Hi

I have read a lot of threads on here regarding tyres but they are usually related to the vRS, of which Toyo seem to be popular. I currently have Falken Ziex ZE512's on the back, which seem to be really good and Falken FK-452's on the front, which are appalling!! I have previously had the Ziex on the front and they were fine but when the current ones got half worn they started sliding, particularly in the wet, which really inspired confidence! The pressures are right by the way.

As I know that the diesel engine weighs a lot more, will it have an effect on handling compared to the petrol model?

If I got the tyres from a online shop (mytyres.co.uk or similar), is it easy to get them fitted or are the likes of Kwik-Fit a bit funny about fitting tyres which have been bought from them?

For info, my tyre size is 225/45R17.

Many thanks in advance for any advice given:)

Mark

Your ZE-512s seem to be afflicted in the same way as some Falkens I had 8 years ago - that is, they go 'off' with age/mileage. I have heard this from other sources as well.

The FK-452s are a newer design of tyre and are quite widely recommended by Briskodians (not just vRS drivers).

Considering you are using 225/45 17 IMHO I'd aim to get a full set of FK-452s on board.

Thanks for your response but it is the FK-452's that have 'gone off', not the ZE512's. I guess I may have got some dodgy ones or I have a bigger, as yet unknown, problem with the front end which I am blaming on the tyres.

Mark

My Falken FK-452's are great and even with low tread on the back still grip as well as ever. Obviously it might help that I drive a slow old Mondeo

Chris

I also run Falken 452s on a non-vRS (mine is a 2.0 Tdi Elegance) and am impressed so far.

The Toyos do get good reviews from a performance point of view, but not quite as good in terms of life from what I have read on here

Running Falken 452 with no problems.

Thanks for your response but it is the FK-452's that have 'gone off', not the ZE512's. I guess I may have got some dodgy ones or I have a bigger, as yet unknown, problem with the front end which I am blaming on the tyres.

Mark

Hmm; I appreciate your point but the 452s should be better!

It is always better to run a full set of the same 4 tyres as there will always be differences in grip levels etc; remember the 512s are a 'premium' tyre with the 452s being 'sports/performance'.

Maybe the 512s give similar grip levels dry or wet whereas the 452s are perhaps much stronger in the dry and hence with the current wet/damp/chilly weather they feel less good. Also being a sport/performance tyre I would expect the 452 to be of overall stiffer construction and will there work less well in the wet; the 512 being the opposite.

To try and help you out; how much tread have you got on each pair? How about swapping them front to rear so you have the 512s on the front and 452s at the back and see how the car feels?

Finally; If you buy your tyres 'on-line' I'm sure that most tyre dealers will then fit and balance them for you but expect to pay £10 - £15 per wheel (inc VAT) for this service; it may just be easier to buy from your local dealer OR the on-line guys do often offer a mobile fitting service.

It would be worth checking out www.event-tyres.co.uk ; I and other Briskodians have used them in the past, they do an excellent job at a competitive price.

I find the 452 work very well in the wet actually.. Not so sure about the tread pattern on snow/ice as yet, but that goes for all tyres with this tread pattern

Thanks Bahnstormer

My tyres are quite low now so I will probably change them next week but they always felt a bit 'light' when the road was damp and when driving out of roundabouts the traction control was on a fair bit although now I have to drive like a vicar at times, particularly if it is damp in the earlt morning.

I will try event tyres later on to see if they cover this area

Thanks

Mark

Thanks to you all for your response's.

Event tyres (Event Mobile Tyres - Your Local Mobile Tyre Fitting Service) came round this morning and did a very good job of replacing my tyres. I ended up going for the 512's to match the rear tyres so I now have a full set as suggested.

Thanks again

Mark

I've used Event before, and I couldn't fault them. On time, fitter was good, good price. A lot better than certain high street tyre chains.

I rate Event too - I was very sceptical about a bloke working out of a van, but he was quick, efficient, convenient and the wheels were balanced perfectly.

Chris