Anyone have experience with both tires? I've got the Yokos and have been very happy with them, but am considering the Falkens because the treadwear is slightly better. Another plus is that they weigh two pounds less, so a little less unsprung weight is always good. I'm guessing that the Falkens don't have as stiff a sidewall, so cornering will probably be a step backwards, in addition to being a bit less sticky. Should I stick with the Yokos or are the Falkens worth trying?

 

I think it's worth a try, but if you're going for some performance I would
stick to the ES100's. those falkens are like dressup tires (like Nitto's) for
tuners. I'd consider them maybe on my R90's since they're only good for
dressup anyway.

 

What size rims do you have? 16" or 17"?
Do you want to stick with stock sized tires or change to something else?
The cost of each is similar or slightly higher for the ES100s. Do you have much rain or light snow to drive in? For bad weather the ZE-512 would be better.

Performance is only slightly better in wet and dry with the Yokohamas, wear is less, ride stiffness varies with the sidewall height you choose from 40 to 50 series. Can be noisy as the tread wears down. You might get about 20,000 miles life vs 30,000 miles from the ZE-512.

If you want longer wearing, good street performance, smoother, quiet, more comfortable and if you don't have any interest in autocrossing or tracking your MINI then the Falken ZE-512 should work fine. For autocross or any driving events the Yokohamas will do better.

Some tire sizes-
Falken Ziex ZE-512 (all season High performance tire)
205/45-17 stock size, $90 each at edgeracing.com 360 wear, W speed rated
A traction, section width 8.3"
215/45-17 $86 each 19.8 pounds

Yokohama AVS ES100 (Ultra High performance summer tire)
215/45-17 $102 each at tirerack.com 280 wear, W speed rated 23.1 pounds, AA traction, section width 8.5"
Performance test- http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tests/fuzion_zri.jsp

More choices-
Toyo Proxes 4 (all season ultra high performance tire)
215/45-17 $88 each at edgeracing.com 300 wear, W speed rated 21.6 pounds, AA traction, section width 8.4"

Avon Tech M550 A/S (all season Ultra High performance tire)
215/45-17 $98 each at tirerack.com 360 wear, W speed rated, AA traction, Section width 8.3"
Performance test- http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=EZ3&url=/tires/tests/testResultsModel.jsp?tireMake=Avon&tireModel=Tech+ M550+A%2FS

Avon Tech M500 (Ultra High Performance summer tire)
215/45-17 $104 each at tirerack.com 280 wear, W speed rated, AA traction, section width 8.3"

Avon tech tires are worth a look and competitively priced. Talk to Alex@tirerack.com for more info.

 

I immediately swapped out my OEM wheels and tires for a set of lighter wheels and Toyo Proxes 4 tires. I had a set of Toyo T1S tires on my 02 MINI and really like them BUT we get quite a bit of snow and I was too lazy to continue swapping wheels and tires twice a year so I went with an all season tire. So far I am very happy with the Proxes 4. Their dry and wet grip as just about as good as the T1s, they are quiet and do offer decent traction in the snow which is a good thing seeing as how we are getting dumped on as I write this.

All that said, the 512s are a heck of a tire for the price. I am going to put a set on my daughter's 02 Golf this spring to replace the worn out Michelins. They have gotten rave reviews from the "leading consumer magazine". They offer good performance, decent wear, and are very affordable.

 

I had the Falkens on my old 325, and I am not sure the tires are really in the same class. Everything I read about the yokos is that they are at the very high end of performance for the price, and I would not say that about the falkens. What I will say is that the tread wear is great, they are wonderful in the rain, and they are very comfortable, quiet tires. I bought them because I was sick of loud rumbling tires and wanted something more practical.

Hope this helps,

mb

 

I have 16x7 rims. The Yokos I have are 205/50.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm leaning toward sticking with the Yokos. I never drive in snow. A quieter tire would be nice though. I did a bit more research and am liking Toyos as well. The T1-S compares with the ES-100, but it's lighter and a bit pricier (+$20) and the Proxes 4 compares with the Ziex, although not as durable.

 

Too bad the ST115's aren't available in 205/50/16 size.

 

I had considered Falken ST-115 but when I searched for owner's comments many were negative. Does anyone have experience with these tires and are they any good or not. Supposed to be "quiet" but also good for performance.

 

http://www.1010tires.com/tirereviews...e_reviews.html

Most of these reviews seem positive. Tire wear seems to be the only negative.

 

Reviews do vary. Here's one with a neat photo
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....74#post3704274

Don't run ST-115s on the track. These are for street use only in your luxury sedan (isn't my MINI a luxury sedan??? )

I don't have even a passing interest in running ST-115s after seeing that picture.

More Good and bad reviews-
http://www.epinions.com/Falken_Azeni...splay_~reviews

 

Im glad the ST115's aren't available in 205/50/16 size.

 

OK, enough on the ST-115 (don't always believe the claims).
For some they are probably OK but I don't think MINI owners will like them as much. I'd buy ZE-512s before ST-115 (soft grippy rubber wears down fast!)

Now, any more comments on the ZE-512s or the Yokohama ES100s?

Both are much better tires than the ST-115 but maybe not so quiet.
To solve that just turn up your stereo to even out the noise inside to the noise from the outside.

 

Iv'e had the falkens ZE-512's on for about 5 mos. now. I went from the runflats to them. My observations:

Good, quiet ride, firm but not hard.
Corners great - very good traction rain or sun.
Not very much squeak or squeal at the limit so its a little scary until you get used to it.
Tread wear is VERY good - I drive pretty hard.
Price was great. Like 80 bucks mounted and balanced? So far no complaints.
Mine are 15 in 205/50's.

 

I have Yoko Parada 2's on order and am thinking that too much tire noise is going to be a factor. Anybody agree?

 

I think noise becomes more of an issue as the tire wears (after half its life). My Yokos, when new, seemed no more louder than the stock all-season Contis (175/65/15). Also, if you don't like listening to music kinda loud it's more of a negative factor. :smile:

 

Not to knock anyones tires out there in NAMworld, but I wouldn't put the ZE512's on my vehicle unless you're left w/ few other options. My experience w/ them is that they handle adequately enough, but the shoulders on them just goes away. Most people I've seen w/ these tires tend to get less than 20k miles on them. Granted, most people don't ever ck. their air pressure and rotate regularly either so perhaps that could be the explanation for the lower than normal tread life. The ES100's are a better cornering tire, but they tend to get noisy as the tread wears (typical of a lot of HP tires). Do check out the Toyo Proxes and be on the lookout for the new Yokohama Advan tires due out soon, they'll be replacing the AVS Sports and they are supposed to be better than the sports in all aspects.

Every time this question of which tire to pick comes up, you get defenders of each brand stating that theirs is the best tire. I've got customers who come in and tell me that the "el cheapo" $20 special tire is the best thing they've ever ridden on . It never ceases to amaze. Pick one that your tire dealer is going to stand behind in case you have a problem w/ one, and buy the road hazard warranty. Very helpful w/ lower profile tires.

Later

 

Parada's do tend to cup on the inner shoulders if your suspension bits are worn or shocks/struts aren't up to snuff, in which case they get noisy as
they wear. But what can you expect w/ tread blocks the size of Texas?
Keep them rotated or the rears will get cupped and noisy. Other than that, they handle and stop great. Good choice.

 

Which ones? The Proxes 4? The Proxes T1s?

 

If you aren't going to experience any snow or ice go with the T1S. The Proxes 4 are all season rated and will give good performance but not quite as good as the T1s.

 

The Toyo Proxes T1-S is being replaced with the T1-R, to address complaints about wet handling and noise.

 

I have 205/50-16 Falken Ziex ZE 512's and I'm very happy with them, but I'd run Yokos if they were better in snow.

 

The T1-S is a very good performing tire and the Proxes 4 is a good all-season HP tire.

Keep in mind, the ZE512 is M+S rated whereas the ES100 is not.

No snow for the Yoko

Later

 

I can't seem to find a listing for the Falken Ziex 512 with a 16" rim OEM 195/55 R16. Is it manufactured or is there another size that fits?

 

I had the ES-100 on my last Miata and liked them alot. This Miata I had the Falken Azenis 215's, they are good for 10K miles. I am gonna give the new Dunlop Direzza's a try now.

 

I have 205/50 R16 — they're slightly wider, but very close to the stock dia.