Falken ZE912 or Kumho KU31
- Thread starter JamesRJ
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
This made me chuckle
I hope you picked up some Tesco Value Oil on the way home, its loads cheaper than that Castrol rubbish
[TW]Fox;17258144 said:
Because there are many reasons to buy a particular car other than performance such as ergonomics, comfort, economy, brand image, reliability etc etc, not everyone needs every last fraction of grip, some tyres that give very high levels of grip can respond badly on braking over some surfaces due to hard sidewalls for example.
In any given accident you can almost certainly say there would be another tyre that would outperform yours on the same surface, so it is about getting a tyre that is reasonable, affordable, and doesn't overly compromise safety.
Some people for example choose a tyre that gives much better fuel economy, but it compromises on grip, these are sold by premium companies and are very popular, but they must all be idiots as they have less grip right?
I cannot be bothered to argue with you if you are going to start putting words into my mouth. Nowhere in this thread have I called anyone an 'idiot' and I'm not prepared to start a pathetic slanging match.
I've made my point perfectly clear, and that is that I don't see the point in buying a comparatively expensive car and then cheaping out on matters to do with running it. £100 a corner for rear tyres on an E46 Sport, I was suprised you could even buy anything that wasn't a Linglong for that. a PS3 is almost £200 in this size, even the Potenzas which are amongst the cheaper premium tyres are £162 before fitting. If you think sub £100 tyres are going to be as good, then, well thats your opinion and you are entitled to it. The lower down the range you get the less a tyre is a considered blend of performance, economy, grip and life and more it simply becomes a round black thing to appeal to those who simply want 'some tyre'.
I've made my point perfectly clear, and that is that I don't see the point in buying a comparatively expensive car and then cheaping out on matters to do with running it. £100 a corner for rear tyres on an E46 Sport, I was suprised you could even buy anything that wasn't a Linglong for that. a PS3 is almost £200 in this size, even the Potenzas which are amongst the cheaper premium tyres are £162 before fitting. If you think sub £100 tyres are going to be as good, then, well thats your opinion and you are entitled to it. The lower down the range you get the less a tyre is a considered blend of performance, economy, grip and life and more it simply becomes a round black thing to appeal to those who simply want 'some tyre'.
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Keep calm
I am and indeed the rest of what you said was correct, buy the best you can afford.
So if I go and buy some 20 inch wheels such that the best tyre I can then afford to put on them are made by Wan Li, thats totally ok, and not at all indicative that perhaps buying 20 inch wheels or a car with them fitted was perhaps not a sterling idea?
I'm so bad at this making a withdrawl from an argument thing
Still, he's bought his tyres now so we are free to have a big tyre fight for the rest of the afternoon
[TW]Fox;17258213 said:So if I go and buy some 20 inch wheels such that the best tyre I can then afford to put on them are made by Wan Li, thats totally ok, and not at all indicative that perhaps buying 20 inch wheels or a car with them fitted was perhaps not a sterling idea?
I'm so bad at this making a withdrawl from an argument thing
Still, he's bought his tyres now so we are free to have a big tyre fight for the rest of the afternoon
No its a bad idea as you well know, but even though you and i might stump up the extra for a super sonic set of tyres, not everyone can.
Hence me saying when i first came on this forum, go and buy the best you can find on special offer. I got slagged for it then, but there is an element of sense in it.
You are of course 100% right in buy a car you can afford to run properly with the best tyres, im not disputing that at all. But in the real world people end up in a situation where they have the car, then worry about running it.
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I cant afford good tyres and maintenance on a Porsche 911.
So there isnt one parked outside.
Besides, a set of 452's is hardly expensive!
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[TW]Fox;17258193 said:
I haven't put any words in your mouth, I asked the question "they must be idiots for buying tyres with less grip right?", if you didn't realise there are reasonable quality tyres around for under £100 then I can now understand why you so vehemently recommend premium branded tyres.
I asked about Falken 912's on here many months ago, but thankfully I also spoke to other people who had actually used them and as a result I was very impressed, they worked very well on a highly modified 205 in all weathers without ABS, so I am talking from personal experience now, not just internet banter. You can pay 100's extra for tyres that may only be 1% better in a given scenario that you are never in, but there is always the argument better to have and not need than need and not have, I understand and respect that, but just like getting in the car everyday is a risk, it's a risk I and many others are prepared to take as I can minimise that risk through more careful observational driving.
Ah right, presumeably everything you do in your car is based on how safe it is then?
But in effect, I would argue that the BMW E46 on Falken 912's is at least as safe as the Focus Zetec on similar tyres which is quoted as the value for money.
As for the 20inch using wan li's well clearly that is when you have gone beyond your means, I do not regard fitting mid level tyres on an E46 as the same thing at all.
Heck you should see the total rubbish fitted to my 318is' M3 Alloys, I mean seriously, Falken 912's would be a major upgrade and improvement in safety.
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What I've seen about 912's suggest they are not badly suited to lighter cars, but for heavier cars, there are better choices - of which the 452 is one. The fact Falken offer the 452 as well, higher in the range, suggests its probably a better tyre if nothing else!
[TW]Fox;17258264 said:
Actually Falken promotes the 912 as a tyre suitable for MPV's as they do specific versions with reinforced sidewalls for heavier cars, but I guess you knew that and took that into account when you read those internet articles right?
Ah yes, MPV's, a type of vehicle known for the focus of high performance tyre development.
You are brilliant at totally missing the point. There is no question they are sold available for heavier cars - heck, there are not many light cars which take a 255/35/18 tyre - the point was that there are BETTER SUITED tyres in the Falken range for such cars.
Like, you know, the 452. The one even Falken themselves are happy to claim is superior!
[TW]Fox;17258296 said:
I think you will find the only difference is what they claim is the use of the tyres. One is designed as a no compromises road performance tyre, the other is designed as an all rounder with comfort and safety in mind.
I 100% agree that for performance driving the 452 is superior, no doubt in my mind, where available and performance driving is the goal, get it. Where I fail to agree with you at all is that the 912 is inherently less safe than the 452 for general driving and in the event of an emergency, and nowhere do Falken claim the 452 is superior to the 912 in safety and this is my point and where I fail to see yours.
And they are only £2.80 extra per tyre in 255/35R18 size at Camskil.
I know which tyres I'd go for, and yes I've tried both.
Yup they are very similarly priced, they are very similar in value, but they meet 2 different objectives. However, they are both similar in safety, and for an enthusiastic driver, like lopez said once the 452's are available the reasons for the 912 do diminish unless you value longevity over response and feel.