Looking at Falken 912's in 205/45/17. How stiff are the sidewalls? Do the tires give you any warning when they break away? I am familiar with Yoko 100's and AO32R's, my 2006 Mini-S has the stock Dunlop RF's for comparison. Thanks, Bill

 

haven't tried that exact size but running the 912's on my dd.
it's stiffer than the sumitomo HTR+ but not stiff like some
summer tires. ie: GS-D3.

it's a decent tire as long as drivin in 40F+ temps, although they
classify it as an a/s tire.

it does have warning before breaking away.

 

I have them in 205/45/17 and from my limited tire knowledge they seem to have a nice stiff side wall. In the warm weather they also seem to grip pretty Well. Again I have never experienced a performance summer tire.

As far as warning before breaking away. Honestly if I am driving to those limits on public roads I am probably being stupid (and I am sure I have). But I have had them on a small track/autocross and they definitely gave audible feedback. What was interesting is they seemed to give more audible feedback after a lap or two when they had warmed up. Or its possible that I was getting more comfortable and driving harder...

 

Thanks for the feedback, I guess by audible warning you mean noise like squealing.

 

From Edge Racing- Re: 912s
Buy this tire if:
Both performance and treadlife are high on your list
You need all weather traction (this can include some snow)
Don’t buy it if:
You expect maximum handling performance (see the Falken RT615, Falken FK452 or Toyo T1R type tires for that)

 

Yes. I am pretty sure they also got louder after they warmed up. I will take note the next time I get a chance to get out on a track.

 

The all weather traction is really a joke with this tire. You could call it an all weather tire because a summer tire would be down right dangerous on snow but these are by no means good. I had a Continental extreme contact that with the exception of being wide (215) the actual traction was quite good in snow. The 912's suck in the snow.

 

I have snow tires mounted for the Mini (Pirelli, work good), so I don't need all weather tires, just summer tires and I want to stick with my stock size, performance, stiffness of sidewalls, don't like the spongy bit, and longivity are important & of course cost.

 

If you want falkens to handle your talking about the wrong ones (912) You want the Falken Azenis RT-615, they don't sqeal much but make an audible scrub sound before they break. I don't know anything about snow, and decent in light rain, they suck in heavy rain (1 inch+)

 

Howsoon, unfortunately I want to keep the same size tire and no can get the Falken 615 in 205/45/17. Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

 

You would probably only get 10,000 miles out of the 615. The 912 is not a summer tire but probably the closest thing to it with a compound that does not turn rock hard in winter weather.

 

khd, Thanks for that, well looks like the hunt will continue.

 

Hankook RS2

 

actually you get both audible and through the steering wheel feedback.

just dont do anything stupid like wot turning in the rain or something
like that. these are a/s tires, dont expect summer tire level performance.

 

[quote=Chili Pirate;2373075]I have snow tires mounted for the Mini (Pirelli, work good), so I don't need all weather tires, just summer tires and I want to stick with my stock size, performance, stiffness of sidewalls, don't like the spongy bit, and longivity are important & of course cost.[/quot]


OH, you want just regular tires not performance tires, only regulars I've tried are Nitto NEOGENS, but never got stocko size always 215/40, so don't know about that size (neogens squeel like a pig when driven hard)
CHECK THESE OUT:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=UHP&x=31&y=10

 

I've been checking with the financial wizard (my wife) who liked the price on the Falkens and I reminded her that we bought the Mini as a second sports car and I'd prefer more performance orientated tires. She agrees we can spend a little more. With that out of the way I'm going to start looking at different tires. I've never had good experience with Bridgestones, and like Yokohomas, but I'm going to look at others. I consider Nittos as street/fashion tires. I appreciate all the feedback on the Falkens. I live in dry desert country so rain is not an issue. We used to live in a rainy area so my tire selection has changed, hence all the questions. Bill

 

if bridgestone try the RE050A or RE050A pole positions, you'll like them.
i run those on my G35C. on the MINI you can even rotate since it's
asymetrical.

i got dunlop sportmaxx on the way and shall have review of those tires
in a few days.

yokohama tires i think the new S-Drives might be worth a try.

 

Here is where I get my Falken Azinis RT-615s
The 215/40-17s are $100
Check this out:
http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm
and $98
http://www.edgeracing.com/tire/1537/

 

Do you use them as a daily driver? How many miles do you get out of them?

 

you sure about that k_h_d? cause mine sucked big time in the chicago
winter earlier this year. (between -5F to 30F) i had to completely
change how i accelerate my car (underpowered FitSport) otherwise it
would just spin the tires even if it was slightly wet.

this is why i like these tires 40F and above. it grips well wet or dry.

 

I have the 912's in 215/40/17 and they seem to grip nicely, I have yet to push my car to the point that my tires break, I've found my cars limits where I wont slide, they will start to "howl" or squeal a little when pushing them. I had some yokahama parada spec 2's before these and so far I like these just the same I've taken all the corners I do at the same speed and have yet to break them so yea they are nice tires, IMOP

 

According to Falken they are an all season tire...

http://www.falkentire.com/xhtml/tire...egory=1&tire=3
Interesting thing is that the 60/65 series tires are a much higher wear rating. I have read people saying that the 912 did well in the snow for them. They were probably using smaller wheels with larger profile.