wow .. our impressions of the same tire were completely different I guess. It snows a **** ton in Iowa too every single winter, and I had absolutely no problems with those tires. My school doesn't close either, even during an ice storm, and I still drove my 15 miles without any problems on them. Ice, light snow, deep snow, slush, etc. .. none of it really caused me any problems. Well the ice is kind of an exception cuz there's NO tire out there that will prevent you from crashing if you don't slow down but I thought the tire was fantastic otherwise.
Good luck with the search I guess, I'm stickin to my IceBears
Good luck with the search I guess, I'm stickin to my IceBears