Yabo

Okay, I am basically decided on getting FALKEN ZIEX 512 tires. I know stock is 215/60/15. I searched around for the last 30 minutes, and got a real confusing jumble of answers. Here is the deal. I am going cheap with these because I am hoping to get some nice 17" wheels sometime early next year, and I don't want ot spend a lot on tires that I will just end up selling and losing a ton of money. And my tires are dangerous in the rain, and the rears are at or past the wear indicators. BTW I have stock phone's on them.

Okay so after reading, I saw that I can do 225/50/15, right?

What are the advantages? I woudl kind of like a slightly lower profile tire, (main reason for wanting bigger wheels), and i'm not scared to lower my eccentrics to make the lower profile look more fitting. Can someone explain to me what my best decision would be?

I'm not doing autocross, or tracks (i would love to, but rhode island sucks in that regard)
I do go for "spirited drives" where I would prefer handling over comfort.

Also last question, How much would it be around to get them put on and balanced?

thanks for the help!

triscadek

I've run ZE-502s/215-65-15 for 2 years and love them in the rain and snow. Remember thinner is better in the wet.

Serge944

225/50's arent too great for street. The gears are short as it is. The dry performance gain of 225/50 is minimal.

theedge

If you shop at Les Schwab, DONT buy their Zexius tires which they will tell you are Falkens/equal to the Ziex.

Ive lost traction going uphill in third gear, hardly on the throttle and boosting maybe 2PSI. In other words, I wasnt trying to get them loose

Serge944

www.vulcantire.com is THE place for falkens. Good luck.

Yabo

I was getting them from someone on ebay, who sells them new, free shipping, for 236-246 or something

So which are better in wet? the 225's? I'll prob go witht eh 215's I guess. Is the 225's difference in profile noticeable to the eye?

Tony K

Get the 225/50/15. The ZE512s have a slightly narrow tread width for their size as it is already. 944 Pete put a set on the 85.5 and I bought it like that. I drove the car daily and through plenty of rain, never hydroplaned until the tread wore low.

I agree with Serge. Look at the prices from Vulcantire.com - should come out the same price or very close to what you posted, and you have the peace of mind of having bought the real thing from an authorized dealer.

Here is a pic of my 944 with the ZIEX 512s in 225/50/15 and lowered rear eccentric:



On the 8" rear fuchs they are stretched a little thin, to the point where it is very easy to scratch the rim , but on the 15x7 wheels they are right at home. For the price, you won't be disappointed. Grip is nothing to brag about, but they transition from sticking to sliding very smoothly and progressively, making the car very easy to control.

Cheers,

Tony K

...one more thing - you will never see any difference in hydroplaning resistance between a 215 and a 225 width. You *will* notice a difference in handling between a 215/65 and a 225/50. And no, the Falken 225/50s won't beat you up on the street. I wore them down to the bars without an ounce of discomfort.

Yabo

Thanks a ton tony, and everyone else. I think I've decided to go wtih the 225/50's. At least then I'll know. I'll show a link to the auction, you guys think theres a chance these are not legit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7922154968

I read his feedback, and most look good, some problems with his goodyears, but other than that, not bad.

It looks like at the second he does not have 225/50/15's on there, but he does have 225/60/15's. Can someone let me know the difference of the two? what dimension is changed?

EDIT Nevermind on the auction - emailed him, he has none left, (even though he has auction up) Grrr. Anyway, i just realized, if I only drive this In the summer, is there a better tire for the same price as the falkens that is better for wet/dry pavement (not snow?) I notice these are all season, thats why I was curious. Still would like to know on the size difference of 50 and 60.

BTW: I also had asked earlier about how much it is generally to get tires put on and balanced.

njwilser

Yeildsign,
You already got your answer above, (Vulcan Tire), I just pulled my invoice and I paid $44 each plus $28 shipping ( $204 total) for four 215/60/15 on April 8th. I think I ordered monday afternoon and they were sitting in my driveway Wed. when I got home. I am very pleased w/ the tires but they are not high performance. Great tire for the price and I am very happy. High performance, no. Sidewalls are a bit soft. They ride great and have improved the ride of my 85/1 tremendously. Maybe next time I'll spend more $$ and try the V rated Yokahamas. The 225/50 tires will have a lower profile which in english means it will have a smaller diameter and your car will sit lower and not tend to experience as much sidewall flex in turns but may not be as comfortable as the taller tire will absorb more road bumps.the smaller 55 series will have to spin more to go the same distance thereby simulating lower drive gear ratios.

Good luck and I hope you're happy w/ what you decide.

MW

njwilser

I forgot to add
$10 to $25 per tire for mount and balance. I like costco for both price and service but they would only mount the falkens off the vehicle as they ar H rated and not V as originally equipped.

Serge944

Tires 101:

215 (the width of the tire) 60 (the aspect ratio...sidewall height as a % of width) 15 (wheel diameter)

The 60's will have a larger profile...larger than the 215/60's on your car right now.

Yabo

Gotchya, thanks.