Tyres - Overkill???

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Popey

Senior member
Im replacing my rear tyres with non run flats to match the front which are FALKEN FK452's. BUT when looking at the tyres I couldnt help but think if I need such perormance tyres with my 2.5 auto and a very laid back driving style. I know safety is important too but the price difference for some cheap tyres is £65 as to the 452's at £103.

Would love some input from you guys, if I had a 3.0si or a M I would not be asking this question.
 
The Falkens are relatively cheap for a high quality tyre though. It's not like you're looking at top price ones.

Regardless of your driving style I think the question you should be asking is whether the reduced grip of a cheaper tyre (particularly noticeable in the wet, and especially on a RWD car) is worth the cost saving, I suspect that the first time you need to stop quickly or hit a slippery bit you will regret it if you've skimped on them!

I've had cheap tyres fitted by the previous owners on some of my cars and they are simply not worth the relatively small saving. At best the saving on two tyres would amount to what? A single tank of fuel?

I'd rather have total confidence in my tyres and have had to bin some of my cheaper tyres in the past due to their woeful wet grip.
 
Blue said:
The Falkens are relatively cheap for a high quality tyre though. It's not like you're looking at top price ones.

Regardless of your driving style I think the question you should be asking is whether the reduced grip of a cheaper tyre (particularly noticeable in the wet, and especially on a RWD car) is worth the cost saving, I suspect that the first time you need to stop quickly or hit a slippery bit you will regret it if you've skimped on them!

I've had cheap tyres fitted by the previous owners on some of my cars and they are simply not worth the relatively small saving. At best the saving on two tyres would amount to what? A single tank of fuel?

I'd rather have total confidence in my tyres and have had to bin some of my cheaper tyres in the past due to their woeful wet grip.
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x2

£103 for a tyre is not expensive really.
 
What size Tyres do you need? And yes IMO Falkens are good, but you want them to keep you on the road. One budget I would recommend are kenda kaisers. Well had to have something they had in stock, and that was it. But would actually recommend them, as grip and wet performance was very good for a budget :)
 
£103 for a Falken 452 is OK and less than half the price of the best, but what size are they? I just paid about £350 for four 225-45 17" (on a 2.5 SE) from a local independent fitter all-in and with four wheel alignment checked (no adjustments needed which is extra). He was doing Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics for £108 from memory but had Falkens fitted to his M3 and that was good enough for me.

I hate wasting money but really wouldn't go to a budget brand as you WILL notice the difference and once they are on, you are stuck with them. IMO £65 will be too cheap.
 
Or look on camskill and get some prices. As it was 62 quid for a 225/40R18 when I was looking at Falkens :)

And get a decent garage to fit them for £20 for all four usually
 
The Falkens for my 17" rims are £79 each from My Tyres, even if I got budget ditchfinders for £50 a corner the saving just doesn't make up for the decreased quality!
 
I've stuck by Bridgestone Run Flat for five years now. These run flats tyres will get more and more expensive a production of them gets less and less because many owners of cars that use run flats ditch them and get conventional types an a can of tyre weld.
 
popey
0-60 in 7 secs and top of 140+ You need to equip the car with the correct speed rated tyres regardless of make, else risk major insurance issues in the event of an accident.

As for the ultra cheapo tyres not only do they grip less, so regardless of your driving style you'll not stop as quickly if you need to, but wear out way faster leading to a false economy.

Remember you've already dropped from near £1,000 of Bridgestone RFT's to around £350 on Falkens(or equiv.) so no need to go scrabbling for something in the £200's.

I'm another Falkens 452 fan as a balance of correct rated tyre, performance and economy.
 
Regardless of driving style, those 4 bits of rubber are all that's connecting you to the road. Tyres isn't something that anyone shouldever skimp on IMO.
 
I'm considering weather to get 452's or 050A's for my Z next. 452's are very highly rated but are still a budget tyre. Anything less is a ditch finder, yes £40 a corner saving is alot but with cheap tyres and RWD its only a matter of time before you stack it.
 
a11y said:
Regardless of driving style, those 4 bits of rubber are all that's connecting you to the road. Tyres isn't something that anyone shouldever skimp on IMO.
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+1 i couldnt agree more.

In my eyes Falkens are already budget tyres.... you cant really get much less then these.

Also the dithcfinders may be a false economy as your likely to get less miles out of them then more expensive tyres.
 
a11y said:
Regardless of driving style, those 4 bits of rubber are all that's connecting you to the road. Tyres isn't something that anyone shouldever skimp on IMO.
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+2 (Thats what i always say!!)

Cheap tyres are a false economy. A danger to your, and others safety.
 
Give Black Circles a try on http://www.blackcircles.com/
They deliver the tyres to you & recommend friendly local fitters to use...

In the past I've been very impressed by Toyo T1-R's, particularly in the wet, and intend to fit these when my runflats give up the ghost, currently £106 per tyre above...

HTH
GP
 
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