[Mk2] [NA] Standard tyre choices: GoodYear, Toyo, whatabout Falken?

[caribblue2]

How do people find the Falken tyres for standard MK2 sizes (195/55/15 and 225/50/15). Do they provide good all round grip? Dramatically worse than the Toyos? Any experience appreciated!

[jmachling]

I'd avoid Toyos on standard rims - they need a hefty increase in pressure to keep them feeling even vaguely planted.

Falken 452s are a good tyre, although I've not tried them on a 15" rim, just 17".

[jmachling]

Double post...

[raptor95GTS]

defo avoid toyo's in the 15's. Dunno what else to advise though

[TheRoadWarrior]

The other problem with toyos is they're very sticky- which is good for grip but means they wear out fast.

[jmachling]

The other problem with toyos is they're very sticky- which is good for grip but means they wear out fast.

I must drive like a granny then because my rears lasted 10k+ and the fronts are still fine.

I have to say with low but legal (2-3mm) tread depth they were lethal in the damp.

[iblis]

I had Falken 512s (I think that's the number) on my stock wheels. Never had a problem with them at all.

[RichardK]

I had Falkens on a 480 and it ATE the tyres, 6,000 miles from the fronts.

Are they better than this now? I've been turning them down, but the choices for matched sets on the MR2 stock rims are very limiting.

[ArmyMR2]

You can get matching front and rears in the new falken ZE912 - new tread pattern out in the last 6mths, they do have a good all round write up! Of course as you have already written the Toyos are available in both aswell

details of ZE912

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=91872

and piccy!

Regards

Claire

[caribblue2]

Excellent, thank you for that. Convinced about the 912! May well give you a bell in the near future

[C50]

i have falken 512's and not too pleased with them.

[dawolf]

I've had both these tyres on MR2's. The Toyo's are better than the Falken's, it's most noticeable when driving in the wet really. The Falken is a reasonable budget tyre but tends to let go more easily in the wet and there are stories of some models losing their shape.

I currently have Toyo T1-R's in the standard 15" size running 32psi front and 35psi rear and they are perfectly fine. I can't understand these people who go on about needing to run high pressures. Yes I agree the sidewalls have a tiny amount of flex but this helps retain grip on the road. I've done about 5k miles on the Toyo's, there is still about 3-4mm tread on the rears and 6mm left on the front. Not bad considering I drive quite hard. The only other tyre I would consider apart from Toyo is Goodyear F1's.

[HighwayStar]

Likewise I'm v happy with the 15" Toyos on mine. I'm running 205/50s on the front and pressures are 33 front and 37 rear so higher than standard but well below their maximum recommended (and good for fuel consumption). Done about 12k since changing from yokohamas and fronts are fine but rears only have another 1k or so left (maybe 3k if I'm prepared to let them get right to the legal limit... which I'm not!). My driving is VERY spirited.
In my experience, with my car, with my geometry etc. etc., I'd say they are way better than the Yokos. More predictable (hence faster), quieter and with a much better ride also. Not tried the Falkens though so can't comment there. Also they're quite easy to source.
Just my twopenneth.

R.

[FreeFall]

I'm surprised Harry hasn't chipped in yet - ISTR he loves the Falkens.

[Goto10]

Totally OT, but I thought the car in your avatar was a Lotus Amazing how different a car looks by moving a numberplate

[JohnnyC]

I'm on my 2nd set of Toyo T1-Rs on the rear (standard sizes), I love em
For me they last around 16K miles. Every bit as good as the Pirelli Pzeros I had previously. But not as good as the Yokohama A022 before that for dry traction - although the Yokos were pretty dire in the wet.

Think you'll struggle to get Goodyear Eagle F1 in standard sizes though.

[Goto10]

You can get matching front and rears in the new falken ZE912 - new tread pattern out in the last 6mths, they do have a good all round write up! Of course as you have already written the Toyos are available in both aswell

details of ZE912

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=91872

and piccy!

Regards

Claire

Do we get discount at Elite then? I've bought all my tyres from you guys, never thought to check :/

Back on tyres - currently on Toyo T1R all around, great tyre, also done a trackday with them. I had a set of F1 GSD3 before that and they were also very good.

[RabRS]

Falkens don't last. I have some FK542's in 245/35/17 on mine and they're worn out already.

[Race Idiot]

Falkens don't last. I have some FK542's in 245/35/17 on mine and they're worn out already.

I've put a good 10,000 miles on a used set of FK452's and they still have plenty of tread, well less so on the rears than the fronts but i've been impressed with the wear rate. I don't drive like a nutter but I don't baby the car either so take that as you will.